The Water Girl

"Miss Stephenson, wake up!" Our math teacher, Ms. Davis, yells at the girl that's sitting beside me. So, I shake her a little to wake her up and, as always, I get yelled at.

I'm the odd one out... the outsider... the water girl of the football team because I can't play any sports. Whenever I attempt to play sports, my two left feet hold me back. "Don't fucking touch me again, water girl. Now I'll have to scrub my arm until it bleeds to get your nastiness off."

I'm not sure how I have been deemed the nasty girl in school, but it has been this way for a few years now. Thankfully, this is my last year at this school, then I am off to college, hopefully far away from here. I have sent in all my college applications and am just waiting for the right one to accept me. I look over at Marie when she says something else to me. Then my best friend pipes in, telling Marie to take her cheerleading ass on over to the jocks and get her pussy sucked and leave me alone.

"God -Sydney, do you have to be so vulgar?"

"Ah, River, don't start your good girl shit with me. One of us must show them assholes whose queen is around here, and it obviously will not be you."

How I became friends with Sydney Lou Martin is beyond me. She is the opposite of me. She is the life of the party, says what's on her mind and doesn't give a crap about what anyone thinks of her. From head to toe, she wears black clothing, with black lipstick and nail polish. She's beautiful with her long black hair, her blue-green eyes and her hourglass figure. Where I have red to the point, it's almost orange hair, ash gray eyes. I'm 5ish and a little on the heavy side, weighing in at about 150 give or take. Guys love to look at my best friend and ask her out on dates left and right, which she turns down because she plays for the same team. She's never made me uncomfortable with her sexuality by making a pass at me or anything. And truthfully, if I wasn't her best friend and didn't know everything about her, I wouldn't have known she liked girls. She has only had one girlfriend in her lifetime and it only lasted for about 6 months, so maybe it was just a phase and she doesn't know what she wants.

The bell for this class to end has finally rung, and it's finally time for lunch. So, Sydney and I make our way out the door and down to the cafeteria, where we wait in the salad line so I can grab myself a salad. Once we get my salad and I pay the cashier, we make our way over to the pizza station so Sydney can get herself a pizza. One of the football players is in line to get a pizza and, of course, he couldn't resist a jab at me and my weight.

"Damn water, girl.! Shouldn't you just stick to the salad you have in your hands? You keep eating unhealthy foods like pizza. You're going to get too big to run and fetch me my water."

"Thanks for your concern, Arron, but it's unwanted and needed because all I'm eating today is my salad."

"You do not have to explain anything to that douche bag," Sydney hisses at me.

"I was being sarcastic, Syd."

Sydney rolls her eyes at Arron, then leads us over to our table. Luckily, I made it to my table without a hitch. Normally, I end up with most of my food on me before I get to my table.

"Are you okay Riv? "Sydney asks me once we get sat down.

"Yes, I'm used to it by now."

"Wow, River Rock just walked in."

My skin instantly heats at that name. Rock (James Martinez) is not only the hottest guy at school. He is the quarterback and captain, and my biggest hater at Scotts high. To make matters worse, his mom is dating my dad.

"Hey water girl, go get me some food." Rock says, coming over and sitting down at our table like he owns it.

"Fuck off Rock." Sydney says, then gets up and positions herself in between us. I guess she thinks that's going to stop him from harassing me. I go to get up and get him food so he will leave me alone, but my friend is not having that.

"Sit your ass down." Sydney growls.

"Just let me do this Syd so I might eat in peace today."

"You're going to eat in peace, anyway. I will make sure of it," Sydney says between clenched teeth. She really doesn't know what she starts when she does this.

Surprising, Rock gets up and walks over to get his own food, then goes and sits with his girlfriend and the other football players. I get to eat my food in peace for the rest of the lunch hour. Once the bell rings, Sydney and I head to our next class. We make it through our last couple classes and then it's time to go out on the football field to make sure the team has plenty of water.

I wonder if I could get away with putting some laxative tablets in their waters see how good they practice having to run to the bathroom every 5 minutes.

