to live for the hope of it all.

Chapter 8

September 8th, 2023

"Everyone thinks that they know us,
But they know nothing about,
All of this silence and patience,
Pining and anticipation..."

Bailey

"Bailey! We needed to leave like ten minutes ago!" Grandpa Matt shouts.

"I know, I'm sorry, I'm coming!" I shouted back, adjusting my Aria Falls Hawks t-shirt one last time over my mom jeans and rushing downstairs where Grandpa Matt stood opening the door.

"Did you tell Harlow we're leaving?" He asked, locking the door behind him.

"She's already there, Mrs. Davis found her at the gate and recruited her to help save us seats," I said, hopping into the truck as he rounded to the driver's seat.

"Of course she did," he laughed, starting the truck and driving towards the stadium.

Wren had only ever met Mrs. Davis in passing when coming to my house, and I was a little worried for my best friend. Mrs. Davis is the sweetest, most outgoing person I know, but Wren still had a hard time around new people. Wren had planned to sit with us, but I took longer than expected getting ready and she had beaten us there. She ensured she was fine, but I can just imagine her sitting in the stands anxiously while Mrs. Davis talked her ear off, with the best intentions of course.

"You look nice," Grandpa Matt started. "What's the occasion?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I answered, facing the window and praying this ride goes by fast.

"I'm talking about the effort put into this get-up today," he laughed, pointing up and down my figure. "Does this have to do with dinner tonight after the game? With a certain neighbor?"

"No." Yes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." No.

My grandfather chuckled as we came upon a red light, and thankfully he didn't push it anymore.

So maybe I did put a little more effort into my usual game day attire. But in my defense, I felt like maybe Beckett and I were getting somewhere. This was the first time we'd all be going out together after one of his games. His mom invited us to dinner with Caleb and his parents to celebrate their last first high school game.

Despite growing up going to school with Caleb too, I didn't know him all that well. I had the feeling he couldn't say the same, because he always looked at me like he was in on a secret I wasn't. It was never rude, he seemed really friendly and always smiled politely in my direction. But then there were times he'd catch my eye whenever Beckett was around and he'd smirk at me, like he knew what I was thinking about his cousin, and that terrified me.

My nerves subsided knowing that Wren was also invited to dinner. She's staying at my house tonight, and Mrs. Davis demanded her presence as well. Wren had been shocked, but flattered to be included.

Sometimes I think she forgets I don't have many other friends besides her, I have acquaintances, but I never felt the need to have any more friends besides Wren.

Well and now Beckett. Because I felt like we were friends. Talking to him these last few weeks is much better than I could have imagined, he still makes me nervous, but I think I have gotten a handle on not blushing around him every five seconds.

Though I did have a setback this morning when I wished him good luck, because his dimple popped when he smiled at me and all I could think was I did that.