𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓 ➳ chase davenport.

twelve.

SOPHIE WALKED THROUGH THE HALLS of Mission Creek High with an extra spring in her step. Ever since she had been offered the role of cheer captain, she had been noticeably more happy.

She had yet to accept it, though. Accepting the role would make her happy, no doubt - she loved cheer. But she felt guilty, like she was stealing the position from Stephanie.

The more she thought about it the more bad she would feel so she opted to just avoid the topic completely until Friday. She had other things to worry about, anyway.

Sophie thought with Stephanie gone she would be more free but she quickly learned it was the opposite. Ever since Stephanie was kicked off the cheer squad, Sophie had a whole new set of eyes on her. She was no longer the second most popular girl at Mission Creek High, but the first.

Throughout the day, the cheerleaders followed her. They were desperate for her validation and directions and Sophie didn't like it. It made her uncomfortable and she wanted to get rid of them, even if it was just for a second. And when she walked into the cafeteria and spotted a few familiar boys, she knew exactly the way to do it.

"Hey Adam, Chase, new student," she greeted, placing her tray on the table and ignoring their surprised expressions.

"It's Marcus," the new kid offered.

She nodded in acknowledgement and glanced at the cheerleaders - they were looking at her with wary eyes. She waved them off with a faux smile, gesturing towards another table. They sat down and Sophie turned back to the boys with a relieved huff.

"So what are you guys talking about?" She asked, with a genuine smile this time.

"Oh, we were thinking about starting a band..." Chase said. It was awkward, the last time they had a real conversation was at their last tutoring session, which was months ago. 

"Yeah, I still don't know what I'm gonna play though," Adam said as he drummed on the table with his chopsticks. "Oh, I got it! No, I don't got it."

Marcus looked at Adam with a tired expression. "I think you're gonna be our drummer, Adam."

"Hmm. Interesting choice. I had been pondering the French horn."

"Hey, do you wanna join?" Chase asked Sophie, breaking her out of the daydream she was in. She stared at him for a moment before realizing what he had said. "Oh, sure!" 

"Great, do you play an instrument?" He asked with a growing smile.

Liking the energy, Sophie smiled back. "Nope!"

Right after the word left her mouth, Leo walked over to the table. He sat down next to Sophie, then realized who he was sitting with. He looked at her with wide eyes and she waved at him happily.

"Hey, Leo, guess what? Marcus and Adam and I are forming a band," Chase said. He looked at Sophie before adding, "and once we find an instrument for Sophie she'll be in on it too."

Leo looked at the four warily. "Well, you guys just met. Don't you think it's a little soon?"

Chase scoffed. "A little soon for what? Taking the deeply committed step of jamming together?" 

Marcus frowned. "Now if we could just find someplace to practice. I live in a pretty small place, so-"

"-Oh, no, I know a place. The lab." Adam cut in.

Sophie looked at the boy with awe. They had a lab? They were straight out of the Batman comics! She noticed Chase and Leo's stressed expressions and remembered Marcus was new - he didn't know they were superheroes and he wasn't supposed to. 

"He meant the labrador retriever park," Sophie finished for him. "They don't live in a Batcave and they definitely don't ride in a batmobile that I would totally like to see one day..." She laughed before whispering excitedly in Chase's ear, "Saved it!"

Chase coughed and looked at the table, the faintest shade of pink dusting his cheeks. "Well, you know, Marcus, we have a pretty big place. Not Batcave-big, but big. We can all just jam there."

Leo rushed out of his seat. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold your horses, cowboy. Come on." He led Adam and Chase away from the table and looked at Chase with furrowed brows. 

"Chase, what are you doing? Do you really think it's a good idea to let two total strangers into our very private home?"

Sophie looked at Leo with an offended look. He didn't trust her even after she saved them from having their identities revealed?

Marcus stood from his chair. "That's okay, guys. We don't have to jam. Not everyone needs a bright spot in their otherwise horrible life." He began choking up and Sophie quietly pushed her cookie towards him.

"Oh, look, Leo, you're making him feel bad," Chase scolded. "Don't worry, Marcus. We'll practice at our place later. Come on over."

Marcus' sad expression fell as a neutral one overtook it. "Great. See you guys after school," he said before grabbing the cookie and leaving.

Sophie stood, remembering she had planned on talking to one of her teachers about some notes. "I have to go too, it was nice talking to you guys again," she smiled at the three before leaving.

Sophie left the cafeteria and began her journey through the halls alone. Per usual she began to daydream, this time thinking about what her life may have been like had she been born as a clam and not a human girl.

She closed her eyes as she tried to envision it, and as she rounded a corner she was broken out of her fantasy by the feeling of a textured wall and books falling to the floor. She opened her eyes and was met with a tall boy with dark hair, blue eyes looking down at the scattered textbooks on the floor.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She apologized immediately, dropping to the ground to collect the books.

The brunette met her on the floor with an equally as guilty face. "No, I'm sorry, I really should've been watching where I was going..." He shook his head with a frown as he began piling the books into his arms. Sophie placed the books she'd grabbed back onto the boy's stack before rising back up and holding her hand out. He took her hand and easily stood up, towering over her to her surprise.

Their eyes met and the boy's lips broke out into a smile. "Oh, hey O'Neil!"

The girl's eyes widened slightly and she began feeling more guilty at the fact she didn't recognize the guy who knew who she was. "Hi..."

"..Sebastian," he finished for her. "I get it, we don't really know each like that."

Sophie looked at his face for a bit longer before opting to look at his shirt. Mission Creek Swim Team, it read in a thick font, and the blonde couldn't help but smile at the pairing of the athletic merch and the countless number of cookbooks he held in his arms.

He followed her line of sight and grew sheepish. "Oh, don't mind these, they're for my baking club..."

"Baking club?" Sophie repeated with growing interest. Rarely did athletes participate in non-athletic clubs at their school.

"Yeah, you should totally join us sometime!" He shuffled on his feet enthusiastically and glanced at the clock on the wall. "I've gotta go, but really you should join! Room 612!" 

He called out over his shoulder as he sped away and Sophie couldn't help but watch, suddenly a little glad for the little bump-in.

A/N: Introducing new characters! In case you don't remember Sebastian's face claim, it's at the very first chapter :) Did you know he's 6 feet? He did not seem tall at all when I watched Jessie...

Also, to be clear, Sebastian Krane isn't this Sebastian. They are not the same people, they just share the same name.

Anyways, don't forget to comment, vote, and/or share! Feedback is always appreciated :)