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verenea · 2 months

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II. Mutually Assured Destruction

Their practice started with conditioning drills. It should've been easy and normal for Vanessa, even with the harsh amount of sets their coach made them do. But her mind wasn't really just in the right place, her focus on Beth a few feet beside her. Add to that, her lack of sleep. She didn't ignore the girl, no. But she did limit their conversation every time Beth initiates one.

Vanessa stopped looking at Beth when Colette finally spoke up, acknowledging that all of them aren't in their best condition. The alcohol they consumed last night are still in their system, the headaches being a harsh motherfucker.

"You all look ride hard and put up wet, like maybe you were up to no good last night."

Vanessa breathed in deeply as she tried steadying her heartbeat while doing tuck jumps. She stopped and put her hand over her mouth in reflex as she felt the bile going up her throat. She forced it down with a gulp, she can't vomit in front of everyone in the squad, especially Colette French.

Speaking of her, the woman gave a disappointed sigh and continues, "Okay, stop."

At her words, the girls all breathed a sigh of relief before sitting down the math and hunched over in exhaustion. Everyone breathing heavily after the grueling exercise they just went through.

"Go home. Sleep it off," instructed Colette, her gaze surveying the girls before settling on Addy and then to Beth. "You two, my office." she pointed to the two before heading out of the gym.

Vanessa stopped herself from asking Beth. If she did, then her effort all day will all be just for naught. Instead, she sat down the mat to rest and after a few seconds heard RiRi call out to her.

"Did you know what's up?" gesturing to the two girls as they disappeared behind the doors. The redhead shook her head, "I reckon that's one of their little secrets."

"It's shocking that you don't look alright, Ness." Brianna joins in their conversation. "You always seem to be fine even after a night of heavy drinking. But right now, you look damn exhausted like the rest of us."

"I just didn't get enough sleep, that's all." she replied before getting up and walking towards the doors. "Where you going?" RiRi asked worriedly as the girl in question waves her hand to bid goodbye. "I still have an internship I need to go to."

***

"Now you don't look to good." Klein remarked as soon as he sees Vanessa. "I'm fine, it's just a headache."

Klein stood up as he shakes his head, "Nope, it's obviously more than just a headache. Vanessa, go home."

"I can't. Klein, you know what's up. That house is nothing more but an empty home. I'm too tired to be in there, at least here I wouldn't be too bored."

He was hesitant and worried, but in the end, he couldn't help but let the girl stay. And so, stay she did. Vanessa silently read and checked the manuscripts she was given to copy edit. A hand on her shoulder interrupted her focus, then a familiar voice.

"Hey, you look beat Nessa."

The redhead tilted her head up to look at the owner of the voice, placing her hand on top of the girl's to give it a little squeeze as a greeting. "Isn't today one of your day offs?" Vanessa questioned.

"Well, I dropped in to give Dad a surprise coffee. A brief hi, wouldn't bother you, no?"

A shake of her head and a smile. "Of course not,"

"But now, I think my greeting's not going to be quick." Amelia Winters grabbed a near swivel chair and sat down. "Nessa, you do know you can take a leave if you weren't feeling well."

The redhead was about to respond but stopped after Amelia placed her finger on the girl's lips, silencing her. "No excuses. I'll tell Klein to put you off for today." she mutters before standing up.

"Lia, I was the one who insisted. I'm literally fine, I swear."

A roll of the eyes and a pout of the lips. Soon, the blonde sat back down. "Okay, why don't we do this. I'm going to help you finish all this. And as soon as we're done, you're mine for the rest of the day."

Vanessa forced a small smile at her, "As much as I want to, I can't do much after this Lia." with the latter shaking her head. "Who said we're going to do something? You, Miss Vanessa Carr is going to take a rest at my house. I can't have you driving home in that condition, no."

"I appreciate the-" Amelia quickly cuts her off, "It's a deal then," before grabbing one of the manuscripts out of the small pile with a smug face.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you'll have good rest."

***

Beth's form was perfect. Anyone could see that she's the perfect for the role of a top girl. "Chest up. Eyes up. Everything tight." said Colette after the stunt.

"That's how it's done." Vanessa commented with a proud smile directed to Beth as Colette nods at the redhead's words. "It is," But even after acknowledging that Beth's excellent, the woman still ready to take the risk. By putting a freshman as the flyer for a basket toss

"And now, we will do it again...with Tacy."

"My god," Vanessa cursed under her breath as she rolls her eyes.

Her eyes then trailed as the girl looked at her friends with a smug look before walking towards the mat and stopping beside Beth. Still, no one made a move to get into position.

I mean did she really think they'll want to toss Tacy up? It's like choosing a dish cooked by an amateur over a dish that was cooked by a professional chef with just the same price.

"You heard me elevator her up." Colette instructed the girls.

