The Bad Boy and His Cheerleader

Chapter 2: Who is he?

Arianna's Point of View

I quickly packed my bag and double check to make sure I had everything. My sister and I are meeting my friends at the beach today.

School reopens in eight days and we thought it would be nice to make the most of the days we have left until then.

Today is Saturday and we decided it's a great day to go to the beach. Almost everyday since summer we've been going to the beach. I had to pack a book to take with me because I don't really like sitting down and talking nonsense with my friends or my boyfriend.

My name is Arianna Tiana Monet, and at eighteen, I’ve learned that being a twin doesn’t mean being the same.

My sister, Adrianna Diana Monet, and I share a birthday, a house, and the same last name—but that’s where the similarities end.

I’m five-foot-six with curly brunette hair and hazel eyes; Adrianna stands just an inch shorter, with wavy raven hair and brown eyes that always seem to see more than she says.

She’s the tomboy, the captain of the girls’ soccer team. I’m the girly one...or at least, that’s what everyone likes to call me, the cheer captain who traded cleats for pom-poms.

We’re half French, half American, the product of a family that looks picture-perfect on the outside but has plenty of cracks underneath.

Our parents separated years ago after my father decided his assistant was worth more than his vows. He married her, started a new family, and left us to figure out how to move on.

I’m not your typical head cheerleader. I’m not mean, I don’t bully people, and I don’t treat anyone like they’re beneath me.

Unfortunately, not everyone on the squad feels the same way.

Cindy, my co-captain, has made it her personal mission to torment this girl named Theresa just because she’s smart and quiet.

A total “nerd,” as Cindy calls her. Personally, I don’t get it. Brains are something to admire, not mock... but try telling Cindy that. She thrives on drama like it’s oxygen.

Then there’s Jake Olson, my boyfriend. Captain of the football team, star quarterback, Eden Lake’s golden boy. He’s tall, ridiculously good-looking, and, well… complicated.

We’ve been together almost two years, and I do love him. But sometimes he can be an arrogant jerk, and lately, I’ve been pretending not to notice.

“Ari! Get your ass down here! Your asshole boyfriend’s outside!” Adrianna’s voice carried up the stairs, sharp and amused as always.

I rolled my eyes, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door. Typical Adri—no filter, all truth.

Adrianna can’t stand Jake—and she doesn’t bother hiding it. According to her, he’s sneaky and too good at pretending to be the perfect boyfriend. She swears that one day he’s going to cheat on me, and when that day comes, she’ll be first in line to punch him in the face.

That’s just Adri. She’s bold, fiercely protective, and doesn’t think twice before throwing a punch if someone crosses a line.

We’ve always been like that—protective of each other, even when it’s inconvenient. She used to date one of Jake’s best friends, Patrick, but that ended fast. He turned out to be a complete jerk who still can’t seem to grasp the meaning of breakup.

We walked out the door and I locked it behind me. I made my way down the steps and Adrianna followed me with a scowl on her face directed to Jake who smiled nervously but she just rollef her eyes.

"Hey babe," He said as I got in the car.

"Hey," I said pecking his lips.

Jake and I had only slept together once last year.

He’d tried to make it special. Candles, music, the whole cliché setup that teenage girls secretly dream about but never admit. It was sweet, and I could tell he wanted it to be perfect for me. But it wasn’t.

It hurt more than I ever imagined it would. I wasn’t relaxed, and no matter how gentle he tried to be, it still felt wrong somehow. Not because of him, but because I wasn’t ready in the way I thought I was.

I gave him my virginity that night, and sometimes, when I think about it, I feel a dull ache of regret... not because I don’t care about him, but because the memory never turned into the beautiful moment I had imagined. It was supposed to be something magical.

Instead, it was clumsy, awkward, and over too fast. Still, Jake was sweet afterward...held me, told me he loved me, and made me believe it was okay.

And I do love him, or at least I tell myself I do.

Now, sitting beside him in his car, those thoughts drifted in and out like a faint echo. The summer sun spilled across his tan skin, glinting off his watch as he drove.

The windows were down, the wind tugging at my hair as music played low through the speakers. He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, perfectly in rhythm with the beat.

We were headed to the beach, our usual Saturday escape. I had a book open in my lap, pretending to read, though my attention kept flicking to him.

“You know,” Jake said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence, “my uncle told me there are two new guys transferring to our school next week.”

His uncle was the principal at Eden Lake High, so when Jake said something like that, it was probably true.

“Let me guess,” I said, smirking. “You’re already planning to recruit them for your football team?”

Before he could answer, Adrianna’s dry laugh filled the car. “Of course he is. Can’t let new blood walk into school without getting dragged into the Eden Lake Jock Cult.”

