The Butterfly Effect

Chapter 7

Kirsten watched Joey approaching his rival's hoop then he gave a signal to his teammate to pass the ball to him. When he got the ball in his hands, he ran then hopped, trying to shoot the ball into the net. The supporters held their breaths as the ball looped around the rim, but unfortunately it bounced out of the basket. It dampened the spirits of the supporters and Kirsten groaned.

"Why can't Joey just make another score?" she asked, flounced.

Liam laughed. "It's not as easy as it looks, babe."

"But he could score a three-pointer in the first three minutes!"

He shrugged. "Well, at least his team is leading 42-40."

Kirsten stood up and shouted with full spirit, "Come on, Joey! Make another three-pointer!" After whooping and sitting back down, she eyed her boyfriend smiling at her. Amusement etched on his face. "Babe, why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, out of breath.

"I always love to see you being enthusiastic like this," Liam proclaimed.

Her cheeks pinkened and she just stroked her ponytail to hide it from him.

"Anyway, it's been a while since the last time I saw you in a ponytail." He touched her hair. "You look really cute today."

"Stop teasing me, babe," Kirsten fake-scowled as she pushed her boyfriend's arm softly and they both laughed.

Last night after their anniversary dinner had been amazing. The moment Liam's hotel room door closed behind them, he attacked her with passionate, lusty kisses like he couldn't hold it any longer. He whispered how back in the restaurant he had wanted so badly to drag her to the restroom, rip her dress open and push her hard against the wall.

The heat of his bare skin pressed to her after a long time missing him had felt like the first dose of caffeine in the morning that hit you awake and energized you through the day. His movements showed her how much he had longed for her touch after two months. The night transformed into dawn with their sweaty bodies writhing against each other, barely asleep. She was very thankful for Joey's advice earlier that night.

"I'm going to the restroom," Liam said after a moment, back to present. "Do you want something, babe?"

Kirsten loved how her caring boyfriend always knew if she needed something. "Sure, coffee would be perfect."

"Okay, babe. I'll be right back." He pecked her cheek then walked away.

The warmth at the spot Liam had just kissed coursed through her body and it made her smile. To be honest, coffee or anything else wouldn't be enough to keep her as warm as his presence right next to her. Kirsten's eyes followed the five-feet-ten figure of her boyfriend stepping down the stairs, but all of a sudden, she saw someone that caught her attention.

In the front row, there was a familiar curly guy and when he turned to a red-haired girl beside him, Kirsten could see his face. Just like she thought, it was Harley. The girl with him somehow rang a bell, but she couldn't remember where she had seen her before. She guessed his new girl was also a freshman like her.

After that, Kirsten scanned the opponent's bleachers. Other familiar faces, two girls talking excitedly to each other while watching the game, were seen there and it surprised her. She knew exactly who they were; it was Ashley and Jessica, Joey and Harley's neighbors. Kirsten couldn't believe Joey had finally asked Ashley to watch his game. But the next second, she was confused why the girls were sitting on Princeton's bleachers.

Kirsten startled when suddenly everyone stood up and started shouting "No!" and the opponent's bleachers cheering. Focusing herself back to the game, she saw the home team hugging each other with big smiles on their faces. She deduced that they had scored two points and turned the score draw 42-42.