3. Meghan

'I don't think she was harsh, let's not forget it's the school's baddest boy we are talking about.' Katie was saying.

'The badder the better.' Queenie said, throwing her hands around in exasperation. 'I believe they are MFEO.'

'Phew. Will you guys stop already? I'm just glad the wedding is over and we don't have to deal with each other anymore'. I said

'The wedding is over but the marriage isn't. You guys are family now'. Pokello said and I rolled my eyes.

We were seated at the front of Inkwell high school, prison to more than half the teenagers in town.

I heard them before I saw them, the bad guy and his goons. What really was bad about him? The dressing? The smokes? The arrogance? Or was it the way he changed girls probably more than he changed his boxers? Or the gang he was rumored to be a part of? Okay maybe now I did see it.

'He's here!' Queenie squealed. He walked towards our direction but past without even a glance at us.

Definitely over.

My friends were silent.

'Come on. Let's get to class'. I said and rose to move to my first class, maths, which I shared with Queenie. Katie and Pokello had English.

Generally I don't like school but I just hated mathematics. What exactly was the point? I, for one didnt see how finding the coefficient of 'x' helped me in any way.

After chewing my pen for 45mins, we were finally dismissed to go to our next class which for me just happened to be history. Why do we have to learn history? Who gives shit about the bust of Nerfiti? Not me. Those things happened in the past and should be left there.

I was so happy when the bell went indicating lunch break but my relief was short lived because my friends wouldn't stop talking about how Zayn had been ignoring me all day, I mean what is their problem? The guy is bad news.

As I walked into my last class which was literature, the noise alerted me that Zayn and his friends were inside and I remembered that he had always been in my literature class.

'Calm down Meg, his presence never bothered you before, why should it now?' I told myself as I walked to my seat.

His seat was the last on the row next to mine and I sat on the seat before the last one on my row. I got the book we were working on, 'Alive' out as the teacher began the lecture. Half way into class a piece of paper landed on my desk.

Meet me after school

I folded it and let it drop to the floor. Another one landed.

I mean it. It's important

He wouldn't give up.

I have basketball practice

I wrote and threw back at him

I'll wait

I shook my head. What could be so important? I hoped it wasn't about June.

Class ended and I practically ran to the changing room. Pokello strolled in a few minutes later while I was putting on my shirt.

'Do you ever consider being late sometimes? You are always the first one here'. She said as she began changing. It was a familiar conversation.

'Basketball is the only thing I don't want to be late to'.

'That's why you are captain'.

'And you the assistant because you are always second in everything'. I teased and she threw her sport bra on my face making me laugh as other players began trooping in.

'Where are the girls?' I asked as we strolled out to the court.

'On the bleachers'. I turned to look at Katie and Queenie's favorite spot on the bleachers and saw them sitting there with a guy.

'Is that Zayn?' pokello asked and I shrugged.

'Tigers! Gather'. Coach called and we jogged to the center of the court.

'Tigresses'. Pokello said once we got to him.

'Whatever Poks'. He said with an eye roll.

'Pokello'. She mumbled, looking extremely cute.

Practice was fun. I spoke to coach for a minute before rushing into the changing room. I grabbed my bag, not bothering to change and headed for the parking lot. Zayn was there talking with my friends.

'Hey guys'. I greeted and turned to face Zayn. 'You wanted to talk?' The girls got into the car to give us some privacy.

'Nice game captain'. He said with a smirk.

'Get to the point already'. I said, hands crossed.

'I need a favor'.

'Why would I do anything for you?' I asked stubbornly.

'Because we are family now and if you don't? Welll, I'd just have to show this to your mom'.

He said putting his phone in my face.

It was a picture of Katie and I kissing at a party. If my mom found out I snuck out to a party, she'd pluck my eyes out with a plier. The kiss was a dare but it wasn't something I ever wanted to explain to my mom. She hadn't very pleased when she thought I was gay and I didn't want to lose her over something like that, especially when it wasn't true.

'Blackmail. How typical of the bad boy. What do you want?' I asked.

'That's a girl'. He said smirking and smiling at the same time, if that's possible.

'It's simple. My parents and I will be visiting your house soon, just act like we are friends at school and don't tell them about... '

'The beast that you are? Fine, deal'. I said and moved towards the driver's door.

'You have to do it for the rest of your life'. He called out. I walked back to him.

'I don't think I do. It's hard not to see the beast that you are, they'll eventually find out for themselves'. I said and got into the car.

As I drove out, he stood there smirking as always. How the hell did he get that picture? Heaven knows who else had it.

'What was that about?' Katie asked.

'Nothing. He was just being a dick'. The finality in my voice told them it wasn't up for discussion.

'Let's look at the bright side, at least he's no longer ignoring you'. Queenie said.

'He can only ignore me if I'm seeking for his attention, I'm not'. I said flatly with a pinch of annoyance which resulted in an awkward silence till we got to the front of Katie and Queenie's house, they were direct neighbors.

'Queen I'm sorry okay? I'm really not into Zayn, I feel the opposite way'. I explained.

'It's okay. I just thought the whole bad boy and tomboy thing was cute'. She said sheepishly.

'For the 154th time, I am not a tomboy'. I said in frustration.

'Yeah. She's not'. Pokello defended.

'You've been counting?' Katie asked.

'Get out of my car you motherfuckers'.

