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To make things even better, almost ten minutes before half time the dark grey sky decided it had enough with holding back and firsts drops began to pour. The bleachers had this plastic awning for occasions like this and they had spread it, but the wind still got some drops plashed our way since we were on one of the first rows.
"Shit." Lydia cursed beside me pulling her own hood up too. Lucky girl, judging by the bright spring day we were having all I'd only had a thin cardigan with me. I tugged the hems snuggling into the slight warmth it brought me and shifted in my seat. "This is gonna make things trickier."
"Shouldn't they cancel it?" I wondered, narrowing my eyes and using one palm as a visor.
"Gosh, no." she immediately shook her head. "Isn't even fully raining, and you know how important this game is."
Yeah, I knew.
I bit my lip and glanced back at the field where the players looked up at the sky, flinching as the drops first caught with them.
I bit my lip. "I hope this doesn't play against them."
"Dito." nodded the girl beside me, narrowing her gaze to see through the thin drops molesting us. "Damn, maybe we should found a place closer to tha back after the break?"
"But will we be able to see then?"
"I guess..."
The crowd went crazy, standing at their feet and we turned at once to the field just to see Dave Talerico stealing the ball and making a long pass to the other side of the field where Brett was waiting and received it perfectly. He dodged two player that come his way masterly and I stand at the tip of my toes as he made a shot. It slid beside the goal keeper and straight into the net.
"Yes!" we cheered with everyone else. A wave of pride in my chest as I saw his team mates patting his back and celebrating the goal. Even throught the distance, I think I could see his smile and my guts beamed all the more.
"He's so good." I muttered before realizing and my cheeks blushed at the knowing look Lydia sent me, but I just couldn't help it.
I mean, I knew he was great. He'd always been. But it's been a while since I last saw him play and man, I missed out.
"Yeah." smiled the red haired, turning to look as they throw in, a small frown in her face. "Let's hope the scouts think so too. Their sopposed to be here somewhere..."
"There," I discreetly pointed with my head in very the front, where a couple od suited men analyzed every move and tactic. "I've seen them talking to the coach before and they've never stopped writting down stuff."
She hummed, eying them as well. "Good stuff, I hope- There!" she jumped out her seat along with half the roaring crowd when Hunter stole the ball from Richmore once more. "Go, honey! Show them!" I couldn't help a smile as I get up as well and clapped along. "So," Lydia cleared her throat as the adrenaline lowered once the ball was out a dangerous zone again and turned towards me. "You're going to the Ball with the Mendley boy?"
My cheeks burned. "Yes..."
"I... well, I mean, that great. He seems nice." she nodded but got that expression that both her and Hunter had when Norah dropped the news back in the bar. "But, I mean, I thought Brett had asked you."
My eyes widened and I wiped the rain from my face -now more than ever I was glad the eyeliner Norah let me use was waterproof- looking away from her inquiring eyes as the people around us cheered another good pass. "Oh, mh, he didn't."
"I can see that." she shook her head, her eyes trailing after the players. "But he was going to. I just know. And it's all writting in his face."
My chest fluttered at the thought of him doing so. I mean, after this last few days it didn't sound as crazy anymore. He might had trudly asked me to. And I probably would had said yes. I didn't know if I felt disappointed knowing I asked Connor before Brett could. A part of me was glad I was going with someone I was comfortable with, but at the same time I couldn't stop wondering what would it be like if I did go with Brett. As something more than friends...
The mere thought got my heart picking up its pace, I get so mersmerized watching him across the field that the roaring from the next score came to me almost as if hearing it from under water. I saw as the team hugged and congratulate each other just as the referee signed the end of the first part.
"He really likes you, you know?" Lydia leaned to whisper, even tho I don't think anyone would heard over the loud crouwd around. Swallowing the growing bubbling sensation in my stomach I sent her a shy smile. She laughed. "Of course you do. How not?"
"So..." I began wanting to divert the topic as the players made their way out the field and towards the changing rooms I guess. "What do we do now?"
Her knowing, amused glance told me she was fully aware of my intentions but luckily she let it go with just a smirk. "We got fifthteen minutes. Usually I go to grab something to snack and then drop by before they jump in again."
"Mm," I nodded. "Sounds good."
"Yeah," she chuckled taking my arm and pulling out our seats and towards the stairs down. "Let's go."
