My Cheerleader Has A Gun - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

I held Liv's hand and entwined my fingers to hers as she kept them fidgeting. I could tell she was nervous and just holding her clammy hand, proved it. She looked down at our entwined hands then met my gaze. I gave her a reassuring smile as my thumb drew circles on her skin, quietly saying that everything would be okay. She seemed to calm a bit and smiled in return. Honestly, she shouldn't feel nervous about this because she has been doing this for four years and always brought the squad to victory.
"Still nervous?" I asked, peering at her.
"A little. You know, I don't usually feel nervous going to the competition but this time, it's different. Bad people are after me and I can't shake the feeling that something's going to happen later." I nodded in understanding. I actually felt the same, although I wasn't nervous, I got the feeling that the Red Circle wouldn't set this one out as we were completely vulnerable in a different place and even if I asked the Undercovers' help, I wouldn't be too relax, not knowing the enemy's plan.
I wanted to reassure Liv that everything would be fine but even I, myself wasn't sure of it, so instead, I squeezed her hand, silently telling her I was going to protect her no matter what.
"I wish my parents would see me perform like they usually do," she said weakly.
"Hey, don't be sad, you know they can still see it."
"Yeah, but it's different than having them near..."
"I know and I wish the situation is different but just think that even if you're parents aren't around, I know they're proud of you as I am."
She plastered a small smile, "You always know how to make me feel better."
"I'm glad I could be of help." She scooted closer and rested her head to my shoulder. Smiling, I leaned my head to hers, inhaling the familiar scent of her shampoo while my heart was fluttering by our proximity. It always felt good to do this with her and I thought how nice it would be to stay like this for long.
Few minutes passed as I was listening to the steady hum of the bus we were riding, I felt Liv shifted beside me  and she looked up.
"Violet would come with Sara right?" she asked making me roll my eyes. Just hearing Violet's name would remind me about how she easily lied to me. After hearing her confession that night of the attack, I felt like my world crumbled knowing that the person whom I loved once was keeping something from me and it wasn't just a small secret she had, it was about her, who she was and she kept it from me. I felt betrayed and since then, I didn't feel like talking to her. She often tried to talk to me but I couldn't will myself to have a conversation with her.
"Yes," I answered blandly.
"What really happened between you two?"
I sighed, "Liv, you asked me that for several times and my answer is still the same. I.don't.want.to.talk.about it okay?"
She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and averted her gaze. "Fine. I won't ask again," she said angrily.
The rest of the bus ride was spent in silence, aside from the constant chatters of the other dancers inside. I was having a good time with her and she just had to ruin the moment by bringing up Violet which she knew it would piss me off just by hearing that name.
We reached Lucas Hall Stadium where the cheer competition would be held and as soon as we got off the bus, Liv didn't bother to wait for me as she strode off inside, leaving me angry and disappointed. As I followed Liv, keeping a safe distance from her walking figure, Stephanie sidled beside me and started chatting but I didn't bother to whatever she was saying as I wasn't in the mood. All I got from her blabbering was her invitation to go clubbing later tonight. I didn't know if Stephanie was old enough to do that but I honestly didn't care because it looked like she has been in and out of the club.
It wasn't for another two hours the competition started and all we did were stretching and getting acquianted to the new environment. Within those two hours, everthing seemed normal, no unusual activity or anyone suspicious lingering around. The whole time Liv and I were still in no speaking terms and I felt bad for it, for keeping her in the dark and even if I wanted to tell her about Violet, I couldn't just tell her as it wasn't my position to divulge anything regarding what Violet had told me.
After checking in to one of the Undercovers, I went to sit beside Liv who remained unbothered by my presence.
"Hey," I mumbled, trying to start a conversation. She didn't look at me, her eyes were still glued to the person talking at the center of the stadium. "I'm sorry," I added. She shifted lightly, indicating that she heard me. "Talk to me...please."
She took a deep breath, clenching her jaw at the same time before turning to look at me. "What? You're gonna tell me what's going on between you two?"
