Nobody even questioned my short absence yesterday. Which I'm thankful for because then they would have told Anne I skipped a period and she would become suspicious.

"Hey Max, my half sister agreed to help you. Meet her in the gym today after school," Sam said to me at lunch.

"What is she helping her with?" Lissa asked.

"Cheerleading," Sam replied. Lissa laughed and told me good luck. I really hate her.

PAGEBREAK

"Sam's sister?" I called entering the gym.

"Half sister," Ella came through the gym doors behind me.

"Oh, what parent do you share?"

"Our dad. But I kept my mom's last name because my dad died before I was born," Ella explained touching her toes. We both were already wearing our gym clothes. "Let's start."

PAGEBREAK

Fang's POV

"2, 4, 6, 8 who do we appreciate-"

"Next!" Lissa yelled. I watched as another dream was crushed. The girl started tearing up and ran from the center of the gym.

Lissa and 2 other cheerleaders sat at a table with clipboards...to poor little freshman, they look intimidating as hell. There weren't many people here. Some cheerleaders from last year sat on one bench by the table and the ones trying out were in the bleachers. Sam, Dylan and the new football team sat in the bleachers too, no doubt being the pigs they are. I only came because I'm giving Max a ride home and had to wait. It would be interesting seeing her cheer. I mean she has the looks but her personality? Eh. Most cheerleaders were very down to earth and perky and nice but the ones like Lissa...were well bitchy. Max was neither.

"Max you're up!" Lissa yelled. Max took her time getting up and going to the floor, just to bug Lissa. "Hurry up! I have things to do tonight!"

"Calm down. You won't have to be at your corner till at least 7. That's when all the high paying perverts come out," Max replied perkily, standing in the center of the gym. Everyone on the bleachers snickered and I couldn't help but crack a smile. Lissa laughed too as if they were just friends teasing each other but it was faker than her nose.

"Name?" Lissa asked.

"Max?" Max said confused.

"Grade?"

"Same as you..."

"Experience?"

"None, I'm a virgin."

"I meant with cheerleading!"

"Isn't that what cheerleading is? Dress skimpy and sleep with the football team?"

"No!" Lissa turned bright red and almost broke her clipboard.

"Oh well looking at you, I thought differently," Max said checking her nail.

"Just go!" Lissa yelled. Max put her arms and legs together and holding the pompoms by her sides.

"Go team," Max said in monotone. "Fight...Win...Do stuff..." Wow, she was sincerely terrible...I could see the football team wincing at her horrid cheering.

Lissa was smiling hugely, "I'm sorry Max-"

"U-G-L-Y-" Max started yelling.

"Max! I'm sorry but you-"

"You ain't got no alibis! You know what. Screw this," Max said throwing the pompoms. She threw her hands in the air and started cart wheeling, do splits in the air, flips...She was amazing. She was so flexible. She looked like a professional cheerleader...She ended her routine with doing a flip in the air than landing in the splits. Sexy.

The football team hollered and other girls cheered. Lissa sat there with her jaw dropped open. Max smiled right at her.

"Max, I'm sorry-" Lissa tried saying but the football team started chanting Max's name.

"You will find out the results tomorrow," one of the nice cheerleaders beside Lissa said.

PAGEBREAK (NEXT DAY)

"Max! Guess what?" Sam yelled running up when I walked into homeroom. "You made the squad!" He picked me up and twirled me in a circle.

"Okay, Okay put me down," I grumbled. I tried playing it cool, but I was still proud about squashing Lissa. Speaking of the devil...

"Hey Max-here's your uniform. We're all required to wear it for the day," Lissa said overly bubbly. She hooked arms with me and dragged me out of the room and to the bathroom. She gave me the girls' uniform; it was awful and slutty. A yellow long sleeved top with blue sleeves and our school's logo at the front. The top stopped just under my chest showing my whole stomach. The skirt was mainly blue with touches of yellow and went mid thigh. When I stepped out of the stall, Lissa's face matched her hair.

"Hey look girls, they have a new whore," Geena and her crew entered the bathrooms.

"Coming from you, that's doesn't really mean anything," I said absentmindedly looking at my outfit in the mirror. I had a pretty nice thin curves I guess and you could see my abs well...I noticed Lissa was just deathly skinny with a flat stomach and her ribs showing. Her boobs were really big, as big as mine even.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Geena said trying to get up in my face. Wow, scary. I just rolled my eyes and pushed past her, making sure to bump my shoulder with hers very hard. The bell rang and I had math. With Sam.

"Why Max...you look," Sam's started saying, his eyes bogging out of his head, "-like...a cheerleader."

"That's the look I was going for," I said smiling at his awkwardness.

When lunch finally came along, I already felt like I had been raped and molested by boys' eyes. I feel like people should be throwing money at me asking for my 'services.' I put on a hooding from my locker to cover up a bit.