Our 'snacks' were a coke, a soda for me and a bag of Cheetos. Moving was certainly not a good idea with this lovely wheather, and I shivered pulling the cardigan closer around my body to no used. Worst, it was getting slightly damp with that faint rain. Let's hope the sky didn't decide to fully release.
We walked pass the Richmore side quickly, scurring away the falling drops and Lydia guided us down the corridor between bleachers, several guys were around chatting and relaxing. Lydia waved them as we pass but go straight to the end of it, where the chatter was louder and more of them stood around. The door at the back was the changing room and I prayed for her not to drag us there. God knows how must that stink. Luckily I recognized Hunter at the end of it, talking with a couple other guys as they recovered.
"Honey," Lydia closed the distance between them and circled her arms around his shoulders, kissing his cheek while I glanced around to no sign of Brett. "You were so great out there."
He smiled up at her from his sitting position in the bench and pulled her closer by the hip. "Thanks."
"You two as well." she easily sat on his thight and grinned at the guys Hunter'd been talking to, Jones and Gabe. "Those loser didn't see what was coming for them."
"Yeah, but they are tough as hell." grunted Gabe.
"Well," I cleared my throat, "You're still winning."
Truth been told, they were way better than I expected. I mean, Clayton was a good team, but the matches against Richmore were usually when we cracked. And now with this last score, we were even and the blue team had gotten most of the ball possession so far. That must be why things had became a bit rough this past minutes.
"Yeah, but they didn't take it well." huffed Hunter as if reading my mind. He frowned. "I'd never seen them this offensive before."
"Me neither." nodded Jones attracting our attention to the slight bruise under the hem of his short that was in display as he tugged it upwards.
My eyes widened. "This is from when you fell?"
"Nop. This is from the kick that made me fell." he corrected with a humorless smile.
"Damn." Lydia voiced my thoughts, shifting to get more comfortable with one arm across Hunter's shoulders. "Those jerks better keep their hand to themselves or they'll have to handdle me."
The guys laughed and Hunter kissed the side of her head calming her down but I get a bit worried. I hope this was just a slip and Richmore didn't really decide to take such an strategy now that Clayton was proving to be a greater rival.
"So," I cleared my throat, and Hunter dragged his eyes to me I could feel the tip of my ears burning. "Where is Brett?"
He looked up at me with a knowing look, not really helping my nerves. "Coach wanted to introduced him to the scouts before next part, and then he went to say hi to his parents." he informed me and I nodded.
Right, I'd seen Mr and Mrs Ryder on the higher rows of the bleachers. I waved at them when catching their eyes but they were too far to actually interact. I was happy they were here to support Brett but at the moment a cold wave of disappointment washed over me at the lack of his presence. I tried to concealed it the best I could.
"Oh."
We shared our snacks with them, but in short they were called out to the field again to warmed up after this little break. Once out my eyes immediately met the blue ones I'd been looking for, founding them as if pulled by a magnet. Immediately I was reminded of the cute kiss he gave me before parting before and my face reddened, but that wasn't the only reason my heart skipped a beat.
He was nonchalantly talking to one side of the bleachers, listening carefully to what the coach was saying. And one of his hands hold an ice back against his skull.
I... I'd seen him fall a couple times wrestling for the ball, but nothing that seemed serious. But then again, I didn't thought Jones was hurt yet he was. Maybe Brett had been harmed like him? Some bruise? Some lesion? Oh my God, what if the scouts-
"Hey," Lydia nudged me towards to the side so we get out the way of the outcoming players back to the field and stretching out. The rain was getting thicker now and here we still got some protection from the bleacher's awning. "Don't look now, but Jade is looking this way."
My blood froze and all my worried about Brett disappear in a second. Looking back at her wide-eye. "W-what?"
The red-haired nodded, glaring something beyond my shoulder. Her tongue clicked. "Now she's sending me a nasty look. If she thinks I'm gonna back down..." but then her lip curved. "Nop, she'd given up first." I dare to glace there and saw the cheerleaders crowding for their next performance. Lydia turned to look at me. "What's up with her? I know you said before that it's all fine, but has she annoyed or bothered you in anyway? You can tell me."
"No, it's just... well." I lowered my face tucking a rebel lock behind my ear. "She's never liked me. But she hasn't done anything since she's back."
Lydia made an 'are you serious' face. "Jeez, it's great to know after her jealous bitch scene and having been suspended for it she's controling her jerkessness. Sooo good to know."