"Yo water girl, get your ass over here with the damn waters," Damion, the linebacker, yells at me. Making me jump out of my daydream.

You know I'm not the only water girl out here, but I'm the only one that gets picked on. I really don't understand what I have done to make them target me. Unlike Tiffany, who's dry humping Rock's leg while giving him water, I'm quiet and keep to myself.

Walking towards the table, I put some more water glasses down on it. Then I walk over to the guys that are standing around waiting to get on the field to see if they want any water. "It's about damn time, water girl." Most of the guys say, but there are some. The freshmen thanked me. But that will soon change once they hear what the other guys call me and the way they treat me, then they will start doing the same.

Once that set of guy's head on the field, the ones that were on the field head off it, so I do the same thing for them. I walk up to them and pour water into the mouths of the ones that want water and get shoved to the side by the ones that don't want water. God, I really don't know why I am doing this... I really hate football. But it's either this or having to hear my dad complain about me not doing anything.

By the end of practice I have everything packed up, and ready to head to the locker room when Rock and his friend Damion walk up behind me, pushing me so hard I fall and the bottles in my hands go flying around the field.

"Oh, damn water girl, I didn't see you standing there." Rock says, then bends down to help me up to my feet, but I slap his hand away.

"Now, now, River, is that anyway to treat your sum to be stepbrother?" Rock chuckles.

God, I hope not.

"My dad will never marry your mother. He loved my mother too much." I spit at him and he sees red. Rock lifts me up off the ground by my shirt, hauling me into his body. "You listen to me, you little bitch."

"James Martinez, put River down right now." Coach barks at him and Rock chunks me to the ground and I land on my butt hard. Once everyone heads to the locker room, I get up and start gathering the bottles that went flying a minute ago back up and put them back in the bags. Coach must have stayed behind because he helped me with the bottles. "You know, Ms. Darby, you really shouldn't let them boys treat you that way."

I know I shouldn't, but I really don't have any choice. "Thanks coach I say." Once he helps me up and gives me the bags to carry to the locker room.

"River, I've known your dad for a long time, and I don't think he would be too happy to know how bad things are for you at school."

"No offense, coach, but you must not know my dad as well as you think you do, because my father couldn't care less." I walk on into the locker room without another word. Once I'm done with everything, I make my way out to my 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee that my dad got me last year after I found out he was dating Rocks of all people's mom. The one person it seems besides my father that hates my guts.

Ms. Gabriela and my mom were college friends, and they stayed friends throughout their adult years until my mom did what she did when I was about 5 years old. I barely get into the cab when my phone rings with my dad's name coming across the face. I answer it on the second ring.

"Hello dad."

"Hello River." Dad answers back. "We are meeting at the restaurant tonight. I would like for you to go home and dress appropriately."

"Can I sit this one out, Dad? I have tones of homework to do tonight."

"River, do not start with your antisocial bull-crap tonight, young lady. Go home and get dressed. Gabriela and I will wait for you. I need you to go over to Gabriela's and pick up the two younger kids. James is already on his way from football practice."

Are you kidding?

"Yes, sir. I will get right on that." Great, I have to play-house with the Martinez's tonight after dealing with the jerk Rock all day today. I pull up to the house then and run up the stairs to my bedroom, where I find a pair of slacks and a blue blouse with a pair of my dress boots. Then I run back out to the jeep and drive down the three blocks to the Martinez house. Once I park in the driveway, the two younger Martinez kids come running out the door and to my jeep.

It sucks that their older brother is such a jerk. Because the two younger kids are so sweet. If it was just them two, I probably wouldn't have such an issue with my dad dating their mom.

"Hey River." Jessica, the second to the oldest Martinez kid, greets me when she gets into the front passenger seat of the jeep. "She is about 15 now, so she just started high school, so she kind of knows what it's like to be the target for the mean kids. The difference is her brother is the QB of the high school football team, so once people learn that tidbit, they leave her alone. Then there's the cute little guy, Abe, the little blonde-haired beauty. He's only 8 years old, but he's already fighting girls off. He looks like his older brother.