Jake looked at her through the rearview mirror, half amused, half irritated. “You know, you could try being nice to me for once, Adrianna. What did I ever do to make you hate me so much?”

Adri leaned forward, resting her elbows on the back of our seats. “Hate’s a strong word,” she said coolly, “but I definitely don’t like you. You act too perfect, and guys who act perfect usually have something to hide.”

Jake gave a soft, awkward laugh. “Too perfect? Seriously? That’s what you think?”

“Yes,” Adrianna shot back. “My sister deserves someone real, not someone who puts on a show every time people are watching.”

“Adrianna,” I warned gently, giving her a look over my shoulder.

But she wasn’t backing down. “I’m just saying, if I ever find out you’re cheating on her...or lying to her, you’ll regret it. I don’t care who your uncle is, I’ll make sure of it.”

Jake’s hand tightened slightly on the steering wheel, his jaw flexing as he tried to laugh it off. “Wow. Harsh much?”

I reached out and touched his arm, trying to defuse the tension. “She’s just joking, babe. Right, Adri?”

Adrianna met my eyes through the rearview mirror, her expression unreadable. “Yeah,” she said flatly. “Just joking.”

Then, barely above a whisper, she muttered, “I’m dead serious.”

Jake chuckled awkwardly, turning the volume up on the stereo, and for a moment, the only sound was the crashing waves in the distance. I turned back to my book, though I couldn’t focus on the words.

Adri’s warning hung heavy in the air. Sharp, unspoken, and painfully true in ways I couldn’t quite explain.

“We’re here,” Jake announced, pulling into the parking lot by the beach. He slowed to a stop beside two sleek, black sports bikes gleaming under the sun. “Those are sick,” he said, nodding toward them appreciatively.

Adrianna leaned forward from the back seat, eyeing them with interest. “Yeah, those are gorgeous. Wonder who they belong to.”

I smiled faintly, slipping out of the car. The air smelled of salt and sunscreen, the late summer breeze brushing against my hair as I grabbed my beach bag from the trunk. Adrianna hoisted her own bag onto her shoulder, soccer ball tucked under her arm as always.

We made our way down to the sand where the rest of the girls were already gathered, half of the cheer squad sprawled on towels, already sunbathing and gossiping. I waved as we approached.

“Hey, guys!” Trinity called out, her smile bright. Her brown, shoulder-length hair shimmered in the sunlight. She looked effortlessly pretty, like she always did.

“Hey,” I said, returning the smile. “We’re gonna leave our bags here and go change, alright?”

“Sure thing,” she said, already turning back to whatever story she was telling the others.

Adri and I grabbed our bikinis and headed toward the restroom building. The sound of crashing waves grew softer behind us, replaced by the hum of chatter and music from nearby groups.

Halfway there, Adri glanced over at me, her expression thoughtful. “So… do you think the new guys are cute?”

I blinked, caught off guard, then laughed. “Seriously? You wait until now to ask me that?”

She shrugged, pretending innocence. “What? I didn’t want to bring it up around your boyfriend. Jake’s an ass, and I didn’t feel like starting any drama today. If you two end up arguing, I at least want it to be his fault, not mine.”

I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help smiling. “You’re impossible.”

“Maybe,” she said with a grin, pushing open the bathroom door, “but I’m not wrong.”

We got to the beach restroom and changed quickly. I slipped into my green bikini patterned with palm leaves, tying the matching wrap skirt at my hip. Adri wore the same set but in blue—it suited her perfectly, bringing out the green in her eyes.

We’d always shared the same curves: narrow waists, wide hips, and round butts that we jokingly blamed on Mom’s side of the family. My chest was smaller, but Adri had me beat there too—not that she ever let me forget it.

Our Mom's curvy and mixed with African American.

“You remember Theodore, right?” I asked as we walked back toward the sand, the sound of seagulls echoing overhead.

Adri rolled her eyes. “Of course I do. Who could forget Theo?”

“Have you seen him since the start of summer?”

“Nope. He’s probably off somewhere on vacation—or maybe hiding from Cindy’s voice.” She smirked.

I laughed. “You know he likes you, right?”

She snorted. “Please. He likes you. The way he stares at you when you’re with your douchebag boyfriend is practically criminal.”

“Maybe you two have something in common,” I teased. “You both hate Jake.”

“I don’t hate Jake,” she said flatly. “I just hate that he’s your boyfriend.”

“Really?” I lifted a brow. “Because you’re never nice to him.”

“Focus,” she said, brushing past me as we made our way back under the shade of the trees. She spread our towels across the sand like she was staking her territory. I laughed, shaking my head. She definitely hated him—no matter what she said.

