Marcel's POV

It had taken him all week, but Marcel finally decided that today in the Lakeside Academy Pep Rally he would talk to his crush; Ari Akina. He thought that a public area might ensure a better reaction from Ari.

Marcel couldn't remember a time when he didn't have a crush on Ari. He could perfectly imagine the first time he saw her too.

~Flashback~

Marcel was sitting on the bleachers in the Lakeside Academy Middle School gym. It was fourth period, PE.

He was currently faking a sprained wrist so he could dodge the vertical climb test. When he looked over to the other side of the gym, a beautiful girl with jet black hair and blue streaks was looking around bored. Her porcelain skin had no blemishes and her large brown eyes made her look innocent, yet strong.

Marcel had been staring for a while because when he zoned back in the girl was giving him a what is wrong with you pervert? stare. Feeling the blush coming on, Marcel sheepishly grinned back and looked away awkwardly.

Suddenly, the girl was walking towards him, so Marcel smelled his underarms and checked his breath to make sure he didn't reek.

"Hi, I'm Ari. I saw you looking at me across the gym, so you're either going to become my stalker or you think I'm cute."

Marcel didn't know what to say. The girl was bold.

"I'm Marcel. Would you be offended if I said I was neither?"

Ari grinned and said, "Of course not. Wanna skip with me? I don't want to embarrass myself by climbing the ropes."

"Of course, but aren't you afraid we'll be caught?"

"You'll be safe with me...I'm the fastest girl on the Junior Varsity soccer team."

Grinning, Marcel stood and quietly ducked out of the gym with Ari. She reached for his hand and he immediately felt those cliché sparks.

It was love at first sight.

~End of Flashback~

Nessa's POV

How can a person be failing PE you might ask? Well look at Nessa's F on her report card and see for yourself.

Nessa just wasn't athletic. She couldn't run the mile without passing out, and any sport involving a ball, racket, or stick was a must avoid.

"Coach, you've got to have something I can do for extra credit. Please, I'll do anything!"

Looking like he was conjuring up the worst punishment possible, Coach grinned mischievously.

"You could be the mascot at the Pep Rally this afternoon for a 100 percent major grade."

"Thank you so much Coach, I won't let you down!"

"No problem, just come find me twenty minutes before so I can get you in the costume."

Nodding Nessa ran to class because she was already late for her last period.

~Thirty Minutes Later~

Nessa was making her way to the gym to meet Coach. Through her English class, Nessa was thinking about what routines she could do in the costume considering she couldn't dance at all.
"Hurry up Dewan! I haven't got all day."

Walking up to Coach, Nessa was finally face to face with the Barry the Barracuda mascot costume. She was instantly hit with the scent of premature B.O. and regret. Why would anyone willingly wear that pile of fabric? Oh right...never mind.

"You can go change in the locker room. I'll meet you outside with the football players."

Nessa poked at the costume to make sure that it wouldn't move on its own, and after being reassured that it was perfectly safe, Nessa headed to the girl's locker room.

Marcel's POV

He had saved her a seat and all Marcel had to do now was wait.

Apparently, he didn't have to wait long because across the gym was Ari in black combat boots, a dark blue tunic that draped to above her knees, and her perfectly layered blue streaked hair.
Making eye contact with Marcel across the bleachers, Ari waved and dodged the excited students on the floor.

"Hey Marcel. Having fun at this waste of time?"

She was the same person she's always been. He was relieved that she was finally talking to him again, especially after they hadn't talked for a while.

"Yeah because missing the most boring math class of my life is more boring than a pep rally, where I get to watch people make fools of themselves for school spirit."

Ari laughed and focused in on the cheerleaders and the Barracuda mascot awkwardly walking around like it didn't know what to do.

How to transition from polite conversation to I love you...Marcel figured he'd just wing it.

"So, Ari...there's something I've been needing to talk to you about."

She looked at him cautiously, but concerned. "Sure, what's up?"

"Do you remember the first time we met?"

"I remember a geeky boy staring at me in PE...and he became my stalker."

Marcel grinned and nudged her shoulder. "No, that's not how I remember it. You were clearly drooling over the suspenders I had on over my uniform."

Ari laughed loudly and said, "Shut up, I was not!"

Clearing his throat, Marcel turned serious.

Clearing his throat, Marcel turned serious.

"Ari...I really like you. I think...no I know I love you."

Ari was speechless for the first time since he'd met her.

"Please say something."

"What can I say Marcel? I thought we were friends."

It was a cold slap to the face, almost like he'd been dunked with ice cold water. Marcel went numb. His whole world popped and went grey. She didn't love him back.

"Oh...yeah...I understand."

"Marcel it's not that I don't love you because I do, but like a friend."

"Yeah...umm...okay."

"Yea, sorry Marcel."

Suddenly, everything went red. There was no chance with the girl of his dreams.

"Marcel, where did all of this come from?"

Looking up confusedly, Marcel said, "Nessa thought it would be a good idea."

Ari stood up rapidly and screamed, "Nessa Dewan where are you?!"

Nessa's POV

Nessa didn't feel comfortable jumping around in this costume, even if her face was hidden. She went to stand next to the bleachers, not too far away from Marcel and Ari.

Trying not to eavesdrop was difficult because Marcel's face looked the happiest she'd ever seen it. Nessa got closer and listened intently.

Then, Marcel's face fell. Ari was trying to console him, but nothing seemed to work.

He turned away from her and Nessa heard, "Marcel where is this coming from?"

Nessa could practically feel the heartbreak Marcel was feeling. It hit her that Marcel had taken Nessa's advice and told Ari how he really felt, but she didn't have enough time to react because Ari was already screaming for her.

The entire gym went silent and Nessa ran for the doors, hoping to escape before Ari caught up with her.

No such luck. Nessa forgot Ari was the fastest girl on the soccer team.

"You're coming with me Barry the Barracuda."

One of the costume's fins was taken hostage by Ari's death grip, and there was no escape.
Nessa was dragged into the closest girl's bathroom and stripped of the stinking costume.

"You idiot! How could you let that boy tell me he loved me, knowing full well I like Edward?"

"Please stop yelling."

"The hell I will! You purposely destroyed Marcel's feelings and we just started talking again."
"I'm sorry okay!? He would never be able to move on from you until he found out for himself, and if I told him he wouldn't believe me."

Ari looked worn out and sad, but she nodded her head.

"Nessa, you have to tell him you love him."

"How can I when he isn't over you yet?"

"I didn't say now, but soon. Before he catches feelings for someone else. I could barely watch him get hurt, but watching you get hurt...I don't know what I would do Nessa."

Nessa smiled and said, "I promise, but not for a while."

Ari smiled and laughed.

"Good because I've already made shirts for Narecla."

"That is a really cute ship name."

"It is my specialty."

Nessa grinned and said, "Now can we please get me out of this B.O. ridden pile of scraps?"

"Wow your school spirit is refreshing."

"Shut up."

Notes