Shaking my head out of my fog, I turn and greet the two that got into my jeep. "Hello guys, how was your day at school?"

"It was okay; the kids say. So, do we know why we are going to eat dinner with my mom and your dad Jessica ask me?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." I told her. Once we get to the restaurant, we pile out of the jeep and I give my keys to the ballet. We go to walk into the restaurant at the same time Rock is walking in with non-other than the head cheerleader and longtime girlfriend Amy Smith.

"Well, hello water girl, long time no see," Amy sneers. "Do you work here or something?" She asks me so seriously, but she can't be that stupid, right?

"Have you bumped your head one too many damn times?" Jessica asks Amy. It takes all I have to keep a straight face.

Amy looks over at Rock for help and he leans in and whispers something into her ear.

"Oh, you poor thing." She tells Rock, then they walk into the restaurant like we are not there.

I roll my eyes, then walk in behind them.

Abe puts his hand in mine and whispers to me. "You're so much prettier and smarter than she is."

"Awe thanks buddy."

My dad pays more attention to the three non-related kids than to me, his own daughter. Gabriela gives me a big hug and compliments my looks to make up for it.

I like Gabriela very much. I just don't like her son.

"How are you doing?" I ask her as I step back and sit down beside her and Abe.

"Sweetheart, I'm doing very well. How are things at school she asks me?" Knowing full well the heck I go through on a daily basis. She doesn't quite know most of it is at the hands of her son, but that's for another time.

"Once we all order our drinks, my dad stands up, getting all our attention. He clears his throat then looks over at Gabriela... "Gabriela Maria Martinez; you are my best friend, my true love, my forever person. I cannot see myself with anyone else, so with that, Gabriel Martínez, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

He doesn't even bother to kneel.

Gabriela, of course, cries and tells my dad yes.

I hear Jessica gasp in shock, and Abe claps his hands together. Finally, Rock is pissed.

I agree with him. That can't be right. I would never agree with that jerk.

"Are you fucking joking right now?" Rock hisses through his teeth? "You cannot marry him, mom. Don't get me wrong, I think you're cool Mr. Jim but, I cannot be known as her stepbrother he says pointing a finger at me."

Funny, not what he was saying earlier today.

"That is enough out of you, James Martinez. Now you apologize to River." Gabriela tells her son and my father has the audacity to tell her it's okay. "I'm sure Rock has a reason for being mean to River."

What in the heck is going on here? Why has my father turned against me these last couple years?

I congratulated Gabriela and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Now I must leave. It seems my father doesn't want me here."

Gabriela smiles at me. "That's not true Riv, and even if it was, I want you here for this big day."

"Thank you for the invite but I really need to leave." I tell her and walk out the door and grab my jeep, then head for the house that I'm not really wanted at anymore.

My dad is someone I would never expect Gabriela to want to marry. He is so cold, self-centered, and arrogant.

I make my way to the house as soon as I get home. I walk up to my room and text Sydney right away.

Me: My dad asked Gabriela to marry him tonight. My life is over.

Sydney: What?

Don't be so dramatic you like Gabriela, right? 🤷‍♀️

Me: It's not her, I don't like Sydney. It's her son. He will make my life heck and you know it.

Sydney: You gotta stop letting him win, River. You have done it all our life. He should not have power over you.

What the fuck water girl stole the show? I am the one that should stomp out the door right now, not her. "Amy, say your goodnights to my mom and Jim. We are leaving too."

"What comes on Rock? You should stay and let me buy you a steak and a glass of wine. Besides, don't ruin this for your mom and the other kids like River just did. "I look over at my mom and see the sadness in her eyes and decide to stay. I mean, hell, Jim is offering steak and wine. Who could pass that shit up?

"James, tell me how school is going, son. I feel like I never get to see you anymore since football season has started."

"It's fine, Mom. we are kicking ass in football as usual." I don't know why my mother thinks having small talk at the table is a thing anymore. Because it's so not. I make it through the boring ass dinner with my mom and Jim. Once it is over, Amy and I make our way to a party that's happening tonight at a buddy's house.

