Everyone deserves a second chance. Even the ones who have done the most wrong. ✨

I can't believe Joey couldn't save her shots. I'm actually held astounded. Is she that great? I can't see anything great about her.

True, she is better than Barry, but you can't just decide that she's a perfect suit. And I thought wrong. For the first time, I actually lost a bet.

I reached in my pocket and found a ten dollar note. Guess it's time I pay up; which I never do, by the way.

"Ah nah. I need to show this to someone." Chase tells me and I roll my eyes. He's let the victory get to him. Might as well have it whilst he can.

It won't be long before I start winning all the bets, again. Well I hope anyways. I'm actually getting scared. If he was able to beat me today, how long until I win again?

He drags me along to the new recruit whose currently talking to who I assume is her brother. They look alike, but it seems the guy is older.

But, Chase told me it was the girl. Guess it's true. You do learn something new everyday...

Her chestnut brown hair shines in the sunlight, her brown orbs like the colour of hazel. She's wearing the same attire as she was this morning, showing basically how eager she was to get this part.

Maybe I've got her pinned down wrong. Maybe she isn't like other girls.

Yeah. Believe that. When she does the same thing, don't come to me.

Firstly, I won't be able to come to you. You are me. And secondly, who said I was gonna chase her?

Alexis is literally triggered when Chase puts his hand on her shoulder, as she quickly reacts, almost punching his nose off.

I quietly snicker under my breathe as Chase sends me a painted stare. Jeez, even my best friend is against me. Wow.

The apocalypse is soon to hit people. Chase is never against me. Well, after we joined High School that is.

"Thank you so much Alexis. I knew you could do it." Chase starts and she has the same confused look I have plastered on my face.

"What? Break this down, Huntsman. Your honestly confusing sometimes. And I haven't even known you a week." She says and he rolls his eyes and I snicker once again.

He elbows me in the ribs and I cough, then rolling my eyes when he's not looking.

"Well, I knew you were gonna get the place and all, so I decided to bet on you." He says cautiously, as the brunette head places a hand on her heart, feigning hurt.

"You bet on your friends? Wow, what a character Huntsman!" And she free falls, he brother catching her.

She is really ditzy. But... shit no I don't. I totally don't like it. Over dramatic drama queen.

Keep telling yourself that buddy. Keep telling yourself.

"I'm kidding. I bet on my friend all the time." She says, dusting her clothes. "So what happened?" She says, acting like she totally didn't free fall. What is wrong with her?

"Well, I bet we would only need 5 tryouts at maximum. And you were the first." He says and she nods. "And because of that, you won your bet against this guy, I see." She intercedes and he pouts.

"I'm supposed to say that part! Besides, how did you know?" He asks her and she shrugs.

"Try being a bit quieter when you make a bet kiddo. I heard everything in lesson." She says, patting his shoulder sympathetically, as he slumped his back. "And I believe you owe him ten dollars. Pay up, loser." She says turning her attention to me.

"I am no loser. I just thought no one good would apply this year. Especially after what happened to Barry." I defend myself poorly, because that was a partial reason.

The other reason was I thought no one would be able to replace ol' Barry. That we wouldn't find anyone anything near his target ranges, forget about being better than him.

It did take 3 days of hunting to find him, though.

"Too bad. I win. Chase wins. You lose. Now pay up. I wanna see this. Bad boy gets beaten and has to give 10 dollarsss!" Her thick British accent is noticeable, which quite frankly is attractive.

No. No nasty thoughts.

"Hand ova me money, blad." Chase says, mimicking his best British accent which is quite on point and we laugh.

Her laugh is... captivating. No I can't fall for her. She's only been one day and look what she's doing. She's trouble.

Ugh. Why did she have to come to Minnesota? Why did she have to come to this school? Why did she have to be like this?

Things are gonna be ugly. But that's the thing. I don't want them to be. I've been through heartbreak once, I don't plan on going through it again.

"Excuse me?! Mr, where are you lost? You 'Kay?" She asks me, her voice firm, but there is a hint of worry. So lame. Seriously?

"Yeah I'm good." I grunt and cross my arms. Rolling my eyes, I wave to Chase and walk out the gymnasium.

I shove my hands into my hoodie pockets. Typical me. Typical school. Typical routine.

Except it isn't a typical day. It isn't a typical routine. And this is aggravating. I don't want a girl on the team.

I'm not sexist. No I'm not. I just don't... I don't know. There has never been a girl. I guess I just want Barry back.

Barry moved all the way to New York, where his parents live. His grandma didn't agree, because he lived with her for most of his life, but his parents were adamant.

God.

I reach my house and climb the ladder. Yes the ladder to my bedroom. If I use the front door, he will know. He will know I'm home.

I'm not dumb.

He comes in at 5 o clock, into my brothers room. Me, being the big brother I am, step in as per usual. And I get the beats.

I don't care what I have to do. I will do what I can. I will do exactly what it takes to make sure Daniel won't go through a much traumatic childhood.

And I will make sure.

I'm not trying to be a hero, oh hell no. But my mom gave me one task to do. That was to look after my baby brother. He's 8.

And to my dad, he was a mistake. But my mom purposely switched the contraception pills. It was in her diary. Daniel was never a mistake.

Even if he was, he was probably the best mistake my mother made. Not me. Him.

I hear the same heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. This is it. All over again.

But my gut disagrees. It feels like
Something else will happen. But why? It's a normal day. He will do his damage on me. And I'm ready.

Or I'm not. But it doesn't matter if I'm ready or not.

The floor board creaks. But not in the same usual pattern. No. He's... he's coming towards my room. What?

Fuck this doesn't happen.

"I'm sorry Jayden. We need to talk."