(sophomore year)

Just one more touchdown.

"That's it, Lacy! Get your ass to the end zone!"

Coach had been pushing me extra hard since late last year, when he discovered that I was a hell of a lot better than the resident running back then. He shaped me up so I could officially be part of the starting line up this season because being the running back wasn't an easy job. I had to be both mentally and physically exceptional.

I wasn't complaining, though. Hell, I wanted this. I fucking loved the game. It was the only thing that didn't suck in my life. It served like some kinda safe haven where I could take out all my frustrations and not be in trouble for it.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a senior about to block my path. I sped up and lowered my shoulder in preparation for the impact.

"Oomph!" I heard him groan as he staggered away.

Damn. I gotta thank Coach Watkins for adding my gym hours.

Another senior tried to come at me from the sides. I slowed down for half a second to let him slide to the ground, then I hopped off him. I gained speed again, making sharp cuts here and there. In no time, I got to the end zone pretty smoothly.

The seniors slapped my helmet as a congratulatory move.

"Good one, kid!"

"Awesome play, Oz!"

I grinned, walking back to the bench.

"Just what I expected from Clyde's brother," Coach Watkins remarked, patting me on the shoulder when I neared.

I didn't let his comment get to me. I've already accepted a long time ago that my brother's football track record would follow me if I chose this sport. I just had to surpass it. It wouldn't be too hard considering he was a quarterback and I was a halfback (running back).

At least, there was that difference.

"Keep that up on Friday, you hear?" Coach said. He was in his sixties or seventies. We weren't sure. He looked like your typical grandpa with a friendly smile beneath that walrus beard that we always made fun of.

I nodded. "Sure, Coach." I removed my helmet and cleared my throat. "Listen, you mind if I go?"

He stared at me. "You got a date or something?"

"Something." I smirked.

"If this girl makes you play like you did today, I'll keep out of it."

I knew he'd say something like that.

Coach Watkins was the kind that didn't care what you did outside the field, as long as you showed up during practice and when it was game time. So long as we respect the game and play fucking good, he didn't meddle with our personal business.

"But boy," he warned me with a serious expression, "The minute you start screwing up, that'll be the end of it. Understood?"

Except for that.

If it got in the way of the game, he'd be up your ass about it for sure. He was a raging asshole if he didn't like you. The team was constantly torn whether or not they find him respectable.

I fought the urge to snort.

I will never let a girl mess up my game.

"Crystal," I replied.

He scrutinized my face, probably trying to see if I was taking him seriously. When he was satisfied, he nodded and waved off a hand.

"Alright, scram."

I didn't let him tell me twice. I ran off and headed to the locker room.

"What's the rush?" Alfie asked, when I passed him. He was resting on the other bench. He was beat from trying to outmatch this year's starting quarterback.

"Trying to catch Snow before she leaves."

He groaned, leaning his head back. "Take a hint, man. She's been avoiding you for weeks. Leave it alone."

"I want her," I deadpanned.

"No shit," he scoffed. "But you can't have her."

I shrugged nonchalantly. "That only makes me want her more."

I left him there and went to the locker room for a quick shower. I changed into casual clothes and hurried to the school library. These past weeks, I learned that Snow loved to read books enough to volunteer to help out at the library on weekdays.

I ran a hand through my damp hair as I quietly entered the library. There wasn't much people left in school in the late afternoon. Through the gaps of the shelves, my eyes caught a glimpse of red hair. I slowly walked around, taking my time watching Snow put the books back on their respective shelves.

Her hair wasn't in a ponytail today, it hang loose around her shoulders. I swallowed the lump in my throat. It amazed me how she could make me want her so much that I was willing to ignore the fact that she was my enemy's twin.

Alfie didn't understand.

I was crazy about this girl because not only was she stunning, she was honest and direct. She never hesitated in telling me what was on her mind. She wasn't afraid of me or what I was capable of doing. She was like an open book. Most of all, she didn't put up with my bullshit.

That was refreshing as fucking hell.

And I wanted more.

"Need help?" I asked in a low voice, coming up behind her.

She jumped a little, glanced at me, then rolled her eyes.

"Go away, Oz."

I pretended to think, and said, "Nah."

She sighed and faced me. For a split second, I saw something in her eyes. There was hesitance there. She didn't want to push me away, but she felt like she had to. I've known that all along, from the countless times I caught her staring at me in the cafeteria.

I wasn't the only one interested in us.

"What do you want?"

That's easy.

"You." I grinned.

"You do know that I'm Scout's sister?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"So?"

"You hate him."

I only hated how everybody seemed to wanna be friends with him without wanting his money, too. I hated how he could just be himself and people would flock him instantly. I hated how he didn't have to worry about fake friends.

"Him," I corrected, taking a step closer. "Not you."

"There's no difference," Snow countered.

"There's a huge difference. He's an ugly ass, and you're beautiful."

She looked away, not before I saw her cheeks flush. I was getting to her. After all this time, I was pretty sure that I was close to smashing those damn walls she put up.

"We're twins, Oz."

"Not identical." I shrugged. Then I studied her, mocking seriousness. "Unless... you're secretly a dude."

She cracked a smile.

Finally.

I watched her have an inner battle with herself, biting her bottom lip. I had the sudden urge to kiss her but stopped myself. That wouldn't help matters. She let out a deep breath and shook her head. She went back to putting back the books on the shelf.

"Even if I'm not related to him," she said, "I don't agree with your moral standards."