"Rock, my man, you made it."

"Hell, of course Speedy, it would not be a party without me." I told my buddy.

"Such a fucking enormous head you have going on, buddy."

I laugh at him and walk in to greet the rest of my teammates.

"How is it hanging, Brody?"

"It's hanging bruh. Where have you been tonight? You are normally the first motherfucker with a beer in his hand."

"Family shit," I tell him. Taking the beer, he offers. "It was fun.... we got to see water girl get humiliated by her own dad in front of everyone." Amy says, laughing at her own joke.

Brody looks at me like what in the hell is my girlfriend talking about? I just shake my head. "Amy, why don't you go over to where your friends are? I'm sure they would like to hear about your afternoon."

"Aww thank you honey, I didn't even see them over there."

"Why the fuck do you put up with that girl, brother? She is as dumb as a deer."

"Because she gives good head and doesn't complain when I tell her I'm in a hurry, so I can't return the favor."

"Damn dude, I thought I was an asshole. So, speaking of assholes, what's up with the girl everyone gives shit to?"

Brody is new to this school, so he doesn't know my soon to be stepsister. "You mean water girl?"

"That's what everyone calls her, but yeah. She's hot to me and I don't see why anyone wants to be mean to her that way."

I just look at Brody like he's grown three heads are something. "How in the fuck do you think weirdo is hot?"

"She's not weird to me. She is quiet and stand-offish, but with the right guy by her side, she could be like any girl at our school."

"If you say so, man. You let me know how that goes for you... okay Brody?"

"Okay, I will, but for now, let's get this party going."

"Fuck ya!"

It's about 30 minutes into the party when Amy comes up to me and starts rubbing her ass up to my crotch. Lucky for her, I'm in the mood to fuck, so I take her to an empty room and let her ride my dick. Once she's gotten off, we get dressed, then I tell my buddies I'm calling it a night because it's only Wednesday and we have school tomorrow.

It's 2 am when I walk through my door and thankfully mom is already in bed or over at Jim's tonight, so I walk up the stairs to my room. I nearly get the door open when I hear my sisters open.

"Hey squirt, what are you still doing up? "

"Stop calling me Squirt. I'm 15 now. I was just wondering if we would move to Jim's house since he and mom are getting married now?"

It never crossed my mind. Hopefully, we do because mom seems happier over there than here where the memories of my father are. My father passed away when my baby brother was born in a car accident on the way to the hospital. This house makes my mother sad, but she can't afford to move. Oh, and an add on bonus I can torture my soon to be stepsister. "We will have to ask mom tomorrow what her and Jim's plans are but for now let's get to bed. We have school tomorrow."

🏈🏈🏈

After school, my sister and I find mom and Jim in the kitchen talking over a cup of coffee. "Hey mom Jim, what's up?" I ask as we walk through the room.

"Hey kids, mom greets us with a smile. Could you kids sit down? Jim and I would like to talk to you about something?" Mom says and we just laugh at her.

"What's so funny?"

"Well, mom, we know what you want to talk to us about and we have no problem with it."

"And what would we be wanting to talk to you about then... Jim asks?"

"About us moving in with you my sister says and mom and Jim both relax."

"So, you guys have no problems with this, mom asks?"

"Not if it's what you want, and it makes you happy, mom."

"Should we go over to talk to River about this mom, ask Jim?"

"Just leave my daughter to me."

Sometimes I really feel for River, her dad is a grade A asshole to her, but that also gives me the upper hand to be a dick to the weirdo.

"So, when are we doing this?" I ask the adults.

"This weekend if you guys are on board with-it," mom tells me.

"That's what's up." I say Grabbing an apple on my way to my room to call Speedy to tell him the news.

"So, you are going to have access to Mr. Jim Darby's house? "Speedy says in aww. Jim is a legend around Scotts High. He was the quarterback in the late 90s early 2000s. Where he was this all-time player in the NFL before he retired and now is a sportscaster.

