Relationship Troubles

JJ and Juliet headed through the gymnasium doors, finding it already in a flurry of practicing members in the band, chorus, as well as their fellow team members for the hockey and cheerleading teams, respectively. Splitting up, JJ moved right to the small gathering of the rest of the hockey team starters. Among them was Michael Frost, tall, toned, with electric blue eyes and a perfectly kempt slick back of long brown hair; he was his unofficial rival on the team for the star player. He was a nice enough guy; at least, that's what he tried to be around everyone else. He always had big smiles, kind words, and plenty of offers of friendship, but something about him never sat exactly right with JJ. Something about Michael always seemed hollow, like he was the star actor in a movie only he knew about. He carried himself like a man rich as Brian but never had the equipment to match, his nice words always felt ****, like he was merely repeating them, and he'd seen more than a few "accidental" fouls in the games that just so happened to lead to a victory for their side. And then, as if there wasn't enough to make JJ wary, there were Brian's constant warnings not to trust him.

That aside, JJ was thankfully in much better spirits when it came to his other teammates. Currently absent, to no surprise, was their goalkeeper, Henry Carter; he always did a good enough job, but JJ knew his heart wasn't in the game. After that was Ben Roberts, a bit on the shorter side. Ben was of average build, sporting short brown hair and equally brown eyes. JJ liked Ben a lot; where his rivalry with Michael was all too real and serious, he had a good-spirited one with Ben. He might not be the best player on the team, but Ben had heart and liked to play a clean match for the sake of the game, and JJ had nothing but respect for that. Then lastly was their captain, Will Greene. The biggest guy in the bunch, Will was all muscle; he had a chiseled jawline, piercing blue eyes, and wavy brown hair that had just a tinge of red in it. Yet, despite being an intimidating presence to look at, Will was one the nicest guys JJ had known, his love for his sisters and devotion to his morals were nigh unshakable, and that wasn't even including his dedication to his relationship with the beautiful cheerleader, Ellie Westchester.

"James," Michael was the first to notice JJ, and the black teen was immediately met with that same unsettling smile that couldn't have looked more painted on if he tried, "We were wondering where you were; we're only used to Henry being the late one." Michael jested, earning a small laugh from Ben,

"Last day of school, had to take a few minutes to meet up with my other side this morning; my bad, Mike." JJ calmly apologized, looking between Ben, who gave him a friendly nod hello, and then Will, who sat on the bleacher, a serious, reflecting look on his face. "Whoa, Will, you okay, man?"

"That would be why we're extra happy to see you," Michael crossed his arms, looking over at Will as well with a sad shake of his head, "He's having a rough go of it this morning,"

"What's going on, man?" JJ moved over to the bleacher and took a seat next to his friend,

"I don't know, JJ," Will cupped his hands and pursed his lips, "I think it's nothing, I mean, I hope it's nothing, but I -- Man, I just don't know right now," Will sighed bringing his hands up and rubbing his face anxiously,

"What's going on? Let's try and talk it out. Best way to clarity," JJ easily urged Will to continue,

"It's Elle," Will lifted his head, peering across the gym over to the beautiful blonde cheerleader who was currently huddled with Juliet, his twin sister Quinn, among a few others, "I don't..." Will sighed again, "It's graduation, man! I mean, this is it! This is the end of high school, and I don't know what that means for us, you know?"

"You and Elle?!" JJ all but exclaimed back, "What are you talking about, Will? You two are as sold as the damn ground we're standing on!"

"He's right, Will," Ben crouched down, "I mean, I look at you and Ellie, and I'm always hoping that one day I'd get something just as good,"

Will looked between the two men and gave a thankful but unsure smile, "I know, that's what I've always thought, but...you always hear about high school relationships being just that. And I mean, me and Elle have been together for a year, but BMU is a huge place. There is no telling if we'll have classes together or if she'll meet someone new,"

"Or if she'll want the break in the first place," Michael added, causing JJ to shoot him a frustrated, if not annoyed glance, "What? I'm only being honest. A lot of girls use college as their time to explore and mature. Most don't want to be in a committed relationship; that's just life," Michael merely explained,

"Not really helpful, Mike," Ben shook his head while Will cupped his hands around the back of his neck and pressed down nervously,

"He's right, though," Will groaned, "I don't know how stable Elle and I actually are these days. I mean, I think we're good, but what do I know? I don't want to lose her, but at the same time, I don't want to hold her back if that's what she wants." JJ reached out and rested a hand on Will's shoulder, giving him a light pat, "I know, I should have been talking to her about this way before the end of school, but...I guess it was just easier not to face this question until, you know, now when I'm totally out of time."

