LARISSA'S POV

"Okay." And she hung up. I just got off the phone with Carmen. She will come and pick me up in 10 minutes. Remembering what happened yesterday, oh this is horrible. What are they going to think of us now? Not only had we borrowed money from loan sharks but their grandfather of all people. Now they're going to be the one who will pay for our debt. This will probably put an end to my job now. And any hope I had of winning Carmen over. What? I kind of have a crush on her. Seeing her beat up those men really turned me on. She's protective. Not even a grown man can stop her from protecting me. It just melts my heart. Carmen has... had to stand up for me and come to my rescue so many times just this week! I'm not worth all this trouble. I look at the time; Carmen will be here in any minute to pick me up.

Before she hang up she said she need to talk to me about something. I'm sure it won't be a long talk. After all it doesn't take very long to say 'you're fired'. Carmen pulls up and I make my way to her car. This time it's a white sports car. I'm surprised when she gets out and opened the door for me. We drive for a little while in silence. Finally she pulls into an abandoned parking lot. I'm sitting here, with my mind swimming. Yes, this is the moment she will kill me and buried me somewhere in the forest so no one can find me. Suddenly, all at once, she started to speak so fast I can hardly understand her. The only thing I can understand is that she's worried that I won't want to be around her anymore because of who her grandfather is?

I decided to take her hand in mine and in second she just stopped and I can see waves of calmness rush over her entire body. Did I do that? She took a deep breath and starts talking a lot more slowly now. "Look, I know my grandfather can be an intimidating man sometime," my hand still on her. "But trust me; my family is not like that. My mom hated my grandpapa's 'work'. Trust me, my family is not dealing with illegal stuff," she put her other hand on mine. "I assure you, my grandpapa's men will never touch your family again," she finished. Why is she worried about how I feel? "I understand if you don't want to be working with me anymore. But don't worry; I will pay for your mother's treatment. A Larove never break their promises," she smiled. Now I realize that my fears are the same as her fears. I looked at our hand.

"But, I still want to work with you so I won't be feeling like I was using you to pay my mom's hospital bill." I said truthfully. I looked up and our eyes meet and she smiled wider. When I see that smile I have to use every ounce of my body to hold myself back from leaning in and tasting those lips. How amazing it would be if our lips touched each other. Carmen turned back to her car and she pulls out of the parking lot and drive to the school. "How many cars do you have? I mean, every day, it's the different kind." She chuckled. "A lot I guess," she simply said and turned to the familiar road. "What is this kind then?" I asked, not that I'm a car enthusiast, just curious. "This is an Aston Martin DB10. Made for James Bond," she said proudly. I bet it must cost a fortune.

"Why? You like it?" she asked eyes still on the road. "Only crazy person will hate sports car. But, it's too expensive for me. I'm more to a moderate kind of car," well, if I can afford one. I chuckled. We finally pull up at the school parking lot. The twins already arrived. We got out from the car and Catherine greeted us. "What took you so long?" Christina raised her eyebrow. "We just had a little talk about yesterday," Carmen said and walked towards the school building. I was about to walked when Catherine stopped me. "Are you okay? Carmen told me. We had a little talk with grandpapa yesterday at dinner." They what?! Oh no. I will die? Catherine must sense I begin to panic. "Don't worry Carmen already paid for the debt. Grandpapa apologize for his men. Let's go," she smiled and walked to her sisters.

I walked closely behind them. Something in the hallway gained my attention. WAIT! The pep rally is tomorrow?! "Hey, cheerleaders will gather at the court after lunch. For tomorrow," Catherine told and bid Carmen and me goodbyes. "I'll come and watch tomorrow," Carmen said, startling me. "I thought this kind of stuff is your hating?" I joked. She smiled. "I can make an exception, for someone in particular." She winked and walked to class leaving me confused. Did she just wink at me! Am I that exception?! Why does she have to be so mysterious? Can't she just confess to me?

