Best Nemesis

Chapter Five

Ashley's Pov

I yawned, trying to keep my eyes open as the bus came to a stop. Launching my bag over my shoulders, I staggered for a bit, trying to keep my balance as I made my way out of the bus. The few blocks from the bus stop to school wasn't too far away, so I forced my way down the street trying to make it to class without falling.

My back still hurt from the endless standing of my shift at the local supermarket. When I got home by 7pm yesterday, I was supposed to have dinner and rest like every other teenager my age, but no...I stayed up almost nearly all night streaming various sports news, trying to watch the kind of reporter I hoped to grow up to be until sleep enveloped me by 3:30am.

Now, I was half-walking, half-sleeping my way down to school.

The loud, revving of the car behind me blasting very loud music jolted me very much back to reality.

I turned and boy, was I not surprised.

"Get off the road!" A hot blonde shouted from the passenger seat. She pushed back her hair from the wind whipping at them from the convertible. I didn't know her name, but I'd seen her face on the cheerleading squad.

I peered in to see the reckless teenager behind the wheels. I frowned.

He had a lopsided grin on, flashing his perfectly white teeth which disappeared the moment he took his sunshades off as he peered straight at me. "Do you have a death wish or something?"

"I should be asking you for driving past the speed limit and blasting such loud music on school grounds," I said in utmost disgust.

"Parking lot, rookie," he retorted. "Always staring into empty space. You better walk at the curb. The next driver might not be as careful.

I cursed under my breath, clearly not in the mood for him.

"Don't waste your breath on her" The blonde snagged her hand into her bag and applied a fresh coat of pink lip gloss. Smiling at him as if trying to send a message, she pursed her lips at him. "We could use the extra minutes for something much...more..." She twisted her hand through a wisp of her hair. "...meaningful."

He smiled at her, putting his shades back on. Revving even more, he swerved out of my way and sped right past me like the absolute lunatic that he was.

I rolled my eyes. What a creep. Clearly not my problem.

I slept half through all my classes and by the time it was lunch break, I decided I could just go to the press room and take a nap, hopefully without getting caught.

"Hi, there you are," Malory smiled at me in relief as she was setting up her camera.

"Hi," I smiled back and then stared at her in apology. "Sorry, I didn't know you were busy. I could always come back."

"No, no, please stay," Malory said with urgency. "I'm heading over to the cafeteria to interview the team. I was going to send for you and here you are, walking right in like the angel I needed."

I wanted to pull my hair out and cry.

I loved the press and Malory had the same passion just like me, which was why we got along very well, but today, I just wanted to close my eyes for five minutes.

"Can you help me go through these?" Malory hurriedly handed me her notepad. "The games is in three days. Maybe if you do well interviewing them today, then I could consider letting you throw in some questions on the big day."

I gaped at her open-mouthed. "Me?"

"Yes, you," Malory said.

"Like I'm supposed to follow you to the cafeteria? Like where everyone is...in…including the se…seniors?" I stuttered.

"Mmmm hmmm" Malory nodded in affirmation and then stared at me. "You can't tell me you're in the press and you're shy."

"I'm...I'm not. I... I thought I was supposed to watch till I got the perfect hang of it."

"You know what they say. You can't drive a car by your license alone. You have to actually hit the road"

"You just made that quote up," I smiled. "Pretty smart."

"No. I didn't and thank you," Malory adjusted the microphone, testing it quickly and shoved her camera at me, and pulled me by my other hand. "Hurry, let's go. We barely have ten minutes left.

By the time we raced to the noisy cafeteria, I was almost out of breath.

"This way," Malory dragged me along.

My heart raced. There was a certain threshold every junior knew not to cross. I was walking towards the section where all the seniors usually sat. I could see my classmates sending side glances at me, while some who made gossiping a hobby, like Gina and Mia, whispering into their ears.

Don't be afraid. You've got this, Ashley. I told myself several times, but my heart banged louder against my ribcage as we approached 'THE TABLE'.

It was where the entire basketball team, a few jocks from soccer and all the hot senior cheerleaders sat.

I could feel all eyes boring holes into my skin.

You've got this, I mentally chanted again and when Malory let go of my hand, I felt completely bare and exposed.

As though noticing my tension, Malory gave me a reassuring smile and took the notepad from me, whispering that I should do the filming instead.

Setting up the camera, I angled it towards them.

"Okay stars, are we ready for our big game?" Malory called out.

"Super piped," Cole yelled, cupping his hand over his mouth and the entire table erupted in cheers.

"I can see the energy," Malory grinned. "Would the team be having any more practice or are you already prepared to crush your opposing team?"

"Tell them to bring it on!" Landon exclaimed with a smirk as he threw his hand over a cheerleader beside him. "Right Cassie?"

"Right on top, no room for flops.... Goooooooo Panthers!!!!" She stood, doing a cheer and wiggling her waist as the room erupted with a wide burst of cheers.

I held the camera, nearly gritting my teeth as Malory moved over to Miles, asking him questions as the team captain that had entirely nothing to do with the game, but clearly just for his fanbase on her website. He just sat like a 'Lord' on his throne, completely poised, flashing his stupid white teeth and enjoying the attention.

All I wanted to do was wipe that smug smile off his face.

"Another one," Malory smirked. "Who's the biggest trash talker on the team?"

All fingers pointed out to Ryder.

"C'mon, I'm not that bad," Ryder said defensively with a boyish grin, raking his hands through his hair.

All the girls started purring.

"Okay, okay....for my final question," Malory piped. "And I think the entire school wants to know...." She gave a dramatic pause as the entire team did a drumroll. "... Who takes the longest time in the locker room to get ready?"

"WOAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!" They all howled and started knocking each other over, whistling and cackling like wild dogs.

Everyone in the cafeteria started cheering.

"SPILL! SPILL! SPILL!"

"C'mon cap! Say something!" Ryder snickered and everyone continued chanting.

"SPILL! SPILL! SPILL!"

I rolled my eyes. Were these people serious?