"Calm your tits. Yes, I get to live with Jim and torcher the shit out of water girl while I'm at it." I say, rubbing my hands together.

"I'm all for torching the water, girl, but truthfully, man, we have been doing it so long I don't even know why anymore. She's actually kind of hot, man."

Because she has what should have been mine all this time.

"Really dude, did you just really say that the water girl was hot? You are the second one this week. That's said that.... you guys are fucking weird."

Speedy just laughs. "No, you just don't see it because you have this weird vendetta against her."

"Okay, well, this was fun and all, but I must call my hot as hell girlfriend and talk to her for a bit before I'm cut off again," Speedy says.

"Yeah, I need to call Amy too."

Once Speedy and I are off the phone, I get a shower, then play a bit of football on the ps5 with my little brother Abe. My phone buzzes a little while later, with an incoming call from Amy. I roll my eyes and pause the game to answer the phone call.

"Sup babe."

"Well hello, yourself. You never called me when you got home from school. I was thinking it was because you were at practice, then I remembered you don't have practice today because I don't have practice. So, I ask myself what my boyfriend had going on that was more important than calling me."

"I had homework to get done, then I started playing a game with my brother. I have spent no time with him in a while."

"Well, isn't that sweet Amy says sarcastically?"

I'm with Brody. Why in the hell am I still with this bitch? It's easy. Amy and I started our relationship in 8th grade and have been together since. "I've got to get off here. I will talk to you tomorrow, I told her."

"But! "I hear her whine as I hang the phone up on her.

That will start a fight tomorrow at school, but I really don't give a shit.

The next morning, as expected, Amy meets me at my Jeep Wrangler with her hands on her hips, glaring at me. I debate if I should get out of my Jeep or not when I see Speedy, Brody, and Damion approaching my vehicle. So, I jump out and greet them. Amy won't start shit with me while they are around.

As we are walking to the school building, River walks in front of us and Damion shouts at her. "Hey water girl, where's my damn water at?"

Her friend Sydney turns around and tells Damion to go fuck himself. I can't help but bust out laughing at my best bud and teammate.

"Only if you will let me fuck your tight cunt with your tuba."

"I play the electric keyboard, you moron."

We laugh so hard at our friends' expense.

"Fuck off guys." Damion pouts.

"Are you really going to let a dork talk to you like that?" Amy asks Damion, nagging him.

Of course, Damion's a dick, and he must one up Sydney. So, he runs up to her retreating back, and picks her up, then throws her over his shoulders and into the trash she goes.

"What the hell, man? I'm not that big of a dick." I punch Damion on the arm and go over to where River is helping Sydney out of the trashcan. "Are you okay," I ask her as I'm helping her out of the trash?

"Yes, I'm fine she says, but I'm going to kill your fucking friend. "

I can't help but laugh because Sydney and River are polar opposites.

"Rock you coming?" Amy yells at me getting inpatient no doubt because I'm talking to another girl besides her.

"Yea, I'm coming," I tell her, then turn back to the girls in front of me. "Sorry about that Sydney, Damion is a jerk but if it's any consolation, I think he likes you."

Sydney just laughs at me then grabs water girls' hands and off they go.

"You did not just tell that girl that I like her." Damion says, slapping me on the back of the head.

"Watch it brother," I warned him.

We made it through the day without a hitch and now it's practice time and coach is busting our balls.

"You better pass that ball better than that shit... boy. That makes the third pick 6. If this was an actual game, we would have just lost the damn game."

"Yes coach, I yell back." Then I run over to the sidelines and bark at one of the water people to give me some damn water and, of course, it's her that brings it over.

"Why do you always feel the need to give me water? Why can't one of the other ten water people we have do it? Do you think this is going to give you some kind of bonus, for bringing me water or something I yell at River?"

She just looks at me like I've lost my mind, then turns around and walks away.

"Whoa, brother, what's the matter with you? Didn't you just not so long ago yell at me for being so mean to her friend?"

"Yea, well, her friend is normal."

"Well, Brody seems to think the water girl is normal." What's up with that Damion asks arching his brows.

