Author's Note: This chapter was co-written with my friend, Beth.

November 28th, 2023

Ava's POV

I was sitting in the Matthews' apartment, waiting for Baily to get there. We're going to school together by Subway. Auggie and Andy went for early practice this morning after I ate breakfast with their family. She finally showed up.

"You ready to go?" I asked with a smile. Then, I realized she was crying. "What's wrong?"

"I got kicked off the squad," she said, starting to cry. "Jessica found out I was pregnant and kicked me off."

"How did she even find out?" I inquired.

"Her boyfriend overheard Gus and Andy talking about the baby after their game on Saturday," she answered. "Apparently she's been looking for a reason to kick me off."

"You were going to quit anyway, right?"

"Yeah," she agreed, "but Christina told me that I could stay on the squad as long as I'm not a flyer and just do the dancing, at least for another month. Jessica called me a slut and said that I'd be making her look bad by being on the squad."

"I wish Chris hadn't stepped down from being the head of the cheer squad this year," I said. "She would have never done this."

"Yeah, but she had to because she had to miss some of cheer camp this summer since her dad was sick."

"Yeah," I agreed. "Jessica is such a bitch."

"Language," Topanga told me, walking out from the hall.

"Sorry," I apologized.

"So, what did Jessica do to make her a…brat?"

"She kicked Baily off the squad for being pregnant," I said.

"I'm sorry to hear that Baily," she told her with sympathy.

"Thanks, Mrs. Matthews," Baily said.

"Oh well," Baily said. She looked at me. "At least I have a friend like you."

"I'll always be here for you," I told her.

"I know," she said.

"You girls better get to school," Topy said. "You wouldn't want your someday father-in-law annoyed at you."

"Yeah, you're right," I agreed. I smirked at her. "I don't enjoy it as much as I do with you."

"I know," she replied, smiling at me. "Now, get to school, you two."

"Thanks, Topy," I told her, genuinely. "I love you."

"Love you, too," she said.

Baily and I rushed out the door.

On the way home from school, Bailey and I were discussing the situation again.

"Maybe I could talk with the other girls," Ava suggested. "None of them really like Jessica either, and if we all call her out on her behavior maybe she'll back down. Or we could tell the coach! "

Bailey shook her head. "No. Jessica has a lot of pull. The coach is her aunt. Jessica wouldn't admit to what she did and the coach would believe her over you."

"Then I'll quit. I don't want to be on the squad with Stinkwater anyway."

"You can't quit. You worked hard to make the squad."

"Well, so did you. It's not fair!"

"What's not fair?"

By now they were at Ava's building and Cory had overheard part of the conversation.

"What happened?" Auggie asked as he walked up to us. He had just finished football practice.

"Bailey got kicked off the cheer squad just because she's pregnant," I informed my boyfriend and his dad.

"What?!" Auggie exclaimed in shock.

Bailey nodded, "Jessica Starkwater called me a slut and said I was making the whole squad look bad."

"I want to quit," I explained.

"She shouldn't. She's too good," Bailey insisted.

"I don't need cheer, Bailey," I said. "Especially when it's run by a royal b-"

Auggie's POV

I stood there listening to them talk.

"You know what Topanga said about cursing," Bailey interrupted.

"She's not here," Ava pointed out.

"Yeah, but you know she hears everything," Cory reminded her.

Ava's phone started to ring.

"It's her, isn't it?" I questioned, knowing it was.

"Yup. I'm ignoring it." Ava told him.

"What do you think Ava should do, Dad?" I asked.

"Answer it," dad warned Ava. "Don't turn her into Godzilla like Riley did."

"What?" Bailey questioned, confused. "Your family is weird, Gus."

"I know," I said.

"You know, that reminds me of a story…" Cory began.

"No, dad," I stopped him, annoyed.

Ava grabbed my hand "Tell us, Mr. Mathews. I want to hear it."

"Well, there were these two friends. David and Jonathan. Jonathan and David were as close as brothers, but Jonathan's dad was trying to kill David."

"Why?" asked Bailey.

"He was scared of David because he thought he was too powerful. He had already killed Goliath the giant."

"So it was THAT David?" I spoke up.

"One and the same," Cory confirmed. Then he continued. "Anyway. Jonathan knew his father's plans so he helped David escape. Later after Jonathan died in battle, David was heartbroken. He vowed to honor his friend and always look after his family. After he became king later, David took Jonathan's disabled son into his palace to live."

"Wow."

"So, I ask you kids, what do you think the meaning of the story is?"

Ava looked thoughtful. "Always stick by your friends. They are more important than power or riches?"

Cory nodded. "Bingo"

"That's why I'm quitting," Ava decided.

Her phone buzzed again.

You know what?" Ava said. "I'm texting Jessica right now." She typed away. "Done." She rolled her eyes. "And now I'm texting your mom."

My phone buzzed. I looked at the text.

"Babe…"

"What?"

I showed her my phone. Jessica had sent me a picture of her in just her bra and shorts, with a text that said Like what you see? Your girlfriend better watch her back. I know she's a slut just like Baily.

"That's it!" Ava yelled. "I am going to kill her!"

She started growling, angrily, in a similar way she did when she was angry at me when I was going to give up soccer in 1st grade. She paraded towards the door. I grabbed her arms and held her back.

"Don't, Ava," I told her.

"Fine," she said as she quit resisting.

"I got it."

I texted Jessica back.

No, I don't. I don't like sluts. That's why my girlfriend ISN'T one. Neither is Baily.

I smirked at my phone.

"Oh my gosh," Ava said, concerned. "What did you tell her?"

I showed them my phone.

"Wow," Bailey said. "That was ruthless, Gus."

I looked at my dad and his mouth was just wide open.

"Don't let your mom see that," he told me.

I took a screenshot of the texts and texted it to her boyfriend.

"What did you just do?" Ava asked.

"I texted a screenshot to Bryan," I told her.

Ava's POV

Baily, Auggie, and I went to school the next day. Andy went early. Jessica glared at us. There was no way Bryan hadn't broken up with her. I took Auggie's hand in mine and he looked at me.

"Thanks for keeping my head on straight," I told him.

"Thanks for loosening mine a little," he said, smiling at me.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you too."

"Okay, lovebirds," Bailey said, "let's get to class."

We all walked to class together.