The fuck?

"Moral standards?"

"You're a bully," she explained, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.

I snorted. "Says who?" I'll hunt them and beat their asses right now.

"Says everyone." She looked at me. "Says me."

Shit.

"I wouldn't call it bullying."

"I'd rather not sugarcoat."

I placed my right hand on the shelf, blocking her from doing anything else because I couldn't take anymore of her ignoring me while I was trying to have a fucking conversation with her.

"I admire the fact that you honestly tell me your opinion," I whispered, looking straight in those green eyes of hers. I leaned down closer, causing her breath to hitch up. "You got my attention, Snow. Here I am. Aren't you getting tired of the chase?"

I wanted her to admit that she wanted me to. I wanted her to stop thinking about how wrong this was, because hell. Nothing was wrong with what we wanted.

"Are you?" she challenged. "I'm not someone you can just bang," she added with a stern face.

A small laugh escaped my lips. "You think I don't know that?" I said, reaching out and pushing a stray hair away from her face.

Her eyes closed. "I wouldn't know. You're hard to read."

I smirked, my fingers softly tracing her jaw.

"You only have to ask."

"Will you answer?" she asked, frowning a bit.

She was giving in. Just a little more.

"I will of you let me give you a ride home."

Her eyes snapped open. "Not a chance."

Damn it. I was so close.

"Your call," I said, putting my hands up in defeat. "But you should know, there's a reason I do things that I do."

She looked at me, her eyes full of curiosity.

"You know where to find me in case you change your mind."

With that, I turned to leave.

"I won't," she called over.

"We'll see."

I left the library, taking a deep breath when I got to the hallway.

Holy shit. My nerves were all over the fucking place. Good thing I managed to keep my cool. It was as if that girl was made of stone. She wasn't totally immune to my charms, though. She was obviously attracted to me, too. She was only holding back because of her jackass brother.

The thing was, I didn't give a shit about her brother. So fucking what if she was related to Scout Crimson? I wasn't thickheaded enough to hold it against her.

I wanted her.

I rubbed my face with a hand. On the way to the parking lot, I saw a couple of guys cornering what looked like a freshman girl on her locker. The girl seemed to be ignoring them with her back turned, but they weren't leaving.

I watched their stances.

Relaxed. Arrogant. Self-assured.

One of them looked annoyed but he was trying not to show it. Whatever they wanted, the girl wasn't giving to them. My eyes went back to her. Her body was stiff.

One of the guys touched the girl's shoulder, making her flinch. Before I knew it, I was walking past them.

"Frankenstein called," I said in a bored voice. "He wants his face back."

Frankenstein, the annoyed one, turned to me. He was pretty tall, but I was taller. I could easily tackle him if needed. I wondered how far I could piss him off.

Heh. This might be fun.

"Did you say something?"

I stopped walking. "Oh, you weren't mute?"

"Did I say I was?"

Stupidest fucking comeback I've ever heard.

"Technically, if you were mute," I explained slowly so his brain could understand, "you wouldn't be able to talk."

He scowled. "Don't be a smartass."

"Am I being one?" I asked, feigning innocence. I cocked my head and smirked. "How would you know?"

He was about to come at me, but the other guy stopped him.

"Come on, man. He ain't worth it."

Smart guy.

"Listen to your girlfriend," I taunted.

That did the trick.

It was as if I watched in slow motion as he stepped towards me and raised his fist. I stepped back, dodging his attack. He tried to kick me instead. Dumbass. I grabbed his foot and twisted it, causing him to hop on his other foot. Eventually, he fell on his ass.

His friend shook his head and patted him on the shoulder.

"Told ya." He sighed. "That's Oz Lacy."

Frankenstein looked at me with questionable eyes. I nodded in confirmation, smiling crookedly. He grumbled a curse and got up. Without a word, they left.

Wimps.

Letting out a chuckle, I turned around and continued walking down the hallway. I passed the large school trophy case, making me stop and look at it. My eyes scanned the pictures, instantly spotting my family.

Clyde Lacy, star quarterback (AY 2005-2006).

Diana Lacy, class president (AY 2008-2009).

Annabelle Lacy, head cheerleader (AY 2010-2011).

Besides the fact that my three older siblings were at the top of the social hierarchy in this place during their time, I was basically a kid brother to everyone else who were in that level – having known me from all the high school parties thrown by my brother and sisters.

At such a young age, they taught me how to fight and defend myself – for fun, because apparently it was entertaining to teach a kid those things. I've seen how they picked up and pleasured girls. They showed me the tricks on how not to get wasted. They taught me how to get away from trouble.

Sure, it was fucking traumatizing. But it was the fastest way to open my eyes and learn about those stuff. What they didn't expect was that I would turn out a little worse.

If they knew when not to cross the line, I pranced around it.

Sometimes, I wondered if I'd be forever stuck in this state. There were times when I needed a break. I was human, you know. Too bad there wasn't a place where I could run to when it all got too much.

"Oz?"

My head turned to the direction of the voice. My eyes landed on the person who made the demons go away. She looked unsure, but she offered me a small smile. Suddenly, I felt something I never thought I'd feel.

Hope.

The corner of my lips curled up in a smile.

"Snow."

_____________

Who ships Oz and Snow?!?! #SnOz

This present/past thing will continue until the questions are finally answered. Don't worry. I won't have the whole story bouncing back from past to present. Just several more chapters of this. Bear with me.