Easton High

Chapter 16

~I dragged into school still sporting my pajamas. "I think you got the days mixed up, Paige. Today's crazy hair day, but I see you have that covered too." Liam said grinning at my unbrushed hair.

"I thought I'd combine them all into one. And if I were you I'd move before I puke on those fancy new vans of yours." I groaned and clutched my stomach. He backed away, heeding my warning. Cole walked up to where we stood, his grin fading.

"Pay." He pulled me into a hug. "Why'd you come to school if you're so sick?" He asked quietly.

"It's part of my, 'grounded until I'm 100' deal." I muttered. Nikki walked by carrying her camera. She smirked at me.

"Yearbook pictures!" She said happily as she snapped a picture of me and Cole. I stuck my hand out in front of me to cover my eyes from the flash and keep her from getting a good picture. "Loving the pjs by the way." Belissa giggled at me.

"Nice makeup but didn't you forget the big red nose to go with it?" Liam said seriously.

"Uh!" Belissa screeched and stomped away. Nikki gave Liam a dirty look and went after her friend.

"So big game tomorrow." I said, changing the subject from the collage of pictures just taken of us. "You nervous?" I asked.

"Crazy nervous." He replied. I laughed.

"You'll do great. You always do." I hugged him.

"And you'll be in the stands cheering for me?" He asked.

"Just like always." I smiled.

"Good." He mumbled as he pressed a kiss to my lips.

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~The crowd in the stands was the biggest Easton High had had in several games. Everyone wanted to watch the homecoming game. I climbed past several people and took a seat next to Lakeisha and my parents. The cheerleaders were working on a pyramid as the team came bursting through their banner. The crowd went wild with excitement. The guys on the team walked across the field, full of smiles. Cole threw his hands in the air and sprinted across the field. The crowd screamed louder. "Look at that team spirit. Looks like the Lions have an adoring crowd of fans out there tonight." The announcer said over the speaker. I shivered in the chilly October air and pulled Cole's letterman jacket around me tighter. The opposing team ran onto the field and the other side of the crowd was on their feet. "Looks like the Panthers have some love out there too." The announcer said. The Lions huddled up for a few seconds before the whistle blew. Both teams took their places on the field.

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~During half time people in the crowd got up to stretch their legs and grab a few more snacks to tide them over for the third and fourth quarter. I stood up. "I'm going onto the field." I announced as I squeezed my way past several people.

"Paige are you even allowed to do that?" My dad called after me. The crowd was too loud to answer over so I just kept going down the bleacher stairs. When I finally arrived at the bottom, I still had to walk several yards to get to Cole.

"Hey number 27." I greeted. Cole turned around from his group of friends and grinned at me. He took two large steps toward me and pulled me into a hug.

"How's my favorite girl?" He asked.

"A little bit nervous after the Panthers scored that touchdown." I admitted.

"One little touchdown. There's no way they're gonna beat the Lions." He laughed.

"That's cute, Bennett. I thought the cheerleaders would be enough support, but looks like you need your girlfriend too." The rival team's cornerback smirked as he walked toward us. Cole's smile was humorless.