Ch. 5

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***

I watched him drive off, but not for long before I turned and walked into the stadium. I've been here a few times before, with my parents who wanted to watch football games when I was younger and once freshman year. 14 year old me so desperately wanted to fit in but I ended up spending that Friday night crying underneath the stands because one of the boys in my grade had asked me out because of the dare. I grimaced at the memory.

Now as a senior I was forced into coming by my cheerleader friend, who was waving at me to come in. The game had just started. I watched the players run around and tackle each other for three seconds before the game paused for thirty, and then the cycle repeated. Football I could grasp the general concept of but I didn't live and breathe it the way everyone else seemed to.

I sat in the back, not in the student section. I know that was against Jaime's wishes, but I couldn't express how dumb I felt standing alone in the student section while they all cheered to their heart's content. Even when amongst all the others I still obviously was an outsider.

She looked incredibly happy up there. Of course, that was her job, but still. Jaime was always a positive and uppity person. Even when her dad died, and she had the whole town wanted her to cry and be their perfect tragedy, she was positive. She did cry, because that's a horrible thing to go through at nine years old. I remember holding her as she did so while she stayed a few weeks at my house until her mother could get everything in order. I don't mind small towns, in all honesty. I wouldn't mind a close-knit friendship with everyone in the town, I just don't like that all eyes are on you at all times. Everyone knows everything, good or bad. So, people notice when I don't go to church, and they notice the bags under my eyes, and the talk of therapy whips around town faster than lightning.

Cheering brought me out of my daze, as one of the guys in my grade sprinted across the field with the football in his hands, making a clear dash towards the end zone. He had scored a touchdown, sending our side of the stadium into a frenzy. Even I found myself smiling a little. His name was Nick, and he was fairly kind. We used to be something close to friends in our freshman year, but we drifted apart as people do. There was nothing to be bitter about; it just happens.

Surprisingly, halftime came quick and Jaime practically sprinted from her cheer team and came to sit by me as the band prepared for their performance.

"I can't believe you're here!" She squealed.

"Believe me, I can't either."

Happily, she took a seat beside me, "You're not sitting with everyone else, though."

"I don't talk to anyone else."

She rolled her eyes, which were accentuated by glitter and makeup, "Oh, come on. You're a lot more likeable than you think."

I scoffed, "What makes you say that?"

Unable to control her excitement and giddiness as usual, she smiled wider than I thought possible, "Guess who was overheard saying your name?"

"Who?"

"Nick!"

"Nick Healo? Why?"

She shrugged, then let out an excited squeal, "Maybe he wants to ask you to homecoming?"

I rolled my eyes, "Well, he and everyone else knows that's a no." Our homecoming was in December , while most schools have it in the fall. I have no idea why exactly, but I think dancing may have actually been outlawed at some point in our towns history. Maybe Techno was right - this was Footloose after all.

"Oh, come on, you have to go. You only went freshman year and I need you there for senior year. It's the last one!"

"You got me to a football game, don't push your luck."

"Speaking of, how did your dad react when you asked him? He must've been ecstatic to see you socializing."

I was hoping I wouldn't have to mention it, but there's no point in hiding it, "Oh, Techno actually dropped me off."

"You mean the guy I told you to stay away from?"

"Yeah, that's the one."

Jaime sighed, "Do you just take everything I say and do the opposite?"

"I aim to disappoint."

Before she could respond, a whistle sounded and the football players ran back onto the field, signaling halftime was over and it was time for Jaime to return to her cheerleading post.

"Okay, I'll see you later. Don't go too crazy while I'm gone." She laughed.

I gave her an exaggerated cheesy smile back, "i would never."

***

stupid | technoblade x ocWhere stories live. Discover now