my better half | c.w. ✓

Chapter 2

McKenna's POV

Emma tugged on my arm, dragging me along in her desperate search for the players. We knew they usually walked around near the stadium before their games, and Em had her heart set on getting a picture with every boy on the team. So far, we'd only seen a few of them, and none of them were Cole or Jaden.

"Come on, Em, we've been looking for them for an hour. They might not even be here."

She ignored me, still pulling me through the ever-growing crowd. My arm was starting to get sore from her constant tugging, my feet were aching from all the walking we'd done, and my stomach was growling.

"Can we at least get some food? I'm starving and someone wouldn't let me eat anything before we left," I said, glaring at her. It was almost three o'clock, and I hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast, thanks to Em.

Sighing, she relented. "Fine, but do it quickly. We need to keep looking."

I rolled my eyes. Of course I wanted to meet Cole, but there are more important things in life. Like pizza.

After we ordered, we stepped away from the building while we waited for the food to be made. I pulled out my phone, checking my notifications. All of a sudden, someone slammed into me from behind, causing me to stumble and nearly fall over. A hand reached out and grabbed my arm, steadying me.

"What the hell?" I turned around, prepared to cuss out the idiot who ran into me. But when I saw his face, I froze.

"Shit, I'm sorry. Are you okay?" A pair of baby blue eyes stared back at me - eyes I'd seen dozens of times, but never in person.

I found my voice after what seemed like forever. "Oh my god. You're Cole Wagner."

He laughed. "That's me."

Still shocked, I looked at Em, whose mouth was literally hanging open. She looked back at me, and from the expression on her face, I wouldn't have been surprised if she fainted right then and there.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't even see you," Cole said, running his hand through his hair. "But in my defense, Jaden's the one who pushed me."

I looked past him, and for the first time I noticed a boy standing behind Cole. Jaden Henline, the star pitcher for the Mid-Atlantic team. (A/N: I know Jaden isn't really the "star pitcher" for the team, but for the sake of a good line let's pretend he is lol)

"Dude, shut up. You're the one who knocked her over, I just gave you a little shove." Jaden said, rolling his eyes. Then he looked at me and said, "But yeah, sorry. We were just messing around."

I gave them a small smile and said, "It's fine. Sorry for snapping at you guys like that, I had no idea it was you." As I said this, I could feel my cheeks heating up, and I knew my face probably looked like a tomato.

"Nah, it's fine. I would've done the same thing if some idiot ran into me like that," Cole said, grinning.

I laughed and looked down at my feet, nervousness taking over.

"So what are your names?" Jaden asked.

"I'm McKenna." I looked over at Em, and she was still in shock. "And that's Emma," I said, laughing. "This is rare for her, normally we can't shut her up."

This earned a laugh from the boys, setting off my inner fangirl. I just made Cole Wagner laugh. Oh my god.

Coming back to her senses, Emma spoke up for the first time. "Um...do you think we could maybe get a picture with you?"

"Yeah, of course," Cole said, walking over to stand by her. He put his arm around her, and I snapped a picture. Then it was Jaden's turn. I knew she was dying on the inside - after all, she was practically in love with him. She grinned from ear to ear as she put both arms around him, and then gave him a hug after I took the picture. It was one of the cutest things I'd ever seen.

Next, I got my picture with Jaden, which I immediately posted to Snapchat because I knew it would make all my friends insanely jealous. Then Cole came over and put his arm around me, and I think my heart stopped beating. At the last second, I asked, "Would you mind kissing my cheek for the picture?"

He looked a little startled at first, then smiled. "Sure." He leaned down and kissed my cheek as Emma took the photo. If my heart wasn't working before, it sure as hell wasn't working now.

Then I suggested we get a group picture, so we all posed together as I handed my phone to the stranger we'd asked to take it. Emma and I were in the middle, with Jaden on her left side and Cole on my right.

After taking the picture, the guy handed me my phone, and I thanked him. Turning to Cole and Jaden, I said, "Thanks guys, it was really cool meeting you."

"You too," they replied, still smiling.

I felt like I should tell them something, but I couldn't remember what it was. Then I remembered - I was going to be at their school in a few weeks.

"Oh, by the way, me and Em are going to Red Land this year, which is where you guys go, right?" I crossed my fingers behind my back, praying that the rumor I heard was true.

"Oh, really? Cool, we're transferring there this year," Jaden said. "What grade will you be in?"

"Tenth, same as you, right?"

"Yep, how'd you know?"

I grinned. "Well, you guys have been all over TV and the newspapers for the past two weeks, so..."

Laughing, Jaden said, "Yeah, I can never get used to that."

Cole looked down at his phone and cursed. "Sorry guys, we have to head back now. Coach wants us all together to watch the International game in the Grove."

"Oh okay," Emma said, clearly disappointed. "Well, it was really nice meeting you guys!" I nodded in agreement.

"You, too. Are you coming to our game tonight?" Cole asked.

Em and I nodded. "Of course."

He smiled. "Cool. I'll look for you in the stands."

"Just look for the girl holding up a sign that says, 'Jaden marry me!'. I'll be the one sitting next to her with my face covered in shame," I said, laughing and elbowing Emma. She glared at me, her face turning bright red.

Jaden chuckled and smiled at her. "Sure. When's the wedding?" he asked with a wink. I thought she might pass out.

"I hate to interrupt your wedding planning, but we should probably get going," I said, even though I really wanted to keep talking to them.

They nodded, still laughing. "Yeah, us too," Cole said.

"It was nice meeting you guys. And good luck tonight!" Emma said with a grin.

"You, too. Well, not the good luck part but...um, you know what I mean," Jaden said, laughing nervously.

She giggled as we hugged them goodbye, and then all too soon they were walking away.

I looked over at Em in shock. "What the hell just happened?"

- - - - - - -

hey guys! sorry about the short-ish chapter, it would have been too long if I added anything else. But wasn't this like the cutest thing ever? I mean if this happened to me I'd probably just stand there staring at them for 10 years.

ok screw that let's be real I LITERALLY KILLED MYSELF WITH ALL THE FEELS WRITING THIS CHAPTER SO I REALLY HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE THIS BC IT CAUSED SOME SERIOUS EMOTIONAL SUFFERING

comment and vote for more!

next update: Monday (this is just an estimate, so don't hold me to this! haha)

-linds