chapter twenty eight

nuggets? nuggets.

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Video: featured song

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Before I knew it, Sunday progressed as quick as it came, and it was time for the first game of the season. Tyler was a bundle of nerves, jigging and fidgeting like a cat on acid. Nate wasn't much better either, whereas Clark was as calm as a guy who just got laid.

Oh right, he did just get laid.

Unfortunately, Clark likes to tell everyone and anyone his sex life, meaning I heard about his latest conquest in bright pink underwear. I never knew boys could be so detailed ...

Nevertheless, Emily was dressed in Nate's Jersey while I wore Tyler's, ripped jeans and, you guessed it, converse on my feet. Since it was starting to get cold, I brought a thick jumper just incase I froze while sitting on the bleachers of Octavia High's football field.

The whole field was lit up with the overhead lights, and the boisterous sounds of fans, parents and friends echoed loudly. The Octavia Bears were still in the locker rooms getting changed and doing their pre-game rituals since the game is due to start in around half an hour last time I checked.

Emily and I arrived earlier since we came in the same car as Nate and Tyler, who had to be here early enough so that they could set up last minute things. Even though we weren't particularly interested in football, we managed snag the best seat in the house, close enough to touch the team as they sat on the bench.

Alongside Emily and I, Eloise and a few other girls had joined us. The other girls were other team members girlfriends, and I took great notice in seeing that a girl was, in fact, wearing Clark's Jersey.

I'd never met her before, only seen her around the odd amount of times. I know that she's really quiet and sometimes gives off the shy loner vibe, but she looked nice and pretty in a fragile way.

Clark is going to break and scar her, that is all I can think as I stare at her thin, frail frame. Emily thinks so to judging by the way she pinched me and inconspicuously pointed to her. By that I mean that Emily flat out pointed to her, thank god she didn't see.

A girl called Ebony had also joined us, claiming to be dating Eli. Eli is immature as all hell and swears like a trooper. He has no filter and I don't think he cares. Ebony is, to say the least, really pretty. She's curvy and would be considered 'bigger' in terms nowadays, but Eli isn't one to judge or care. I think he's just glad that someone can see behind his potty mouth.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, gesturing I had just received a text. I never have my phone off silent, because I always get texts at the worst of times. Plus, Tyler changed my ringtone to some inappropriate song and I have no clue how to change it back since I'm not very 'intellectual' when it comes to modern technology.

It's a text from Tyler. I unlock my phone, typing in my password which is Tyler's name. He changed my password and my background to a picture of him and I from last week. It was at homecoming while we were driving there. I tried to get one of those couple pictures, but he decided to lick my cheek. I looked like I was ready to sneeze in it, but it was a decent photo and it really resembled our crazy relationship.

Meet me under the bleachers in 2 - Mr Sexy Boyfriend

I quickly told Emily that I was going to the toilet and I would be back in five. She nodded, too busy texting Nate. I jump off the bleachers, wrapping my arms around my torso to stop the cold that was numbing my fingers slowly.

At Octavia, behind the bleachers are where all the 'suss' activities happen. Teachers are told to watch out for them all the time since students always seem to be found during class time under them kissing or doing other rule-breaking activities.

Tyler isn't waiting for me when I reach behind there, so I lean against the cream wall and shut my eyes while I wait for him.

After five minutes of waiting, I huffed loudly and started to leave to go back and sit with Emily. It's not like Tyler to stand me up, but then again...

I feel arms clasp around my waist and the familiar smell of Tyler's aftershave.

"Took your time," I turn around to look at him. "I was just about to leave. I thought you stood me up."

"Sorry, coach wouldn't let me leave until he had finished his pre game speech."

I nod, staring into his bright green eyes. He's wearing his football uniform, just without the helmet. His hair is mussed up like always, and his sinewy stature towers over me. I may be tall for a girl, but Tyler is tall for a guy in senior year. He's definitely got a few inches on me, meaning I have to look up to stare at him.

"What did you want to ask me?" I wrap my arms around his waist.

