Aurelia's hurried steps echoed down the corridor as she raced toward the football field for cheerleading practice. She was already running late, her heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and determination
Turning a corner, she felt a strong pull on her arm, and before she could react, she found herself inside the janitor's closet. The door closed behind her, and for a moment, darkness surrounded her. Then, the dim lights flickered on, revealing Wyatt's smirking face
Aurelia's surprise turned into an irritated glare "Seriously, Wyatt? What are you doing?"
He chuckled, raising an eyebrow playfully. "I heard you were in need of a little adventure."
She crossed her arms, annoyance giving way to curiosity. "And you thought trapping me in a janitor's closet was the solution?"
Wyatt leaned against a shelf, the corners of his lips curling up. "I thought it might be a bit more memorable than your usual walk to practice."
Despite herself, Aurelia felt a small smile tugging at her lips. "You definitely achieved that."
With a flourish, Wyatt revealed a small box from his pocket. "And I also brought you these. Thought you might need a little sweetness to make up for being late."
Aurelia's irritation melted away as she accepted the box. "You remembered I love these. Thanks, Wyatt."
He shrugged, his expression softening. "Just trying to make your day a bit better."
Aurelia met his gaze, her cheeks faintly flushed. "Well, you certainly succeeded."
As their eyes locked, the world outside the closet seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them. Wyatt took a step closer, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "You know, you're something else, Aurelia."
Her heart skipped a beat, and she tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, yeah? Is that a compliment or a complaint?"
Wyatt's grin widened, his voice a soft murmur. "Definitely a compliment."
In that charged moment, Aurelia's heartbeat quickened, and before she could fully think it through, she found herself closing the distance between them. Their lips met in a soft, spontaneous kiss, a gentle connection that spoke volumes
The air between them was electric, the taste of the unexpected mingling with the sweetness of the chocolates. As the kiss deepened, Aurelia's hand found its way to Wyatt's cheek, their bodies moving closer. It was a stolen moment, a secret shared between them in the dimly lit closet
As the kiss broke, their eyes locked again, a mixture of surprise and desire reflecting in their gazes. Aurelia's voice was a soft murmur, her breath uneven. "I really should go before Addison wonders where I am," she said, a reluctant sigh escaping her
Wyatt's fingers brushed against her cheek, and his voice was a low, husky whisper. "Addison can wait."
Before Aurelia could respond, Wyatt closed the distance between them once again, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was fueled by the electricity between them. It was bolder this time, a deeper connection that ignited a fire within them both
The dimly lit closet seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them lost in the moment. Aurelia's hand slid around Wyatt's neck, her fingers tangling in his hair as the kiss deepened. Time seemed to stand still as they explored the intensity of their feelings, the passion that had been simmering beneath the surface
Under the dimly lit janitor's closet, Aurelia and Wyatt found solace in each other's embrace. With her hands gently resting on his neck, while his touch warm around her waist holding her close, they shared a passionate kiss that spoke volumes. As their lips parted, Aurelia inquired against his lips in a soft murmur, "Any plans tonight?"
They broke their kiss, and Wyatt suggested with a playful grin, "How about joining me at the Wolf Den? We've got some delectable bites waiting."
Aurelia playfully shook her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "No way," she replied, laughter dancing in her voice
"Is Coach's Froyo still open later?"
Aurelia's smile deepened as she gazed at his lips, leaning in ever so slightly. Wyatt chuckled in disbelief, halting her movement. "Why can't you just be nice?" he teased
Aurelia's retort was swift and flirty, "Oh, I can be nice." Her left hand slid around the nape of his neck, and they shared another tender kiss, a brief moment of stolen affection. But their stolen moment was interrupted by the ping and vibration of her phone, breaking the spell
Wyatt groaned at the interruption as Aurelia retrieved her phone from the shelf inside the cramped closet, her expression a mix of annoyance and curiosity. A text from Addison awaited—a summons to cheerleading practice on the football field. Wyatt glanced at her phone as well, reading the message alongside her
"We'll hold that thought then," Wyatt commented with a small, understanding smile. Aurelia returned the smile, their connection palpable. Leaning in, he placed a lingering peck on her lips before Aurelia slipped out of the janitor's closet, her exit unnoticed
Their relationship was a secret known only to Addison, Bree, and Zed...and maybe her mom. But as of now, they remain the sole parties in the know. For now.
Aurelia quickened her pace, her steps determined as she made her way to the bustling football field. The players were immersed in their practice routines, and the cheerleaders on the sidelines were a whirlwind of vibrant energy, hyping up the atmosphere with their spirited cheers and coordinated moves
Addison, her cousin and the Cheer Captain, spotted Aurelia's arrival and seamlessly integrated into the cheer routine with the other girls. Aurelia's heart raced; she was well aware she was running late
In a lull in the cheering, Addison broke away from the group and walked over to Aurelia, a playful yet knowing smile on her lips. "Let me guess, Wyatt?"
