Grace.

Chapter 39.

It had been a week. Edgar and I still hadn't spoken about what happened. He called me a bunch of times and even texted, but I didn't answer any of those. In fact, I even went as far as not even mentioning his name. I spent most of my time with Ethan. I was tutoring him. We'd become so close it worried me, for many obvious reasons. Gloria seemed to be fine. Her and I were talking like usual. I told her everything, all of it. How I wasn't talking to Edgar and how I was focusing on school and looking forward to Homecoming.
I even invited Ethan over for dinner the other day to meet my family.
Of course all of this made Gloria happy. Edgar hadn't won this time and she made sure that he wouldn't. She constantly reminded me how much of an asshole he is and how I deserved better than him. She had also finally decided to tell me the whole truth about her depression and how he was a part of it.
All of this had changed the way in which I saw Edgar. It wasn't in the same light anymore but I still felt the same way about him. Even with all that was happening, I still kinda missed him.
The day of the Homecoming game had finally arrived. Everyone was so excited. The players were ready and all preparations had been put up. It was also the day we got to know who our Homecoming King and Queen were.
As soon as the bell rang, everyone rushed out to get home. Most probably got home and took a nap to be up and fresh for the night.
I headed over to Ethan who was packing his bag, and I hugged his waist from behind.
"Hey," I greeted, cheerfully.
"Hey, Buttercup," he turned, as he threw his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in for a hug.
"How are you? Are you ready?" I checked.
"My stomach feels funny, like there's nothing in it."
"You're nervous."
"Very nervous," he admitted.
"Don't worry, you got this. If you let the nerves take control, you'll lose focus. You gotta be confident. Show them what you're made of."
"You're going to be there, right?"
"I'm going home to freshen up right now and after you've won, we could go hangout," I suggested.
"Won? You've got too much faith in me. We could go to Joe's. On me."
"Joe's it is then."
One of the team members poked his head through the door and called out Ethan's name. He grabbed his bag and quickly gave me a kiss on the forehead. "I've gotta go, Buttercup," he explained.
"All the best. Remember, you've got this."
When school's out, people usually linger around for a while, but that day everyone went straight home. No one wanted to miss the game and the court. Our school announced Homecoming King and Queen on the day of the big game, which is a day before the dance. Yep. We did things a little differently there in Springfield High. Our principal was Davis, so there's that.
When I arrived home, I went through my closet to check for an outfit to wear. Being crowned Homecoming Queen was the last thing on my mind. I was more worried about Chad and his big night. I was really hoping he does well and the sponsors like him. I pulled out the mini, solid tube, red leather, bodycon dress I bought with my mom at the mall. Holding it out in front of me, I grinned.
After taking a rather long shower, I stepped out to get dressed. I brushed my bangs away from my face, styling my hair into a middle part. I also quickly did my nails. After getting dressed I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked good, smelled good and felt good. Even with all of that, my mind still drifted back to Edgar.
I hadn't forgotten him. He'd been trying to get a hold of me everyday. Ignoring him wasn't something I wanted to do. I knew that talking to him wouldn't end well and that's what I was afraid of. Another part kept telling me how I should've just continued staying away from him.
I finished off doing what I was doing and drove over to go pick Mimi up.
When I got to her place, her head spun at seeing me. Maybe I overdid it?
"Whoa! You- what- wow!" She marveled.
I gave a soft chuckle, "Thanks."
We zoomed away into the road and down to school. When we got there almost everyone was already there. Even the guys had arrived. We left my car and moved to Caleb's van. They were all standing there sharing a joint; laughing and chatting away. When they saw me, Lucy was the first to compliment.
"Now that's the bitch I know and love!!" She cheered.
"Ho-ly cow!" The boys exclaimed.
In my heels, I strutted towards them, so confidently. I gave everyone a hug and thanked them for the compliments. We took a few pictures before I left them to go look for Ethan. I found him waiting outside the boys locker room. At seeing me, he froze.
"Buttercup? Wow. Wow! I did tell you how important it is for me to keep my head in the game, right? You know I've got to keep my eye on the ball." He stepped closer to me, biting his bottom lip. With one arm around my waist, he pulled me in closer to him.
"I just came to see how you're feeling," I blushed.
"You look so beautiful. You're checking up on me, encouraging me - I feel so, so much better. I'll be thinking about this, out there in the field."
"I told you, you'll be fine and you'll be great."
The Coach could be heard from inside the locker room shouting for all the boys to gather around. Ethan lifted me up into a warm, tight hug before running back into the locker room. He stopped at the door and spun around: "You got this too, Homecoming Queen."
After about half an hour the game began! Everyone was gathered on the bleachers singing and dancing as the cheerleaders performed.
Brooke looked so great! I was happy she continued even after what happened. In a short while the players ran out. The crowd roared with excitement.
I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. Next to me was Naomi. I held her hand, giving it a squeeze when I saw Ethan. "You got this," I whispered.
The screams from the crowd heightened my anxiety. Our school had the ball and they were running to the touchline. He dodged a few players but got tackled a few feet away from the goal line.
"Ooooowwwww!!" The crowd cried.
Naomi took that opportunity to have a quick chat with me, now that I was there and it was just us two.