Hunter arrived at the end of her ramble and leaned into the wall beside her, snorting. "As if you weren't happy when she got expelled. Less rivalry an all that."
The red haired gasped at him. "How could you say that?! I mean, of course that is also a good thing, you know the Spring Ball is important for me, but I never thought of that in the first place. My first thoughts were for you. "she gave me puppy look. Hunter laughed and I could only but believe her.
"I was joking, honey." Hunter rolled his eyes and encircled her waist with an arm, dragging her slightly closer and kissed her temple pacifyingly. "Just a childish mock. Alyson knows it."
I grinned back, trying to reassure her. "Of course."
"Good. 'Cause I mean it. And shouldn't you be stretching out or something?"
Whatever sassy remark he was about to say never reached my ears since another voice startled right from behind. "Hey."
I spun around, meeting those bright blue orbs that got me tongue-tied and my chest fluttered at Brett's small smile. "Hi." do I really need to sound so breathless? I cleared my throat and conjured a grin, my fingers fiddling nervously. "What did he say?" I asked pointing where he'd left the coach.
Brett's smiled stretched in pride. "He's happy. He said we were doing a good job so far and the scouts also were super nice. I guess that's kinda their thing to be but still..."
"Oh, I'm sure they were genuine." I waved his dismissal. It wasn't like Brett to play down so I could tell he really was nervous about this whole thing. Understandable. "So they like you."
"I think so. They say if the second part went as smooth as this it be a piece of cake."
"Really?" the bubble in my chest increased and I felt like floating, almost jumping up and down in excitement. "Thats... that's great."
And hugged him but he immediatelly flinched. "Ouch, ow, I-"
Embarrassed I remembered the ice-pack I'd seen him holding and quickly let go. "Oh, shit, I-I'm sorry, I-"
"It's okay." but didn't remove his hands from my waist, refusing to let go as he recovered with a sharp breath through clenched teeth.
"What's wrong?" I asked analysing his side but unable to see anything.
"That fucker tripped me." he groaned and this close was when I noticed too the reddish mark over his brow. "Oh yeah," he chuckled awkwardly noticing my stare there. "It wasn't a nice fall."
"I-I didn't thought it'll be that bad." I whispered replaying the fall in my mind. Yes, they both had fallen. But it wasn't the first of them to, and it was grass. I didn't know he was really hurt. My stomach churned.
"It's not that bad." he protested lowering his gaze to my shivering form. "You're freezing." I shrugged, but didn't protested when he tugged me closer before brushing my arms spreading sweet warmth everywere. I literally could melt there and then. His frown as he did so was adorable.
Forcing my attention back on the topic I wondered. "Does it hurts?"
"No."
Smiling at his childish behaviour I gently held both sides of his head and brushed his hair away to see it better. The small spot was already paling. Maybe it would leave a small bruise at most but certainly nothing too harsh. His breath hitched and I could feel his eyes on my face, making me blush.
My blood's fluel roared in my ears and my guts made a weird twist as I realized how close we got yet again. It looked like this days everything pushed me to get his near to him. The butterflies went crazy in my belly. His hands shifted on my waist, casually brushing his fingers on my back and stealing more of my reason.
Come on, earth to Alyson! Snap out of it!
But it was hard.
"Well..." I began, tightening my mouth into a thin line. "It looks bad."
"What?" his incredulous tone almost got me laughing as he released one hand to bring it up to the fading mark, touching carefully. His eyes narrowed at me. "It does not."
"Does to." I nodded. "Huge and nasty."
"You're lying." but he patted it again and I had to bit my inner cheek.
"Why would I?"
"But it doesn't even hurt! Is it really that awful? Oh please don't tell me I've been presenting myself to the scout like this and..." he grunted. "Lys I swear to god if you-"
This time I couldn't help a laugh at his dramatic conclusion and shook my head. "Okay okay, I was kidding."
He froze, processing it for a second and then his gaze turned from concerned to a half glare. "I can't believe it! Now you're mocking me?"
"Well," I gulped with a small grin, realizing I as still cupping his face to look at it. He dipped his head so I could had a better look at it and my heart fluttered when his breath franned my chin, spreading tingles everywhere. Focus! "Y-you're always mocking me so how about that for a change?"
"Really?" that earned me a sigh from Brett, but he seemed amused. "You can be mean, sometimes, you know? Here I was worring and you mocked me. I could had had a concussion for all we know."