"Hell, if I know, but if he wants a try at the water girl, who are we to stop him... right?"

"I can't wait to move into her house and make her life an even bigger hell storm." I tell Damion as I'm running back out on the field. Practice lasts a couple more hours than we head on into the locker room.

"So, Brody, how did your talk with the water girl go, I ask him?"

"She gave me a look like I was an alien while I talked."

Laughter burst out of me. "I told you, brother, she's a freak."

"Well, you have your opinion, and I have mine. I will not give up so easily."

"Alright boys, go get yourself some sleep. We have a big game tomorrow."

It's Friday night game time and we are in the locker room getting ready for our game. Coach is giving us his speech about how we need to go out there on that field and play our hearts out, but also, we need to have fun. Once he is done with his speech, we bow our heads in a word of prayer. It's something we have done since we started playing football.

"Dear heavenly father, look over our boys out there on that field tonight, guide them in this game and show them the right plays and turns to make to win this game. Guide them in making good choices out there and help them not let their temper get the better of them. Guide them in being good sports throughout the game, no matter how the other team acts. In God's name we trust Amen."

After our prayer, we all put our hands in a huddle and count to three, then yell win fight win! "GO DOGS!"

We run out to the field when our names are called and over to the sidelines. Myself and my other two captains walk to the middle of the field along with the other team's captain to do our coin toss.

The coin was called by the other team, who are the guests, and they called tails. The coin lands on heads, so we defer the ball because we want the ball back in the second half.

Defense gets ready to go out on the field so all the water people head over to give them their first drink of water and I see the water girl going over to one of the guys that don't treat her like shit then she steps back and waits until she has to give water again.

I walk past her and because I'm a dick... I demand she give me some water even though I don't need it.

River throws the bottle into my hands and lets me get a drink.

"Come on, water girl, don't be like that. We are practically family."

"It will never happen." She retorts.

This time, I didn't let her response affect me. It's time for me to get my game face on and focus.

I head out onto the field to present the play to the team. I find my target once they hike the ball to me while standing in my pocket. Speedy, then I let the ball fly. It hits my target and off down the field, Speedy goes.

He makes it to the one-yard line. "That's how you do it, boyz!"

We run down to the one- yard line to get in place for a quarterback sneak. Yes, we get it in... now it's up to the kicker to get the extra point.

The game goes like that the rest of the first half. Once we reach the locker rooms for half time, we pump ourselves up. "Alright boys, let's go out there and finish what we started, coach yells."

We do. We run right out there to that field and we kick some ass.

It's Saturday morning, and of course, dad isn't at home. No big surprise there. I'm sure he is over at Martinez's. Hm, maybe he will move in with them and leave me here in this house on my own. One could only hope.

There's a big loud noise downstairs, so I walk out of my room to see what's going on.

"What are you doing here? "I ask Rock when I get downstairs to see him and some of his football friends coming in with a bed.

"Hey sis, I'm home he says."

What the heck?

"What do you mean your home, Rock? Why are you bringing a bed into my house? Where is my dad?"

"We are moving in roomie... and your dad is over at the other house helping my mom with her things."

Oh, my god this is not happening.

"What room am I going into, River? This is getting a little heavy."

"Um, back out the door and over to the room it came from. I tell him, and of course, right as my dad walks through the door."

"River Nichole Darby, that is no way to talk to your soon to be stepbrother. Rock, you will be upstairs with River. The room right next to hers is open. She will show you where that room is." My dad says in his warning tone.

"Yea, sure, where's my manners right up here?" I tell Rock. Once he gets up here, I tell him it's the door right there to the right of my door.

Rock and Brody open the door up and I can't help but chuckle.

"Damn it, River, that's not funny." Rock says, almost tripping over the toilet.

I thought it was I say... then point to the door to the left of my room for them to go in and then I go back to my room.

Five minutes later, I hear the guys running back down the stairs and out the door for, I'm sure, some more things from Rock's other room.

I hear a knock on my door. Who the heck is that? I wonder, walking over to my door and opening it?