"You look really great tonight, ready to be crowned Homecoming Queen?"
"Thanks, Mimi. I'm not betting on it."
"Quit playing. I don't see any other girl worthy of it besides you."
I smiled, squeezing her hand tighter.
"So...you and Ethan, huh?"
"No, please don't. We're friends."
"I'm sorry but you two seem really close and-"
"Mimi, I've had the worst week of my life, okay? The worst. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time and Ethan is a really cool guy. He's a jerk to those who don't know him, not that I do but, I really enjoy his company and I know you're asking because of Edgar and he's your brother and-"
"All I'm asking is that you talk to him, Grace. Please. He's literally losing his mind," she pleaded.
"I don't know..."
"Please?"
She could see the worry in my eyes, I think I was about to cry. She pulled me into a hug which didn't last long because again, the crowd roared. Our school had scored! We all jumped up and down, screaming.
After a few minutes, the game went into halftime. The other school was leading with two points. The cheerleaders had come forward and were performing their routine. "Go Bebe! I love you, babe!" Caleb yelled from the crowd. I could see Brooke smile. The rest of the school shouted out Bebe's name as well and applauded. "Yeah!" Caleb shouted. We clapped our hands as well: "Wooo!"
Just then, from across the field, Miss Davis spoke. She was standing on a small stage that had been set up on the field along side other teachers.
"Students! The most anticipated night of the year has finally arrived! We've made it into another year, Springfield. I look forward to this year, although some have started it off on the wrong foot, I still do have hope that it'll be better. To the new students, welcome. And to my Seniors, well done for making it this far. I know you will all knock this year out of the park! I know it! You are a strong, smart, talented bunch of kids. Amazing, just amazing! Now before time runs out, the moment has arrived. The moment we've all been waiting for! Do you guys want to know who our Homecoming King and Queen are?!"
The crowd roared!
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this year's Homecoming King is none other than..."
"Austin! Austin! Austin! Austin! Austin!" The crowd shouted.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Mimi panic.
"Put your hands together for your Homecoming King: Austin Jones!!!"
He got up from his chair and made his way down the stairs. A few boys slapped his shoulders as they cheered in excitement. They surrounded him and walked him to the stage across the field. When he got there, Principal Davis crowned him.
"Okay, quickly! Time is almost up. Our Homecoming Queen, ladies and gentlemen. Put your hands together for-"
"Gracie! Gracie! Gracie! Gracie!" They chanted.
I was not expecting that!
"Our very own, Miss Grace Hills!"
My friends as well as everyone else screamed! I made my way past Naomi and down the stairs with a huge smile on my face. Halfway to the stage, I saw a player running towards me. It was Ethan! He swept me off my feet and ran with me to the stage. He gently put me down and Principal Davis crowned me. The screams in the crowd were insane! The energy that night was just so insane! I thought I was going to go deaf.
We took pictures and I and Austin hugged. As he hugged me, he whispered into my ear: "Congrats. I voted for you," he revealed.
I backed up a bit to look him in the eyes, "Really?!"
He chuckled, "Yeah."
"I did too!"
Ethan came forth and cut the conversation short. "Buttercup! I knew it! See? I knew it!" He lifted me up and spun me around.
"You did! Now it's your turn to go get what's yours. It's our night," I encouraged.
"Our weekend," he smiled.
He gave a firm nod and then put me down. Austin and I looped arms and went back to join the roaring crowd.
Halftime was over and the game was about to start again. Ethan looked more confident than he did before. When I finally got to the others,  they all smothered me with hugs.
"Our sexy Queen!" Lucy grinned.
Naomi stepped forward and gave me a ton of kisses, all over my face! "You're going to drop my crown!" I laughed.
Josh followed and hugged me with a soft peck on my cheek. "Grace times fifty worked! Drinks and food on me after the game!" He announced.
We cheered.
The game was nearing to an end and Ethan was on a role. He'd scored two goals already and we were now leading with three points. Everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats. It was do or die. The boys were tired but they weren't giving up. The cheer squad was cheering. You could tell by the actions of some people in the crowd that they wished they were the ones on the field. Everyone was just so tense. I don't think any of us was breathing.
"You got this boys!" Caleb cheered, clapping for them.
Pressure from both schools was high. I had even removed my heels! I'd never been in such a situation before. I'd never felt the way I was feeling at that moment. I was a mixture of scared and excited. If only I could control that ball with my mind! I turned to face Mimi with a very nervous look on my face. "He's doing his best. I can't watch, Mimi! I can't watch this!" I cried. The screams from the crowd weren't making the situation any better.
Two minutes left! The other school had the ball. They were running to the touchline. Luke came running in and tackled the brains out of the other boy. "Ow!" We shouted. Our school quickly picked the ball and ran to the other end. They strategically passed the ball to each other, avoiding any contact from the other school. It was like a battlefield! Forty seconds left!
Ethan ran straight to the teams other end and called on to his team member to throw the ball at him. It was a long shot. A very long shot. He wasn't going to make it! The ball wasn't going to make it! When the ball was in the air, we gasped. I closed my eyes. I couldn't watch!
Ethan managed to catch the ball and before he could touchdown he was tackled. He quickly clutched on it tightly with both his arms. They tried to pull it from under him but before they knew it, the time was up.

We won!!!