I noticed a beautiful mocha-skinned girl with big brown eyes looking for a spot to sit. She looked new to the school. She looked like a freshman. She scanned the area and looked at the only empty table. Here we go again.

I saw Gina and her crew enter the cafe just to smirk, seeing this new girl at their table.

"This is just hilarious. 2 girls in the same week," Gina laughed at the freshman. "Except this one is absolutely pathetic." Gina grabbed the new girl's bagged lunch and stifled through it. "I'll be taking this. Bring me one next week too. Or else." The new girl didn't move. She just looked up at Gina in fear. Gina threw the bag, it went in the trash can in the corner. This was just ridiculous.

"So Max, you have to come to the party tonight, I can pick you up and take you there," Dylan said and I agreed. I wasn't really paying attention to him-more so to the new girl.

The new girl was too scared to move or speak. Gina was getting impatient and grabbed the girl by the collar, about to throw her out of her seat. Nobody moved.

"So pick you up at 8?"

"Yeah sure, Dylan." I got up and quickly went over to the table. "Put her down," I growled. Gina stopped for a second, then turned around smiling.

"It's okay girls, it's just a prep," Gina said laughing.

"It's okay, it's just a wannabe thinking she's tough," I spoke in the same tone, directed at the new girl.

"Excuse me? What did you just say?"

"You heard me. You're not as tough as you think," I said pulling her by the back of her shirt, off of the new girl. "Come on, we can have lunch together outside." I said grabbing the new girl's hand, and getting up to leave.

"Afterschool. Parking lot. You will see how tough I am," Gina shouted after me. I froze and slowly turned around before stalking up to her.

"You're on," I said, my eyes narrowed down to slits. I was about to leave until I remembered something. I grabbed the tray of food Gina had bought that just sat on her table. "I'll be taking this." Gina was about to stop me before I said "Afterschool."

I gave the tray to the freshman and led her outside to one of the picnic tables under a tree.

"What's your name?" I asked the girl.

"Nudge. Thanks for what you did back there," She said smiling. "I'm new here and am a freshman. Oh my god isn't that such a weird word? Freshman? I mean, fresh...like new and man like...man? I'm a girl. And you're a girl...and a cheerleader! Omg a cheerleader is talking to me! I've always wanted to be one...I just need some work, maybe next year if I still go here-"

"Hey Nudge?"

"Yeah?"

"Stop talking," I smiled to show her I was just teasing. "Why are you coming to school on a Friday? I would have just waited for the weekend to pass..."

"Because I don't want to miss a day of learning and making friends if I don't have to-" before she could say anymore I cut her off.

"Ah I see."

"So are you really going to fight her? I mean, no offence... but you don't look like the type to fight well. I mean you look badass and everything but..."

"Yeah, I will fight her. I have to prove-"

"You are not fighting her," Fang appeared behind me making me jump.

"Nudge, meet the school's scary emo loner," I said grumpily. I hate it when he sneaks up behind me. "And you can't stop me."

"Max you are not fighting her. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Yeah Max, she will rip you to shreds," Nudge stated, agreeing with Fang.

PAGEBREAK

"I'm going to rip you to shreds," Geena cracked her knuckles. All the teachers had left but half the students wanted to watch. I feel like weird standing in the circle the kids made around me and Geena.

"Well, good luck with that?" As you can tell-I'm not a good trash talker. Geena stepped towards me and raised her fist and I mentally prepared myself for the easy fight. I didn't move as she got ready to swing.

Don't show off too much. I told myself. Geena brought her fist towards my face, I was planning on catching it at the last second, but something pushed me out of the way.

Soon enough strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me back. I looked up to see Sam holding me and dragging me through the crowd. I back at Geena who was exchanging words with Fang. Well, Fang just stood there giving her the death glare.

"I'm taking you home," Sam said still dragging me towards his car. "I won't let you get beat up."

"Gee, what a gentleman," I grumbled as he opened the door and gently shoved me inside.

On the drive to Anne's building, the car was silent. But it wasn't awkward.

"So...are you coming to the party tonight?" Sam asked breaking the silence.

"I think so."

"I can pick you up-"

"Oh, it's okay. Dylan already said he would," I said looking out the window. I looked over at Sam who was frowning.

"You've been spending a lot of time with Fang..." Sam said, "He never hangs out with anyone...Never mind cares for someone..."

"People should give him a chance."

PAGEBREAK

"Hey Anne, is it alright if I go to a party tonight?" I asked at dinner.

"Of course. Have fun," Anne smiled warmly and went back to eating. I went to go pick out my outfit. I just put on skinny jeans, short white tank top and fitted black leather jacket and combat boots.

"Max! There's a nice young man waiting for you," Anne called. Dylan stood at the front door in all his glory. "Have fun kids!"

