If Not For Her

Chapter 29. The match

The next day Annabeth woke up feeling warm, it was around 6, she opened her eyes to see her lying on Emmalyn's chest, their legs a tangled mess, her arms wrapped around her stomach while Emmalyn's arm rested on her shoulder. Shit, she slowly tried to detangle herself but she would be lying if she said, it didn't feel good. She decided to give up and stay like that for some time.

She felt Emmalyn stirring and she didn't want her to see them like that. She removed herself from her. Emmalyn sat up, looking at her, "hi," she said in a groggy voice. "Hey," Annabeth said, plopping herself on her elbows. Emmalyn got off the bed and tied it in a bun. She looked outside, " the weather is fine, I should leave," she said. "Stay for breakfast," Annabeth said. "I would love to but I really need to get home" she walked down the stairs.

"You are leaving?" Her mother asked making breakfast. A smell of coffee and pancakes hit her as she smiled dreamily, thinking of the golden pancakes, dazzled with chocolate syrup and whip cream, "yes, and thank you for letting me stay." She heard Emmalyn say. "You are welcome to visit anytime," she said. Emmalyn smiled as Alex said coming downstairs "bye, Emma" "bye, Alex" she said closing the door behind her.

Annabeth looked at her brother, since when were they friends, she sat beside him as her mother served her pancakes that their father decorated. He was good at decorating food rather than making them. She sliced one slice as she saw her father admiring her mother as she hummed a tune of her favorite movie. Even after years, they were still in love, and Annabeth craved for that. The forever kind of love.

"Did you plan your grand gesture?" Annabeth asked. "Don't mock, it is a good idea and I have got something planned," he said. Annabeth nodded, "good," she said her mouth full of pancakes. She sipped her coffee as Alex faced her. He glanced at their parents as he put his rarely worn round glasses on the table. "I need your help," he said. "You know I would always help you," she said. "Just make sure she comes to the game the rest I will handle "

"Kids, get ready you are going to be late for the game," their father said. Alex nodded and came downstairs wearing his Jersey. Dad hugged him and Mum told her good luck. Annabeth wore the school colors on her wrist and drew 1, his jersey number on her wrist, she had been doing it since he started playing, he used to say it was his good luck charm.

"Excited?" She asked him when they were alone in the car. "Nervous," he said, starting the car, she didn't know if it was because of the game or the girl, but she didn't ask. As soon as they reached school Alex was swept by the rest of the team. Annabeth walked towards the basketball court, half of the school was probably there and half of them were probably fawning over the players from their school team as well as the opposite team.

She was on her way when she was pulled into a deserted corridor by someone, she felt a soft hand behind her head and another hand near her face resting on the wall, "I am so sorry, are you hurt?" Nick asked, she looked at him and let out a breath of relief. "It's you" "I didn't mean to, I" he looked at the passage, "wanted to see you before the game," he said. Her heart warmed up as she hugged him, "good luck, you are going to be great" she pulled out and saw his jersey number 4.

They heard footsteps and parted as Christina appeared at the other end of the passage with Emmalyn in her cheer uniform. Nick waved at her and passed them. She walked up to them in small jumps. "Are you two together?" Chris asked. "Not yet, but soon," she said, beaming. She looked at Emmalyn as she said, "let's go we will be late" Annabeth looped her arm around Christina's. "I have to wait for Sof, see you later" Annabeth saw Emmalyn walk away. Annabeth tugged her arm, "can we skip?" Chris asked.

"Absolutely not, you can't let him decide where you go," she said pulling her towards the court. It was just ten minutes before the game started, she hoped Alex did something.