***

CARMEN'S POV

It's Friday, the day I love the most. But somehow today was different. I noticed the schools were a little louder than usual probably because of the pep rally. Ugh, why are they all so happy! "Dude! We get to see the twins dancing today!" one of the boys said. "Not to forget Larissa! She's hot!" the other boys added. They all stop talking about my sisters and Larissa when they noticed I walked passed them. I stopped in front of them and turned my head to face them. "Where's the fucking gym?" they all pointed to a direction. "Just walked straight," a blue hair boy says. I didn't bother to say my thanks and walked to the direction. I stopped in front of a double door and pushed the door with my leg. I walked into the gym and hear all the shouting in unison. "LET'S GO SERPENT!" the cheer team just led the school in a cheer.

Hmm, our school mascot is a snake? This must be some form of child abuse to make us sit through this. Stupid pep rally I thought as I took my seat as close to the exit as I could find. The principal steps up to the microphone at the center of the basketball court. He gives a few announcements that I give absolutely no thought to. In fact I didn't even hear him because of the beautiful Larissa standing with the group of other cheerleaders behind him, waiting their cue to start the entertainment. After he was finished he gave a nod and my sisters led the squad and their routine. As the EDM music starts the cheer team starts to dance, the dancing leads to an amazing routine that actually impresses me.

I know my sisters are talented but I still figured they would have some kind of cookie cutter routine like every other school on the planet. You know the basic all girls cheer squad with no boast of spirits. But here they are not only showing some amazing gymnastics skills but they even insert some modern dancing routine to blend it in. The school cheers loud with them. My sisters found a way to include the basketball team. The crowd erupts in screams and cheers when the boys start to join them. Yup, my sisters have done the impossible. They made me feel peppy that I was sure I was immune to. "LETS GO SERPENT!" the cheer teams screamed and the crowd goes wild. I was actually enjoying every part of this however being that Larissa were one of the best dancers on the team, she has been paired with another guy in the basketball team and now I find myself sitting here jealous.

It's one thing to have a crush but now I'm jealous?!?! This is getting out of control and of course both my sisters have noticed every expression on my face and their famous smirk appears on their faces. Oh they're going to pay for this!!!!The cheer team finished their routine and that guy still attached his hand on my Larissa's waist! Wow, listen to myself, MY Larissa? I'm slowly turning into a possessive bitch. I don't care! She's mine! Even though we're not official yet. I stood up and Larissa noticed me. My gazed didn't leave that boy next to her. She followed my gazed and she quickly free herself from that boy's gripped. Christina gave me a look. That look obviously asked me to stopped making a fuss about something. I huffed. I walked towards the exit and leaned at the door.

Larissa was about to walked to me when that boy stopped her. I sighed and walked to them. "Larissa," I called for her. She looked at me. The boy turned. "Look, she's not a dyke. I don't care what your family is, I'm not afraid of them nor you or your sisters. She's going on a date with me," he said. "Jeff I'm not interested," Larissa said. This is why I hate to dealt with boys. "Jeff is it? Please save that pathetic pick up line to some other girls in the school," I said politely, with a tone of sarcasm. He didn't moved, instead just grabbed Larissa's wrist. "I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE YOU BASTARD!" I screamed at him, the whole court turned to silence. "You know what! I HAVE BEEN CONTROLLING MYSELF TO NOT BEAT YOU TO DEATH! STOP DISTURBING MY GIRLFRIEND!" I screamed at everyone and did I just call Larissa my girlfriend?

He released his grip and raised his hand. "Sorry dude," he said and walked away. I grabbed Larissa's hand gently and walked side by side. I noticed all the people at the court looking at us as we exit the gym. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make your life a living hell now," I said when we arrived at the girls locker. "It's fine. I like to be called as your girlfriend," did I just hear that right? "What I mean was I don't like that guy either," she quickly said and was she blushing? I laughed. "I'll send you home." I offered and she nodded. The drive home was silence like always. I stopped in front of her house. Before she step out I stopped her. "Tomorrow my driver will pick you and your sisters up. You parents too can come," she nodded and closed the door. I smile and drive away.

My mind keeps on thinking about her. I am truly falling hard for that cheerleader.