They got out with 'oks' and 'whatevs' falling out of their mouths.

'Love you bitches!' I said

'Love you too!' they replied.

I started the car and turned to see pokello giving me the don't_lie_to_me look. I turned my eyes back to the road.

'Meghan, say it. What did he say?'

'He has a picture of Katie and I kissing and threatens to show it to mom'.

'That son of a... Wait, what does he want then?'

'He wants us to be friends in his parents eyes. I guess they don't know he's an asshole'.

'Obviously. His amazing grades must have blinded them. Be careful with that one eh?' I nodded.

We pulled into Pokello's compound in the rough side of town. They were rich enough to get a house in the nicest neighborhood in town but they liked the ghetto plus they didn't want to explain the source of their wealth.

As we got in we met the twins arguing.

'You've done this so many times now I've lost count'. Chris the elder one was saying.

'What's the big dea anyway?' Greg, the younger twin asked.

'What's the big deal? You can't go acting as me to my gang members to get information for yours. If you get caught you'll get killed'. Chris retorted.

Their immediate younger brother, Tyler sat laughing at them both.

'Guys! What did I say about the gangs? Join the same gang you idiots. I won't tolerate brother killing brother'. Pokello queried.

It was amazing how she managed to control all her brothers being the youngest.

'Tell that to Chris. He refuses to join my gang'. Greg said.

'Because it's whack. Why can't you just join mine?' Chris returned.

'Whatever. Just please keep it down'. She said and began for the basement with me in tow.

'Hey guys.' I greeted with a smile.

'Hey Meg'. Chris and Greg replied with matching smiles.

'Hey bro'. Tyler said earning a glare from me.

We got to the basement where their eldest brother Trevor was seated before his all too many computers. I never asked what he did in there because I didn't want to know and it would be hard for him to explain since he didn't talk, not because he was dumb, he just didn't like to talk.

'Hey big bro'. Pokello said, hugging him from behind.

'What's good Trev?' he looked at me and gave me a thumbs up before we went back up to Pokello's room. One brother was clearly missing. The only brother I had a massive crush on.

'Stop looking around like that. If you want to know where Travis is just ask. Everyone here knows you have a crush on him'. Pokello said as she unlocked the door to her room.

'No. I don't'. I defended

'Yes you do bro'. Tyler said, appearing out of nowhere. I smacked his head as he and pokello laughed.

'It's okay Meg, he also has a crush on you'. Pokello said. She always said it to make me feel better.

We rushed into her room, hurried out of our clothes and stepped into the bathroom together, laughing. I've always loved it better at Pokello's. After showering, she handed me some of my clothes I had intentionally left here and we dived into homework.

'Where is my tiger?' I heard Travis say from downstairs about 20mins later,he must've seen my car parked outside. Soon enough he was inside the room and tackling me to the floor.

'What the hell? Get your stinking body off me. What have you been doing?!'

'Working in the garden'. He said grinning down at me, his expression soon changed when his eyes wondered down to my lips, only then did I realize how dangerously close we were.

'Break it up you two. I don't think I want to see what happens next'. Pokello said from the bed. Travis smirked before getting off and helping me up.

'You want to play video games, Meg?' he asked, smiling again.

'Not until you've had a bath'. I said and got back on the bed.

'She's right. You are stinking up my entire room so get out'. Pokello said and he gave her the middle finger before moving out.

'Just to be clear, when you kiss my brother, make sure it's not in my room. This place is holy ground'. She said with a smile playing at her lips.

'Shut up'. I said and went back to homework.

When we were done with homework, we went to Travis' room to play that video game he talked about but after losing all the rounds, I just lounged on the bed and watched them play, well mostly watch Travis' back muscles flex since the asshole decided his skin was the best cloth he could ever put on.

After discussing the team over pizza with pokello and smacking Tyler three more times for calling me 'bro' it was finally late enough for me to go home. As I stepped into my home, I was grateful that none of the relatives were here anymore.

'Hey honey!' my mom said coming out of the kitchen.

'Good evening mom'. I greeted as I began ascending the stairs.

'Dinner will be ready soon'.

'I already had something at Pokello's, thanks'.

'That's okay. By the way, Mr & Mrs Rodriguez will be here for dinner on Friday with their youngest son. Please be home early'. She said smiling brightly. At least someone was excited about this.

'Okay mom'. I said nonchalantly and stepped into my room.

I changed into my sleeping boxers and sports bra and fell on my bed ready to take over the land of dreams when my phone beeped.

Unknown :Hey it's me, the love of your life 😂. Just wanted you to know that Friday is our big day.

Me: Mom told me, can't wait 😔😒. How did you get my number Zayn?

Unknown : Oh so I really am the love of your life😊. Well, I had a little talk with your friends, such nice girls.

Of course it was them and if I were to guess I'd say Queenie in particular. I would have to scold them later.

Me: Whatever. I'm trying to fall asleep so bye.

Unknown : She's an early bird... And I was hoping to have a romantic conversation.

Me: Jeez, I can sense your sarcasm from across town.

Unknown : Of course you can, I'm just by your window.

What the hell? I ran to my window but there was no one there.

Me: Very funny, Rodriguez.

Unknown : Haha. Look at you craving all that romantic bullshit. Goodnight captain.

I locked my phone and went to bed without bothering to send a reply. What did I get myself into?