One

The damned bell rings for what it seems for the billionth time since this morning.

"Have a nice lunch, kids." Mr. Dawson AKA the hated typical math teacher wished us chirpily. Uh oh well the bell is blessed for now then.

Saying that this first day back at Chicago's most 'honored' high school is boring would be the understatement of the decade. I mean it was supposed to be all reunions and tears since I am back after a good three years. But the fact is all I got till now are sharp menacing glances and few 'hello's with gritted teeth.

The thing is, I hated most of my schoolmates since primary school days. And the feeling was mutual. So I was more than glad when my cat fight with the school's queen bee slash golden girl slash Alyssa Stars happened just before the summer we moved to Florida. Or else ladies and gentlemen, my life would have been an utterly complete hell.

I sigh grabbing my tray walking to the bin. I throw the leftovers inside and returned my tray smiling at the beautiful lunch lady. Sherry AKA the bff will not be here for two more days so I gotta enjoy the loneliness served with these 'sweet' deadly glares. sweet my butt.

I enter the unpacked gym, my eyes darting around. There were some jocks free shooting at one end of the basketball court. I roll my eyes as I take a seat at the front corner. I take out my ipod and start reading the third part of the 'After' series.

As I am deep into the Hessa romance, I heard someone rudely yelling.

"Yo, Thompson, come show your skills man!" I simply ignore these jerks that have their brains inside their muscles. Feet shuffle and soles made a screeching sound which again, I decide to ignore.

"Move off, man."

"I can see you're chickening out now. Could see that coming."

"Fine, dude. Let's do the damn thing." few chants whispered around. This time, I angle my head upwards and take in the scene in front of me.

Okay, the boys are hot in all their tight shirts which showed their muscular frame and jeans and all. They are your typical popular jocks. And on the opposite side of their gathering, there stood a slightly taller boy with a gray hoodie. There is something mesmerizing about him I can't exactly point my finger at. He is different. Different form them. Not in a geeky way or something. It's obvious he's as venomous as them if not more. But I can't deny that something about him trapped me inside. And that thing made me want to stand up for him.

One boy from the jocks steps out to lean towards him with faces separated an inch. He turns to his friends and winks at them which were their cue to shout "Loser! Loser! Loser!" at the lonely boy.

Before I know it, I am on my feet and walking to where they stood. The jerks were still shouting at the poor boy.

"Stop with that bullcrap!" I furiously yell, increasing my pace. My voice sent them out of their trances and all of them stare at me dumbfounded.

I recognize the stupid boys are Dave, Adam, Asher and Charles from my middle school. But the boy with the grey hoodie is a new face.

"Hey, gorgeous. Do you wanna play too?" Dave asks which earns him a snort from me.

"Hey, Dave. You must know that my name is Ally fuckin Porters after all those years of pairing together in science projects." I speak faking a sweet smile.

"Gorgeous will do for me." *wink* God! The nerve of this boy!

"Feisty, I like it." grey hoodie finally says. Wait, he's gibing at me?! I turn to him to give him a silencing glare. Here I was acting ombudsman and all for him but he...

"I'm here to play. For him." I exclaim pointing to the lonely boy. What am I thinking? What in the solar system, Ally?

"Gorgeous, I like your courage and all but..."

"Hey man, are you chickening out?" I glance at him and find him smirking, tugging on his dark hair.

"I'm in." says Dave angrily. Testosterone level boosted.

Well, I feel like I just dug my own grave. Dad had been coaching me to play basket since I was like four but come on, we're talking about the captain of the basketball team: Dave Roger.

I readjusted my bun and smile nervously. We stand facing each other in the middle of the court and the ball gets tossed by someone. Here we go, miss I'm so good at basketball that I needed to save this strong looking guy from the captain of the basketball team. Shut up, subconscious!

Some smirking guy wearing the school's jacket tosses the ball, sending me all the dirty looks. I move fast to grab the flying ball using my two hands. I ran to the left ring dribbling the ball skillfully. I lay up and dunk the ball aiming for the ring. And unbelie-freakin-vably it falls in the net without making a noise.

The idiots begin yelling like the psychopaths they're once again. Zombie apocalypse returns. I look at Dave to find him frozen, staring at me like he can't believe his idiot-ism. I confidently walk to him and release my hair from the bun. Okay, that was a bit dramatic and somehow bitchy. I ran a hand through my hair and grin like crazy.

"Davey, next time I win, challenge me your best and make me feel prouder" I wink at him and go to grab my backpack.

As I am going out I notice grey hoodie and feel annoyance take over me.

"Hey grey man, trynna appreciate when people stand up for you. Jerk!" I then leave the gym with a complete victory warming my heart.

Author's Note: I beg your forgiveness with my fingers crossed if that was super lame and filled with grammatical and spelling errors. I'll make it up to you next time. Vote, comment and share my story.

Love ya,

Nica