"Patience, Princess," I murmured against her lips, the words almost a growl.
She bit her lip, her frustration clear, but she didn't argue. Instead, she focused on the way I was driving her mad, her body trembling as I continued my slow, deliberate...
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JUSTINE
As I walked through the bustling hallway, I spotted Lily wearing a jersey with the number 9 on it. Curious, I approached her.
"Lily, come over here. Let's go grab the front-row seats so we can see everything. Whose jersey is that?" I asked.
Nervously, she replied, "Oh, that's Logan's." I decided not to press the subject further and led her to our seats.
We had made it just in time for the final match between our football team, the Thunderhawks, and the Cascade Valley Vipers. Although I claimed to be here only to support Shaina, deep down, I was eager to see Jayden in action.
The anticipation for this game felt different somehow. It was as if I was about to watch Jayden with a newfound perspective, despite my lack of football knowledge. My primary goal, however, remained the same - to see our team win.
As soon as the whistle blew, the players took their positions and rushed onto the field. My eyes immediately locked onto Jayden, captivated by his commanding presence as he yelled instructions to his team. The sight of him was incredibly compelling.
Ryan Price and Logan Midfield seemed to be holding their own against the Vipers, and the game remained neck and neck for a while. The tension in the stadium was palpable, and I couldn't help but worry about our team and Jayden's safety.
Lily, on the other hand, was completely absorbed in the game, cheering on Logan. Then, I witnessed Jayden make a decisive pass to Ryan, who ran and scored, eliciting a roar of excitement from the crowd.
Suddenly, a Viper collided with Jayden with such force that I gasped in shock. "What the heck?" I exclaimed. But Jayden got up and continued playing, albeit a bit slower.
Jayden's leadership and the coach's guidance were evident throughout the match, as the team fought hard until the final whistle. Evergreen Heights emerged victorious, and Lily and I couldn't contain our joy, hugging and squealing with delight.
However, my elation was short-lived as I noticed Jayden clutching his sides in pain. My heart raced with concern as the medical team rushed to escort him off the field. I couldn't go to him right away, but I made a silent promise to check on him after Shaina's cheerleading performance.
Shaina and her squad took the spotlight, exuding confidence and enthusiasm. Their routine was a dazzling display of high-energy jumps, flips, and precision. Shaina led the cheer team with grace and skill, commanding attention and admiration. I've watched her perform countless times, but I'm still amazed by her talent and charisma.
As the music swelled and the routine reached its climax, Shaina struck a powerful pose, balancing on one foot with arms extended in a perfect T-motion. The crowd, including myself and Lily, erupted in thunderous applause, acknowledging the squad's hard work and dedication.
After the performance, Lily rushed off to congratulate Logan, and I saw Shaina in conversation with the other cheerleaders. Seizing the opportunity, I decided to go look for Jayden, my heart still filled with worry for his well-being.
I stepped into the locker room, immediately noticing Jayden struggling to remove his jersey. Without hesitation, I approached him, offering to help.
Surprised by my sudden presence, Jayden looked up at me. Despite my suspicion that he might decline, I expressed my gratitude for his chivalrous actions from the previous night. It was clear his injury was causing him more discomfort than he let on, but he humbly dismissed my thanks, attributing his help to simple gentlemanly behavior.
As I assisted him in removing his shirt, I couldn't help but admire his sculpted physique adorned with tattoos. Feeling a bit shy, I nervously glanced around, trying not to stare. After suggesting he take a shower, I assured him I would help change his bandage if it got wet, to prevent infection.
Upon his return, I couldn't help but steal glances as he changed into sweatpants. The tension in the air thickened as I tended to his wound. Suddenly, Jayden surprised me by pulling me close and kissing me passionately. The unexpected move left me momentarily stunned, but I eagerly responded, losing myself in the intensity of the moment.
Breathless, we savored the newfound connection between us. Despite the unexpected turn of events, we both found ourselves drawn to each other, embracing the affection. I agreed to his request to go on a date, enjoying the tender gestures and kisses he showered me with.
Jayden's wide grin, charming demeanor, and gentle nature persuaded me. I realized I liked him more than I had initially thought. Playfully, I challenged him to win me over during our upcoming dinner date, emphasizing that it would take more than just winning a football game to capture my attention. With confidence and a hint of mischief, he accepted the challenge, promising to showcase the true extent of his charm.
———
I eagerly made my way through the halls of our family mansion, excited to see my mom after her three-day business trip. As I entered the kitchen, the chef greeted me with a warm smile.
"Good afternoon, Miss Justine. How was school today?" the chef asked, looking up from the cutting board.
I sighed, "It was okay. Thanks. Do you know where my mom is?"
The chef nodded, "Your mother is in the design studio, preparing for the upcoming fashion show. She wants to see you. Can I get you something to eat?"
I thought for a moment and then smiled, "I'm craving some mac and cheese today, please."
"Sure, it'll be ready in twenty minutes," the chef replied.
I pushed open the door to the design studio and found my mother, deeply engrossed in her work, carefully cutting out fabric pieces and arranging them on the table.
"Mom, I'm home," I announced as I entered the room. My mom looked up, a soft smile lighting up her face.
"My baby, how was your day? I missed you."
"I missed you more. And I'm doing well," I replied, approaching her and admiring the intricate details of the designs laid out in front of her.
"I see you're busy with the upcoming collection. Do you need any help?" I asked.
My mother looked at me with a twinkle in her eye. "I would love your assistance, sweetheart. Your fresh perspective is always welcome. Would you like to lend a hand and share your opinions on the upcoming collection?"
My eyes lit up with enthusiasm as I leaned in closer. "I've been observing some trends that could inspire us. I think we could incorporate elements of retro styles from the 1970s and 1980s like bold patterns, vibrant colors, statement sleeves, and wide-leg pants, but with our own flair. It could add a fun and nostalgic edge to our collection."
My mom's expression softened with interest. "Those are great ideas, Justine. Your creativity and passion for fashion are amazing, honey. Let's try to weave these trends into our collection and create something different for the Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection. I'll run these ideas by your dad and the team, but we're definitely incorporating them into the collection."
"Sure," I replied, excited at the prospect of collaborating with my mother on the upcoming fashion show.
I sat beside my mother in the design studio, surrounded by sketches and fabric swatches, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled the room. The energy between us was vibrant as we discussed our shared vision for the upcoming show.
