I sat in class, watching Mike drum his fingers on his desk as he finished his math test. We had both been a little too caught up in trying to get my health and weight back on track, and the result was him being unprepared for our exam. I watched as he took his pencil and brought it to his mouth, chewing on it like a crazy person, then flew the pencil back down on the paper and started writing a mile a minute. He finished his test with five minutes left of class. He got up and handed it in, then nearly tripped while walking back to his desk. I tried to keep my laughter down, but of course he heard me and glared from his seat on the other side of the room, which I stuck my tongue out at him in reply. Once the bell rang I grabbed my book bag and walked towards the door, clasping Mike's hand in mine with a smile on my face.

"How do you think you did?" He asked as we got to his locker.

"Eh," I shrugged. "I could have probably done better, what about you?"

He threw his math book in the locker then slammed it shut with a groan, "I could have probably done a lot better. I do not want to see my report card next week."

I frowned, "This is all my fault. You've been way too focused on me, when you should really be focused on your grades."

He rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand, "When the hell have I ever been focused on my grades, Cass?" He let out a laugh, "You're so much more important. It's not like I'm going anywhere after this."

"Yeah, but you kind of need to graduate," I laughed and walked towards the cafeteria with him. "Take my bag and go to lunch, I need to go to the bathroom," I kissed his cheek and handed him my purse then walked towards the girls room.

I did my business and started washing my hands when Stephanie walked in. She gave me an up-down, "The entire school knows about your issue, Cassie. I wish you would have come to me about it."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed a paper towel, "It's not anyone else's business, and I wouldn't come to you, of all people, for help with it."

She let out a laugh, "You should have. I've heard rumors that Mike's only staying with you because he feels sorry for you. I wouldn't doubt it if he was cheating on you, Cass. I'm just trying to look out for you."

"I can look out for myself, thank you," I walked out the door. I wasn't going to let her get to me, she was just some stupid slut. I walked into the cafeteria, feeling a lot of eyes on me. I guess I had asked for it, since today I was actually wearing something form fitting and a little short to where you could see how thin I really was. I took a seat at my table, in between Mike and Casey as usual, and grabbed the sandwich that Mike had laid out for me in my spot. "So Stephanie just corned me in the bathroom," I mumbled with food in my mouth.

"About what?" Katie said from across me. Abbey wasn't here today so Katie was taking her spot at the table.

"How the entire school knows about me having an eating disorder and that rumors are flying that Mike is probably cheating on me and shit," I shrugged and took another bite of my sandwich.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Mike huffed from beside me, "She's such a fucking bitch, I swear."

Katie rolled her eyes and talked with salad in her mouth, "Yeah, everyone may know, but no one is saying that Mike is cheating on you other than Steph. You know that, Cass. She's just saying those things to get under your skin."

"It's not working so she's going to have to try harder," I laughed and took a sip of water. "I could care less if everyone knows. It's kind of obvious," I gestured to my bony body.

"I'd take your skinny ass over that slut any day," Mike smiled and kissed my cheek. "Fuck her. I love you and nothing and no one is ever going to change that."

I looked down at the promise ring on my finger and then over at Mike, then planted a kiss on his lips, "I know."

"Cocky bitch," he chuckled and kissed me.

"Alright, guys, we're eating here," Casey grumbled from next to me.

I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arms around him, "Aw, does Case need some lovin'?" I started kissing his cheek over and over again.

"Stop it! You suck Mike off with that mouth! Get it off me!" He whined and tried to push me away, making everyone at our table erupt into laughter as I stuck my tongue out and licked his cheek. "WHY CASSIE!" He groaned and wiped at his cheek with his sleeve.

"What? You don't like my tongue?" I giggled and took a chip that Mike was eating and popped it into my mouth.


The rest of the day went by in a blur, like it always did. It was nearing the second week of February and all that was being talked about by kids in classes was grades, Valentine's Day, the cheer competition, and I guess my eating disorder. A few people here and there had asked me about it, and I just shrugged it off. No big deal. I was getting over it, and it was going to become a thing of my past. I walked out of my last class and was met by Julie, who had a compassionate smile on her face.

"Hey chica," I smiled at her.

"I'm really glad you're coming around," she pulled me into a hug. "Most of us on the team had been worried sick, noticing what was going on, but we didn't know how to bring it up."

I hugged her tightly, "Thank you. I completely understand. I honestly don't think I would have stopped if it wasn't for Mike, though. I know it's only been about a week and a half, but he's helped me through a lot." In the middle of my conversation, something caught my eye. "Hold on a minute," I said to Julie and pulled from her embrace.

I saw Stephanie leaning up against Mike's locker, her hand on his shoulder talking to him. He didn't look very happy. I approached slowly, being sure neither one of them would notice me.

