13 Chapter 13

Beep beep beep. I heard my alarm sound. I stretched out my hand to put it off. I got off the bed and went to the kitchen. Today being a Monday, it was my turn to cook with Justin. We have a time table;

Mondays: Josie and Justin

Tuesdays: Jordan and Jake

Wednesdays: Josie and Jake

Thursdays: Justin and Jordan

Fridays: Josie and Jordan

Saturdays: Justin and Jake

Sundays: all of us

On Sundays, we either cook or eat out. We pasted it on the kitchen wall. When I got to the kitchen I met Justin trudging in as well. "Good morning", he greeted when he saw me. "Good morning", I greeted back. He turned on the coffee maker. "Make some for two please", I said taking a seat on a kitchen stool. He nodded.

Five minutes later, we had drank our coffee and were both more awake to make breakfast. We decided on some pancakes. After we were done, we both went to our rooms to get ready.

Almost an hour later, hey don't judge me, I was dressed in a yellow sweater over a short flared black skirt with a pair of pantihose underneath the skirt. I paired the outfit with black ankle boots and my choker necklace. I wore my hair down and had on flawless make up, as usual.

I carried my backpack and headed on to the dining table. The guys were already eating. I inwardly rolled my eyes. "Couldn't even wait for me?" They gave me cheeky smiles. "Good morning". "Morning Jo" Jordan and Jake greeted. "Morning guys", I replied. I took my seat and dug in.

A while later we were done and we drove off to school. I headed to the gym for a brief cheer squad meeting. We all got the text from Maddy the day before. "Hey Madds", I waved. "Hey Jo", she smiled. "You look good this morning", she teased. "Don't I always?" I replied confidently.

"You look great too", I said. She was wearing black high waisted leather pants, a baby pink tee and she finished the look with black pumps. She had her jacket on her arm and she straightened her hair in a center part. The only makeup she had on was pink lipstick, eyeliner and black eyeshadow that made her blue eyes pop. "So, what's this meeting about?" I asked.

"Between you and me...", She said in a conspiratorial tone leaning in as if she was about to spill a big secret, "I have no idea", she deadpanned. I gave her a look that said really, she giggled. "What? I really dunno. Miss Harper called the meeting". Just then she walked in. "Speak of the devil", I leaned in to whisper. Miss Harper seemed to be in a good mood this morning, she was all smiles.

"Good morning girls", she greeted. "Good morning Miss", we chorused back. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I called this meeting. Well I have some news". She looked at us with pure joy in her eyes and I couldn't help but feel happy without even knowing what the news was. "I'm getting married", she finished excitedly showing us her engagement ring. We all squealed. "OMG that's awesome Miss H", Maddy said as she ran to give her a hug.

"That's not all... You're all invited". More squeals. "Because of my wedding preparations and my honeymoon though, I will not be around for a month. So Miss Diamond will be in charge". I was so happy for her. We were all rejoicing and squealing when we heard the bell ring. Maddy and I said our goodbyes at the door and headed to our classes.

Class went by for the rest of the day and soon it was time to go home. During the drive back, the car was really silent. I felt like the guys were going out of their way to not say anything. I tried to initiate conversation but they just gave me one worded replies. I just shrugged it off and listened to the radio till we got home.

I headed to my room to change. Some people don't change immediately after school but I've been doing it for years to keep Pete and Martha unsuspicious about me that I'm pretty much used to it. I changed into shorts and a big t-shirt that once belonged to Jake. I swapped my boots for flip flops.

Then I went to my table to get a head start on my home work. I was halfway done when I heard the doorbell ring. I ignored it since I wasn't expecting anyone. I heard someone open the door and I heard guys talking but I didn't think much of it and instead concentrated on finishing my homework.

A while later Justin called out. "Hey Josie, we're about to play ninja warriors, wanna play?" I had already almost finished and I was already bored anyway so I yelled back, "sure".

I went to the living room and my jaw dropped. There on our couch looking all shades of delicious was Tony. I tried to make eye contact with the guys but they made sure to not look at me. This must have been what they were hiding. Oh my gosh, I look a mess. Oh I'm so gonna kill them after this.

"Hi Josie", Tony greeted. I regained my composure. It'll be fine. "Hey Tony. What are you doing here?" I had to ask. "Oh well the guys invited me over". "They did? That's very interesting". Jordan coughed at that. I took a sit on the couch and Jordan tossed me a game pad which I caught. He still wouldn't look at me.

"So do you really play?" Tony asked with a raised brow. I gave him a sweet smile. "Why don't you find out?" Jake finally looked at me. "Hey, isn't that my shirt? I've been looking all over for that". I looked at him. "Correction, it used to be your shirt but now it's mine". He rolled his eyes. "Shirt thief", he mumbled.

