Invisible String (w|w high school romance)

The Rankings

Riley POV:

I'm usually never nervous before games but lately? I've been getting more and more nervous by the  game. Why? Because the D1 offer from Notre Dame was nowhere to be seen. I've worked my whole life towards this. I can't fall short now.

I sat on the bench of the locker room with my leg bouncing up and down in anxiousness as Kylie braided my hair. My mind was racing a hundred miles an hour and I was starting to break out in a cold sweat. I was so lost in my own world I didn't hear Kylie talking.

"W-what did you say?" I stammered.

When she heard my stuttering she stopped braiding my hair and leaned forward so that she could see my face. I turned to meet her gaze and gave her a forced smile.

"Stop with that bullshit smile. I've known you long enough to know that somethings up."

I let my fake smile fall and sighed. "I'm starting to panic. I still haven't heard anything from Notre Dame." I whispered. "You will. They are probably just waiting to see how you do in playoffs before sending out the letter. Trust me, you'll get it. There's nobody else better for them to take." she said reassuringly.

I nodded, trying to force myself to believe her. When Kylie went back to braiding my hair I spoke again. "Our rankings come out today." I said quietly. She quickly wrapped up her braiding and gently rubbed my back. "Again, you have nothing to worry about. Your guaranteed to be in the top ten."

"Thanks Kylie."

"Anytime dude."

With that she walked away, right as Harper was returning to the locker room. I had already braided her hair earlier and she looked ready to play. She took a seat on the bench next to me and placed a hand on my thigh, instantly calming my nerves and stopping my leg from shaking.

"Everything is going to be okay." she whispered. I nodded in response. "I know. Thank you love." I said before turning to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Yuck you guys are so cute." Lexi said as she came strolling by, causing the team to laugh. "You're just jealous that nobody kisses you like that." Harper said teasing her friend. At that Lexi blushed and nervously laughed. "Holy shit I don't believe it." I said. In the whole time I've played soccer with Lexi she's never dated anyone let alone even blush over someone like that.

"Who's the lucky mannnnnn?" our outside midfielder Grace sang teasingly.

"Come on Lexi. If you don't spill now we will just look to see who's wearing your jersey." another one of our teammates said.

"Okay okay. I'll tell you. It's not official yet but I went on a date with Drew Borne yesterday." Lexi said. The locker room erupted with squeals and screams of "HOLY SHIT". When all the commotion finally died down, Harper spoke. "Well I rescind my comment from earlier then." Harper said causing everyone to laugh. "We are all happy for you Lexi." I added, getting lots of nods of agreement from my teammates.

"Thank you guys." Lexi said. Before anyone else could talk the locker room door flew open so hard it slammed against the wall with a bang. Coach Lawson came storming in with anger all over his face.

"ENOUGH WITH THE BOY TALK! WE HAVE A PLAY OFF GAME TO FOCUS ON!" he barked angrily. All the conversations of the locker room died instantly. Coach took a minute to breath and calm himself down before speaking again. "I'm sorry for just barging in without asking first but SERIOUSLY?! WE HAVE A PLAY OFF GAME IN THIRTY MINUTES!"

I quickly got up from the bench and walked over to coach holding my hands up in defeat. "We know coach. We are all focused on the game now, right?" I asked as I looked around the locker room. My teammates all quickly nodded in agreement, not wanting to risk coach's wrath.