The Loser ~ Chapter Eight: The Stuffy Gym Is A Paradise.

Normal POV

Though it wasn't exactly normal for me to be waking up cuddled to an exotic boy, I'd definately recommend it. He smelt, urban, spicy, and just plain wonderful; something I could get used to.

Whoa, let's not get ahead of ourselves, the stupid voice inside my head warned and I ignored it. It wasn't like I was planning the wedding or preparing for a baby shower.

And I for sure would've stayed like this until the end of time - despite Gabriela joining the party - but it was Tuesday morning and I needed to get ready. "Cesar, Gabby, wake up!" I shouted and they groaned in unison, which made me giggle. "Please get up, guys. Or we might miss the bus." Speaking of, I really need to pound Mom about letting us drive the car to school, since we're already aware on the how manner.

"No..." Cesar moaned and pulled me back in.

"Hey," I said, laughing, "we have to get ready. C'mon - wake up Gab." My unusually cheering mood was based on the fact that, for some reason, I slept way better than normal last night; I came to the conclusion that I'd been drugged.

"Please, Roxanne, let me sleep." Gabriela mumbled and I blew the hair out of my face. Do they do this every morning? "Would it be so bad if we missed one day? Spend it together and bond? I see no harm in that."

I chuckled and wiggled my way out of bed again, "what twelve year-old girl wants to spend the day bonding?"

"What twelve year-old girl wants to spend the day at school?" she countered.

Cesar scolded, "where did this sudden attitude come from? Should I tell mamá?" He had a point; just the other day she was the perfect child. Now she's acting like...a teenager. I shivered; this must be how my mom felt.

"No! No, I'm sorry, Roxy, Cesar. I'm just tired is all." Whew, crisis averted. The two both climbed out of my bed and stretched.

"You should rid your house of ghosts as soon as possible." Cesar rubbed his eyes and I bursted out laughing, and didn't stop 'til I was almost crying. They both looked down at me like I was a lunatic.

"We - we - no ghosts!" I calmed down and tried to catch my breath. "This house is very old - it does that sometimes. I should have warned y'all; sorry." The siblings exchanged a glance and started giggling at their mockery of a superstition. Ghosts aren't even real.

"Now get ready for school." I snapped and shoved them out of my room.

*

"OhmyGod, did y'all cuddle?" Carly was too close for comfort after I had told Mercedes - not Carly - about my night. "Does he have chest hair? Did you touch it?"

"Ew, Carly, that's gross." Mercedes scrunched up her nose and my cheeks flamed. Yes. Yes. No.

"¿Qué es bruto?" Cesar poped out of no where and Carly shrieked, clutching her heart. EAR DAMAGE.

"Dude, you may look delicious, but I refuse to talk to you when you speak another language." Mercedes said, then searched the Gym for Jimmy. Today we were having an assembly, all because someone tagged the building with neon spray paint. It looked kind of cool actually.

I felt something burning into me and looked around. Sterling was staring right at me - and instead of flinching when he realized I'd caught him, he smiled and stood up. "Oh God."

"What?"

"Sterling's walking this way." My eyes were the size of my fists as he made his way up the bleachers; I was sitting in the nose-bleed section. "Do I look okay?" I turned to Cesar and flashed my teeth so he could make sure no one was able to tell what I had for breakfast.

"You look beautiful," he murmured and tucked a peice of hair behind my ear. His gaze was tearing a whole in me; deep, hurt, and longing. I quickly looked away. I've been reading too many romance novels.

"Hey, McManner." I mentally cursed myself; why the fuck did I use his last name? That's such a buddy thing to do.

He chuckled, sensing my discomfort with my social awkwardness. "Hey, Rox, looking good." He winked and my cheeks created a new shade of red. "Do you mind if I sit here?"

Mercedes elbowed me - incredibly hard - and her eyes flickered suggestively to Cesar. "Sterling, dousche - I mean, my man - I don't think we've polished these sits yet. Thus, your royal... behind isn't fit; these bleachers are unworthy of your ass-cheeks."

Sometimes, I love Mercedes.

This would not be one of those times.

Sterling held a smile in place while his eye twitched. He looks hot when he does that. Wait, wow, rewind - I'm turning into Bianca! "I get it, I get it. Then, will you come sit with me, Roxy? Skye - my ex-girlfriend - has been meaning to ask you something." I couldn't help but noticed how he emphiasized the ex.

Cesar grabbed my hand in his, a silent gesture telling me to stay, and Mercedes scowled. "Uh..."

"You can bring your foreign friend if you want." He grinned like he was giving me a sweet deal, and Cesar's grip tightened. I winced.

"C'mon, Cesar," I pulled him and we both stood up, dropping out hands instantly. "We'll be right back, Mercedes." I assured my grimacing friend and her eyes darkened. I could almost hear what she was thinking. TRAITOR.