"Well, you know how all the guys have lucky kisses? How about a pre game kiss," he wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

I laugh lightly, "As long as it will make you win. Then, sure."

He grins, leaning forward. I close my eyes just before he presses his lips to mine. They're soft, and the kiss is longer than the one we had shared last week. His tongue mingled with mine, and his lips tasted like the intoxicating flavour of cherries.

There's no sparks or fireworks, because sparks are fiction and this is reality.

It's just Tyler and me, a force field of energy and a shit load of chemistry.

Tyler bites my lip, I moan softly as he does so. But before we could continue kissing, the sharp sound of the coach broke us apart.

"Game time Bradford, stop kissing more football," his rough and raspy voice yells from a distance.

Tyler breaks away first, resting his forehead on mine. "Now that was a kiss," our breaths mingle.

"Mhm," I hum breathlessly. "What's with the cherries?"

"Pre game tradition," he unwraps himself from me reluctantly, "I always eat cherries before a game. It's just like how Clark always roots a girl and Nate chugs a bottle of apple juice."

Weird. Boys are so weird with their traditions. Of course the lucky pre game kiss is a genuine tradition - which I don't happen to mind one little bit - but cherries, apple juice and coitus? Really?

"Good luck booger boy," I peck him on his lips one more time. "Kick some booty."

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Turns out that my 'lucky kiss' was, in fact, lucky after all. The Octavia Bears won 26-12 against Halston, which is really surprising since they are a pretty competitive team and our rivals.

Judging by the tantrum the Quarterback of Halston High's team just pulled, they are quite sore losers.

"Now that was sexy," I smack Tyler's butt, "Watching you run around scoring plays."

Tyler winks at me, "Must have been the lucky kiss."

I roll my eyes. "I'm just that awesome, hey?" Tyler hums in response, focusing his attention on my lips. "Nah ah stinky," I push him away, "You smell like sweat and dirt, I'll think about kissing you after you have a shower."

Tyler pouts, "That's not fair, look at Emily and Nate!"

True to per say, Emily is kissing Nate like always. "That's because they're hornbags. Now hurry up and shower, we need to get to the celebration dinner."

The coach had planned to have the post game dinner at Delilah's, where I work. I have no complaints since I eat free, same as Emily. Plus, their nuggets are to die for of course. The chef just has the perfect batter which he cooks the chicken in. Emily says they're practically orgasmic.

"Emily," I holler at my best friend who is looking around trying to find me since Nate had left. Emily turns to my direction, grins and starts skipping over.

"Isn't he just amazing?" She gushes, "He looked so hot out there. I don't like football, but I'd watch him run around all sweaty like that any day."

"You have weird fetishes," I crinkle my nose. "Did you bring your clothes for the after party?"

Emily nods, "They're in Nate's car. I'm going to get dressed at the diner out the back, I'm sure Delilah won't mind."

Clark's parents Lana and Elizabeth gave him permission to hold the after party so long as there isn't a mess when they come home tomorrow morning. They're the coolest parents, and I bet they would join in on Clark's shenanigans if they were there while the party was in full swing.

"What are you wearing?" I ask as we start to walk back to the cars to wait for Nate and Tyler to finish having a shower and getting changed.

"It's freaking cold so I'm wearing jeans and a hoodie, nothing fancy," she shrugs, "It's just a shitty party anyway."

I nod, Clark may host good parties, but it is High School after all and lots of kids get carried away and drink so much they vomit on you. Emily's hair is starting to fade, the lights from the football field making it look brighter than it usually is. The purple suited her, so I'm not surprised if she asks to re-dye it very soon.

The football team come out of the locker rooms ten minutes later, pushing and shoving each other like the immature boys they are. Tyler is at the back of the pack talking to Eli while Nate is in the middle stepping on Brandon's shoes with every step he takes.

Tyler is wearing light wash blue jeans with a black leather jacket under a grey hoodie and white shirt and his signature maroon vans. Simple but just like Tyler.

