Author's Note: This is my first story, so bear with me. Feedback would be much appreciated.

Disclaimer: I do not own South of Nowhere, sadly.

Preface

At seventeen years old, Spencer Carlin thought that she had her entire life figured out. She was the star point guard for the high school basketball team and soon to be the valedictorian of her graduating class. She already had a scholarship lined up at The University of Maryland.; as long as she kept up her grades and her star player status, she would be playing for the Maryland Terrapins next fall.

She was an out and proud lesbian, both to her family and to her entire school, but she didn't have time for girls. There was too much pressure on her. No girl would come between her and her scholarship. Or so she thought. Until one fateful day, she made a stupid wager with her brother that, unbeknownst to the blonde, would turn her entire world upside down.

Chapter One

"You suck worse than usual today, little bro," I tease as I sink another shot into the hoop. I've been destroying Glen so far in our pick-up game.

"I've just been taking it easy on you, is all," the boy supplies. He's so full of shit.

"Oh really?" I muse, "I suppose you always go easy on me then, huh? Since you've never beaten me one-on-one."

"I'm just trying to give you a confidence boost, sis," he replies, "God knows you need it after that beaten you guys took last night."

My high school basketball team had lost to our rivals last night, the Patapsco High Jaguars. Badly. And I was still pretty pissed about it; Glen knew that. That's why we had come out here in the first place. I desperately needed to blow off some steam.

"Fuck you, Glen," I seethe, shoving the basketball into his gut, causing him to keel over, clutching at his stomach.

"Damn. Lighten up, Spence," he retorts, as he regains his breath. "It was a joke. Ya know, j-o-k-e. Joke."

"Haha. Funny." I reply sarcastically, holding up one choice finger for my brother.

"I knew this was a bad idea," the younger blonde relents. "If you really wanna blow off some steam, you should just come to the party tonight."

Glen had been trying to convince me to come to some party that his teammate was hosting that night. I knew he had a point, that I should just go to the party. The only way that I had ever been able to truly cool off was to throw back a couple of Coronas. But I was in a shit mood and I felt like being stubborn.

"Oh my God, Glen! For the millionth time, I do not want to go to Chad's lame ass party!" I yell in response, infuriated that he would even bring the idea up again.

"Why not?!" the younger sibling questions, not willing to give up on the subject.

"Will you just drop it, already?" I snap at him, wishing that he would quit pestering me about this stupid party already.

"Alright, I'll drop it," Glen starts, "If you beat me."

I roll my eyes at his proposal. "Glen, I'm destroying you, there's no way you're gonna come back," I state matter-of-factly.

"Well, this should be easy then," the boy supplies with a smile. He holds the basketball out me and I take it, a sign that I've accepted his proposal.

"Of course it will," I say as I absentmindedly bounce the ball.

"One more thing," he pauses and waits for me to nod my head for him to continue, "If I come back and beat you, you have to go to this 'lame ass party' with me tonight," Glen propositions.

I scoff at my curly-headed sibling and reply, "Like that will ever happen."

Glen just smiles in response; I relent.

"Whatever."

I doubt there is any way that he'll come back from the 15-6 whooping I'm putting on him on the basketball court. He never does.

"Sweet!" Glen exclaims as I check the ball up to him. As soon as he gets it in his hands, he throws up a jumper from behind the three-point line and scores two points. "I hope you didn't have any plans tonight," he boasts, grinning at me.

"Calm down Glen, it was just one basket," I huff, and mumble something along the lines of "Lucky shot," under my breath as I pass the ball back to him.

Ten minutes later, the game is tied, 20-20. Next point wins the game.

I have the ball, dribbling around the court. "This is the best defensive game I think he's ever played," I think to myself as I try to break away from my brother's coverage. I fake a shot, making Glen jump up to block, leaving me with an opening. Driving through the hole, I throw up a lay-up and, much to my surprise, I miss. I let out a frustrated growl, "I never miss that shot!"

The taller blonde is able to jump over me and secure the rebound, swiftly backing up to clear the ball. He fakes inside and I back up, thinking that he's going to drive for the basket. Instead, the older sibling steps back and shoots a long-range fade away. I become slack-jawed as I watch Glen's shot go in.

"YEAH!" Glen exclaims in disbelief, as he celebrates his first ever win over me one-on-one, "Wooo! I can't believe I actually won!"

"That makes two of us," I retort, watching as my brother proceeds to go into a victory dance that involves both the cat daddy and the dougie, something no human should ever have to witness.

"Alright, ya big goof," I tease him, ruffling his curly hair, "I suppose we should go get ready for this party."

Glen, being reminded of the fact that I now have to accompany him to the party, abruptly ends his dance and starts to drag me home, donning a triumphant smile.

"This is going to be one hell of a party, Spence!" Glen states excitedly.

"If you say so," I mumble.