For a second, I think I see a hint of disappointment flash in her eyes. Did she think I wasn’t going at all? I’ve gone to a few football games, but I spend most of my Friday nights with my grandparents or watching Harper, but tonight feels different.
“So, you’re not coming?” She repeats, fiddling with her hair tie again.
Without thinking, I reach out and intertwine my fingers with hers. I feel her body tense slightly at the unexpected touch, but she doesn’t pull away. “I’m coming to the game tonight.”
A flush of pink escapes her and she unhooks our hands together. The weird empty feeling appears again.
I chuckle while rising from my seat and collecting my belongings. Picking up her bag, I sling it over my shoulder and take the lead as we walk out, a playful grin adorning my face.
Serena hustles alongside me, catching up with my long strides to the athletic center. “What are you smiling about?”
I angle my head towards hers, still sporting my grin. “I can’t help it.”
Chapter 18
Serena
Even if I really want to, I’m not sure I can explain the butterflies in my stomach.
My first football game on the sidelines?
Indigestion?
Going to another party tomorrow?
Tyler’s flirting becoming more and more evident and too much for me to handle, making it really hard for me to shove my true feelings for him to the side?
Let’s go with blaming it on indigestion.
We’re at the on-campus football stadium, the heart of Friday night lights at Skyline. Students, parents, and children are streaming into the stands, creating a buzzing atmosphere. Laughter from kids mixes with the excited chatter of parents, who eagerly point out their children on the field. Skyline students are busy capturing the moment, snapping photos toshare on Instagram, celebrating that the return of Friday night lights is back in full swing.
Then there’s the people on the sidelines.
The cheer team is stretching and getting their little bubble of space ready for tonight’s game. From fluffing out our pom poms and getting our megaphones ready, the athletic staff pacing back and forth on the sidelines, to the yearbook and newspaper club getting their equipment ready to capture tonight’s events, win or lose, rain or shine.
I can feel my excitement bubbling up as I take it all in. The energy, the anticipation, the sense of belonging. It’s like everything I’ve been searching for is here. I have friends, I aced my AP Lit paper and I tried a disgusting school lunch the other day too. It’s weird to think that I never bothered to come to any of these games or made the decision to come back to public school sooner. I smile to myself just being out on the sidelines. I love being a homebody, but nothing beats this.
I glaze over the crowd to soak in the audience I’m performing for. My eyes stop instantly and lock on one particular person who’s standing a few rows away. Then I find myself blatantly checking him out.
Tyler is dressed in a more laid-back vibe compared to usual. He’s sporting a dark gray Skyline tee, faded jeans, and a backward hat that somehow manages to make him look even hotter. The t-shirt clings to his frame, showing off his well-toned physique. Iwatch him turn around to chat with his friend showing the back of his shirt with the bold number, thirteen.
Someone nudges my arm, bringing me back to reality. I face Alli with a knowing look plastered on.She definitely caught me staring at Tyler.
Let’s hope he doesn’t know.
“Staring at someone in particular?” she teases, grabbing her pom poms.
We get ready for kick-off. The cheer team leads the football team out at the start of each home game. My job here is to run across the field holding the flag that proudly displays our school’s Viking logo, just before the football team runs and breaks the banner for their entrance.
I follow alongside Alli and the rest of the team to the very corner of the field. “I wasn’t staring, and will you keep it down?”
“What are we talking about here?” Priya hops in with her DSLR camera hung over her neck. She’s the school’s photographer for the yearbook and newspaper club.
Alli eyes me knowingly, “I caught her all goo-goo gah-gah over Tyler.”
“I was not.” I shove Alli’s shoulder. “Keep it down, will you? I swear all of North Carolina can hear you.”
“My third eye is tingling.” Priya squeals.