Dylan wouldn't stop talking the whole ride. I was ready to kill him. He finally arrived at a huge mansion-like house that had many cars parked out front. He led me inside; the music pounded against my ears making my already thudding heart beat harder. I could smell alcohol and the sweaty people. We were greeted by a bunch of people I haven't bothered to get to know. I couldn't even move the place was so crowded.

"Let's dance," Dylan yelled and led me to the living room, where kids were moving to the music. Now, I've heard of dancing-I've never actually done it before. Dylan started moving really close to me so I looked over to one of the girls. She was moving her hips against a guy so I tried. At first it was awkward because I was trying to learn but then I got the hang of it. Dylan smiled hugely.

"I'm going to go get us something to drink, I'll be right back," Dylan yelled over the music and left. I moved from the middle of the dance floor to the couch which was pushed out of the way.

"Hey baby," some brunette buff football guy said, sitting next to me. I could tell he was drunk beyond belief. "Wanna have some fun?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"Yes!" I said excitedly. I was pretty bored waiting for Dylan. What else was I suppose to do?

He got up and told me to follow him. I followed him down the hallway. He led me to what looked to be a bedroom and closed the door behind me.

"So, what are we doing?"

He grinned and pointed to the bed, "Sit down."

I was suspicious at first but I'm guessing this is normal for teens. I did as told. He came over and took off my jacket. I guess you can't have fun with a jacket on. But then he started removing my shirt...What?

I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it back down. He came over and gently pushed me on my back and got on top, grinding his hips into mine. I heard him moan loudly, grinding his crotch into mine harder and faster.

"What are you doing?"

He smiled and leaned down, kissing my neck then he brought his lips to mine.

They would have touched if I didn't push him off me. "I don't want to have fun anymore." I quickly got up and grabbed my jacket. He just stood there, stunned.

I went back to the dance floor. "Oh there you are Max," Dylan said handing me a red cup. "Drink.'

The smell was disgusting but everyone else was drinking it so I took a sip. It took all my willpower not to spit it out.

"Let's go outside, most of our friends are out there," Dylan said grabbing my arm and leading me to the sliding screen doors. The backyard was nice-no neighbours surrounding it for miles. Rich people like privacy. There was a pool and hot tub outside. Some people waved us over to the hot tub. I recognized almost all of them. Lissa and Sam were there.

"Let's get in..." Dylan suggested.

"I didn't bring a bathing suit," I said.

"Who says you need one?" Lissa giggled standing up a bit to show Dylan her lacy skimpy bra. Dylan smiled and licked his lips, taking off his shirt and pants.

"No thanks, I'll just watch..." I said.

"Oh come on Max, don't be such a chicken," Lissa huffed. "Are you self conscious?"

I felt something bump into my back. "Oops Max, didn't see you there." I turned around to see Geena and cronies.

"What do you want?"

"A fight. Without your boyfriends interrupting," Geena gave a pointed glare at the boys in the hot tub. "And Fangy isn't here to save you."

"Alright, Where?"She smiled and her cronies both grabbed one of my arms, dragging me to the grassy part of the backyard. A crowd formed and my 'friends' got out of the hot tub. There were all chanting 'fight fight fight'.

"Just close your eyes and it will be over before you know it!" Lissa yelled, smiling and wrapping a towel around her waist.

"Anne told me before I even try to hurt someone they have to punch me first so if you don't mind..." I said. In an instance, I felt a blow to my jaw. My head turned sideways a bit. It didn't hurt at all; it very mildly stung. "Thanks," I said. In a blink of an eye, I had her on her stomach face first in the dirt with her arm behind her back.

I heard gasps from the crowd. "I told you, you aren't that tough. Now, I will give you another try, since that was just practice right?" I got off and stood back letting her get back up. She gave a growl and charged me like a bull. At the last second I stepped out of the way a bit. I pushed her head down and kicked her feet up. She did a flip and landed on her back hard.

Thank you, thank you...that was dedicated to my father.

Finish her, My dad's voice echoed in my mind. Don't give them another chance to live and get you. It's win or die.

Well dad, this is high school, I thought back to him even though he can't hear me.

I put my combat boot on her chest. "Had enough?" She whimpered not opening her eyes. "I asked you a question," I ground out through my teeth, pushing my foot harder. I saw her nod, "Good." I walked away towards the pool.

I heard fast footsteps running after me. I sighed, people just don't learn. I used one of the crony's momentum and pushed her into the pool. She flew into it; it was beautiful. I tripped the other one and she went into the pool as well. I smiled and reached beside me, grabbing one of the floating rings/tubes and throwing it to one of the girls. "Have fun."

The girls spat out water and looked utterly defeated. I felt something rise in me-I love that look. I was grown up to love it. Not my fault I love seeing my enemy's in pain.

They aren't your enemies. They are your class mates. I argued with myself.

It's hard separating my assassin side and high school side.