IN WHICH , Jane Hopper accidentally hits Maxine Mayfield, the popular captain of the lacrosse team, with her car. Jane thinks she's off the hook when Maxine doesn't press charges, but she's wrong. After Maxine's girlfriend breaks up with her for a c...
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It was game day, and the atmosphere was electric. I had never seen a stadium this packed before, with fans filling every seat and spilling into the aisles. The roar of the crowd was deafening, a testament to the passion both teams inspired. Their team must be just as good as ours, I thought, marveling at the sea of faces painted in team colors, waving banners, and chanting in unison.
Lucas sat next to me, his excitement palpable. He squeezed my hand tightly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I'm so excited!" he squealed, his voice barely audible over the cacophony around us. But then, as if a sudden thought had struck him, he turned to me with wide, worried eyes. "But what if she gets hurt?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
I couldn't help but giggle at his concern. "She'll be fine, Lucas," I reassured him, patting his hand gently. Watching a friend in love was truly a heartwarming sight.
"Okay, let's make a deal right now," Lucas said with a mischievous smirk, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "We are making a vow to be the loudest in the stadium," he declared, placing his hand dramatically on his chest. "I, Lucas Sinclair, swear to be the loudest, even louder than the cheerleaders," he proclaimed with a grin.
I couldn't help but laugh and followed suit, placing my hand on my chest. "I swear to be the loudest too," I echoed. Lucas glanced around the stadium, his excitement palpable. "Why haven't the teams come out yet?" he asked, bouncing in his seat like an eager child. "Calm down," I said, trying to soothe his impatience. "They're probably going over their game plans."
He nodded, though his enthusiasm didn't wane. "I'm excited to see Macy. Are you excited to see Max? You know, I like you two together better than I did you and Mike," he stated matter-of-factly. I turned to him, surprised. "Really?" I asked.
"Yup, the chemistry is just so there. No offense, but yours and Mike's faded after a while," he said, shrugging. "Yeah, well, I wouldn't be surprised seeing as he cheated on me," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "What?" Lucas shrieked; his eyes wide with shock. But before I could explain further, a voice boomed over the speakers.
"Now welcoming from Greenwood Academy, two-year state champions , the Untouchable Trailblazers!" The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium as the song "Light 'Em Up" started playing. The team ran out onto the field, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
Lucas scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Show-offs," he muttered.
"And Now welcoming," the announcer's voice boomed through the stadium speakers, instantly grabbing everyone's attention. Our side of the stadium erupted into a synchronized display of support, clapping our hands and stomping our feet in unison, though our voices remained a hushed murmur of anticipation.
"All the way from Hawkins, Indiana, four-year state champions!The Thunderhawks!" the announcer continued with palpable excitement. As soon as the words left his mouth, me and Lucas couldn't contain our excitement any longer. We jumped up from our seats, screaming at the top of our lungs. The iconic beat of "We Will Rock You" by Queen began to blare from the speakers, amplifying the electric atmosphere. Our team, The Thunderhawks, burst onto the field, their energy matching the roaring crowd. The stadium was alive with the sound of cheers, music, and the pounding of feet, setting the stage for an unforgettable game.
We were leading eleven to ten with seventeen minutes left in the game, and the crowd was absolutely electric. Maxine, known for her fiery spirit, was in the thick of it, getting everyone riled up. A boy on the opposing team was shouting in her face, making Lucas and me sit at the edge of our seats. Maxine just shrugged, giving him a look that said he was ridiculous. The referee benched him, and the game resumed.
Macy had been on fire, scoring two points in the last ten minutes. She had the ball again, weaving through the defense with her usual grace. Suddenly, out of nowhere, some guy rammed into her, sending her sprawling to the ground. It looked like he knocked the wind out of her. The crowd fell silent as she lay there, unable to get up. The game paused, and the medical team rushed out.
"Shit," Lucas muttered, gripping my shoulder tightly. "It's okay, it's okay, " I said, trying to reassure him, though I was just as worried. "This is what you get for letting a bunch of girls on your team!" someone from the opposite side of the stadium shouted.
"Fuck you!" Lucas and Max yelled in unison, their voices echoing through the now quiet stadium. The lacrosse game continued with intensity. Macy sat on the bench, anxiously watching the clock as it ticked down to seven minutes remaining. We needed to maintain our lead until the final whistle, but the Trailblazers were relentless. They scored, and our side erupted in boos while their supporters cheered loudly. The scoreboard now read fourteen to fourteen, and it felt like time was slipping away faster than ever.
Our team managed to score again, but the Trailblazers quickly responded with another goal, keeping the tension high. The seconds seemed to blur together, and before we knew it, the buzzer sounded.
"Well folks, it looks like we're going into overtime!" the announcer's voice boomed over the loudspeakers. The entire crowd roared with excitement as both teams huddled together, strategizing for the crucial overtime period.
The game was back on, and Maxine had the ball in her lacrosse stick, her eyes focused and determined. She sprinted down the field, weaving and twisting to dodge the opposing players who lunged at her, trying to knock the ball loose. Her agility and speed were unmatched as she deftly avoided each defender, her movements a blur of precision and grace.
The crowd's excitement grew with every step she took. It all happened so fast—one moment she was at midfield, and the next she was in front of the goal. With a powerful flick of her wrist, she sent the ball soaring past the goalie and into the net.
The stadium erupted in cheers. I jumped to my feet, screaming at the top of my lungs, my voice blending with the roar of the crowd. Everyone around me was shouting and clapping, the energy electric. I knew my voice would be hoarse by the end of the night, but in that moment, it didn't matter. Maxine had scored, and we were all celebrating her incredible play.
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Lucas had ridden in the ambulance with Macy while I waited outside the stadium for Max. As I watched players from our team walking out, I knew Maxine would be among them. When I caught a glimpse of her red hair, some of it sticking to her forehead, I ran up and hugged her tightly.
"You did so good! Like amazing, like wow—" I was cut off by her lips crashing down on mine. My eyes went wide in surprise, but I quickly kissed back. She kissed me with a fervor that made it feel like I was the last thing she would ever taste on earth. My breath seemed to leave my lungs, and my cheeks turned crimson from the intensity of the kiss.
When she finally pulled away, panting, her face was also flushed. "You drive me crazy, Hopper," she said, her voice breathless. Her teammates blew whistles at us, adding to the surreal moment. I brought my fingers up to my lips where she had just kissed me, still feeling the warmth and pressure of her lips. Wow, I thought. Did that just happen? "Want to get dinner with the team?" she asked, cocking her head to the side. Her face was still red, but she seemed so unbothered, so confident.
All I could do was nod, still reeling from the kiss.
