Heartstrings

Chapter 23: The Three Fates

Emma's Perspective

By now, Lucía and I had gotten used to watching the games together from the visitor's side of the stadium. But this time, when we handed our tickets in to the ticket office and walked through the gate, I was immediately bombarded by a group of girls.

- Emma! Hey! How about that pep rally? Crazy, right? Are you and Jake like dating?

- How long have you guys been together? Isn't it weird that he didn't want to kiss you?

- I don't think I've ever told you this, but you're so pretty.

I probably looked like a deer in headlights as I stood there, frozen before the three girls. Lucía must've noticed, and put a comforting and protective hand on my shoulder.

Kayla Van Dyke, Nia Brown, and Taylor Robinson all surrounded me with eager expressions on their faces. They were all popular, known to party, and all lived in big houses at the country club, and this was the first time in five or six years they'd bothered to give me the time of day. I opened my mouth to speak, hoping I'd somehow be able to cover up the clear discomfort I felt-

- Oh uh... thanks. And yeah, it just sort of happened. He and I are dating. And no, I think it's weirder that the entire school was cheering to see him kiss anyone. 

Nia perked up at my answer-

- Can we sit with you? We wanna hear all about how you guys started dating.

Did they really just ask to sit with me? I gave Lucía a quick glance hoping she'd notice the subtle panic in my eyes.

- Well... I actually sit on the visitor's side every time. It's easier for Sam... and Jake to see me.

- Oh my god that is SO cute!!

- We don't mind, lead the way!

They were being so nice to me. It was completely throwing me off guard. It's not that they'd ever been outwardly rude to me, but they'd certainly always been dismissive and even a little condescending. I swallowed my gut instincts to weasel my way out of the situation, though, and led them to my usual spot on the visitor's side.

We all sat down as the other team began stretching. Kayla pointed to one of the players -

- Do you see that guy? Number six. He's the other team's quarterback and holy shit he's hot. I heard he's already signed to go play Auburn football.

Nia pulled up his instagram account-

- Oh my god, he is hot.

She showed his account to the other girls who all gawked and squealed at his profile.

- His name is Ramsey.

She finally showed him to me. He was handsome, but I almost chuckled - he was certainly no Jake. I raised my eyebrows, though, to politely agree with them.

- Wow.

- I know.

Nia snickered -

- Ramseyyyy... I tell you what, he can ram me anytime.

- Oh my god, Nia shut the fuck up.

Kayla and Taylor laughed at her and even Lucía and I chuckled along. Finally, Kayla turned to me-

- So Emma, do you know where Jake is planning on going to school next year?

Nia chimed in, too -

- Yeah I heard everyone wants him - Bama, Florida, Georgia? He could go pro. He's so good.