Secrets Look Different in the Light

Chapter 40

Jackie's POV

Avery's nervous breakdown is spilling out after holding it in all day. I can't understand why, after everything with Jayden, she'd even want to participate in this Homecoming thing. I guess she's trying to be nice. 

Which wouldn't be a bad thing—if she had talked to Theo before showing up with him to the game. We're already a quarter in. She doesn't a ton of time left to explain.

We return to everyone, drinks in hands. 

"Who wanted what?" Avery asks, handing things off like nothing's wrong.

Dylan stands, moving me gently to get by. "I'll be back." He says to me with a wink. 

With how much weed is in his system, I almost don't want him to go off alone. But he's a big boy, and it's probably just my anxiety talking.

Maybe the concern isn't about weed... No. I won't go there. He told me it was the one time, and I've only seen him with weed since. The Coke era is behind him.

I take Dylan's seat and then nudge Avery, eyes bugging out of my head— a reminder to talk to Theo. She nods, takes a long sip from her flask, then leans in to whisper something to him. He grabs her hand and leads her away from the crowd. 

Well, at least she's doing it now. Better late than never right?

Dylan returns, scooting in beside me. "So this is what one of these games is like." 

"How's your very first homecoming game experience?" I ask.

"Well, the screaming is awful, and the snacks are mid, but the company is pretty great." He responds, grabbing my hand. 

A touchdown is scored and everyone screams. Bryan tosses popcorn in the air, cheering. I glance around, searching the sidelines for Avery, but don't see her or Theo anywhere. 

The buzzer sounds, alerting that the clock has run out—marking the end of the first half. The cheer squad come running out onto the field, pop music blaring through the speakers.

"It's halftime," I say aloud.

Avery has about 10 minutes before announcements happen, and God do I hope she has things resolved with Theo by that time.

"You okay?" Dylan asks.

I try to push away my concern for Avery, putting a smile on my face. 

"Yeah I'm good. Just not looking forward to the cheer squad." I reply.

Avery and I have barely talked for weeks until today, and already I'm pulled into drama. I love her, but she makes these messes all on her own. This was an avoidable disaster. She should've just told Theo the moment she found out. Or talked to the principal about removing her from the ballot. No one is forcing her to do this—she's just letting her feelings for Jayden control her actions. 

Whatever those feelings are...

Theo's POV

Avery nervously paces in the parking lot. I hear the crowd cheering and the announcers say a touchdown was scored. 

What is she so worried about? 

"Okay..." she starts, voice shaking. "This morning Jayden came to talk to me." 

My heart drops to my stomach. The noise from the game disappears from my ears. All I can do is wait for her to keep talking.

She picks up on my awaiting silence and continues. "He told me the team nominated us for Homing King and Queen." she pauses again, checking to see if I have anything to say yet.