spaces between us (grayson Dolan)

ch.23 rivals

Tessa (POV)

It was 5:30 and the game was about to start. Kylie still wasn't here yet. I sat on the cold metal bleachers waiting for her to show up. She had excitedly agreed to come see her boyfriend play in probably one of the biggest games of the season. They were taking on the Summit High School Panthers. Our rival school. Practically the only competition around, so I've heard. It was now 5:45. The game would start in 5 minutes. Where the heck was Kylie? Suddenly, I saw her blue eyes meet mine, in the crowd as she made her way to our seats.

"Hey! So sorry, my mom made me drop Meghan off at her friend Kenny's house."
(Yes, as in Kenny Holland😍)
"That's ok. the game is just starting." I replied with a smile as the players walked out onto the field. Nick searched the crowd in hope to find his family. Kylie and I stepped up on the bleachers and waved our arms in the air. Nick caught sight of us and started grinning from ear to ear. His face had looked of utter shock yet pure happiness. The reff blew the whistle signaling the start of the game. Kylie and I sat down and the game began.

This game was so intense. The score kept going back and forth between the teams. So far it was tied 4-4 in the bottom of the first half. there was 5 more seconds in the game until the whistle was blown signaling the start of halftime. Both teams went back to the benches and got some water while going over techniques. I took the time as an opportunity to use the bathroom.

On my way back from the bathroom, I spotted Meghan and Kenny walking in. I caught up to them.
"Hey guys."
"Hi Tess." Meghan said.
"I thought you guys were going to see a movie?" I asked them.
"Yeah we were but there weren't any good ones out, so we just decided to come watch the game." Kenny said in response.
I led them back to our seats where they were greeted by Kylie.
Halftime ended and the players came back on the field. Our team had the ball first and within the first 30 seconds we had already scored. The crowd went crazy! Everybody jumped up and screamed, amazed at what just happened.
"GOAL BY LINDEN HIGH SENIOR, MARK SMITH. BRINGING THE SCORE TO 5-4!" the announcer boomed throughout the field.
Eventually we settled down and the game was back in play.

The second half was passing quickly and the score was still tied. This time 6-6. The ball kept going back and forth. Every time we would get close to scoring, the other team would kick it away and we would be stuck at our end of the field again. It was coming down to the last few minutes of the game. Nick had the ball and was dribbling it towards our opponents' end of the field. But all of a sudden, some guy came out of nowhere and slide tackled Nick, causing him to fall backwards and land hard on his back. Everyone was silent. Nick laid there, utterly still. His eyes shut tight. Medics ran onto the field to come and inspect Nick. Kylie nervous, grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight. I think she stopped breathing. The medics helped Nick sit up and wrapped up his ankle that had been kicked while being slide tackled. Apparently the wind had gotten knocked out of him but he was fine now. They gave him some water and walked off the field. The reff was having a nice long talk with the player that had tripped Nick, which ended in him getting kicked out of the game with a red card.
Nick was allowed to shoot a penalty kick. He lined up the ball, positioned himself, took a running start, and BAM.
He kicked the ball high into the air. Time stood still and what happened in seconds, felt like minutes. The crowd erupted in cheers as the ball soared into the net! The whole team charged the field and tackled Nick in a huge dog pile full of sweaty boys. The two teams shook hands and the guy who tripped Nick shook his hand and they did that weird bro-hug thing. As soon as they were done, the crowd stormed the field. I ran up to Nick and gave him the biggest hug.
"I'm so sorry Nick, for everything. I love you and I'm so proud of you!" I said still hugging him.
"Tessa, it's fine. Let's just forget about it okay. Thanks for coming to watch." Nick said letting go of me.
Kylie came running and jumped into Nick's arms. He caught her as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. He spun her around in circles while they both laughed. They laughed together together while staring into each other's eyes.

Both of them leaned in and their lips connected, ending in a sweet kiss. He let her down and they both beamed at each other.
"I didn't know you were coming." Nick said.
"Are you kidding? There is no way I would miss your big game!" she smiled.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.
"Because, Tessa invited me and it was supposed to be a surprise."
Kylie said with a "matter-of-fact" tone.
Nick looked over at me and gave me a thankful look. I nodded my head in return and Kenny, Meghan, and I left the two alone to have some time to themselves.