𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥

16

SATURDAY

I keep Madeline's words in my head for the entire game. In the last thirty seconds, the scores 25-25. Josh is running with the ball, the front forwards from the other team catching up with him.

"Quinn!" He yells my name and the ball comes my way. I catch it between two fingers and start running towards the goal line.

10,   9,   8,    7...

In the last 5 seconds I manage to score a try and the next thing I know I'm crowded by my teammates, being picked up.

"Nice one, Foster!" Dylan says, patting my back when I'm put back on the ground. My mind hasn't fully processed the game, part of it occupied by the loud cheering of the crowd and the other part by Madeline apart of it.

On my way to the locker room, I see the scout from Glasgow University making her way towards me. My body wants to freeze in place but I make it continue towards her.

"Quinn Foster, correct? I'm Helen Gong from Glasgow University." She says, holding a clipboard to her arm.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you." I reply, "I hope you enjoyed the game."

"I did, it was very good. Congratulations on the win. I'll let you get changed first and then if you could meet me on the benches to discuss?" Helen suggests.

I nod, "Yeah, sounds good. Thank you."

Once I've showered and changed, I consider just hiding in the locker room until she just leaves but Josh finds me and pushes me out.

I find her on the bench, writing more on the clipboard.

"Quinn, sit." I sit across from her, trying to work out if it's good or bad news by her facial expressions but they don't give away much.

"So I understand Glasgow is your first choice for university?" She asks.

"Yes it is."

"Well.." The long pause brings my heart to my throat. "I think you'd be a great addition to the university and the team. If you want it, we're offering you a position in our university for the sports program with a full scholarship. Give yourself some time to consider and let us know by Friday."

I swear I could climb on this table and start dancing but I don't think it would look very professional so I decide otherwise. "Thank you, yes I'll let you know my decision by Friday."

"Great. Well done today, and if you accept I'm very excited to have you." She smiles and shakes my hand.

Once she leaves I grab my duffel and head to the car park where my mom and the girls are waiting, hopeful grins on their faces. I grin back, confirming what they're hoping and Logan and my mom hug me, Olivia already grabbing her phone to post a picture of it on her instagram.

"Congrats, Quinn. We knew you could do it!" Phoebe says and Rowan pats my shoulder, hard as usual. That girl has a powerful arm.

Once my mom finally lets go of me, I turn to Madeline and she throws her arms around me, almost knocking me backwards. "Told you you could do it." She says in my ear and I think a hug from her may be more of a victory to me than winning any game.

Once she pulls away, Logan scruffs up my hair. "Come on, we're going to Pizza Hut."

-

Phoebe and Olivia run towards the car while Logan and Rowan are talking and Madeline falls in line next to me, hands in her pockets. "I brought you something, for winning." She says.

"Yeah? How'd you know I'd win?" I say, mimicking her by stuffing my hands in my coat pockets.

"I had a feeling." She says, handing me something from her pocket. "Don't judge my wrapping."

It's square shaped and thin, wrapped in a strange way with decorative tape. I stop by my car, leaning against the boot and Madeline leans against the door of my mom's car next to it. I tear open the paper, shoving the wrapping into my pocket. It's a CD, Arctic monkeys and I realise it's a collectors edition that sold out almost immediately a few months ago. "Holy shit, how did you get this?"

"My mom works with music industry people and I asked her, she said she could get it." She replies.

I don't even know what to say. Not many people put that much thought into a gift for me. "How'd you even know-"

"I saw the posters on your bedroom wall through the window." She stops and a light blush covers her cheeks, "Not that I was looking through your window but our windows face each other so-"

"I know." I laugh softly, saving her from having to continue. "Thank you for this, I don't know what to say. I tried to get this when it first came out but it was sold out really quick. And thank you again for today."

"Good you like it, I was kind of worried you wouldn't." She chuckles, "And no problem, I'm just glad you're okay."

I hear a snicker and a few shushes, noticing Logan, Phoebe, Rowan and Olivia all huddled the other side of the car. I give Logan a stare, to which she mouths, "Do it!"

I give her another look and she winks and leads the others away. "There's actually something I wanted to ask you."

"Hm?" Madeline asks, eyebrows furrowing. My hearts beating a million miles an hour and the way her eyes are focused on me, waiting for me to say something doesn't help.

"I was wondering-" I get cut off by the ringing of her phone.

"Sorry, it's my mom she's back home. What were you saying?" She asks, tucking her phone back away.

Forget it, Quinn. This isn't a good time. There's a better time for it. You'll say it wrong.

All the thoughts in my head tell me not to ask it but my mouth chooses otherwise. "Do you want to hang out sometime? Like uh," I clear my throat, rubbing behind my neck, "like a date?"

¸.·✩·.¸¸.·¯⍣✩⍣¯·.¸¸.·✩·.¸

hooray he finally did it
sorry for the cliffhanger ;)