"Cake batter," he nods, twirling his keys around his finger. He unlocks his sleek sports car, opening the door for me to get in. I blush lightly, flattered by the small, sweet gesture. He walks around the front of the car, opening the drivers door and jumping down in the seat.

He sticks the key in the ignition and revs the car so that it warms up. I may not be the most sensible of drivers, but I know my fair share about how they work and what controls do what since Nate and Tyler have been fixing cars since they started Freshman year, as a hobby and something to do.

I buckle up, humming lightly to the pop song on the radio. It's Five Seconds of Summer, my favourite band, so I can't stop the dancing that soon follows. Tyler's laughs at this, shaking his head at me. "What? It's a good song!" I defend myself, "Don't deny it. I know you like it."

"Fine," he huffs, "I like this song."

That's right. Who doesn't love 5SOS?

"It kind of resembles you, you know?" He speaks up after I finish singing the solo. "Everyone sees you as an innocent good girl, but behind the scenes you're just as bad as Clark in the shameless department." I gasp, punching him in his arm. "Hey, don't hit the driver!"

"Forget what you thought, because good girls are bad girls that haven't been caught," I sing loudly while staring at him. He laughs, shortly joining in. His voice isn't perfect, but it isn't bad either.

I rock out in the passenger seat, playing my air guitar and singing to the lyrics like the lame-ass I am.

The drive to Delilah's doesn't take long, but the parking lot is filled with cars so Tyler has to park his car over the road at the Chinese Restaurant. I'm tempted to make a joke about what he said last night about Chinese eating curries, but refrain when he gives me a pointed look, almost reading my mind.

I shrug innocently, grabbing his hand to hold. He intertwines his fingers with mine, warmth and tingles spreading up my arm and into my whole body.

I love the effect he has on me.

It's addictive. Like cocaine to drug addicts. Like tacos and yours truly.

My stomach grumbles as we walk through the doors of the diner, loud bustling of people talking and waitresses taking orders. Savannah is running around like a headless chicken serving people, and another girl, Kate, is manning the register with a stressed look on her face.

Sunday Nights get pretty packed which is unsurprising. Ever since Emily and I had started working here it had always been rush hour around this time of day.

"Nuggets?" I ask Tyler as I stare as we walk to the designated table for the whole team.

"Nuggets." He agrees.

I laugh, a smile setting on my face. The table is half full, most of the football team already there par from Nate and Emily and a few others that I don't really talk to.

I see Ebony on the end by herself, and decide to go sit with her. I let go of Tyler's hand reluctantly, telling him I'll be back, and that he's got to save me a seat next to him. He nods, walking to the other side so that he's in front of Brandon and nearby a very loud Clark.

"Hey Ebony," I smile at the brunette who is sitting down looking lonely. "Where's that rude boyfriend of yours?"

She laughs, "He had to go to the toilet. How have you been, Nova? We haven't talked for ages."

"I know hey!" Come to think of it, I do remember being friends with her in primary school. "I've been good, Senior year is looking to be a good year so far. What about you?"

We talk for a bit until Eli comes back and I leave to go sit with Tyler again. We both order out nuggets with a side of fries, listening to Clark pointlessly talk about how awesome it was seeing Halston's Quarterback nearly cry.

"Hey, Nova?" Tyler whispers in my ear.

"Yeah?" I quirk an eyebrow at him.

"You're the nugget to my fry."

It's the mushiest pick up line ever, but it didn't stop the blush and grin that followed.

"And you're the meat to my tacos."

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Aw this was cute.

Aye did you like the kissy scene? I had absolutely no clue what I was doing so I'm just like you know what I'm gonna wing it. I've reAd enough books to underStand what goes down so fkn yolo.

I'm afraid that if my friend reads this she'll look at me like I'm a hornbag like Clark. I swear, I'm not! You know who you are...

LAST BUT NOT LEAST WE HIT HALF A MILLION READS CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? IM SO GODDAMN HAPPY THANK YOU EVERYONE YOU DONT KNOW HOW MUCH THIS MEANS SO THIS IS A CELEBRATORY CHAPTER YO YO YO

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