“You okay, Serena?”
“Yeah, yeah, sorry.” I blink a few times, refocusing. “What are we doing again?”
“Alli has to take more photos, so let’s grab some food. Pizza fatigue, though, right?”
“Oh yeah, I need a break before I morph into a pepperoni.”
We hit the concession stand, aiming straight for the nachos. Priya nudges me, grinning like she figured out a secret recipe for Coca-Cola. “Tea time. Tell me about you and Tyler.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Nothing to tell. We’re just taking it slow as friends.”
We’re wayyyy past slow.
“Friends who openly eye-fuck each other,” Grant persists, playfully accusing.
“It’s called comfortable silence,” I offer, trying to brush it off.
“Comfortable silence? That’s very G-rated of you,” he teases, grabbing our nachos as they’re ready.
“Let’s drop it and enjoy these nachos, alright?” I suggest, steering the conversation away.
I think Grant and Alli have been hanging out too much, as he shakes me down for more intel. “Fine, but I’ll be watching. There’s more happening between you two. I know it.”
I shake my head while taking another bite of cheesy goodness. “Nothing to tell.”
Except for the ping pong game going on in my heart.
Tonight’s game ends as the final whistle echoes through the stadium, marking the end of the game and a victory for the Skyline Vikings. The perfect homecoming night for our school if you want to call it something. Cheers and applause fill the air, mingling with the fading adrenaline of the game.
I say goodbye to my friends who promise to pick me up later for tonight’s party and join the crowd. Walking toward the parking lot, the excitement still buzzes within me. I stare at the sky as I walk, hoping I don’t trip with anything as my full focusis on counting the stars. I bask in the post-game atmosphere as I lean against Jared’s car waiting for him to come out–yes, I’m still hitching rides from him, since my car apparently has a mind of its own and is surely taking its sweet time.
The fall autumn breezes by, sending shivers through my body. I dig through my bag in search of my cardigan since I’m still in my cheer uniform and I’m freaking cold. Lost in the moment, I don’t notice Tyler with his friends, his voice fading in and out of focus.
I catch his attention once he breaks away from his group, that familiar smirk taking over his face. Warmth spreads through me at the sight of him and I feel a hundred butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Feeling suddenly ambitious and super bold, I decide to act on impulse. There’s something about seeing him that makes me feel happy tonight which is why I jump into his arms for a hug.
“There’s my girl.” Tyler says, picking me up off the ground, spinning me around as he hugs me.
I offer him a warm smile as he sets me down on my feet. “Hi.”
His hands disappear into the pockets of his jeans, “You were great out there.”
“Thanks,” I reply, a hint of self-consciousness in my voice. “I was actually pretty nervous.”
“Nervous?” his eyebrows raise in genuine surprise.
I nod, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, I was temporary captain for the night, filling in for Alli.”
A flicker of understanding flashes across Tyler’s face as he nods in response. “Well, you nailed it. I could hardly take my eyes off you. I-I mean… the team.”
His words catch me off guard, a flush spreading across my cheeks. “Thanks, Ty. That means a lot. I guess being in charge adds more pressure. The senior girls aren’t really happy with me.”
He arches a brow, asking for more context.
“I’m the new girl who just joined the team and climbed my way up to being the top girl.” As if I summoned them, a flock of girls, including Cassie, walk by. Coach Miller revamped the routine and now I’m one of the flyers on top of tumbling. This wasn’t originally my role on the squad, but I have a hard time saying no to my godmother.
“Temporary captain or not, you were amazing out there,” Tyler says, jolting me back to our conversation. “Like always.”
I give him a smile, which he returns, and we spend a few seconds in silence. The wind picks up, causing my cardigan to sway. He steps closer, casually tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and our eyes meet naturally.
