Chapter 1
A freshly eighteen-year-old Nicole stepped into school that day with a pep in her step. It was the first day of her senior year, and she just knew this year would be great. She’d spent the summer applying to colleges, setting her sights on UCLA—her dream school. She was going to California. She just had to.
"Hey, babe! How was your summer?"
Nicole turned to see her best friend, Bridgette, approaching as she spun her locker combination, the motion second nature by now.
"Oh, it was good! I went to cheer camp." Nicole flashed a perfect smile.
Bridgette grinned back, adjusting her glasses. They were an odd pair—Nicole, the head cheerleader and resident golden girl, and Bridgette, the shy, bookish type. But no one ever dared to tease Bridgette. Maybe it was because she was sweet, or maybe it was because Nicole had a way of making people think twice. Either way, it worked.
Their conversation was interrupted when someone caught Nicole’s eye. A girl with dyed red hair and—were those tattoos? At school? That had to be against the dress code. She was new, Nicole could tell. She would’ve remembered someone like that.
“Who’s that?” Nicole whispered to Bridgette as the girl passed by, her boots heavy against the tile.
“That’s Ruby,” Bridgette murmured. “She just transferred in. Supposedly, she has a bad reputation.”
Nicole raised an eyebrow. “Bad reputation? What do you mean?”
Bridgette glanced around before leaning in slightly. “I overheard some teachers talking. Apparently, she got kicked out of her old school.”
Nicole’s eyes widened. “For what?”
“I don’t know… something about drugs,” Bridgette said, her gaze locked on Ruby, who was struggling with the lock on her assigned locker, her tongue poking out slightly in frustration.
Nicole frowned. She had way too much riding on this year to get involved with someone like that. No way. Best to steer clear.
Just then, the loudspeaker crackled to life.
“All students, please report to the auditorium for a special announcement.”
Nicole and Bridgette exchanged a glance before joining the crowd heading toward the assembly.
Once inside, the principal took the stage, microphone in hand. “Welcome back, seniors! This year, we’re introducing a new academic mentorship program. Every student will be paired with someone who needs extra help in a subject they excel in.”
A murmur of excitement—and dread—swept through the students. Nicole folded her arms. As long as she didn’t get stuck with someone impossible, she’d be fine.
The guidance counselor stepped forward, reading off names. “Nicole Hartley and Ruby Moreno—Math.”
Nicole’s stomach dropped.
Before she could even process that disaster, a loud crash echoed through the auditorium.
Everyone turned just in time to see him. Patrick O’Connor—better known as Trick—skidding to a stop in the aisle, his skateboard clattering to the floor.
“Dude, no skating in here!” someone hissed.
Trick grinned, completely unbothered, as he scooped up his board and propped his feet on the back of an empty chair. “My bad,” he said, not sounding sorry at all.
The principal pinched the bridge of his nose. “As I was saying—Bridgette Collins and Patrick O’Connor—English.”
Bridgette made a strangled noise and her face flushed, the grip she had on Nicole’s arm was deadly. Trick threw up a lazy salute. “Sick.”
Nicole groaned, sneaking a glance at Ruby, who was leaning back against the wall at the top of the bleachers, arms crossed, smirking like the whole thing was amusing.
After the assembly, students clamored off the bleachers, eager to get to their next class. Nicole slung her bag over her shoulder, mentally preparing herself for the rest of the day, when she caught sight of black combat boots stopping beside her. She sighed before looking up.
Ruby.
The other girl stood there with her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket, a smirk playing on her lips. “So, looks like we’re study buddies,” she said, voice low and amused.
Nicole forced a polite smile, the kind she reserved for when teachers told her to “play nice.” “Guess we are,” she replied, tone clipped but still sweet.
Ruby tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief. “You don’t sound too excited, cheer princess.”
Nicole bristled but kept her smile locked in place. “I just take my grades seriously,” she said, adjusting the strap of her bag. “Math is important for college applications.”
Ruby let out a soft laugh, stepping closer into Nicole’s space. “Right. Because cheer camp and calculus go hand in hand.”
Nicole clenched her jaw at the fact that Ruby had been eavesdropping on her conversation with Bridgette but refused to give her the reaction she wanted. She had worked too hard to build the perfect reputation, and getting into an argument with some delinquent on the first day was not happening. Instead, she inhaled deeply and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Well, since we’re going to be working together, I hope you take it seriously,” she said, her voice as bright and practiced as her routines.
