Of Hotshots and High School

Chapter 11

A/N..... Wow. I'm so very very lame. I'm so sorry. I started working on a special Christmas story for someone and then I just got distracted by about 5 other stories I've been trying to write and kinda stopped writing this one. For a very long time. So I apologize for being MIA for the past 5 months and leaving all of y'all high and dry. But, I am trying to do better and will do my best to update every week from now on if possible. Not sure how well that's gonna work out, but it is my goal. Anyway, this chapter is finally finished! YAY! I hope that some of you readers are still interested in my story and will read it, but if not I guess that's my fault.

ANYWAY, enough with the negative! I hope that you will like this chapter, it was a really hard one to write. It may be a good idea to go back and read a couple of the previous chapters so that this one makes sense...just 'cuz it's been so long and all... BUT, happy reading to all of you and don't forget to let me know what you think! As always, please share and review! I'm sending lots of love to all of you for reading this and forgiving me for being an awful human being... :)

~Cinnamon

Chase's POV

Adelaide and I were on good terms, she was beautiful, and we were happy. I'd kissed her cheek when I'd dropped her off after our date and she'd been thrilled. It was the most affectionate I'd been with her in a while. She was incredibly sweet, and even if we had absolutely none of the same interests she still deserved love and respect. I'd be lying if I said that the kiss wasn't a little bit strange though, considering what had happened with Rory and all. But Adelaide and I were good and the relief that I felt over that was incredible.

On Monday at school I was in a bit of a daze. I'd taken the kid's team that I coached to a soccer tournament and it'd been exhausting. There were so many of them and only one of me, and I loved them all, but that didn't change the fact that they were a handful. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit grateful that it was getting colder and that there were only two weeks left of our season. I was so tired that I'd half slept through my first two classes. 3rd period was next and I had English, which I had with Rory and Lena and my best friend Kyle. I was a little nervous to talk to Rory after what had happened on Saturday. Would we be super awkward? Would I start tripping over myself like an idiot and throw myself at her? I mean, I liked her, but I had a girlfriend and I would never hurt Adelaide like that. I would just act like nothing had happened. 

Rory was already in her seat when I walked into the classroom. 

"Hey Chase," she was smiling at me and her eyes were incredible. Today was a "cute"day. Her hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing a grey sweatshirt and denim shorts with her classic converse. She'd worn them every time I'd seen her. The thought made me smile. Unlike most girls at our school who wore different shoes every day of the week, she seemed happy being a little simpler. I couldn't help but notice the healthy, tan glow she had around her. Natural, unlike Adelaide's which was acquired through many hours in tanning beds and sporadic spray tans. I smiled at her.

"Hey Rory." I made a show of pointedly looking at her sweater and shorts. "Nice combo you've got going here," I said it in a light, teasing way, and she blushed, just like I'd hoped.

"It's cold," she protested, tugging self-consciously at her sleeves.

"Then why the shorts?"

"It's not that cold." I just laughed and Rory rolled her eyes, still blushing.

"Told you I'd have fun with your blush," I said, shooting a lop-sided grin at her. I didn't know why I'd been so worried about seeing her again. We'd be fine. 

"You also told me you'd throw popcorn at me at the movie theatre, and we both know how well that worked out..." Rory raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over her face. She tried to hide it, but it was obvious that there was a little disappointment there too.