I roll my eyes as we pass by the water station. I’m not going to entertain the comment. Tyler has called me weird for not finding anyone attractive, or being interested inanyone. Male or female. I just don’t feel the urge to want something or need attention from them. Or, give it. I’m blaming it on my drive to be in the NFL, that anything and everything can be a distraction.
Speaking of a distraction.
“Ahhh!” Amber, head varsity cheerleader, belts out. “Keoni, no way you’re blessing us during your break.” She’s funny. Not in the stand-up type of way, but the Regina George kind of way.
Mean Girlsis my mom’s favorite movie.
Her brunette hair sways back and forth as she rushes toward Tyler and I. “You’re doing so freaking good out there, but that’s no surprise.”
“Hi to you too, Amber.” Tyler doesn’t sound annoyed; he can’t stand her either but plays nice.
“Tylerrr,” she drags out, and offers him a smile before looking back at me. “You never come over during the game. How are…”
Her voice trails off when a laugh catches in my ears. I’ve heard it a few times, but even still, it shouldn’t capture me the way it does.
It has me shifting my attention over her head, right to the junior varsity cheerleaders.
That stupid, swelling sensation in my sternum hits again when I catch sight of him—the boy from a few weeks ago. I’ve seen him around school from time to time, and each time, I try to get a better look without staring like a crazy person.
His name is Ayden and he’s a freshman on the JV cheer squad. That’s all I know, and only because his twin sister, Alysa, is in my gym class. She’s exuberant, and from the looks of him, he’s equally so. He’s animated, alive, laughing and moving in the conversation he’s having with four of the girls who form a tight circle.
“Keoniii, why’re you ignoring me?”
I shake my head and take a deep breath. “I need to borrow a hair tie. Preferably a strong one that doesn’t need returning.”
She grins and darts away from me, heading straight toward the duffle bags pushed against the wall to the stands. This is the first time I look out at them, parents and students alike chatting in the fifty-plus level bleachers.
“What are you doing?” My gaze trails back toward where Ayden and the group is sitting. It’s their coach, hands on her hips bent over scolding them. “You are meant to be paying attention! These are pre-season games, and?—”
“We deserve a break too, coach!” one of the girls says whilegetting up to her feet. “Everyone else is relaxing, why’re you on us?”
I eye Ayden, and he slowly rises, grinning as though in agreeance with the girl.Troublemaker, or rule-follower?He seems to be the former.
“Here ya go!” Amber thrusts her hand in front of my face. Looking at the tie, I inwardly groan. It’s not going to hold.
The girl that is slowly getting to her feet with the assistance of Ayden has pretty thick hair.
Hmm.
Without saying a word to Amber, I weave through the throng of varsity cheerleaders and head straight for the JV group. Behind me, I hear the brunette calling my name, and Tyler bursting with laughter.
I reach them without a single distraction, and both the group and the coach spin around in shock.
“Oh, Keoni.” She offers me a bright smile, that laden irritation for the five cheerleaders all but gone. “You’re doing great out there tonight.”
I nod. “Thanks, Coach Rapp.” Turning my attention to the girl beside Ayden, I ask, “Do you happen to have an extra hair tie?”
Her eyes widen, and below her dark brown cheeks, I can see a hint of a blush. “Yes. Yes, of course. Do you need one?”
“Of course he does…” the girl opposite of Ayden says in a hushed voice.
“Mind if I have it?”
She nods sharply before turning toward the bags. That’s when I catch Ayden’s eyes—such a striking hazel that, honestly, I like looking at. They suit him perfectly, set against his light skin and flawless features.
“Hey.”
His Adam’s apple bobs. “Hi.”
