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God, Martin wasn't worth anything, never has. The only one who believed the idiot's sweet talk was her. So stupid! She shouldn't have forgiven him the first time. She shouldn't have gone back to him. And much less drag the idiot to the same university.

“What do you mean?” Jaz seemed curious.

“Oh, he had already done that in our hometown.” I grabbed my bag and tied my blonde hair into a ponytail. “Anyway, I'm glad she finally got rid of that trash. Let's go?”

My friends exchanged knowing looks.

“Oh yes. Do you really think you're going to leave this room without telling: 1) everything you know about Veronica's life. 2) how was your night?” Sidney asked.

“Ken, honey, your skin is glowing today, and so are your eyes. And we need to know the name of the guy who left you like this!” The other added.

I laughed weakly. If only they knew there wasn't a guy in the mix.

“Do I look like a sketchy British tabloid?” I mocked.

“No, but please entertain us like one…” Jaz asked and I rolled my eyes, sitting on our couch.

They wouldn't let me leave without answers.

“Okay...” I started telling what I knew about Veronica and her ex-boyfriend, it wasn't like I knew many things, but when youlived in such a small town, gossip circulated between schools. And then I said that we should go to training.

“But you still need to tell us about your encounter with the mysterious prince charming yesterday!” Jaz insisted.

“I've already provided enough entertainment for one morning, now let's go before we're late for practice.” I replied and, luckily, the schedule was tight, so they had to leave this story alone.

We left the room in plenty of time and even managed to stop by to buy coffee on the way to the gym. Once there, we started to warm up for training. I set my bag aside and noticed Veronica like a wilted flower in the corner, trying to look good. She looked like shit.

I wouldn't gloat over her suffering, it wasn't good to be cheated on by someone you trusted, obviously, but that low mood didn't suit her. It didn't match the unbearable confidence she wore in her smile every time she climbed a pyramid.

“Hey, did you hear?” Colleen questioned, stopping in front of me, blocking my view of Veronica.

“About…?” I was acting like a fool, we both knew it.

“Veronica and her ex-boyfriend... yesterday?!”

I sighed.

“Yeah, maybe I have two really gossipy roommates, so yeah, I heard.” I replied, shrugging.

“Good, don't go near her today.”

“What? Why is that?”

“Because I know you, Kendra, and nothing good will come out of your mouth for her. Even if it's not your intention.”

My expression was gone. I was outraged by the fact that my cousin thought that about me, even though, deep down, I knew that she might even have a point. And for that reason alone, I spent the entire cheer practice ignoring and avoiding the presence of Veronica Torres in the room.

The smell that came from the kitchen of the Italian cantina we had chosen for dinner was divine. My stomach almost growled, but I knew I would have to settle for a large bowl of salad and some meat.

“I hate this diet!” I complained.

“That's what we do to stay on a high-performance team, dear cousin.”

I laughed, I knew she was right, but these sacrifices sometimes ruined me.

“I hate this.”

“And yet, you gave everything you had to be here...” I took in all the air I could and could only nod my head in agreement.