First & Forever

Chapter 18: William

FEBRUARY

Finally, I think with excitement as I fix my black and gold tie in the mirror. The day I've been willing for four years is finally here. The day I sign my ticket out of this place.

I walk into the gym, ordering my hands not to sweat when I see the news cameras and reporters setting up in front of the already crowded bleachers. I shake a few hands and thank people for coming as I walk through the gym.

A group of my teammates clear from the court to the bleachers and I smile, getting a clear view of Elle helping my mom set drinks out on a table in the corner of the gym.

I slide the Army hat on as I make my way to them. "How's it look?"

"Oh, honey! You look great!" Mom coos, before running off. "Be right back! I think I left the other cake cutter in the car!"

I nervously adjust my tie as I look at Elle from across the table. "What do you think? Look okay?"

She smiles and comes around to the other side, looking me over on the way. "Here." She reaches up to fix the back of my shirt collar, her delicate hands grazing my neck in the process.

"You're perfect," she says softly. "I'm so proud of you, Will. I hope it's everything you ever wanted." The way she's looking at me... It's the same adoring look she used to give me and I swear, my heart skips as her eyes drop to my lips.

"William, can we get a quick interview?" a reporter asks from behind me and I nod.

"I'm nervous," I admit, looking down at Elle. "What if I mess up?"

"What if you don't? You're William Rhodes. You've got this," she says with a confident smile, nodding for me to go.

I make it through the interviews unscathed and feel like I can breathe a little easier now that the worst is over.

"Will, come! We need to get some pictures!" Mom says looking around for someone to take one of us all together.

"I can do it, Mrs. Rhodes," Elle volunteers, walking over from the side of the bleachers.

I smile at her as she backs up with the camera and I can tell she feels as uncomfortable as I do being out here at the center of attention.

"Okay. Got it!" she announces after taking a few shots of me and my parents and coaches.

Mom waves her over. "Elle, sweetheart, come get in one with us!"

Elle's face flushes. "Oh, no. That's okay."

I stifle a laugh when she gapes at me, completely unsure of what to do when Mom insists. "Come on." I smile, nodding her over and she hands the camera to one of my coaches.

She walks towards us, clearly blushing at the situation and my mom moves over putting her between us.

"Sorry about this," Elle whispers as she stands next to me.

I feel the warmth of her hand behind mine as she squeezes in. "I'm not," I whisper back, letting my fingers glide over her hand. I chuckle when I hear her breath catch. "Relax, Elle."

A few minutes later, I sit down with my parents and coaches surrounding me to officially sign my national letter of intent.

Picking up the pen with a shaky hand, I feel like my heart might actually beat out of my chest as I move to sign the page. I carefully sign my name and still looking down, I pause to take it all in for a second. Everything I worked for, hoped for, finally coming to fruition.

I sigh with relief. Finally. I couldn't stop the wide smile spreading across my face if I tried.

Setting the pen back on the table I feel a little overwhelmed as I look up to camera flashes and cheers. The athletic director, coach, and my dad all say a few words before everyone is released to eat and mingle and I feel like I'm in a blur trying to thank and talk to way too many people at one time.

I look at everyone milling around the gym and while I answer some guy's question, I find myself searching for Elle.

My eyes finally land on her across the gym where she's standing with Meredith and Piper. I start to make my way toward her, but keep getting stopped by people wanting to congratulate me, including Haley and her friends.

I lock eyes with Elle from across the room and, damn it, she gives me an understanding smile before I see her turn to gracefully fade into the background.

*****

The gym starts to clear out and I get a peculiar feeling that somehow, even though I'm on top of the world, I thought this would feel... I don't know, different?

A full scholarship to a top school, miles away from Wembley? It's what I've been chasing for years. To sign my ticket out of the place that caused me so much heartache and, many times, made me the worst, most frustrated version of myself.

I mean, I feel excited and proud, but under all of that there's something else. A question of - Is this it? A fear that maybe I built this goal up so much in my head thinking that once I got here, to this moment, that I'd finally be happy and content and just feel...different.

"Hey, superstar." I smile as Elle's sweet voice breaks through my string of chaotic thoughts. I turn to see her tucking her hair behind her ear.

"So, was it?" she asks, looking up at me with those luminous green eyes of hers.

"Was what?" I ask, not catching on.

She reaches up to tap under my chin with a playful smile. "Was it everything you ever wanted?"

My eye catches on her necklace and I reach out, running my thumb gently over the single bright diamond.

"Honestly? I don't know," I answer wistfully, wondering how it could possibly be everything I ever wanted if it means losing the one person I ever wanted.

Carter interrupts, throwing his arm around my neck with Graham and Hudson close behind. "Rhodes! Can't believe our boy. All grown up."

"Can we go get those burgers now? I'm starving. All that cake just made me hungrier," Graham groans impatiently.

Elle's laugh dances in my ears. "I'll leave you all to it. Congratulations, Will," she says with a warm smile as she turns to go.

Carter hums, squeezing my shoulder as we all watch her walk away. "Elle James. The one that got away, huh."

Hudson claps me on the back, shaking his head. "Man, you messed that up."

God, I hope they're not right.

I can't let them be right.