It Started With A Concussion ✔️

Chapter 46

The sweltering heat felt like it was burning my skin as we walked over to the bleachers. The sun was at its peak this afternoon and I immediately wondered how the guys were going to play in this heat.

There were red, white, and blue banners strung everywhere, food stalls with lines running to the back of the bleachers, and a crowd waiting for the whistle to gain their attention.

Each team was already on the field warming up when we arrived. It took me a minute to compose myself when I remembered who we're playing.

Riverhead.

Oh my god, I should've known that. I did know that. Shit. Shit. Shit. Liam's here, but I haven't seen him which is good. But he's still here and that's putting me on edge.

Kayla's voice floods my mind and I take her advice, wiping the thought of him away and walking up the metal steps.

There was a small opening in the large crowd, it was in the center of the bleachers and I prayed my bladder wouldn't let up until halftime.

The whistle blows and the crowd starts going. A few minutes later after the National Anthem, the game begins.

And boy were we in for a treat.

The first quarter determined the strength of the crowd as it always did. And with the 14-7 lead, we were amped up. The second quarter wasn't as action packed as a few of the fans wanted, especially the group behind us.

They cheered whenever we got a first down, yet bashed us when we couldn't complete a run or a pass. I couldn't really tell who's side they were on.

By halftime the score was 21-17 in our favor. All of us stood up and exited the bleachers, along with half the crowd behind us. Hannah and Kayla went to the food stalls and I went to a nearby bathroom, luckily using it before a line formed.

I met back up with them and ordered a pretzel to hold me over for the rest of the game. Although there wasn't a halftime show, something happened in the few minutes we were gone.

I asked around and apparently a few kids brought water balloons with red and blue food dye in them. People with white shirts now had them tinted lightly in the respected Fourth of July colors.

I wiped the excess water off the bleachers and took a seat as the third quarter started. The scores continued to progress, however, Riverhead took the lead by the end of it.

The fourth quarter was intense. Starting at a 24-27 Riverhead lead, we came back and tied it with four minutes left. Each side was putting their all into it and nobody gained much ground on the field.

We called a timeout with a minute and change left, and the crowd was left in tense silence. "This is giving me major heartburn right now. I feel like I'm sixty with asthma." Hannah makes a plain joke and we burst out laughing.

It was a way to lighten the mood I guess.

The whistle blew signaling the end of the timeout call and everyone was back on the edge of their seats.

The crowd was silent, but all it needed was a spark to become completely uncontrollable. And that spark was lit when Jackson launched the ball down the field and Finn caught it.

The second Finn crossed the goal line it was like a bolt of lightning struck the bleachers because everybody was on their feet. It was electric.

I processed what happened but that was pretty much it. I could only look at the smiles on Hannah and Kayla's faces, but hearing anything they were saying; forget about it.

When I say the crowd becomes uncontrollable, I mean the bleachers are shaking, my eardrums probably burst, and someone started throwing water balloons again. Ergo, uncontrollable.

I read the expressions on my friends' faces and we somehow managed to push ourselves out of the crowd and off the bleachers.

I only knew the game ended when a few other kids walked onto the field. The three of us followed and I was in full pursuit of one person.

Hannah squealed next to me when she saw Finn take off his helmet, and she sprinted towards him. I, on the other hand, smiled when I saw Jackson rip off his helmet and walk towards me.

But I don't let him get to me before I sprint in his direction. Launching myself into his arms, Jackson drops his helmet and hoists me up.

I don't care if his hair is damp with sweat or that his padding is squishing against me uncomfortably, I hug the shit out of him.

I hear him laugh in my ear as I wrap my legs around his waist, his hands situating under my thighs. I pull my head back and Jackson's lips catch my eye immediately.

And like an instinct I lower my head to kiss him, though it barely lasts before I pull back with a smile. "You," I kiss him. "Won." I kiss him again.

"I'll call it even," he says. "We did lose to them a few weeks ago so it was only fair."

He shrugs it off like this game was absolutely nothing of importance when I certainly know it was. I rethink my decision to even boost his outrageously high ego any further.

But I decide to not change my plans realizing this has nothing to do with the game, and completely with my feelings instead.

Three times, including today, the word boyfriend has circled my head like a carousel. The first time it came up was at Priya's birthday party, the next a few hours earlier when Hannah mentioned it.

The third time it was on my mind was right now. And I can't keep cowering at the idea of asking him because I hate rejection or it's not the perfect moment.

But right now is pretty perfect. And I'm not holding it back any longer. "Jackson?"

"Mmhm?" He mumbles into my neck, and my pulse heightens at his voice vibrating against my throat.

"Do you want to be my boyfriend?" I ask him with my chin over his shoulder.

It sounded so nonchalant but on the inside I was freaking out. The question makes Jackson pull his head back and take a look at me. And I mean really look at me.

Before he smiles his ass off.

"Hell yes."

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Enter ship name here is finally official!!

Hehehe. I love them.

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