This time, RiRi spoke up. "Why? If Beth's the better top girl, aren't we just wasting time?"

Colette let out a sigh. "Listen up all of you. Getting into regionals isn't about one girl. It's about one squad, regardless of who's on top."

"Coach is right," Surprise filled Vanessa when her ears heard Beth's words. "You remember what she said. Top girl is a girl that can control herself. And last Friday night, I didn't see a lot of self-control."

Vanessa recognized that something was up at her best friend's last sentence, feeding her curiosity. Obviously, it was a jab, one that is directed towards Coach.

Colette started to saunter around them, her eyes still on Beth the whole time. "Self-control's just the beginning. What we need to see is hard work, sacrifice, trust. If we can't count each other, we fail. If we can't trust, we lose."

"Trust can be misplaced, you know." Vanessa starts before shifting her gaze towards Tacy. "Once you've placed your trust on the wrong person, all that hard work, the sacrifice—you did for them,"

She paused as her eyes went back to Colette, "...would all just be wasted." before getting off the mat shortly after, leaving the air more tense than earlier.

Colette didn't retort back. She can't. Even she knows Vanessa got a point. She was forced to place her trust on the the two teens for them not to tell anyone about the affair. But the question is, can they really be trusted?

The woman sighs, forcing the thought away before instructing the girls again. "Now, let's go."

Beth walked off the mat with Addy following her soon after. "I didn't expect for you to come on hard, Nessa." Beth stood beside Vanessa, sporting a proud smile.

"Oh please, I'm just getting started."

Addy stared at the redhead for a few seconds, before looking back at coach with a worried gaze. It was then when Vanessa gave Addy the side eye, noticing the latter's peculiar reaction at her words.

***

Vanessa confidently walks through the hallways, a lollipop on her mouth, Beth in the middle of her and RiRi. The two best friends ignore the looks of admiration, lust and jealousy they were receiving from their fellow schoolmates, while RiRi was entertaining a few.

The redhead rolls her eyes at the sight of Jordy Jones, bringing his hand up before imitating a gun as it recoils after a shot, as his friend quickly reprimanded him.

"Best control your little friend, unless you want me to." said Beth as she glanced at the two boys, with the three stopping right in front of Addy.

Vanessa let go of Beth's hand as she leaned against the lockers beside Addy. She broke into a smirk before gesturing towards the side with her eyebrow, "Look who's here again,"

The three girls followed her gaze to see Will walking through the hallway, greeting a jock briefly. RiRi soon adds, "Sarge has never been here two weeks in a row before. He must love us." earning a light chuckle from the redhead.

"Cold." Beth remarked as the marine passed by the four girls, ignoring Vanessa's playful wink. "After everything we shared Friday night."

Vanessa pulled the lollipop out of her mouth, "I wonder if he's here for a tryst." as she turns to face the three. "What do you think?"

"That girl must be lucky," RiRi answers before sizing him up and down. "Sarge's one hell of a snack, honestly."

Beth gazed at Addy playfully, "You never know, it might be a woman." before looking back at Vanessa with a smile.

As if on cue, the bell rang. "Anyways, see you later at practice bitches." the redhead winked before turning around and walking away.

***

Vanessa had just landed on her feet when Colette walked inside the gym, "Alright everybody, huddle up."

The girls surrounded their coach as she brought her iPad out. The woman then played a video, showing it to the girls as they watched silent, assessing the bid video with their watchful eyes.

"Tight, clean, perfect. This is Jeff East, my last squad, the bid video that got them into regionals and then all the way to states." Colette explained to the girls when Beth spoke up, "Where they came in fifth," as she continued staring at her nails instead of watching the video.

Vanessa couldn't help but snicker at Beth's comment, before quickly forcing her expression back to seriousness. Beth glanced up for a second to see Colette clenching her jaw.

"They wanted it. They worked for it. It happened." her eyes looking around the girls as she locked the iPad continuing her words, "And it could be you...now that you've been invited to submit.

As soon as those words have been said, gasps of surprise and excitement broke the silence. Vanessa eagerly winked at Brianna standing next to her, who returned it with a smile.

"That's why for the next two weeks, everything that we do in practice is about our video. Forget football games. Forget sideline cheer. The video is the only one thing that matters. Okay, let's get started on that tumbling."

Vanessa was excited, the hunger to be noticed, the hunger to be acknowledge were back full force. She had quickly decided that she'll be calling Klein later to share the news and inform him that she's planning to stop going to the company for the time being.

She was stretching her body, preparing to do her role perfectly when she heard Coach call out to Addy to talk. The redhead glanced at Beth and Addy in curiosity, but in the end, she walked towards the girls lined up, ready to do the tumbles.

Later, after their practice had ended, the girls were back at the lockers. She immediately felt that there was a tension between Beth and Addy as soon as she got closer. "Did something happen?" she questioned with furrowed eyebrows.