"Hello," Brody says standing on the other side of the door.

"Hello," I say back. What are you doing here I ask him?

I wanted to come and see if you would like to get a bite to eat with me.

I look at him like he has lost his mind. "Is this some joke you and Rock are playing I ask him?"

"Contrary to popular belief, I don't do what Rock and the other guys do. I don't know the history between you and Rock, but I do know I think you are cute, and I would like to get to know you."

"You would!" I say in disbelief because for the past four years nobody has wanted to talk to me or even gotten to know me. Not since we have been in high school and I became the water girl.

"Yes, I would, so what do you say?"

"Don't you have to finish helping Rock and the other guys?" This is crazy. How do I know this isn't a setup or something?

"I told the guys I was going to ask you to lunch, then I would be back to help them."

"Oh boy, they didn't bust your balls for that one."

"They did but I don't really care what they think, and you shouldn't either."

"I really don't, but I get enough crap thrown at me at school. I don't really want to add to anything else."

"Well, you're in-luck girl. - stick with me and the crap will just roll right off you." Brody jokes and I instantly like him.

"Okay. I will go eat lunch with you, but I will take my vehicle that way. When I want to leave, I can. Besides, you can never be too cautious. You could be a serial killer for all I know."

Brody laughs at me. "Good point."

"Okay, meet you downstairs in about a half hour. I need to finish helping the guys. Don't want them busting my balls for ditching them to go hang out with a pretty girl and all."

As soon as Brody leaves, I call Sydney.

"Oh my god, he wants to take you out to lunch like on a date Sydney asks?"

"Yea, Shocker, huh?"

"Not really. You're a babe. You just don't see it, because the football team and cheerleaders are assholes. They are not happy with themselves, so they make people like you feel bad about yourself. Brody just sees through the bullshit."

"Only because he's new to town and hasn't learned the do's and don'ts yet. Wait, tell the team and squad get wind of this. He will catch crap and he will realize his error."

"Just give this a chance, River. Don't squash it before it even goes anywhere, okay?"

"Yea okay."

"Get off the phone with me and go have some fun."

"Yes, mom."

Sydney is right. I shouldn't let the fact Brody is part of the football team detour our date. Besides, we might even like one another. "Right?"

I find my cute sundress and sandals to put on, then I make my way downstairs to get my keys to my Jeep.

"Where do you think you are going, young lady? We have a lot of unpacking to do?"

I want to tell my dad I have nothing to do with unpacking. I'm not the one that moved my girlfriend and her three kids into our house. And I would if I was Sydney, but I'm not.

"I had plans with a- um."

Hum, what is he? A friend, a peer.

"Sir, I was going to take River to grab a bite to eat, then we were going to bring some pizza back for everyone else. Then we were going to get busy helping Rock in his room."

"Weren't we River?"

"Yes, that's what we were going to do."

"And you grabbing a bite to eat warrants you to wear that? That will impress no one... go change into proper clothes. That way, when you get back, you can get straight to work."

"Sir, all respect River. Going to change will just slow down the process."

Dad just nods, and I finally get to walk out of the house with a little bite of dignity. Well, so I thought.

"Brody, you going to take water girl to fetch us some water, man?" Rock asks, smirking at me.

And again, if I was Sydney, I would flip him the bird and tell him to piss off, but I'm not and I just cower in beside Brody. He just chuckles and flips Rock off.

"You got to ride with me now. Your dad and Rock think we are going somewhere together. Which we are."

"You know you are going to catch a lot of heck because of this."

"Bring it."

"Oh, by the way, you look hot in that dress."

"I'm not hot... it's meant to make me cool because it's so hot outside."

Brody gives me a weird look, then shakes his head at me.

"What?"

"That was a compliment." He tells me. "River, have you ever had a compliment before?"

"Not from a guy. I have always been a socially awkward girl. I was a tomboy until I was like 12. Believe it or not, Rock and I were best friends until we hit junior high. Then he got into football and got too cool for me and somehow I found myself with just one friend- my best friend Sydney."

