Beware of Bad Boy

Chapter 1

"Even when I see a beautiful woman, I think, 'Aw her life must be amazing.' Everyone does it. That's human nature to believe that beauty is everything." -Marina and the Diamonds

GIANNA

"Gianna, you like Scott. He's been good to you and Chance. Why do you have such a problem with his son coming to live with us?" With her face is a mixture of motherly exasperation and bewilderment, my mom stood, hands on hips, waiting for an explanation.

Before replying, I peeked out the kitchen window to see my stepdad still out back with my little brother. "Mom, I do like Scott, he's a nice guy. I just don't understand why his son has to move in. Can't he just send him to military school or something? Isn't that what parents are supposed to do with delinquent sons? We've never even met the guy and we're supposed to occupy the same house as him. You may as well invite some stranger off the street into our home!"

Okay, I realized that was an exaggeration, but I couldn't help it. Scott was easy to accept because my mom loved him and he'd always been awesome to me and Chance. It didn't mean I had to like his son, especially one with a bad reputation for being a complete loser.

"Gianna Hilary Thorpe! That isn't the same thing at all. Scott's son is family whether you like it or not. And you forget I did meet him once, when Scott and I took him out for dinner downtown. So he isn't a stranger to me and soon he won't be a stranger to you either." She started stirring the gravy on the stove faster in agitation, but with skill managed to keep the liquid contained. It wasn't so easy for her to contain her frustration.

"Fine, mom," I conceded grudgingly, seeing that whining would get me nowhere. "But he's sharing a bathroom with Chance." Hopefully the loser would do something to get kicked out of the house or sent back to his mom.

"Of course, you need your privacy, honey. I'm sure he'll need his, too," my mom agreed with evident relief.

What he needed was a good kick to the ass that left an imprint of Scott's shoe. Grabbing my keys and duffel bag, I told my mom, "I'm out. The first football game is this Friday and we're working on new cheers."

"New cheers! Honey, I can't wait to see them!" My mom always went spastic over anything to do with my cheering. If being a cheerleader ended up being my greatest accomplishment in life, high kick me in the face now.

The lot nearest the gym at school was mostly empty since school didnt start until tomorrow. I got a text as parked and grabbed my phone from the cup holder. It was from Cece.

Cece: Found perfect song for next routine

Me: Better get it approved with picky Jared

Cece: We'll come up with something first, then lay it on him

Me: I'll call you later to talk I'm just getting to cheer practice

Cece: Death to all cheerleaders!

Me: Then who would make the world a peppy place?

Cece: Gay hair stylists? Me: Quit stereotyping!

Cece: It's true! I always leave the salon with a bounce in my step when Tony gets done with me!

Me: You always have a bounce to your step anyways, TTYL

Hannah must've seen me pull up because she waited outside the gym doors for me.

Never a good sign. "Gianna, you need to talk to Kendra. She's being a major bitch!"

What did I ever do to give these girls the impression I was a therapist or mediator?

Hannah was still seething over Kendra stealing her boyfriend last March. If they stopped for five seconds and really looked at the guy they were fighting over they'd be friends again. Having a nice car and rich parents didnt make him any less sleazy.

"Why don't you just punch her in the face? It'll make you feel better," I suggested under my breath while walking around her and pulling the heavy door open. Better yet, punch him in the face.

The summer heat outside was a stark contrast to the blast of cool air that hit me. Maybe it would cool Hannah off, too. Most of the girls were already there, doing warm-ups. A couple of the girls were wearing shorts and t-shirts in the school colors, navy blue and gold, with lightning bolts on them. I wore grey Capri sweats and a black tank top layered over a white one. My sneakers squeaked on the shiny gym floor.

Along with some new cheers, we were working on a new halftime dance routine. With the girls' input, I doubted it'd be as cool as the one I'd come up with having Cece's help this weekend. The song everyone decided on was a pop song with corny, but fun, lyrics. At least I had more say in the dance steps than I did in the music.

"Okay, everyone!" Ashley, our head cheerleader, announced. "Let's get started!" We got in formation in the center of the basketball court as the music began.

*****

After practice I'd barely had time to come home and shower when he showed up. Although, since he was supposed to arrive this morning he was actually late. I checked the clock and figured about four hours to be precise.

"He's here! He's here! My new big brother!" My little seven-year-old little brother, Chance, was screaming at the top of his lungs, acting like Mickey Mouse was stopping by. At least someone was happy the delinquent was coming to live with us. Scratch that, Scott was pretty stoked also. My mom seemed okay with it, but I wondered how much of that had to do with wanting to please my stepdad.

I looked out the front window to see a red vintage Camaro parked at the curb. My stepdad turned off the lawnmower and went around the car to hug his son. He was far away, but dark hair and sunglasses was what I took in at first. I knew from the old photos on Scott's desk that his son didn't look much like him. Scott had sandy brown hair and green eyes, but his son got his looks from his mom. She was Greek or Italian or something. They moved to the back of the car now to unload the trunk.

I'd planned on sitting around in comfy clothes, catching up on my favorite HBO show. That idea didn't seem as relaxing anymore. Feeling unprepared to deal with the new situation, I passed by Chance on my way up the stairs. I pulled a shirt and pants off their hangers and quickly dressed. I put my shoes on in the kitchen, grabbing my keys and wallet off the counter. Just as the door to the garage was closing behind me, I heard the front door opening. Hopping into my Jeep, I pushed the button to open the garage and backed out of the driveway expecting my mom to run out to stop me at any moment.

She'd be so pissed when she figured out I'd left. I knew she wanted us to welcome Caleb as a family, but he didn't feel like family. I couldn't help my animosity and had a grudge against a boy I'd never met, with good reason.

He started it!

My parents divorced soon after Chance was born. Sometimes I thought my mom named him Chance because she viewed him as a second chance for their marriage. Well, that didn't work out so well. They fought before he was born, and they continued to fight after he was born. When he was just months old, my dad moved out and the following year the divorce was final. It still bummed me out, but I was glad my parents weren't unhappy anymore, especially my dad.

Four years ago my mom met Scott and they were married a year later. The wedding was beautiful and must've cost Scott a fortune. I was maid of honor and my little brother was ring bearer. Caleb was notably absent.

Even though we lived in a suburb north of Denver, Id never met my stepbrother who lived with his mom downtown. Why? Because he was a selfish punk.

While I was happy my mom had a good marriage with Scott, my stepbrother didn't feel the same way. He refused to come to the wedding. He refused to visit his dad at our house in Broomfield. Scott drove downtown every other Sunday afternoon to visit his son, where I imagined my poor stepdad desperately tried to maintain a relationship with the ungrateful punk. My mom wasn't perfect, but I was protective enough of her to despise Caleb for rejecting her so thoroughly. How would he feel if Chance and I were the same way with his dad?

Figuring I was already going to be in trouble for taking off without permission, I may as well make it worth it. Heading towards the freeway, I decided to go visit Cece.