Lacey
The day of regionals, the school is swarming with anticipation and excitement. The cheerleaders put up posters this morning, and I’d like to think they helped bolster the mood.
By midmorning, even the teachers are feeling restless, and classes are spent doing very little work.
I live for this type of hype. Maybe I would be just as giddy if it were the football team instead of the soccer team, but there’s no question that part of my excitement has to do with a certain soccer player.
Speaking of, I haven’t talked to him all day. The team had a meeting this morning before school, and I only got to say hello for a minute in passing between classes.
I’m looking forward to finally seeing him at lunchtime, but fifteen minutes after I sit down with my food, he still hasn’t appeared.
Neither has Rowan, so I assume they’re doing something with the team, or at least part of it. I’m lost in my own thoughts as I play the part of fifth wheel. Brandonand Andie are looking at animal videos on Brandon’s phone and Claire and Austin are being disgustingly cute as usual.
Some of the soccer girlfriends made T-shirts with their boyfriend’s name and number on the back. I can’t help but feel a little twinge of jealousy wishing I were wearing one too. Not that I want to be Vaughn’s girlfriend. Or maybe I do.
All week I’ve been trying to organize my feelings. I like him, but is he even looking for a girlfriend? He was pretty adamant that he wasn’t before we started kissing on the regular. Has that changed? And if it hasn’t, would I be okay with that? My immediate response is yes, but maybe I’m just in abest kisses of my lifehaze.
I pick at the food on my tray and glance around the cafeteria. I know he isn’t here, but I look for him anyway.
When Claire looks up at me, she narrows her gaze.
“Is everything okay?” she asks.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just bored. And this hamburger doesn’t taste right.”
“Where’s Vaughn?” Claire asks, as if she’s just realized he isn’t here.
“I’m not sure,” I admit and eat one of the cold fries on my plate.
“He and some of the other guys are watching video of Pacific,” Austin says. “We’ll play them in the semifinals if we win tonight.”
“Whenyou win.” Claire bumps her shoulder against his.
He snuggles up closer to her, kissing her quickly before one of the teachers catches them and gives them a warning or detention.
“Why aren’t you there?” I ask Austin.
He shrugs one shoulder. “I need a break from thinking about soccer. Last night I even dreamed about it.”
Despite his best attempts to put it out of his mind, his leg bounces nervously and I can practically see the anxious, excited energy coming off him.
When the bell rings, Claire hangs back to walk with me.
She gives me one of thosebest-friendlooks that sees far more than you’d like. “Can I give you some advice?”
“About what?” I ask.
“Vaughn.”
We stop walking, and I face her. My stomach flutters nervously as I wait for her to speak.
“His actions don’t always match his feelings.”
“Okay.” My brows pinch together as I consider her words.
“What I mean is just because he didn’t come to lunch today doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you. He feels a lot of pressure to be the guy his teammates and dad can depend on.”
“We’re not together. He doesn’t owe me anything,” I say quickly. As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know they aren’t quite right. We aren’t an official couple, but I like him. Pretending like I don’t care that I haven’t talked to him all day is dumb. It doesn’t mean he’s in the wrong, but I can’t change how I feel.
