Red Thorns (Thorns Duet 1)

“He doesn’t like her,” I whisper as I stand beside her.

“I know that.”

“I mean, imagine our own queen bee actually interested in anyone but herself? Wouldn’t that be a miracle?”

“Nao,” she hisses so I’ll stop. “Reina has a fiancé.”

She really is starstruck by our captain.

A presence creeps up on me and when I look up, I meet Brianna’s malicious stare. “If it isn’t the immigrant. Aren’t you late?”

I roll my eyes. “I was born here.”

“Oh, so your mommy is the immigrant. It’s hard to keep track with all of you people coming here.”

I twist my lips, but I keep them closed, because anything I say right now will just be taken the wrong way.

So I try to move past her.

Bree extends her arm. “I’m not done talking.”

“Well, I am. If you have anything else to say, you can take it and shove it up your racist, xenophobic ass.”

“Xeno what?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Was that word too difficult for you? Google it or ask your daddy to give more money to the dean so he’ll explain it to you after I file a racial discrimination report.”

And with that, I turn to leave.

“I’m not stupid!” Brianna’s shrill voice echoes from behind me.

“Yeah, sure. I believe you,” I mock without facing her. “Good luck convincing everyone else.”

“Slut! After tonight, you won’t be running your mouth anymore.”

I stop and turn arou

nd. At the same time, Reina and Prescott, who were watching the show with everyone else, close in on Bree.

The co-captain stares at her own Lucifer—Reina—and her lips tremble with clear frustration. “She called me stupid.”

Reina shakes her head and just like that, the subject is dropped as if it never happened.

I stare at them, trying to decipher what just transpired, but Reina claps her hands, calling everyone’s attention. “Time to go out there and show them what the Devils are all about. No one is allowed to breathe until the end of the game. No mistakes, no slouching, and no slacking.”

She puts her hand in the middle and everyone else follows suit, Luce and I included.

Reina shouts, “Black!”

“Devils!” we all shout in return before we break the circle.

Then we’re out there cheering in front of over thirty thousand spectators who came to watch the classic rivals go at each other.

Friday night lights are blinding and the entire fan area is black and white as balloons of the same colors fly toward the sky.

Loud pop music blares in the air as the male cheerleaders breakdance. Soon after, we line up midfield. The fans go crazy with our opening routine, all precise and perfect like Reina wants. And then she ends it at the top of the pyramid, a huge smile on her lips, as fireworks explode behind us like we’re at some concert.

Me? I’d rather be listening to my rock music in peace, thank you very much. But hey, on the bright side, Reina will lay off our asses after this performance.