"That sucks, River, but I'm also glad you became this girl and not a cheerleader."

"Oh, yeah- and why is that?"

"I can't stand a damn cheerleader. They are too cheerful." Brody say.

I giggle at that. I think Brody and I could be great friends.

We make it to the pizza place, and Brody surprises me by only ordering us a pizza.

"We are eating here." He tells me.

"Then we are going back to the house?" I ask him.

"Do we really have to?" Brody asks, winking at me.

"So, what do you have planned then?" I ask him.

"Well, I picked this day to ask you to eat with me. Because the park has a movie in the park today. So, once our pizza is ready, we are going to go to the park and eat our pizza and watch movies until we can't watch movies anymore."

"Oh, that sounds like fun."

Sydney was right. This is a date. Why would he want to date someone like me?

While Brody is up at the counter getting our order, I text Syd.

Me- He's taking me to watch movies in the park.

Syd- I told you it was a date. Just have fun. I'm not telling you to sleep with the guy, just have fun.

Me- Oh god, is he going to want sex? Sydney. That's not something I'm capable of doing. I won't do that. I don't know him.

Syd- Calm down, I don't think Brody is that kind of guy. He didn't grow up with these assholes around here.

Me- Okay, I got to go. He's coming back.

"Are you ready to watch some movies?" Brody asks.

"Yes." What am I doing?

We get to the park and find a blanket to sit on. They have the park sit-up in a romance setting with trim lights running around all the trees, blanks every two feet or so.

The first movie they are playing tonight is a classic gone with the wind. Brody is trying so hard to get into the movie it's actually kind of cute, watching him.

"What?" He asks.

"Nothing." I told him.

We get halfway through our next movie when my phone rings in my hand. I have it on silent so as not to disturb the other people watching the movie. When I look at the caller ID and see it's my dad, I know right then I'm in trouble.

"We need to get back to the house. My dad is calling me. Probably to see why we have not got back there to help with the unpacking."

"Why does your dad treat you like you're a servant instead of his daughter?"

"You noticed that, huh? Because I wasn't a boy."

"I'm sorry, River. That must suck."

"Let's go before my dad calls back and I get into even more trouble."

On our way home Brody calls in a couple of pizzas as promised, and we swing by to pick them up. Once we make it back to my house, my dad starts in on me.

"River, where have you been? You knew the boys needed Brody's help and your stepmom and sister needed your help. I've got to get back to the office -because you are being irresponsible; I am going to be late for my meeting."

Did he just really say stepmother?

First, they are not married yet and second; the office is just his excuse to not have to help her with anything. I really don't see what Gabriela sees in my father. He is a jerk to everyone he meets. Besides, Rock. He is the kid he wanted.

"That is enough out of you, Jim. River has done nothing wrong to warrant your wrath on her. Now go to the office if you must. River and I will finish up what we need to, and the boys are upstairs playing video games. Brody, if you would like to take a couple of pizzas up there to them."

"Yes ma'am, "Brody says to Gabriela then squeezes my hand on his way upstairs. And dad just walks out the door like a soaking child.

I'm glad my dad and Gabriela are together because she is the only one that has my back with him and her son. The younger two are nice as well, but I really don't know if I can handle Rock and my dad in the same house.

"Thank you." I whisper to Gabriela and then we fall into silence and get to work on little things. Mostly cleaning her house and getting it ready to rent out. Gabriela is being smart and keeping that house and making some money off it.

Later that night, I make my way up to my bedroom to get ready for bed and I find my door ajar. That's weird. I never leave my bedroom door open, so I peek my head into my room to see if anyone is in there before I walk in. Sure enough, Brody is sitting in my desk chair looking at the door and smiles when he sees me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him as I'm walking into the room.

"Waiting on you to come up here so I can tell you goodnight."

Awe, that's sweet, I think. "Are You heading out for the night?" I ask him.

"Yea, I have some homework to get done."

"Ah well, I will see you around." I tell him and go to make my way to my dresser, but he stops me in my tracks. Then do something I've never had a guy do before. He kisses me on the lips.

Work brain work!