Chasing You

36

LACEY

The game is tense. I don't think I have stopped holding Julie's hand this whole time. There have been a few times where Duke and UNC have gone at each other but nothing too intense. Yet. The score has gone back and forth all game, we are currently up by three but Duke has the ball. For the most part, I have no idea what is going on throughout the game. I understand the three points, two points, and some fouls but above that I got nothing. Carter is usually the one who explains most of it to us but she has been silent. I know she is worried because she isn't talking. Honestly, I don't think she has moved.

Our whole row has been silent from the stress.

In all honesty, I have been trying to think of just about anything else other than this game. It has been helping but things have been getting more heated the closer we get to halftime. Julie clamps her free hand across her eyes as Sanders steps up to a Duke player. Everything and everyone is tense. The rest of the fans behind us are blissfully unaware of the events that have happened prior to the game and last year.

Well, they know of the events but they didn't have to live through it. I honestly have no idea why I didn't just choose Braden. Just took the chance and chased him. I wanted to. I knew I should but I didn't and I regret that every day. I should have been there the whole time. I shake my head from the thoughts because I can't take it back. Braden can't take back what he did either.

"I hate it, I hate it," Carter says, shaking her head. I glance at the game clock and there is only five seconds to go in the first half. "I need french fries and I need them now."

"Can you calm down?" Tori says to Carter. Carter shoots her a glare but I can tell Tori is just as worried as the rest of us even if she won't say it.

"Me calm down, you calm down," Carter fires back at her.

"I am calm!" Tori says.

"You both look calm right," Q comments from the otherside of them. They both snap their heads in his direction and glare. He puts his hands up in defense as the buzzer sounds signaling halftime.

"I'm getting food, does anyone need anything?" Carter asks. I glance back down at the court and see the boys heading straight for the locker room.

"I'll come with you," I tell her. She signals for me to come as she steps off of the bleacher. Everyone around us is sitting down to watch the halftime show, which is the dance team this time or else we would have stayed to watch Rae. Carter and I head towards the aisle.

"Car!"

Carter turns around and Asher is standing at the bottom of the tunnel looking at her expectantly. She takes off towards Asher. I tuck my hands into my pockets and watch the two of them interact in front of me. Asher looks tense. Carter gives him a quick peck on the lips as Coach claps a hand on his back.

"C'mon you lovesick puppy," Coach says, dragging Asher away. He rolls his eyes but follows Coach into the locker room. I let out a laugh as Carter heads back up the few steps towards me. She looks less worried than she did before. I intertwine my arm through hers as we head up the stairs.

"He told me to stop making this face," Carter laughs. I join her because I know exactly what she's talking about. "He also told me to tell you that Braden told you to stop making a face."

I turn to her with my mouth open in protest, "I do not make a face."

Carter laughs, shaking her head, "Uh yes you do."

"Whatever. We are all worried," Carter sighs. We walk to the closest concession stand and wait in line. Carter and I talk among ourselves as we wait in line for the fries.