Aurelia met Addison's gaze with a grin, the corners of her lips lifting. "You already know"
Addison laughed, shaking her head. "Of course"
Aurelia chuckled, lifting her shoulders in a shrug. "I tried to tell him, but look what he gave me."
She reached into her bag and pulled out the treats Wyatt had gifted her during their moment in the janitor's closet. Addison's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the chocolates, she awed at the thought
"He knows the way to your heart, doesn't he?" Addison said with a chuckle, Aurelia's laugh joined Addison's "He does" She sighs
Their moment of levity was interrupted as Addison's expression turned more serious. "Just remember, if Bucky ever finds out..."
Aurelia nodded, her smile wry. "I know, I know. It won't end well but he's a whole ass senior now with the rest of us, he's needs to mature and grow up"
"He needs to wrap his head around that his little sister is growing up and won't be a baby forever"
Addison playfully slapped Aurelia's arm, a grin on her face. "Just be careful." Aurelia's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Oh, I plan to."
With a shared laugh, they rejoined the cheerleading squad, Addison quickly got up the pyramid that cheerleaders formed into and stepped into the two people under her backs, her hands in the air
"Five, six, seven, eight..."
The football players dashed towards the cheerleaders, eager to witness their spirited performance. Bursting with energy, they leaped and cheered in enthusiastic support of both the girls and boys. Jacey and a fellow cheerleader executed a flawless cartwheel-back-tuck combination, the other cheerleaders chant their song
Positioned at the forefront, Addison, the Aceys, and other cheerleaders knelt on the fake grass, extending their right arms outward. Simultaneously, those at the rear raised their arms high, including Aurelia among them supported by the sturdy bases gripping their feet
"We are the mighty shrimp. We wanna hear you shout" the cheerleaders proclaimed, raising their left fists skyward "From the left" They switch to the right, Aurelia gracefully descended from her elevated position and joined Addison, moving together toward the forefront of the formation "From the right turn up the volume now" Lacey positioned herself next to Aurelia, while Stacey stood by Addison's side
"We wanna lift you high, you'll never feel the ground. We'll get you up, we'll never stop. This is our hometown" The four girls walked backwards as Jacey and the fellow cheerleader walked forward, the six crossing paths. With their right hands raised to their ears, they mimicked the action of listening intently. Simultaneously, the flyers extended their right legs upward, skillfully balanced by the boys beneath them, who held them steady by a single foot
"We are the mighty shrimp, we wanna hear you shout" They all pointed to the left "From the left" Then pointed to the right "and from the right turn up the volume now" Jacey and the girl he was doing flips with did an round off back handspring back tuck as both Addison and Aurelia ran off to the back. Addison went to Bonzo right where he was in the middle and Aurelia went to the flyers. Bonzo lifted Addison by the waist as they did a singular spin as the Bases lift Aurelia to the air as she does a twisting cradle. The bases catches her safely
"We are the mighty shrimp. It's time to show you now. We got the stuff to light you up, it's getting hotter now" Stacey and Lacey got on one knee as Bonzo lifted Addison, her feet now on top of the two girls thighs now. Stacey and Lacey provided support by gripping Addison's knee, while Bonzo secured her at the waist to ensure her balance and steadiness
Jacey and the girl did a final cartwheel landing on one knee in front of Bree who also got on both her knees in front of Addison. Aurelia got lifted by the bases once again. The guy under her holding her up by holding in g both of her foot. Every cheerleader held up their fist to the sky
"We're getting hotter now, it's getting hotter now!" The football players cheered for them. Aurelia jumped down by the help of the person who held her high up. She gave him a thank you before follow behind the others as they met up with Zed and the Coach
"You guys, tonight is our last chance to cheer at a Seabrook football game" Bree exclaimed with Bonzo's arm wrapped around her shoulders. The Aceys nodded, their expressions a blend of melancholy and contentment. Bonzo communicated in Zombie tongue as he gazed at Zed "I know. I wish we could be cheerleaders forever too" Bree responded, her expression turning contemplative. Suddenly, her mouth fell open as an idea struck her "Maybe we should flunk science so high school never ends" she suggested with a mix of excitement and playfulness
"Um..." Lacey hummed, her eyebrows furrowing slightly in puzzlement along with the other two Aceys. Aurelia squinted her eyes at the idea, tilting her head "Nah, we just have too much chemistry" Bree shook her head, her gaze shifting up to Bonzo and hugged him affectionately with a giggle
"We are so gonna win tonight" Coach exclaimed with animated enthusiasm, stomping his right foot. Zed's gaze shifted toward Addison, a meaningful look passing between them. "And when we do," he began
"We'll be together forever," Addison finished, holding her hands behind her back swinging side to side with a radiant smile on her face. Zed let out a contented sigh, his smile directed at his white-haired girlfriend, Bree awed at the two placing her hand flat on her chest
Zed turns to the others, "When I saw Sea, you say Brook. Sea!"
"Brook!" Everyone changed in unison
"Sea!"
"Brook!"
(A little short chapter before I can actually start writing the actual chapter 😭🙏🏼(I haven't written since 😦))