The Perfect Dilemma

Night Blues

It's finally Friday and the boys are stuck on the field while I'm stuck in class.

I miss game day privileges.

I made Nicole the temporary head cheerleader while I'm away. She explained the routine for the game to me days ago even though I told her anything she picked would be great.

As usual , the match starts 5pm and luckily for me, the dance show starts 5:30 pm and is set to finish after the game.

Classes were boring as usual but even more so without the boys pestering me in some of the classes.

It's surprising how much I've gotten used to their jokes and their annoying boyish nature. Usually, I wouldn't be able to stand it but now I crave it even for a little bit.

Classes went by excruciatingly slow and when school was finally over, the entire dance team went straight to the auditorium to get ready for the show.

James and I put some finishing touches on the stage and even backstage. We glanced over how many tickets we ended up selling and as I expected it wasn't that much but it was good enough.

I still wonder who would put any event on the same day as the football game but what's done is done I guess.

Slowly, people began to take their seats, the earliest coming about 5pm, just when the match started.

I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to the group chat

Me: Good luck guys

I dropped my phone in my bag immediately after sending the text not bothering to check if there was a reply as I moved to change like the rest of the them were doing.

'Ready to dance your heart out?', I called once we were all dressed and the show was about to start.

I got a lot of enthusiastic replies from each one of them before I gave the signal to the sound and light crew so we could officially begin.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

'That was amazing guys. It was even better than what we rehearsed', I said once we were all backstage after our final bow.

I could still hear the light cheers from the audience mixed with the cheers from everyone backstage.

After a while we all dispersed and changed into our normal outfits getting ready to celebrate the show. They planned to celebrate together but I opted out not really in the mood for any outing.

I grabbed my bag and grabbed my phone heading straight home since the match ended a while ago.

Checking my phone, I saw a few messages, one from Jason on the group chat replying to my earlier message

Jason: Thanks

Then another one also from Jason

Jason: I'm sure I'd have better luck if you were here ;)

I made a little snort and texted him back

Me: How was the game?

I waited for a reply but was greeted with none so I quickly shoved the phone into my bag, assuming he was at the after party, and entered my car as I drove home.

As I drove into my driveway, I spotted a shadow perched on my doorstep.

Getting even closer I recognized it as a figure of a person. Slightly confused and a bit cautious, I got out of my car and headed towards the shadow getting close enough to finally recognize the figure.

It was Jason.

He was sitting on the steps, face buried between his knees completely motionless except for the rise and fall of his back showing he was at least breathing.

It looked like he was sleeping as I walked silently towards him but I was proven wrong when he suddenly spoke probably hearing me approach.

'I've been here ever since the game ended', he said answering my unspoken question without even moving.

Quietly, I sat down beside him, 'Are you okay?', I asked in a whisper wishing he wouldn't tell me what I think is the answer to that question, 'Aren't you supposed to be at a party or something?'

He didn't respond.

We sat in silence for almost five minutes before he finally spoke, 'We lost the match'.

'Was it that bad?', I winced

'The score was 80-3', he answered making me wince once more, his voice void of emotions still not moving.

'Where are Ty and Ash?', I said deciding to change the topic a little.

'They went home. I told them a loss isn't the end of the world', he said

'But you don't believe your own words?'

'This is the one thing I really love doing and losing that bad is just a huge blow', he said solemnly.

'You can't beat yourself up about it. It was one match, you'll do better in the next ones, you just have to keep practicing', I said trying to encourage him.

'You don't get it Soph. I was the reason we lost today'

'What do you mean?'

'I kept looking at the stands. I got distracted and lost the ball a couple of times. It was pathetic', his voice sounded strained.

'Who were you looking for? Didn't you leave Angel with a babysitter?Even when she insisted she didn't need one', I said the last part trying to lighten up the mood.

'I wasn't looking for Angel', he answered.

'Then who-'

'I was looking for you', he said finally raising his head to catch my eye.

I could finally see his face, his eyes were puffy and red and swirling inside was a mixture of pain, sadness, regret and... longing?

His stare alone made me rigid. I couldn't speak, couldn't move and before I knew it a stray tear involuntarily fell from my eyes before a slow stream followed after it.

I wasn't even sure why I was crying but my heart tightened at the sight of his face and his words were the breaking point.

His hands gently cupped my face as he used his thumbs to brush away the tears before slowly pulling me closer till my face was buried in his shoulder.

He gently soothed my back as the tears slowly stopped falling. 'I don't want you to cry because of me, whether directly or indirectly. How was your show?', his voice was soft and smooth like he was trying to calm a crying baby.

'It was great', I answered welcoming the change in subject from the slight guilt I felt, 'Everyone loved it'

'Of course they did. Who would be crazy enough not to love you?', he said with a soft smile

We sat in silence for a while before I finally spoke, 'We should head inside. It's getting really cold'.

He simply nodded before standing up and slipping into the house after me.

We decided to watch a quick movie to clear our minds but apparently I was wiped from the show so I ended up falling asleep in the middle of the movie as I felt a hand curl around my waist before completely letting myself fall into a soothing darkness.

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Authors note ✨:
You guys have no idea how long I've been waiting for this chapter 😭

(A sample of the dance is posted at the top of the chapter)

This is the first of all my favourite chapters and I hope you guys like it too 😁

Don't forget to vote and leave a comment ❤️

XOXO SweetSophie 🥰