"Young lady, would you care to explain why you're getting home this late?" Lisa snarled.
Alice froze mid-step at the sound of her mother's voice.
"Mom… how was your day?" she replied, strolling lazily toward her with outstretched arms for a hug."Ma'am, where should I put these bags?" Chris asked, holding several luxury shopping bags.
"Just drop them in my room, please," Alice replied, not breaking eye contact with her mother. Lisa's eyes scanned the bags suspiciously. "Where are all these shopping bags from? And where the heck has your phone been all day?"
"Mom, please relax, okay? I lost my phone, so I went to the mall to get a new one. And, as you know, I grabbed a few things for myself."
Lisa arched an eyebrow. "Did you have lunch at school?"
"Yes, I did."
Well, go freshen up quickly. Dinner is almost ready." Thanks, Mom," Alice muttered and rushed upstairs.
Sorry about yesterday, Alicia. I was exhausted, you know…" Alice said with a yawn as she ate. Don't worry, Al. Just finish your breakfast. And hey, tomorrow's the weekend we have the whole day to ourselves."
"Oh! By the way, Leon sent a new team of bodyguards. I don't know why the sudden change, but I'll try to find out." Alice paused, a spoon halfway to her mouth. "That's weird… I didn't tell him about yesterday. So how did he—"
"Are you saying something?"
No, it's nothing," Alice muttered quickly. "All I know is, he has his eyes on me… wherever he is in the world." Well, enjoy your day. And thanks for the compliment," Alicia smiled as Alice pecked her on the cheek.
"Bye, Alicia! The breakfast was superb!"
Alicia stood motionless, watching Alice walk away. She sighed heavily. Just me again… in this big mansion. What a boring life." She collapsed into the couch and picked up her phone, opening a shopping app to browse.
Japheth, I think you should try out for the basketball team," Josh suggested.
"You really think so?" "Yeah, I do." The two boys stood chatting at the school entrance. A sleek black Prado pulled up a few meters away. A tall, heavily built man stepped out and opened the back door.
Alice stepped out gracefully. With her was an entourage of suited men her new bodyguards. She walked straight toward the cheer room, accompanied by two guards. After all, she was the head cheerleader.
Josh elbowed Japheth. "That's Alice." Who is she really?" Japheth asked, still staring.
Alice. The prettiest girl on campus. Super calm, and honestly… you barely hear her speak. I don't know why she acted that way toward you yesterday. It shocked me she's not like that at all. Maybe she wasn't in the mood."
"She's my friend, too. You should get to know her. She's really cool." Japheth shrugged. "First impressions matter to me. And she—"
"I get it. But here's the thing: she's super rich. Like, top-tier family. Her brother? Dangerous. Strict and overprotective." She's never had a boyfriend." Josh grinned. "You know, she and I were supposed to be the Homecoming King and Queen, but with you around now…" He winked. "You might steal that crown, bro. You're one handsome gentleman."
Japheth chuckled. "Nah, I'm not into all that."
"Let's go. Walk me to the B-ball court I've got practice." Inside the court, a game was already underway. Josh dashed into the dressing room. Moments later, he reappeared in a blue-and-yellow jersey.
"Hey man," he called out, jogging over. "There's an extra jersey in the locker room. Come on, just try it on. Don't say no." "Fine."
Japheth followed his new friend and quickly changed. When he returned, the court was buzzing.
"What's going on?" he asked.
The coach says the cheerleaders will practice while we're playing. The match was shifted to next week so more training."
"Josh!!"
The boys turned to see a girl waving. Josh's smile widened instantly. Go babe! You can do it!" Kira winked at him. Japheth leaned in. "Who's that?"
"Kira my girlfriend. She's Alice's best friend. Their families are super close. I'm not rich like them, but her brother accepted me, and that's what matters." He added, lowering his voice, "If I mess this up… I'm a dead man."
Josh yelled back, "Love you, babe!" "Love you too!" she shouted. She's a cheerleader?" Japheth asked. "She's one of them. Assistant to the leader."And who's the leader?" Josh pointed, and Japheth followed his gaze.
Alice walked in, wearing an ash hoodie and her cheer skirt. Her hair was tied in a sleek ponytail, and she carried a pink bottle.
She removed the hoodie, revealing her rhinestone-studded tank top.
Japheth's mouth fell open. "Oh. My. God…"
Josh laughed. "Would you stop staring? We have a game to win."
"Yeah… right."
Hey girls!" Alice clapped her hands. "Line up! Let's go!"
The cheer squad quickly assembled. With sparkling pink pom-poms in hand, they began chanting:
Green Meadow is the best,
We are strong and always first!
You should know we never rest—
Gooooo Green Meadow Waldorf High School!
Yeah, yeah!"
Their energetic cheer went on throughout the game, with Alice leading every move with precision and poise. Even Japheth usually focused and reserved found himself distracted. Something about Alice… pulled him in.