"Okay let's play", Justin said. He switched on the game. "Woah, is that really Josie's high score?" Tony asked sounding surprised, "did you guys let her win?" The four of us burst out laughing at that. "Let me win? Please, they wish I'd let them win more often", I said confidently. Deep down I was super nervous but I think I was doing a good job of not letting it show.

We started playing and it was tense. We weren't even trying to trash talk each other. Tony was a pretty good player, I had to admit that. Another reason he's so swoon worthy. We were playing a tournament game so the person who lost was gonna be dropped at each round till the final winner emerged. Justin lost the first round after Tony won. Jordan came second, I was third and Jake fourth.

"Try to keep up princess", he said winking at me. I think I might faint. Did it get hotter in here? Jake won round two with me as second and Tony as third. Jordan was out. I summoned up all the flirtation powers in me and said in a sultry voice, "try to keep up charming" and I winked too. He was staring at me looking shocked. I think my entire skin turned red at that. Why the hell did I do that? "Uh guys, if you're through with your flirting, I have a game to win", Jake said faking mild irritation.

We both turned to the screen. This round was just as tense as the others but Tony won again with me as a very close second. Jake was out. "I guess it's just you and me princess. I'd go easy on you but that wouldn't be fair", he smirked. Gosh I loved it when he called me princess. "Dream on charming", I countered.

This round was the toughest of them all. I wasn't going easy on him and he certainly wasn't going easy on me. The boys were sitting beside us eating popcorn and waiting anxiously for the winner. I was so focused on the game. I couldn't let Tony beat me. "Hey Jake, popcorn", I said not taking my eyes from the screen and opening my mouth. He tossed one and I efficienctly caught it. I saw Tony looking impressed from the corner of my eye. I smiled to myself.

In the end, I won. I threw my game pad on the floor and I got up. "Yes, yes, yes, in your face. I beat you" I said doing a victory dance. I high fived Jordan then I remembered I was in front on Tony. I slowly turned to look at him and I found an amused smile on his face. He applauded me and I took a bow. I sat back down.

"I underestimated you Josie. You truly are a video game master. I dunno any girl who could beat me in a video game except you. That was pretty cool", he commended. "What can I say? I'm awesome", I teased patting my hair. He chuckled. "That you are", I heard him mutter. My heart soared at that.

We ordered pizza and we pretty much just chilled. My nerves had pretty much died down. We were watching a movie about cheerleaders. How ironic! It was about an overweight girl wanting to join the squad but not being allowed to because of her weight. And the girl had some serious skill.

She was bullied and made fun of when she tried to tryout. It upset me. "Why should she not be allowed to try out just because she's a little chubby?" I yelled out. "Josie chill, it's just a movie", Jordan said. "It's a movie that giving cheerleaders a bad name", I grumbled folding my arms.

I had completely forgotten Tony was there since he had been quiet since the start of the movie. "Yeah she's overweight but it's not really her fault. Cheer squads should have more overweight people on the squad. We need the extra strength", I added. "Josie, just chill sheesh", Jake said.

I remembered at that time that Tony was still there and that promptly shut me up. I've already embarrassed myself enough for one day. At this rate, he'll never like me back. I caught him staring at me. Great, he's probably thinking about what a weirdo I am. I didn't talk till the end of the movie. At the end of the movie, the overweight chick got into the squad after she helped them win the cheer competition.

Tony stood up soon after the movie ended. "I've gotta go guys", he said, "it was nice hanging out with you. Jake, Justin, you guys should invite the whole team soon". "We will", Jake said. They did the bro hug thing. I saw him off to the door. "So, I guess I'll see you around", he said. "Feel free to come over anytime to get your butt kicked", I teased. He laughed at that.

"Later princess", he said. "Bye charming". He got into his car, gave me one last wave and drove off. I waved back a little too late. I went back inside with a silly smile on my face. "Someone looks happy", Justin teased. My smile turned to a glare when I remembered they invited him here without telling me.

"Woah, woah, woah, calm down Josie", Jake said raising his hands in surrender. "How could you guys do that to me?" "Okay first of all you're being dramatic", Jordan deadpanned, "and second, you invited Maddy to the mall without telling me. What do you have to say about that?"

I felt a bit guilty when he brought that up but this was about me, not him. "We're not talking about Maddy now. You invited Tony over knowing I have a huge crush on him".

"Josie we didn't tell you because we knew you were gonna fuss. You'd probably have gotten all dressed up and even cooked or something and we needed him to see the real you. If he's ever gonna like you, he has to like you for you. The real you", Jake said.

"Well when you put it like that...", I said.

"Also Tony is a really cool guy and we wanted him over", Justin added. "Yeah", Jordan agreed, "and I've forgiven you for the Maddy incident". I rolled my eyes while suppressing my smile. "Come here", Justin smiled, "group hug".

A/N: Thoughts?