“Geez, it’s crowded,” Carson stared wide-eyed at the crowd of people surrounding our football field.
“It’s the last game of the season,” I told him, but was just as shocked. “Hey, there’s the spots Jesse saved for us,” I pointed to a big sign that said ‘For Annie and Carson’ that sat on a spot on the bleachers.
“Really?” Carson asked sarcastically, as I grabbed his hand and pulled him through the mass of people, repeatedly saying ‘sorry, excuse me, sorry’.
Before I knew it the game started and a bunch of players in uniform appeared, and then our schools colors came out and ran onto the field as the crowd went berserk, standing and screaming as music played loudly. I looked around trying to pick Jesse out from the players but they all had the same helmet and uniforms and I couldn’t figure it out.
“Jesse’s number five,” Carson said into my ear, obviously knowing what I was looking for. I nodded as I spotted him, crouched down with his team in a huddle. They yelled ‘BREAK’ and then they got into a line.
After that I lost what was happening. I had never been into sports… so all I knew was that when the crowd went crazy, we had scored. Carson tried to explain everything to me, talking about ‘downs’ and ‘yards’ and ‘quarterbacks’ but eventually he just gave up and told me what the score was every once in a while.
Finally, when I looked up the clock was counting down seconds and the crowd was going crazy as Jesse took the ball and started running down the field, dodging players left and right. Other members of our team jumped on people, trying to protect him and he was making good distance down the field. When out of nowhere a guy from the other team took him out just before the end zone. The crowed groaned in unison as the final buzzer went. Then a voice came over the speakers announcing that Riverview High had won, and the crowd erupted into cheers again.
“But he got tackled,” I said to Carson, confused.
“We were already winning,” he explained. “Getting another touchdown would’ve only made the gap between scores wider.”
“Oh,” I nodded, and then started cheering with the rest of the crowd. A shark, our school’s mascot, ran out into the field and started jumping on all the players as they knocked helmets together and went into a massive group hug.
Carson and I hung around until most of the crowd had dispersed. Jesse was probably showering in the locker room and I wanted to tell him good job, even though I had no idea what was going on. Eventually the guys came from the change room, moisture dripping off their hair and faces, thankfully from the shower and not from sweat.
“Hey! Jesse!” I yelled when I caught sight of him stepping out of the change room. He saw us and made his way over to us, giving his team some high fives on the way by.
“Hey Annie, Carson,” he grinned, I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around him.
“Way to go! You guys won!” I told him excitedly as I pulled away.
“Really? I didn’t know,” he teased, ruffling my hair the way Carson always did. After a beat of silence I looked over at Carson who hadn’t said anything yet.
We made eye contact and then he seemed to realize what I was looking at him for, “Yeah, good job.” When I lifted my eyebrows again, he added, “Nice play at the end there… you were so close.”
“Thanks man,” Jesse smiled at him, but his eyes were hard. He was probably a little touchy about not getting a touchdown, manliness and all that. “So, Annie,” he turned to me. “There’s a victory after-party tonight. Do you want to go?”
“Definitely!” I said excitedly, but then I remembered, “Oh, but sorry, I already have plans.”
Jesse’s face fell the slightest bit, “I understand.”
“Maybe next time?” I tried.
“Annie, that was the last game of the season,” he laughed.
“Right,” I grimaced. “Sorry…”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you guys later,” he nodded to Carson and started heading off towards where he must have parked. I told Carson I’d meet him at the car and then jogged after Jesse, stopping him.
“Jesse, I did want to go to the party with you, you know,” I assured him. It made me upset to see him sad and I wanted to make him feel better somehow.
“I know, Annie. It’s okay, really.” He glanced over my shoulder, “Where’s Carson?”
“I told him I’d meet him at the car, I just had to talk to you. You looked sad.”
“I’m fine,” he promised me. “But I am a little sad. I was planning on hanging out with you tonight.”
“Maybe we could do something else?” I suggested, trying to make him smile.
“That sounds good,” he nodded.
“Okay well, call me or something and we can set something up!”
He grinned at my enthusiasm, “Alright Annie… geez, you’re too cute.”
“I uh… oh,” I swallowed.
He smiled again and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, “Have a good night,” he told me quietly, slowly leaning in. I sucked in a breath as his lips pressed against my cheek. As soon as he stepped back I quickly tried to recompose myself.
“Thanks, see ya!” I grinned and then turned and ran away.
Way to be, Annie.
I arrived at Carson’s truck probably looking as though I just ran a marathon. “Ready?” he asked, giving me a half smile.
“Yes!” I beamed at him. I was on cloud nine. Jesse just kissed me! Okay, well it was on the cheek but still!!
I basically bounced in my seat all the way until we got to Carson’s house, and then I remembered my Loser Lesson plan and got even more excited. I jumped out of the truck as soon as he parked and grabbed the bag of supplies I had packed earlier out of the backseat.
“Race you inside!” I shouted, dashing up the sidewalk before Carson even had a chance. I don’t think he heard me though, because when I reached the door and looked back at him, Carson was staring at his feet and just walking up the sidewalk. “Hey,” I said to him when he eventually reached me, “Are you okay?”
He lifted his head quickly and sent me a smile that looked a little forced, “Me? Yeah, I’m good. Let’s see what your little noggin planned for us tonight.” He reached his hand up to ruffle my hair, but then slowly lowered it, instead reaching for the doorknob and stepping into his house.
It seemed like Carson needed a good pick-me-up, good thing I planned a super awesome Loser Lesson.
A/N: Sorry about the short chapter guys...
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Loser Lessons
فكاهةWhat's it like to be a loser? Annalise Fitzgerald has no idea...that's why she needs lessons. She's used to being the most popular girl in school, but when she has to go to a new school where she isn't cool anymore, she doesn't know what to do. With...