Ruby’s smirk widened, and she leaned in slightly, dropping her voice. “Don’t worry, partner. I’ll give you lots of attention.”
Nicole’s stomach flipped—not in a good way. She squared her shoulders and forced herself to keep her expression neutral. “Great,” she said tightly. “Looking forward to it.”
Ruby winked. “See you in math, sweetheart.”
With that, she turned on her heel and sauntered off, her combat boots thudding against the gym floor.
Nicole let out a breath and rolled her shoulders back. This was fine. She was fine.
She was not going to let Ruby Moreno get under her skin.
Even if she already had.
Before she could dwell on it, a loud squeal erupted beside her.
“Oh my God, oh my God, OH MY GOD,” Bridgette whisper-shouted, grabbing Nicole’s arm with both hands. “Did you hear that?! I’m working with Trick O’Connor!”
Nicole blinked. “Yeah, I heard,” she said, rubbing her arm where Bridgette’s grip was cutting off circulation.
Bridgette practically vibrated with excitement, her glasses slipping down her nose. “He’s so hot, Nicole. Like, stupid hot. Have you seen him? The hair? The tattoos? The skateboard? He’s, like, the human version of a bad decision, and I love it.”
Nicole frowned. “You literally just said five minutes ago that Ruby got kicked out of her last school for drugs, and now you’re crushing on him?”
Bridgette waved a hand dismissively. “Ruby probably just got caught with, like, a vape or something, but Trick? He’s got, like, legendary bad boy energy. Did you see the way he just skated into the assembly like he owns the place?”
“He doesn’t own the place,” Nicole muttered. “He’s an idiot.”
Bridgette sighed dreamily. “A hot idiot.”
Nicole groaned. “You have the worst taste in men.”
Bridgette shrugged, barely hearing her. “Do you think he’ll talk to me first, or should I say something? Wait, no—should I play hard to get? Ugh, but what if he thinks I’m boring? Maybe I should accidentally drop my pen so he picks it up—”
Nicole gave her a flat look. “Or you could just focus on tutoring him.”
Bridgette turned to her, scandalized. “Nicole. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Nicole sighed and massaged her temples. This was going to be a long year.
~
The rest of the day passed without a hitch. Ruby didn’t bother Nicole again, which was a relief—except it meant that Bridgette had spent all day talking her ear off about Trick.
Nicole barely had to respond, just nodding along while Bridgette rambled about his stupid hair, his stupid tattoos, his stupid skateboard. Nicole didn’t like Trick. Never had.
They’d gone to elementary and middle school together, back when he was just Patrick O’Connor—a normal, harmless kid. He used to be sweet, actually. But then something changed in middle school, and he became the definition of a delinquent. Loud, disruptive, always getting into fights.
And then there was that time in seventh grade when he made fun of her for being “too nice.” Called her fake in front of a whole group of people. She never forgot that.
Now it was lunchtime, and the cafeteria buzzed with noise. Nicole carried her tray to their usual table, glancing around. She spotted Ruby sitting alone at the far end of the room, silently picking apart a sandwich.
For some reason, that made her stomach twist. She hated seeing people alone. Maybe if Bridgette weren’t practically dragging her toward their usual table, she would’ve gone over.
“Okay, but did you see Trick in third period?” she asked, twirling a red curl around her finger.
Nicole sighed, pushing the olives from her salad onto a spot on her tray and pushing it toward Bridgette without a second thought. “Yes. He was balancing a pencil on his nose while Mr. Hughes was explaining the syllabus.”
Bridgette sighed like she was in a rom-com. “Ugh. He’s just so dreamy.”
Nicole gave her a look. “Bridgette.”
“What? He is!”
Nicole chuckled. “I was just gonna ask if I can have an Oreo.”
Bridgette blinked, blushed, then quickly unzipped her lunchbox—one that Nicole knew her mom still packed for her, even if Bridgette wouldn’t admit it. “Oh! Yeah, go ahead.”
Nicole rolled her eyes and absentmindedly looked around the cafeteria. Her gaze landed on Ruby.
She was sitting alone, slowly eating from a bag of chips, but her eyes weren’t on her food. She was watching people, studying them like she was trying to figure something out.
Nicole wasn’t sure why, but something about it made her stomach twist.
She thought, for half a second, about going over.