"It's rare to see you two this...tense."

Addy looks up at Vanessa, "It's noth-" but before she can finish, Beth cuts in. "It's just about the video,"

The redhead picked on the fact that Addy froze. "The bid video we need to submit." she continues before standing up and grabbing the redhead's arm. "Accompany me in the showers?"

Vanessa smiles weakly before glancing behind to look at Addy, who in turn gave her a forced smile. In the end, she let herself be dragged away by the brunette, letting the doubts be sealed away. For now, of course.

Something was going on. With the two being called by Coach the day after Friday night, Beth's statement about self-control which was obviously directed at Coach, and lastly was Addy's conversation with Coach earlier in practice.

With how she reacted when Beth mentions a video, that must be it. But what video...?

***

"Are you sure you can't find it?" asked Vanessa as she came to a stop in front of RiRi, Beth, and Addy.

RiRi then looked at Beth, "You know, I bet it's in the Jeep. Once, I find mine melted to my dashboard. Looked like lava. Couldn't even tell it was a phone."

"Maybe." Beth replied before looking at Addy once again, "Or maybe it went missing before that,"

Vanessa was able to tell something was up. She can notice the stare Beth was giving Addy. "You think it went missing at practice?" she heard RiRi ask, getting her attention.

Beth shrugged before looking at Addy once again, "Yeah." Right then and there, an idea formed; Beth has a video in her phone that Addy was so obsessed with.

It's not much a bit of a stretch. Before Beth mentions a video when I asked, the air was already tense. And now apparently, Beth's phone is missing after their conversation at the lockers.

Vanessa watch as Addy opens her mouth, "Here's an idea—buy a new one."

Beth and Addy arrived at the same answer to Addy's suggestion. The redhead starts, giving a glance to Beth, "Buy a new one,"

"…terrorists win." the brunette ended as they both look back at Addy. "Besides, I think I'm gonna get that phone back,"

RiRi broke the silence with a question, "So, you're gonna live without a phone?" as Beth gave her a smile, "No. You are." grabbing the girl's phone away from her hands and then proceeding to reach out to Vanessa's arm. "Let's go, we'll be late for class."

Vanessa let herself be dragged away by Beth and when she was sure there are out of earshot, the redhead asks, "Care to tell me what's really happening?"

"Nothing's happening."

Vanessa let out a sigh as she halted in her steps, "I've known you since we were kids, Beth. I've watched you two closely for years. Believe me when I say I can notice it. And I do,"

"So tell me, did something happened after that party at Lanvers?"

Beth stared at her for a few seconds, silent. This disappointed Vanessa, greatly. "Then I guess you don't trust me enough," she muttered, shaking her head as she pulled her arm away from Beth's hand.

"Nessa." Beth called out but the girl ignored her and continued walking, disappearing as she turns to the corner.

***

Vanessa gave Beth the cold shoulder the rest of the day. She even turned down RiRi's offer to have fun after school as she knows Beth will be there. Beth needed to know that this time, she's not going to talk to her unless she'd finally trust the girl. Enough to let her in on their little secret.

As usual, she'd arrived at the quiet home. Grabbing a protein bar and a bottle of water from the kitchen, she went up to her bedroom and got change into a gym outfit. She started off her exercise with yoga, and then moved to sets of dumbbell rows. And finally doing a heavy bag training session, to let out all of her anger and disappointment inside.

As soon as the girl got out of the showers, her phone started ringing. Vanessa stared at the caller's name for a second, before hesitantly grabbing the phone to answer the call.

"Beth, look-"

"Where are you Nessa? You're missing out on all of the fun we're having!"

She can hear the music and a few voices on the background. She pressed the speaker button, as she moved to grab an outfit to wear. "Uhuh, well is Addy there right now?"

"Dairy Cream." she answered with a laugh. Not directed to her but to someone who's physically with Beth. Something Vanessa was able to work out because of a male's voice in the background.

"Please tell me you're with the boys from school. And not just with some random men."

"I'm not going to tell you, Carr. If you want to know, then come to my house. Maybe, I'll finally let a few secrets out." without giving Vanessa anytime to say something, Beth ended the swift call.

A frustrated sigh came from the redhead as she had finished tying her hair up into a ponytail. Amelia called her earlier when she was busy doing her workout. The two decided to meet and Vanessa was already dressing up to go. But now, it looks like she's going to have to choose.

She grabbed a black windbreaker from her closet before rushing downstairs and out of the house. After closing the door of the car, she decided to call Amelia to inform that something important came up. The blonde was disappointed, and a bit upset, of course. But Vanessa was able to convince the girl with a deal.