I shook my head at his dramatic conclusion. "Oh, please. As if." I mumbled and he rolled his eyes.
Focused on the sore skin I absently stroke it with my thumb, which made him wince. Oh, shit. Maybe he wouldn't had a concussion but it still a bruise after all, and here I was: touching it. Guilt flashed through my sistem and I muttered an apology. My body moved and, before I was fully aware of what I was doing, I stood on my tiptoes and my lips caressed the spot in a soft kiss.
His whole body tensed, so much I think he didn't even breathe, and then I realized what I was doing and froze as well.
Oh, crap. What the hell?!
I immediately pulled away and blushed hard.
"S-sorry." I stuttered.
But he didn't let me go yet, he still holding my waist so we were almost against each other. Would he laugh at me? Would he humiliated me? Would he yell? No, he kissed me before and was pretty fine with it. My chest tightened and I hoped I'd never done such a stupid impulsive move. Silly me! What if I screw everything up?
But his eyes stared right onto my lips with such intensity I felt them tickling. Making me remember all the almost kissed and touchy moments we found ourselves in this past week. Then his burning gaze suddenly rose and held mine captive. I almost choked, unable to breathe as he stare right into my soul, his blue orbs holding so much emotions I found myself lost in them.
I couldn't name what I saw but was definitely something strong and intimidating. Chills ran down my spine and let my knees a trembling mess. I wanted to get closer, I wanted to explore this new intense and unkown feeling. But it was Brett, I couldn't thrust him nor myself with him. Or could I? I'd been there before, thinking he could open this doors for me and yet he did quite the oposite, but now things were different...
If I didn't turn away now probably would started to hyperventilate, or worst; maybe I'd never be able to stop looking those mesmerazing eyes.
With that in mind and the yell from the coach for the players to get ready I forced myself to tear my gaze apart and it almost ached physically. What are you doing to me, Brett?
We heard his coach calling them all over and I almost flinched, ripped out this little bubbled We'd created just for the two of us. Suddenly the cold air was annoying again and the enviroment was filled with whistles and the roaring excited crowd. I dared to look back at Brett and saw his face twisted with... disappointment? Right before he covered it up and put his permanent smirk back on.
"Would you kiss me again if I get another wound?"
I choked, red as a tomato. Quickly, say something. Anything. Tear down his cocky expression. Come on, Alyson!
But all that I could made up was a "Shut up." that instead of intimidating sounded almost longing and he chuckled. I groaned, embarrassed and covered my face with my hands. "Stop it." I complained against my palms.
"What?" I shook my head wanting nothing more than the earth to swallow me but Brett wouldn't let me. He gently took my wrists and pulled them so he could see my face. Great, he's still smirking. "Stop what?"
He knew what, but still he was playing dumb to get me to say it. I pursed my lips together, diverting my gaze, self-consciously. The coach called again. "They're calling for you."
"Oh, eager to get rid of me now are you?"
"Ryder, are you deaf or what?"
"Coming!" but turned to gave another thoughtful look. What? What was going on in his head? The he smiled again. "Okay, have it you're way. I'll go." he released my wrists and I surprised myself with the battled settled in my chest, disappointment vs relief. "But," oh, the fearful words. "If we win I'll claim my prize."
"When you win." I corrected and his smile stretched, but then the rest of the sentence sinked in and I frowned more confused. "Wait, w-what does that even mean?" but he was already stepping backwards towards the team. "Brett!"
"Wish me luck, Lys." was all his response, a cheerful glint in his eyes before he spun and jogged where the coach was calling them and pointing something on his paperboard.
Still dazed and confused, I turned to search for Lydia and instead found myself meeting Jade's cold glare from the distance. My heart somersaulted. The cheer squad had ended they're job and were clearing the field now that the second part of the game was about to start and right before they disappeared in the corridor my eyes connected with those hateful ones, one second before she turned and followed the group out.
One second.
Yet it was enough as if she had yelled it loud and clear for everyone else to see. You're playing wth fire.
Yes, she demanded me to stay away from Brett, several times, and now knowing what I did I believed more than ever that she was in love with him, that she couldn't stand me being in the way. She needed me cowering and aside so she could pursue him properly. It was almost ridiculous thinking of her as a rival but somehow that's what we'd been. That's what I was playing without even knowing.