"You know you'd rather have a girl who has the body of a girl, Mikey," Stephanie giggled. "I can offer so much more than Cassie."

"Fuck off, Stephanie," Mike muttered and slammed his locker.

She rolled her eyes and reached for his hand, "Come on. Just give me one night to prove it to you. Don't you remember what it was like?"

He pulled his hand back and shoved it into his pocket, "I'm sorry, but maybe you're too fucking blonde and stupid to realize that I have a girlfriend who I am in love with and I want nothing to do with you. You were a one night stand freshman year; I never wanted you for anything more than your pussy, and it wasn't even good. Leave me the fuck alone, and never call me Mikey again."

"Keep denying it, Fuentes, but we all know that you want me," she blew him a kiss as he walked away from her.


Saying that I was furious would be an understatement. I wanted to rip her fucking eyes out and choke her with them. I watched her walk back towards the girls locker room with her cheer bag in her hand. I followed behind her and changed into my cheer practice clothes. I heard her snicker as I stood in my bra and underwear. I rolled my eyes and pulled my shorts on, then my t-shirt. I tied my sneakers onto my feet and threw my hair up, then walked out of the locker room not even looking in her direction.

"Alright, girls! State's is next weekend, so from now on you are going to live, breath and eat these routines!" Coach Marcie exclaimed with a smile. "Take it from the top on the opener!"

She turned on the remix we were using as music, and we did our first routine. Each group hitting perfectly and on time. We had practiced the opener about five times with no injuries, then moved onto the second routine. Once again, we were able to get down five practices without injuries. Then coach decided that it was time for our break.

I walked towards Katie and Tiffany, pulling them in close to me as I took a gulp of water from the water fountain. "So, I saw Mike rejecting Stephanie earlier."

"Are you fucking serious she tried to get with him!" Katie said in a loud whisper. "I swear to god, Cass. I wish she wasn't part of the cheer team because do you know how much I would love to jump her?"

I let out a laugh, "Believe me, after this season is over I'm going to fucking crush her. I don't care if she has to walk at graduation with a fucking broken arm. You stay the fuck away from my boyfriend."

"What did she say to him?" Tiffany asked while tightening her shoe laces.

"Something along the lines of how he needs a girl with a girl's body, and that he knows that he wants her and he just won't admit it," I rolled my eyes. "Like come on… He screamed at her to leave him alone and that he was in love with me. And he said she wasn't even good in bed."

Tiffany and Katie both bursted into laughter. "What's so funny?" Stephanie's voice sounded from behind me.

"Nothing," I smiled at her and walked away, Tiffany and Katie following behind me. "Hey Jules, I have something to tell you later," I flashed a smile in Julie's direction.

"Alright, let's go over the routine that you will use if you get into the top choices! Then you guys can head out if you do it right!" Coach Marcie yelled, we all piled into our groups and got ready for the one routine that would make us or break us when it came to State's.


She turned the music on and it was like all of the drama that was going on had faded away. We were all kicking ass in our groups - flyers and spotters. We nailed the routine four times, and as we began the fifth time my eyes landed on Stephanie. All the anger I had put aside was building back up in me, and I did something I probably shouldn't have done, but I sure as hell wasn't going to regret it. As the girls threw me up and I did my final flip, I came down with one of my legs angled just enough to kick her right in her head. She fell back screaming as the other girls caught me. She was holding her forehead, tears falling down her face.

"I'm so sorry!" I gasped, trying to seem apologetic of course. I looked over at my coach, "I felt my knee give out. Something must be wrong with this brace!"

Coach Marcie nodded, "I understand, Cassie. Accidents happen. We'll get that brace all fixed up at practice tomorrow. Steph, let me see your head! Girls go ahead and get ready to head home! Great practice today!"

We all walked back into the locker room, a lot of the cheerleaders laughing about Stephanie getting the shit kicked out of her forehead. I got a few high fives here and there, most of the girls hated her almost as much as I did. As I pulled a pair of sweats over my shorts she walked in, her face stained with mascara and tears, as she walked over to her bag and tore it open.

"Thanks a lot, Merjos," she spat while kicking her shoes off and pulling on sweat pants.

"Stay the fuck away from Mike and maybe you won't get hurt," I smiled and exited the locker room, knowing my man was waiting for me outside.

Notes

A big thank you to everyone who has commented and subscribed on this story!
Also another big thank you goes out to Tony's Plugs for that comment about self harm.
I really like it when the people reading my stories are able to relate in one way or another to them.
Especially since this story hits so close to home when it comes to me - the eating, the family, etc.

Anyways, regarding this chapter,
A lot of shit is about to hit the fan.
Stephanie is a bitch, aye?

Cassie's Outfit.

Next update around Wednesday/Thursday.
As well as for Sam's Town.

xoxxoxo