I shook my head, "No...not because I don't want to, but because I couldn't. It isn't my place to tell you what Violet had told me and she asked me not to tell you nor anyone."
She sighed in defeat, "I understand that, I do...I just don't want to be kept in the dark, you know that right?"
I nodded, "I do and I will tell you about it, but not right now."
She stared at me for a moment before her lips curled up into a small smile, "That's good enough."
I brought my palm up, "So, truce?"
She put her hand on my palm, holding my hand, "Truce!"
After all the introductions, finally the competition began. I watched the other squads with anticipation and excitement until it was our turn. Looking at our team, I couldn't see even a slightest hint of nervousness in their faces as they looked excited and confident, and having Liv in our side, I knew we would bring home the bacon.
*
As said, we did win the competition and decided to take up Stephanie's invitation to go clubbing. Of course I was reluctant to go at first as it wasn't a good idea, the Red Circle could be lurking around. After a long convincing, I relented and alerted the Undercovers about where we were going. And also, I kind of felt for Liv, how she said she wouldn't let The Mother stopped her from living her life with a determined look on her face. I knew she wasn't used to the change in her life and I admired how remained strong and resistant.
"Are you sure we can get in? I mean I'm not 18 yet," Sara asked while driving her car to the club.
"Neither am I, but don't worry Sara, I've been going to that club since, the people there know me so I can get you in," Liv answered from the backseat, sitting beside Violet.
I remained silent the entire time as I was on the look out and the fact that Violet was with us. We reached the club safely and Liv guided us inside without a hitch. What she said was true, the bouncers, even the staffs knew her. As we got inside, the party was in full swing, the dancefloor was packed and the area was reeked with alcohol and cigarette smoke.
Liv led us straight to the bar where she immediately ordered her usual drink.
"You shouldn't drink, you're still a minor, you know," I called causing her to smirk.
"Who cares, it's not like I can't handle it just because I'm 17," she retorted as she grabbed the glass the bartender had slid in her direction. Sighing, I ordered a glass of whiskey and felt a hand snaked around my arm. I looked at Sara who seemed to look curious.
"Can...can I order a drink too?"
I smiled at her cuteness. It was obvious that she didn't go to places like this. "Sure you can, but no alcoholic drinks." She giggled and faced Violet on her side. We looked at each other briefly before I turned away and took a swig of my drink.
The dancefloor was packed but it didn't stop us from going in and started dancing. I could tell Liv was a little drunk as she had one too many drinks earlier, unlike me who had only two glasses. She circled her arms around my neck and pulled me closer until her face was inches closer to mine as she swayed to the beat. I could smell the alcohol in her but it didn't overtook her familiar scent which was invading my nostril right now.
"You're so beautiful Scarrr," she slurred then leaned in, capturing my lips with hers. Just one kiss was all it took to lose my focus and alertness. Caving in, it felt like everything stopped around us, the noise and the music turned indistinct, the moving bodies just became a blur, as I was feeling the sweet taste of Liv's lips on mine. I was liking it, until the hairs on the back of my neck pricked up causing me to pull away and roamed my gaze around. With the dancing bodies and dim lights, it was hard to spot someone looking suspicious. As I was scanning the area, I noticed that Sara and Violet weren't on the dancefloor anymore.
Grabbing Liv's arm, I dragged her out of the dancefloor and we walked towards the exit.
"What's wrong?" she asked as I pushed past a guy on the way.
"We need to leave." I pushed past the door and saw Sara and Violet talking in the distance. I had no idea why they left us in there but judging by Sara's hostile look she threw in my way, I could tell she was pissed at me, but for what reason? I didn't know.
"She wants to go home now." Violet said and I glanced at her briefly before turning to Sara.
"Sara, are you okay?" I asked in concern. She rolled her eyes and walked to her car, leaving me confused and curious. We followed her and when we reached her car, three fleet vans skidded to a halt across the street. I pushed Liv behind me and Violet did the same to Sara as several familiar bad guys in suits exited the vehicles, each carrying batons.