"I get it, man, believe me," JJ began, "But you can't worry yourself sick like this; nothing has even happened yet. The only thing you need to do is focus on having a good last day, enjoy the graduation party tonight with," JJ pointed across the room at Ellie, "Your girlfriend, and then tonight just sit her down and talk to her about all this. And I'll tell you what; I'm sure you'll feel a lot better once you do,"

Will looked at JJ thankfully, "I don't know," Michael suddenly interjected, and Will quickly looked over, "I mean, it's not a bad idea at all, don't get me wrong, James," The teen tucked his hands into his pockets and glanced over at Ellie, "I just think a girl like her? Will should give her some space today,"

"Space?" Will asked back, and JJ lightly shook his head in disagreement,

"Not a lot, nothing crazy, but if you want to see how serious she still is about you guys, maybe giving her a little space today and during the party might knock something loose. If she wants to stay with you and make this thing last, she'll come back to you," Will lifted a hand and scratched the back of his head, giving a light nod of agreement.

Meanwhile, across the gymnasium, Juliet was gathered up with the main members of her cheer squad and personal friend group. Alongside Quinn, there was, of course, Will's girlfriend, Ellie Westchester, the stunning blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl who only joined the team for her final year of high school. While not often brought up, before going steady with Will, Ellie was a wild party girl who had a bigger reputation than Nicole when it came to taking guys to bed. However, some of the stories that went around weren't true, she didn't exactly sleep with as many guys, but blowjobs were something of a specialty. Regardless, she had happily put that life behind her thanks to her boyfriend, and if not for Quinn's embrace of friendship, Ellie never would have made it to the team in the first place.

Also, in the group were a pair of identical twins, Claire and Kennedy, two beautiful blondes with matching hazel eyes, nearly exact copies of one another; it took a keen eye to notice the minor differences between the two. Mainly, Kennedy sported just a touch lighter hair and ever so slightly paler skin. What they lacked in differences in looks, however, they made up for in personality. Claire was incredibly sweet, if not a bit ditzy; she only ever dated jocks, and she'd certainly jumped around the hockey team over the year, but she never had a bad word to say about anyone.

Kennedy, on the other hand, was, for lack of a better word, an utter bitch. She had a nasty habit of picking on anyone who was below her social status, but there were plenty of times she decided to snip at fellow teammates and popular kids alike. This led to her and Quinn having it out more than a few times, the redhead having nothing but contempt for the girl, and Juliet was **** to step in, doing what she could to mend the situation and thus making Kennedy watch her mouth, at least when Juliet was around.

The last of their group, and the newest to not only the squad as well as the school, was Lila Smith, a cute-as-a-button brunette with the warmest, friendliest brown eyes. She was a transfer student from Dartwin, and the very fact that she was a cheerleader was a bigger surprise to herself than anyone else. Before the move to the new town, Lila was a very quiet, reserved bookworm who never got out of her shell and only had one main friend in the form of her neighbor, a girl named Zoey Irons. However, upon entering the new town, Lila traded her books and glasses for mascara and pom-poms, gaining an immediate friendship with Juliet and being brought to the squad with open arms. The only problem she now faced was the naivety that went along with a once shy and lonely girl suddenly thrust into the public eye when some were willing to say anything to get some time alone with her.

In a twist of irony, the topic of discussion for the girls was exactly the same as the boys on the other side of the gym. "I don't know; I feel like he's been pulling back from me over this week," Ellie nervously explained, glancing at her boyfriend with sad eyes, "I'm worried that he might be thinking about leaving me now that high school is over..."

"Don't think like that, Elle!" Quinn exclaimed, wrapping an arm around the blonde and tightly pulling her against her body in a supportive half hug, "Will is crazy about you, I promise! You're all he ever talks about!"

"Talking about and actually fucking isn't the same thing, Quinn. When you're dating someone, they actually want to spend time around you," Kennedy corrected, "Not that you'd exactly know about that," She jabbed with a sly smile,

Quinn's eyes flared, and she nearly came back with a set of vulgar screams, but she caught herself at the last second, calming for half a second and thinking, "You're one to talk," The redhead finally replied, "Guys can't stand to be around you for ten minutes, let alone stomach dating you," Kennedy's smile immediately turned into a pursed lipped glare. It was widely known that Quinn and Kennedy were the two cheerleaders without a single boyfriend for their entire senior year. While Quinn was readily chalked up to Will having a loving but overprotective nature of his twin sister, always vetting any guy that got close, Kennedy's issues seemed entirely wrapped up in her personality, having faced more than a few rejections over the year.