A few minutes later, Jake walked over, flashing that easy grin that made everyone look twice. “Babe, I’m gonna play football with the guys, okay?” he said, leaning in to kiss me. His lips were warm, tasting faintly of salt and spearmint.

“Go ahead,” I said, smiling as he jogged away, peeling off his shirt. Every cheerleader within eyesight practically turned their heads in sync.

Cindy let out a dramatic sigh. “Ari, you’re so lucky.”

Adri turned to her with a look that could freeze the sun. “Ari? You can’t even come up with your own nickname?”

Cindy blinked at her, clearly annoyed. “Well, excuse me, ma’am,” she said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Adri rolled her eyes. “Stupid b***h,” she muttered under her breath, but not quietly enough.

I sighed. She didn’t like Cindy. Honestly, no one did. Cindy was the type of girl who flirted with anything that had a pulse and a reputation. But she was good at stunts and flexible enough to keep her spot on the team, so we had to deal with her.

“Why doesn’t your sister like me?” Cindy asked, tilting her head in mock innocence.

“She doesn’t like a lot of people,” I said simply, stretching out on my towel.

Cindy frowned. “She likes Trinity and Dayna.”

Adri’s sharp laugh cut through the air. “Yeah, maybe because they aren’t drooling over their friend’s boyfriend every five seconds.” She leaned down slightly, her tone dropping into a teasing whisper. “You and Jake would make the perfect pair, though—same level of fake.”

Cindy’s jaw tightened, her face flushing. Adri didn’t wait for her reaction; she just tossed her sunglasses on and strutted toward the water, smirking.

“Adri! Stop!” I called, jumping up to follow her. She turned around, that familiar mischievous grin plastered across her face.

“What’s up, sis?” she asked, walking backward in front of me like a cat playing with her food.

I crossed my arms. “Why do you always have to do that? What happened to not starting drama, huh?”

Her grin widened. “You’ll thank me later.”

Before I could question her, she gave me a hard shove.

“Adrianna!” I squealed as I stumbled backward—only I didn’t hit the sand. Strong hands caught me from behind, steadying me before I could fall.

For a second, everything froze. The sound of the ocean dulled, the laughter and chatter faded away, and I found myself looking up into a pair of dark, unreadable eyes.

I blinked against the sunlight, lifting a hand to shade my eyes...and froze.

The first thing I noticed was the tattoos. Ink wrapped across a set of sculpted abs and up a hard, muscular chest, disappearing beneath the hem of a black tank. My pulse stuttered.

Then I looked up, and nearly forgot how to breathe.

Holy. Mother. Of. God.

The face staring back at me was sin itself. Sharp jawline, perfect lips, dark eyes that could melt glass, and a lazy half-smirk that made my stomach twist in ways I didn’t appreciate. The body matched the face...strong, dangerous, and ridiculously good-looking.

“You always go around falling into guys’ arms like this?” he asked, his voice low, rich, and smooth like velvet.

Dear God, even his voice was hot.

No. No. No. Arianna, you have a boyfriend, my brain screamed. My body, however, was not cooperating. I realized my hands were still resting against his chest—his very solid, very warm chest. I quickly stepped back, unclasping my arms from around his neck.

“Sorry,” I managed, trying to sound composed. “I tripped.”

He arched a brow, that smirk deepening. “And fell for me, huh?”

Arrogant much?

“No,” I said quickly, glancing over my shoulder. “My sister pushed me.”

“Guess I should thank her then,” he said easily.

I rolled my eyes and walked toward the water, hoping the breeze would cool my cheeks.

“See you around, gorgeous,” he called after me, his tone all confidence and heat.

I didn’t look back—but my heart definitely did a somersault.

Adrianna was waiting a few feet away, grinning like she’d just won the lottery.

“How’d that go?” she asked, far too smug for my liking.

“He’s cocky, and you totally set me up,” I said, trying to sound annoyed even though I could still feel the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin.

“Cocky?” Adri smirked. “Please. He’s fine. Did you see that face? That body? Girl, I told you—mixed guys are a whole snack.” She bit her bottom lip dramatically.

“Guys?” I repeated, blinking.

“Wow.” She gave me a playful nudge. “He really got you starstruck. You didn’t even notice his friend standing next to him?”

I frowned, glancing back over my shoulder. Sure enough, another guy was standing by the bikes—the blond one from earlier, Theo’s friend, maybe. But my mind was still spinning from the first one.

“Who is he?” I asked quietly.

“No clue,” Adri said, smiling like she already knew where my head was. “But whoever he is, he’s trouble.”

Maybe she was right. Because as I turned back toward the ocean, I couldn’t stop replaying that moment—the heat of his hands, the curve of his smirk, and the way his eyes lingered like he already knew he’d see me again.

And God help me, part of me wanted him to.