"Stay back," I mumbled cautiously to Liv as I took a protective stance. Wise guys, they didn't want to it to get noisy. The club's door suddenly burst open and came out five Undercovers who immediately ran in our position.
"Keegan, stay and protect Sara and Olivia," Violet barked at one of our guys. I looked at her and for the first time, I didn't feel any hostility towards her, all I could feel was how much I needed her right now.
Violet gave me a slight nod, and with that, we ran to the bad guys, meeting them halfway. I sidestepped, avoiding the baton from hitting my head and brought my knee to the bad guy's gut, hearing an 'oof' sound, before stealing from his grasp his weapon. Smashing the weapon to the next guy's face, I ducked and hit the third guy's back hard.
The fight went on for few minutes and I could tell we were gaining, or atleast I was, until I felt a pain on my back causing me to stagger forward. I managed to duck on time before I got hit again and kicked another guy in his stomach. However, I wasn't fast enough to avoid another strike and felt an intense pain on my side from the strike making me fall to my knees and with a swift movement, a baton hit my head and everything went black for a brief moment as my body hit the concrete. I heard muffled shouts and I couldn't tell whom those voices belonged to. Blinking the haziness away, I tried to heave myself up but it impossible at the moment.
Taking quick deep breaths, I slowly pushed myself up again as my vision was returning to normal. As I gained composure, I saw Sara was helping fighting with Keegan which surprised me as to how she knew how to fight. Looking to my side, I spotted Violet was fighting off two guys single-handedly, and then it hit me, Liv was nowhere to be seen.
"Scarlett!" Liv's shrill shout echoed behind causing me to turn my back and saw she was being dragged towards the van. Kicking a guy before they could hit me, I ran to their direction but immediately stopped when I noticed the driver of the van rolled down the window and aimed his gun straight to his line of sight.
With one last look at Liv who was already inside the vehicle, thrashing to break free, I broke into a run, not to her direction but to Violet's who didn't notice a gun was being pointed at her. As she stood up from beating a guy to the ground, I slammed my body to her, the same time a gunshot rang out. We hit the ground and I yelped in pain from hitting the ground and from the excruciating pain on my back.
"Nooo, Scarlett!" Liv shouted while I gritted my teeth to keep me from howling in pain.
"S-Scar babe," Violet stuttered as she brought her hand to my back, putting a pressure to my gunshot wound. I forced myself to get up, to save Liv, but before I could turn around, I heard engines roared and that was when I knew, it was too late to save her...for now.
I wasn't standing long when my knees gave in, thankfully Violet was there to catch me.
"Scarlett!" Sara shouted behind Violet as I saw her run in our direction.
"Don't let Sara see my blood...or s-she will faint," I managed to say.
"Oh Scar babe, what did you just do?" Violet asked sniffling.
I smiled weakly, "Such a crybaby." I was able to wipe Violet's tear before everything was engulfed with darkness. I managed to save Violet but I had abandoned Liv on the process and I didn't know if I would be able to get her back.
Olivia
"Let me go, you son of a bitch!" I hissed before punching the man in his face and instantly two other guys restrained me and pushed me to the metal floor of the van. As the side of my face was pressed against the cold floor, a tear escaped from my eye as I saw Scar got shot. My mind was a messed, all I could think about was how Scar bled after the bullet hit her on the back and the worst feeling was I didn't know if she survived it. I didn't want to think about it, but I couldn't get it out of my head.
Oh God, please let Scarlett be okay. I don't know what I'll do if something were to happen to her, please let her be okay and safe. I don't care about my safety right now, all I care about is her. Please, please hear me...
"Be thankful you're a beauty because I hate to hit that pretty face of yours." I looked up to the guy who I punched a moment ago.
"Screw you! If I ever get out of here, I would make sure to beat you to pulp until you don't recognize your face," I threatened.
He chuckled, "That is if you can... Such a pity, when The Mother gets her hands on you, I don't think you'll ever get out of her grasps."
Taking a deep breath, I curled my lips into a taunting smile, "We'll see about that."