Then—
“Nicole!”
She turned her head just in time to see Cassidy striding past. “Cheer practice is on the field today. Don’t be late!”
Nicole nodded. “Got it.”
Cassidy barely slowed as she said it, already making her way to the table where the rest of the squad sat.
Bridgette gasped, turning to Nicole like she just announced she was dying. “Wait. You have cheer practice today?”
Nicole frowned. “Yeah?”
Bridgette groaned, dramatically setting her head down on the table. “So that means I won’t have you with me when I talk to Trick. Oh God, kill me.”
Nicole tried to cheer her up. “You can do it yourself.”
Bridgette lifted her head, and Nicole couldn’t even see her eyes because her glasses had completely fogged up from her breath. “I can’t, though!”
Nicole snorted and shoved an Oreo into her mouth.
~
The late afternoon sun beat down on the football field as Nicole adjusted her ponytail, her uniform clinging slightly from the humidity. The squad was already stretching, preparing for the routine, while Cassidy stood at the front, hands on her hips.
“Alright, listen up!” Cassidy’s voice rang out, commanding attention. “We’re running through the halftime routine twice. No mistakes, no slacking. If we don’t get it right today, we’re staying late tomorrow. Got it?”
A chorus of “Yes, Captain!” rang out.
Cassidy nodded approvingly. “Good. Let’s start from the top.”
Nicole stepped into formation, her heart pounding—not from nerves, but from routine muscle memory. She knew these moves inside and out. This was her thing.
The music blared from the speakers, and the squad moved in sync. They started with a clean sequence of sharp arm motions, moving effortlessly into toe touches and herkies. Cassidy led with practiced ease, and Nicole followed without thinking.
Back handspring. Roundoff. Twist.
She nailed every move.
Until she looked up at the bleachers.
And saw Ruby.
Lounging like she owned the place, one leg draped lazily over the other, cigarette between her fingers.
Watching her.
Nicole’s breath caught for half a second—just enough to throw her off balance.
Her back foot slipped in the middle of a landing, and she stumbled, barely managing to catch herself before she face-planted.
The music stopped.
“Nicole!” Cassidy snapped.
Nicole’s stomach dropped.
Cassidy strode over, arms crossed, her expression unimpressed. “What was that?”
Nicole straightened, pushing her shoulders back. “I—I just lost focus for a second.”
“Well, find it.” Cassidy’s eyes narrowed. “We don’t have room for mistakes. Again. All of it.”
Nicole swallowed hard and nodded. “Got it.”
Cassidy turned back to the squad. “From the top!”
The music started up again, and Nicole forced herself to lock in.
But as they moved through the routine, she felt Ruby’s eyes on her.
Lingering.
Like she knew exactly why Nicole had messed up.
And she hated that it got to her.
By the time practice ended, Nicole was exhausted. She grabbed her water bottle and slung her bag over her shoulder, making her way toward the bleachers.
Ruby was still there, still smirking, flicking her cigarette away with ease.
Nicole stopped at the bottom of the bleachers, crossing her arms. “You know smoking isn’t allowed on school property, right?”
Ruby smirked. “And yet, here I am.”
Nicole huffed. “Were you watching practice?”
Ruby shrugged, tilting her head. “What can I say? I’m fascinated by the world of pom-poms and high kicks.”
Nicole narrowed her eyes. “Well, enjoy the show?”
“Oh, definitely. You’re very serious about this whole cheer thing, huh?”
Nicole clenched her jaw. “It’s called hard work.”
Ruby grinned. “Cute.”
Nicole exhaled sharply. “Is there a reason you’re still here, or are you just planning to get detention on your first week?”
Ruby pushed herself to her feet, stepping down the bleachers until she was standing just a little too close. “Actually, I was waiting for you.”
Nicole tensed. “Me?”
“You’re my tutor now, aren’t you?” Ruby smirked. “Figured I should get your number. Y’know… for educational purposes.”
Nicole narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out if Ruby was messing with her. But she sighed, pulling out her phone. “Fine. Give me yours.”
Ruby rattled off the digits, and Nicole sent a quick text.
“There. Happy?”
“Thrilled.” Ruby glanced at her phone before slipping it back into her pocket. “See you later, cheerleader.”
Nicole exhaled as Ruby turned and walked off, that smirk never fading.
Nicole wasn't sure she would survive senior year.