Loose Ends

Chapter 43

"I'll keep that in mind." Toby turned toward Griffin with his hand again outstretched and Griffin shook it.

"Griffin. The best friend."

"Nice to meet you Griffin the Best Friend," Toby said with a smirk, causing Griffin to smile slightly. "See you around." And with that Toby headed off down the hallway and Ashley and Griffin turned to watch him. Griffin turned his head to the side and noticed Ashley's intense expression.

"He's cute. And he likes you." Ashley turned skeptical eyes towards Griffin.

"We talked for maybe a minute. How could you possibly know that?" They turned around to continue walking down the hallway.

"I know," he said knowingly with a smile. Ashley shook her head and kept walking, sending her parents a text to let them know she wanted to go to the game. The students of Grant High had a pretty uneventful day and when the bell rang to signal it was time to head to the gym for the pep rally, the chatter among the students was lively. Even though the students were expected to sit in sections with their classmates, Ricky was able to find a spot on a bench in the senior section next to Amy's spot in the junior section, with only the aisle of stairs separating them. Once all the students were seated, the principal stood at the podium in the middle of the gym floor to speak.

"Lancers, let's go out tonight and show our opponents what school spirit's all about! Let's support our hardworking football players by cheering them on to victory tonight!" There was a cheer from the student body and the principal waited for the din to die down. "And to help get us pumped for tonight's game, your cheer squad!" He motioned with his right arm towards the cheer squad who was heading onto the floor from their position near the main doors. Once they were in position, the cheer coach started the music and the team performed several routines, stopping to lead the student body in victory chants and cheers between each. Grant glanced over at Grace during one of the dance numbers.

"Do you miss it?" Grace smiled sadly.

"Sometimes," she admitted, as she watched some of her former teammates perform. "But then I remember that I've still got plenty of great things to help me stay busy and out of trouble," she told him with a smile. Grant took her hand and held it for the rest of the performance. Once the cheer squad was finished, and the student body gave them a rousing round of applause, the booster club president stepped up to the podium.

"Good afternoon Lancers! As a thanks for showing your support to your football team tonight, the first 100 people to pass through the check in gate will receive," she paused and turned to a young woman to her left who was carrying a box towards her. She reached inside and pulled out several items and held them up. "Their choice of a mini pompom, a Lancer pride t-shirt or a Lancer throw blanket. These and other items will be on sale tonight at the booster club shop just outside and the concession stand will be selling all kinds of foods and beverages to keep you warm." Several students cheered over news that food would be available at the game and the booster club president chuckled. "And as always, all proceeds go directly to help fund the booster club and keep you all decked out in Lancer gear. Go Lancers!" The study body cheered as she stepped down and then quieted as the principal once again took the podium.

"And halftime will feature," he turned once more to face the main doors and gestured towards them with his right hand. "Your Lancer marching band!" The marching band came marching into the gym playing the school fight song and the students clapped along while the cheerleaders led the students in singing said fight song. Ricky glanced over at Amy and saw her clapping along a little sadly, even though there was a small smile on her face. It's my fault she never got to march with the band for very long. She felt Ricky staring at her and turned to look at him. She noticed the regret in his eyes and gave him a reassuring smile before mouthing 'I'm okay'. He gave her a smirk and nodded to let her know he got the message. The fight song concluded, the marching band headed back out of the gym and the president took the podium one more time to remind everyone what time the game started and then the final bell rang. Students quickly filed out of the gym through its three exits. As Amy was heading to her car, she felt her phone vibrate and pulled it out; she'd gotten a text from her mom. Amy had sent the text early that morning to let her parents know she wouldn't be home for dinner because she was going to the football game. Unknown to Amy, Ashley had sent them a similar text. She read the text and smiled: I'll bring you guys dinner. No sense wasting your money on concession food. Amy sent a text back: Thanks mom. We'd appreciate it. Ricky caught up to her as she was replying.