Quinn's lips curled into a victorious grin, and Claire let out a short gasp, "Quinn!" The girl exclaimed, instantly looking at Juliet, "Julie, hello?! Say something!"

Juliet had her finger and thumb slowly rubbing her eyes, letting out a profound sigh, "Last day, and you two can't shelve this still?" Quinn rolled her eyes and turned her head, ignoring her best friend's gaze, "Quinny, be nice. Kennedy, don't go looking for a fight today, hmm?" Kennedy scoffed, crossing her arms and looking at the floor in silence. "Okay...anyway, Elle," The brunette returned her attention to the tall blonde, "I think you should listen to Quinn; remember that Will cares about you and that all you need to do is bring up what's bothering you and talk it over. I'm sure this is all a big misunderstanding,"

"I hope so; I just..." Ellie looked at Claire, "I keep comparing us to you and Henry. Every time I see you two, you can barely keep your hands off each other, and I don't know when the last time Will and I were like that was,"

Claire let out a slightly sheepish smile, "Henry's...um, full of passion, that's for sure,"

"And they've been dating for a total of three weeks, Elle. It's called the pink cloud phase; no relationship stays like that forever," Juliet tacked on,

"I know, I know, but --" Ellie found herself looking back to Claire again, "Do you ever feel like you have to try to get Henry's attention?"

"No, not really," Claire immediately replied, "Even when he knows I'm annoyed or something, he always ends up doing something to cheer me up or just ends up spending the night with me. The guy doesn't like bad times linger; it's pretty great," Ellie softly sighed and lowered her head, making Claire go wide-eyed, "But I'm sure you and Will are great! Tonight you should just dress up, look your best, and --"

"Ghost him," Kennedy interrupted,

"What?!" Quinn shouted back,

"Just listen. You want to know if Will still cares about you? Put on the sexist thing you have and give him the cold shoulder. If he cares, he'll be all over you trying to win you over during the party," Kennedy explained.

"You think? That sounds...risky," Ellie hesitantly replied, "But it would feel nice to see Will like that again,"

"I mean, it's up to you, Elle. I still think you should just talk to him," Juliet added, and Ellie sighed, nodding as she knew she had some serious stuff to think over before the party tonight now.

"Anyway," Kennedy spoke back up once again, "Juliet, did you end up asking anyone out to the party? I saw you and Brian talking this morning..."

"Oh, shut the fuck up," Juliet cringed, a physical shudder running down her body, "I would never ask that douche to be my date,"

"Heh, well, maybe I will then. I hear he has an impressive reputation," Kennedy smirked.

"M-Me too, he seems real...cute," Lila sheepishly agreed,

"Ew, you two, go for it; I think I'm going stag;" Juliet turned her head, her blue eyes landing on JJ for a long few seconds before flicking over to Michael Frost as well, giving both men a disappointed frown, "I'm not good at asking, and no one I wanted to go with asked me anyway,"

"At least you got asked," Quinn rolled her eyes, "I wish I had the choice to go stag to a party or not,"

"Tell me about it," Lila timidly added on, doing her best to try and get involved with the conversation.

"Aw, Quinn, I'm sorry. You know you can hang out with Henry and me tonight if you want!" Claire sweetly offered,

"Play third wheel while he jams his tongue down your throat? Thanks, but no thanks, Claire," Quinn lightheartedly denied,

"I'm sorry, Quinny, I know this sucks," Juliet reached out, giving her friend a squeeze on her shoulder,

"It really fucking does!" Quinn pouted, "Maybe you should go make Kenny bring me," The redhead suddenly suggested, "I'm sure you and he could convince Will that's okay, right?"

Juliet raised a brow, "You're...joking, right?"

Quinn stared back at Juliet for a moment before forcing on a wide smile, "Of course, I'm just...joking, obviously. I know Kenny's off limits; I was just -- Dumb joke, I just don't want to go alone,"

Juliet relaxed, her tenseness over Quinn suggesting Kenny already passing, "I know, but maybe you're right," Juliet looked over at her jock brother, "Maybe I should go talk to him later, see if I can make him back the hell off for you,"

"Tsk," Quinn scoffed with no hesitation, "Best of luck with that,"