But her games didn't work anymore now that Brett and I were actually talking. Yet that glare was a dark promise. A promise this wasn't over and a bold reminder to stay away. As if! Now that I knew most of what I thought was Brett pushing away had indeed been her manipulations I wouldn't let it get in the way again. Jade won't stand in the way anymore. Maybe she was prettier, whealtier and more popular, but for some reason it was me, who Brett liked and that counted for something.
Oh my God.
He liked me.
It was as if for the first time those words sunk deep into my skull. Brett liked me. No Jade, no other girl. Me.
All those moments and almost kissed occupied my mind again, making me blush and my chest bloathed. I felt like I was ready to fly. He liked me. He acted on it. And it was me who was left to react somehow.
"Are you gonna stay here smiling to yourself or should we head back to our seats?" Lydia appeared out of nowhere and snapped me out my little daydream. My face burned when I relized I was in fact doing just that.
"Uhm?"
She rolled her eyes and linked our arms. "Come on." I let her guided me on auto-pilot mode, my brain to busy disectioning my knew realization and going over and over that final threat. I'll claim my prize. Should I felt scared or excited about that? In all honestly I was both.
Lydia dropped on the seat. "Oh, here." he tossed me a huge pullover and my heart picked up at the familiar number and name on the back. The red-haired smirked. "Hunter said Brett said it was for you now that the weather is getting worst."
"Thanks." I was quick in puting it on. It immediately brought warmth to my icy flesh and made me shuddered in bliss. The fact it smell like him helped too. My heart melted.
She eyed disapprovingly the rain pouring before the awning. "Let's hope it don't get much worst."
But it did. From that moment on things only got worst in every sense possible, almost as if destiny was planning Clayton downfall. The rain increassed, Richmore became more agressive, and the pressure only seemed to make them more on the edge. Even with all, I saw proudly how Brett take his place as co-capitan and remain focused on the game, improving and organizing showing off -I hope- those skills the scouts say they were looking for.
Richmore score next, then Noel for Clayton, but then some guy collide with Hunter and this time the fall look bad even from here. The team jumped in and they alway ot a fight there but luckily the captains pulled them appart. Lydia hold her breath until she saw Hunter got unto his feet again, but there was a small limp there. Having lost the best defender, Richmore used it in his advantage and even the game.
It was the last minute, and I was bitting my nails watching the game getting more and more intense as the marker still pointing the same for both teams. It almost looked like things were gonna end like that. The tension was making things more thicker and at this point I just wanted it to be over so Brett could get out the field before he got hurt, whether it was because an agression or another nasty slid in the wet grass. But then the miracle happen.
Jones stole the ball fifty seconds 'til the last blow. He passed it to Noel, forty seconds, who dodged his defender but got blocked by another.
Thirty seconds.
Just then Brett found a free turf on the other hem of the field, free from Richmore players.
Twenty seconds.
Noel kicked it towards him, almost as if seing it in slow motion everyone watched the ball fly over their head to a desmarked Brett.
Ten seconds.
He received it skillfully and as everyone change the focus to the other side of the field he was already aiming for the goal.
The ball flied as every one held their breath.
Six.
Five.
Four-
And score.
"YASS!" I cheered, feeling the warm spreading through my chest. Just then they called the play over and the whole team and crowd became mad in bliss. Or in anger if you count Richmore, but who does?
The team balled to celebrate and the scouts carefully approached them as soon as the game was over. They shake hands with the coach and Brett. I don't know what they said but judging for the even louder cheers after that I could easily guess.
Once surpassing the overexcited tide also getting down to join them, Lydia and I run towards them, lively. Not even noticing the pouring rain like a cold shower over us. Brett's eyes met mine as we reach them and and his huge grin only made mine wider.
"You did it!" without a second thought I jumped to his arms, throwing mine around his neck and squeezing so much I was surprise he still managed to breathe. But my delight increased when he immediately hugged me back and literally spun me around. No ouching this time. "Oh my god! You did it!" his chuckle vibrated through me but I keep talking as he pull away to face me with an unreadable look that fluttered my heart. But I was too high in my joy to analize it. "It was so awsome! You were there, they were like this huge jocks. And they keep cheating but you stay cool, and everything was lost, but then you-"
Without any other warning he crushed our lips together.
___________________________________________
Hey! Wow! So they finally kiss!!! Who see that coming? (provably all of you xD) Soooo how was it? Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter, I'm dying to read them <33
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