Celestial: Fallen

Chapter 46-Courting Trouble

The game was over, and to be honest, I didn't even understand how it had ended. All I knew was that our university had won against the visiting team. I watched Clayton waving around like a superstar; well, maybe in his own damn way, he was the MVP. I wondered why they decided to have the basketball team play in the open field when we had a perfectly good gym.

Shaking off my confusion, I slowly and carefully stole a glance at Diarmid and his friends. They were engaged in lively conversation, and I felt a twinge of longing. Suddenly, a buzz started in the center of the field. The cheerleading team—well, at least their leader—was taking charge. What was her name again?

"Who's that again?" I asked Josh, who was busy applying some lip balm.

"Who?" Josh replied, not really paying attention.

"That girl? The cheerleader?" I said, still distracted, my gaze fixed on the open field where the cheerleaders were announcing something I didn't quite understand.

"Well, it's Chelsea. She was your classmate last semester, right?" Leroy chimed in, slowly sipping his drink. "Looks like they're going to pick some hot guys."

I turned my attention back to the cheerleaders. Chelsea was pointing at random guys, and her squad would chase after them, dragging them into the middle of the field. Once there, they sat the guys down in a row of chairs and blindfolded them. As of that moment, they had already captured three guys, and they were currently running after Clayton, who didn't seem too eager to escape.

I couldn't help but smirk at the spectacle.

Stealing another glance at Diarmid, our eyes locked. My heart raced. I wanted to talk to him, at least explain what was going on in my head. I had been worried when he hadn't shown up for a few days. I considered asking Finn or Brigit about him, but I held my tongue. Earlier, after the opening remarks began, I had excused myself, hoping to see if Diarmid would show up. I waited in his usual spot in the parking area, feeling the anticipation build inside me.

I smiled at him, but he just stared back, not even smiling in return. Disheartened, I shifted my gaze back to the chaos on the field.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted near our seats. I looked up to see five cheerleaders making their way toward us, well, not to me, but to Diarmid's group. I watched as they pulled Finn and Roisin into the mix. Brigit was laughing and playfully shoving Finn, while Roisin stood up without a second thought. The other three cheerleaders surrounded Diarmid, who remained completely unfazed, ignoring them entirely.

My eyes widened in shock. I didn't know what to think—would he go with them or stay put? But then I saw Brigit whisper something to Diarmid. His gaze locked onto mine again, and with that connection, he stood up and walked toward the cheerleaders, all while still looking at me.

"Diarmid." I murmured, my voice barely cutting through the noise of the crowd. I didn't want him to go. A rush of anxiety washed over me as I watched him approach the cheerleaders, still holding my gaze. What was he thinking? Why did it feel like everything was slipping through my fingers?

"Looks like he's going to have some fun," Josh commented, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.

"Yeah," I murmured, trying to sound casual, but my heart wasn't in it. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was my chance to step forward, to bridge the gap. But would I? Would I risk it all for the boy who made my heart race and my thoughts scatter?

As the cheerleaders rallied around Diarmid, Chelsea stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Alright, boys!" she called, her voice loud and clear through the microphone. "Welcome to the 'Lucky Guys' game! You're about to experience something fun, and who knows, you might just win a date with one of us!"