Parking her car at the side of the road, the redhead stepped out and made her way towards the front door. Knowing Beth, she's the type to let the front door unlocked after giving an invite. Without hesitation, Vanessa let herself in. Making her way towards the direction of the stairs leading towards the house's basement.

The girl couldn't help but roll her eyes when she saw familiar faces. The men with her friends are the marines recruiting at their school. She forced a smile when RiRi and her made eye contact as the latter danced with a man.

Her eyes settled on the sight of Beth dancing on top of the counter. With a sigh, she made her way towards her direction, glancing at the man staring at her friend as she danced seductively. She watched as Beth's expression change from alluring into one of excitement, before jumping off the counter to meet her.

"I've been waiting for you Nessa." Beth greeted as she grabbed both of Vanessa's hand, before pulling her to the counter. "That was fast. Were you getting ready before I called?" she asked, giving the girl a bottle of beer.

"I was. But not for this party, a friend called me earlier than you did, we were supposed to hang out." She revealed taking a swig of the alcohol right after.

Her words earned a frown from the Brunette as she suddenly grabbed the alcohol from Vanessa. "You picked someone over us?" she asked, her voice sounding a bit upset at the idea that the redhead is capable of doing something like that.

Vanessa couldn't help but look at her incredulously. "I was upset, Beth, if you still hadn't noticed." She retorts with a shake of her head. "And now, you've just made me realize I made the wrong choice."

She was about to turn and leave when the brunette grabbed her wrist tightly. "Hey, I'm sorry. It's the alcohol talking. Let's just have a bit of a fun before I answer your question, okay?"

The redhead let out a sigh before leaning back at the counter and grabbing the beer to drink. Beth smiled before seeing Kurtz staring at them. Beth winked at him, earning a smile from the man.

Vanessa's eyes followed the direction Beth was looking and saw the same man who was staring at Beth as she was dancing earlier. She looked back at Beth and asks, "Who's he? It's rare to see a new face here."

Beth answers, "Corporal Kurtz, another soldier boy." her eyes lingering at the man for a few more seconds, before seeing Vanessa was assessing him. She grabbed the redhead's chin and leaned in for a kiss.

Vanessa was surprised for a moment but was able to recover and kiss back the girl with the same fervor. Beth pushed Vanessa against the counter, her hands at the side of Vanessa's face, enjoying the intimacy. Unbeknownst to the brunette, Vanessa was still looking straight at Kurtz while kissing Beth.

After a few more seconds, Vanessa pulled away with a chuckle. "Someone's getting a hard on, Beth." she whispers to Beth before gesturing to Kurtz with her eyes.

Beth glances and sees the man looking dazed, earning a laugh from her as Vanessa walks towards the fridge. She pulled a bottle of alcohol, raising it up to Beth with a wink. The two teens then proceeded to spend the night having fun with the company of marines.

When the party ended, Beth asked Vanessa to spend the night with her as RiRi was driven home by one of the soldiers. The two laid down Beth's bed with a chuckle as Vanessa sat up seconds after. "Now, I believe you owe me a secret, Cassidy."

"I was hoping for you to forget," Beth say as she stood up and grabbed her laptop sitting on top of the table. "Vanessa Carr never forgets, remember?" remarked the redhead as she watched the brunette sat back down the bed.

"So, my phone's missing, right?" Beth starts as the MacBook booted up. "It's not really missing since you know who has it," Vanessa answered with a smirk.

Beth shook her head as a light chuckle came out. "Even with the amount of detective crime book you have; I still can't believe how much of a detective you are."

"Well, after that chaotic night at Lanvers, Addy and I went back to search for my phone. And that was when we caught a sight of this," Beth clicked on a video file before showing it to Vanessa with a cunning smile.

As the video zoomed in, she watched as Vanessa's eyes widened at the sight of their Coach doing it with Sarge Will inside his truck. "Coach Colette French fucking Soldier Boy, can you believe it?" Beth stated with a laugh.

A knowing smile tugged the corner of the redhead's lips as she glances at Beth. "I guess this was the self-control you were talking about that time." Beth hums in affirmation. "And I'm guessing this is not the only time, they've done this."

"When I said that he's probably having a tryst in school, I honestly did not expect it to be Coach. So, this is why Addy's so hell bent in getting a hold of your phone?"

"I told her I deleted the video, and she believes otherwise. She's probably trying to search every nook and cranny of my phone." Beth closed the laptop before placing it back on the table again, adding, "Unfortunately for her, she can't delete it unless she can have access to my laptop."

"Honestly though, why is Addy siding with her? I mean, just what pushed her to be as desperate as stealing your phone just to delete that video?" Vanessa asks Beth as the girl slowly walked to her.

Beth placed both of her hands on top of Vanessa's shoulder, pushing her down the bed. "Even I don't know." she answers, before getting on top of Vanessa seductively. With a sultry smile, Beth went down and kissed the redhead.

To be continued...

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