When The School Bell Rings

• CHAPTER • FIFTY SEVEN •

"It's game time," I grab Mellissa's arm, dragging her into a run towards the playing fields. 

My eyes scan the crowd, a smile beaming on my face when I see the bleachers completely covered with supporters for the game. I notice my four guys standing off to the side, talking to some sort of officials. 

Luka catches my eye and sends me a secret wink, making me smile wider. 

I guess they're forgiven now. 

I'm in too much of a good mood to hold a grudge. 

Josh notices Luka staring at me and begins to move towards me, only for Mellissa to drag me away to the team. 

We do our usual pre-match rituals before grabbing our pom-poms and heading to our positions on the sideline. 

The music of our routine begins to play and it runs through my blood, adrenaline coursing as a result of the loud base. 

Mellissa makes the first move and we start the routine, dancing in sync as people tumble behind me. 

I smile as my limbs move in perfect rhythm to the music, my whole focus being perfecting the routine we've worked so hard on.

I get the nod from Mel and take my position behind my two supporters. They grab my ankles and lift me into the air, my arms flaring out into a V above my head as I shake my pom-poms. 

The crowd screams and applauds as I let the pom-poms fall before being flipped in the air. They catch me and spin me into a back-flip on my feet. 

I smile widely as I run back to the front, beginning the dance routine with Mellissa that involves us doing parallel cartwheels in sync. We end them in a backflip before finding our supporters again and being hoisted into the air for the big finish. 

The crowd roars and my ears ring, my heart beating fast from the adrenaline and happiness of completing the routine perfectly. 

I'm returned back to the floor and the whole squad runs to the sideline. 

"That was the best we've ever done it," someone says breathlessly behind me. 

"Did you hear the crowd?"

"We're definitely going to win the game, now."

Mellissa and I share a smug look, knowing our routine was in fact the best we've ever done. 

By the time the game starts, my breathing has recovered but I still sit down to take a rest, since I am still recovering. I watch on as the rest of the squad cheers our players along. 

"You did amazing, beautiful," a low voice whispers from next to me, making me jump. I turn with my hand on my chest to see Gabriel smiling at me. 

I didn't even notice him coming to sit with me. 

"Thanks," I smile at him, too distracted by the game to fully look at him. 

"How are you feeling?" he asks, his voice quiet enough so that no one else can hear above the roaring crowd. 

"Good, actually," I turn and smile at him, my breath catching at the sight of his glistening, encapsulating eyes, "It's nice to get back to cheerleading."

"I could tell," he chuckles, the sound reverberating through my body. My core pulses and I have to press my thighs together to suppress the subtle, but growing, need. He seems to notice, his eyes dipping down to my bare legs. 

"I'll take care of that later," he winks at me and nods his head back at the game. I turn my attention back to the field, fighting a deep blush at the innuendo hidden behind his words. 

Half-time arrives and my squad all rush onto the pitch. We start our second routine, the crowd responding even louder as we signal for their cheers. 

By the time I am helped down to the ground from the top of our finishing pyramid, I am out of breath. We all are as we run to the sideline again. 

Mellissa and I wink to each other before turning to the crowd to incite cheers as the teams run back onto the field for the second half.

My eyes fall to my men, who sit together with small smirks. The proud looks in their eyes make me blush and I have to avert my eyes to not arouse suspicion. 

Mellissa nudges my shoulder and nods her head to five people in the crowd, ruthlessly writing on notebooks, whilst dressed in business-casual outfits. 

I furrow my eyebrows at the sight of them, trying to figure out who they are.

Why would you take notes at a football game?

I shake the thought from my mind as the whistle blows for the game to restart. 

I take my seat again and watch eagerly as our team bring home a win for the school. 

The excitement and thrill of the win is heavy in the air as the crowd files out to the parking lot, including my squad and everyone else. 

I try to hide my smile when I see my men falling back, waiting until everyone has left, for us to finally be alone. 

Once the parking lot in the distance is empty, the final set of headlights disappearing, Zander makes a move to me. 

I gasp as his hands lace in my hair, bringing my lips to his. He bends his head to reach mine but as soon as they connect, the world around us is forgotten. My lips feel hot against his, the kiss taking my breath away. 

He steps away, Josh immediately taking his place and lifting me up to kiss him. I rest my arms on his shoulders, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he passionately kisses me. 

I'm only given a few seconds of breath before I'm passed to Luka, who resumes the same position as Josh and I were previously in. 

Finally, I'm set down on my dizzying feet, only to be kissed by Gabriel. 

By the time I can process what happened, they all stare at me with dark lust in their eyes. 

"You're graduating soon," Zander gives a devious look to the others, who nod in agreement, "I think we need to christen my office before you do."

Fun fact: this chapter was written on 2 separate days (I got stuck on what to write) <33

Also fun fact, I got ill twice in two weeks, with different symptoms. (I'm all better now) <33

This book is nearing the enddddddd <33