Crestfallen

33: Crestfallen

Friday rolled around incredibly quickly. I still saw the boys on a regular basis and James and I started to get a little closer, but Liam was still avoiding me like the plague and I was getting tired of it real quick. Jeremy also seemed a little nervous around me and didn't interact with me as much as he usually did, but hopefully this football game date would change that.

I actually found myself getting a little excited.

Well, not as excited as Macy was when she'd found out. I snickered at the memory.

"Jeremy Storm? The asshole who disrespects you every chance he gets and makes you feel like shit?" she said for the second time and I winced.

"He's trying to be nicer..." I defended weakly. She huffed.

"Fine, but I'll threaten him again if he hurts you. Better yet, I'll follow through on the last threat and make him really regret it."

I smiled.

Once I got to my locker, I dropped off my books and headed to the football field. After school, I had gone to Mr Labonte for some help with math even though I'm pretty sure he hates me. He was actually pretty good at helping me despite how poorly he usually teaches. Thankfully, he had finished just in time for the football game.

I had invited Macy to come and watch the football game with me but she insisted on giving me alone time with Jeremy, despite him being on the field for the entire game. Once I arrived at the football field, I was surprised to see Jeremy waiting for me at the entrance. I was even more surprised to see how attractive he was in his equipment and jersey. Since when are their pants so tight?

He was holding his helmet under his arm and I took a moment to admire his form before he finally noticed me. His green eyes lit up and the firm set of his jaw shifted when he smiled. I also noticed that his hair was perfectly styled, as per usual. "Hey, Casey!" he called out with a bright smile. I smiled back, walking over to him. "I have something for you if you'll have it..." he added shyly. Again, he's been oddly shy this week and it was kind of unsettling.

I quirked an interested eyebrow as he pulled a letterman jacket that I hadn't noticed out of his helmet. "Wear it? During the game, I mean." I noticed a small blush rising to his cheeks and my smile grew.

"Of course," I responded, grabbing the jacket from his hands and putting it on. It was about three sizes too big for me and I was about to comment on it but the huge smile on Jeremy's face made the words disappear from my lips. His green eyes were glinting in a way that was usually reserved for malice but this time it was pure excitement. He didn't say anything though, he just smiled and grabbed my hand.

"Oh, are we onto hand holding privileges now?" I inquired teasingly though my fingers were tingling where his skin touched mine. He's so warm...

"Are you objecting?" he responded teasingly, finally some of his confidence returning to him. There's some of the Jeremy I know. I shook my head with a small smile.

Once we got to the entrance of the locker rooms, Jeremy kissed my hand and disappeared behind the door, leaving me alone in the hall with a goofy grin on my face.

I made my way to the stands but I was blocked by a group of cheerleaders. For a moment, I was scared, but then I realized they were painting numbers and colours onto the faces of students.

"Hey, you want one?" a girl I had never met before asked me. She wore a cheerleading outfit and I was a little skeptical of her since most cheerleaders at our school are bitches, but I decided to give it a shot.

"Sure," I responded with a small, friendly smile on my face. She led me to a chair behind the other cheerleaders and pulled out her kit of blue and black face make-up.