Chapter 24: Practice Promises

"People like him disgust me." Theo practically spat out his words while he held his coffee in his hand.

"I know, but Alita was very brave with her friends." Cecile pointed out the bravery their daughter had displayed a few nights before.

"I just did what anyone else would've done." Ali shrugged as she took another bite from her toast.

"I'm so very proud of you, but you also need to be careful. You might get hurt every time you run in to help someone." Theo was concerned for his daughters' safety. He reached over the table to hold her hand, but she just shook it away before standing.

"Don't worry so much." Ali walked over to her parents and placed a kiss on each head. "I'm going to head to school now. Reggie's car should be pulling up." She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked to the door, but she heard her father call out to her,

"I don't like you spending so much time with this Reggie guy!"

"You don't like any man that isn't you, Mathias or Clovis!" Ali laughed. "I'll see you later!" Ali quickly left the house and wasn't surprised to see Reggie's car pulled up to the curb and him standing outside, leaning against the car with his arms crossed over his chest. Reggie took one look at Ali and whistled at her appearance. "I'm trying to defend you to my dad, so whistling won't help the cause." Ali explained as she walked over to him.

"Well we'll just have to keep it our little secret." Reggie winked before opening up the car door, so Ali could climb in. Once Reggie was back in his seat, he started the car and began to make his way to school. "I have a favour to ask you."

"That sounds ominous." Ali said as she leaned back into her seat and enjoyed the familiar drive.

"So apparently Jughead is doing a drag race with my car." Ali's head almost snapped off her neck with how fast she looked at Reggie.

"You're letting someone else drive your car?" Ali practically gasped.

"It's a long story. Anyways, I was wondering if you could show Jughead a few tricks?"

"No." Ali answered bluntly.

"Why not?" Reggie asked.

"Because I don't teach people how to race. I just race." Ali shrugged her shoulders. When they arrived at a red light, Reggie turned to Ali and presented his puppy dog eyes.

"Please!"

"Are you a child?" Ali joked. Reggie huffed in his seat as he made a turn.

"Can you just do this for me? Didn't your American license come through anyways?" Reggie asked.

"It did." Ali answered.

"So then you have no reason not to help." Reggie smiled at Ali before turning into the parking lot at school. Ali sighed as she pushed the back of her head into her headrest. However, outside, students watched as the familiar car pulled into the parking lot.

The students watched as Reggie and Ali exited the car. Ali always seemed to come out of the car with an annoyed look on her face while Reggie swung his bag over his shoulder and escorted her inside. The two never noticed that they were constantly being watched since they were in a world of their own. Students noticed how Reggie would smile a littler wider whenever Ali was nearby and how Ali seemed a little less intimidating whenever Reggie was in the vicinity.

"I'll make you a deal." Ali said as her and Reggie walked to her locker, so she could grab her books.

"I'm all ears." Reggie replied as he leaned against the locker beside Ali's, crossed his arms over his chest and nodded to the nearest Bulldog.

"I'll do it."

"Really?" Reggie beamed when he looked over at the British girl beside him.

"As long as you don't escort me to him. I'll teach Jughead, but I have to drive the car there…without you in it." Ali stated. Reggie's jaw dropped at this proposal.

"You have to be kidding."

"Nope."

"No way." Reggie said as he shook his head.

"And why not?" Ali questioned him. She closed her locker door and began to walk away from the taller man.

"Because I don't want you to have my car, alone. Also, why can't I come with you? We go everywhere together!" Reggie exaggerated.

"We do not go everywhere together. You better not be telling people that." Ali said after her hand slapped Reggie on his bicep.

"I don't! But I wouldn't be lying, exactly." Reggie wiggled his eyebrows as a smile crept on his face. He wrapped his arm around Ali's shoulders and brought her closer to his side. Ali shook her head and seemed unfazed by Reggie's touch, which sent a pang of sadness through Reggie's heart. He had been beating himself up after kissing Ali, but he was hoping that he didn't completely ruin his chances with her. Yes, he was a playboy, but he genuinely cared about Ali. This was the first time he'd ever felt such sadness.

"I still don't think you should come." Ali said.

"Why not?" Reggie questioned.

"Because you know the serpents will be there and I don't think you'll behave." Ali answered once she stood beside the door to her English class.

"I'm not going to let you go see those thugs by yourself. I'm coming to make sure you're safe." Reggie lowered his voice as he spoke.

"I'll be fine. I'm a big girl." Ali shrugged her shoulders.

"No, I'm coming with you. End of discussion." Ali looked up at the tall Korean man with an annoyed expression.

"Reggie…"

"No. Don't 'Reggie' me. I'm coming along." Ali sighed and rolled her eyes as she said,

"Fine." Ali pointed her finger at Reggie and jabbed it into his chest.

"Promise me that you'll behave. I don't want any fight starting."

"I promise." Reggie raised his hands. "I won't be fighting anyone."

"What have I gotten myself into?" Ali asked herself as she turned around and walked into her classroom.

Oooooooo what do we think will happen at the practice?