Playbook

Chapter 18: Aurelia

I walked out of the locker room holding the sweatshirt and shirt. I looked down at it and smiled.

I have a boyfriend.

And he has a game tonight.

I quickly went to the restroom, changing into the shirt and sweatshirt. I took my other shirt and walked back into the locker room back entrance.

Most people had left, but Trace was on his way out with Ethan and Noah. I watched them leave before I went to his locker.

Of course, it was open.

I folded my other shirt and put it on the top shelf of his locker. I didn't want to stalk around, so I then left out of the back entrance. Lily saw me left and smiled, grabbing my hand and spinning.

"Hey! Sit with me at the game tonight?" I nodded and she hugged me. "Great. See you later, I have to go tell Wes something." She held her stomach and left, heading towards the boys leaving.

He saw her and smiled, holding his arms out. They hugged before she pulled back and told him something. He smiled and nodded, then looked her up and down.

To think they're engaged.

Did their parents give them permission? They're not old enough to make the decision on their own...

He hugged her again before he left, leaving her watching him. She looked like she was going to cry as she shook her head and walked away.

I started to follow her but heard a few familiar voices.

Grace, Mallory, and Avery were walking down the hallway. I quickly slid into the boys' locker room and waited for the voices to pass.

"Yeah, it's on Sunday," I heard Grace say.

"I can't come," Avery interjected.

"I can't come, but I'm sure Sean could."

"Avery, do you...?" Grace asked.

"Of course not!"

"Okay... okay. Great. Thanks guys." The voices started to fade as they started talking about other things, school, boys, and just people all around.

I slowly walked out of the room, watching the girls leave. Grace called to Sean and he turned around and smiled.

Mallory hugged her brother first, also hitting him in the arm with her pompom. Grace jumped into him, hugging him hard while wishing him luck. Then he kissed her on the cheek and spun her out.

Finally Avery held up her hands, as did he, and they locked fingers then dropped their arms and kissed.

When they pulled apart, Grace asked him something. He looked at Mallory and Avery, both shaking their head no. Then he asked Avery something and she said no again. He turned to Grace again and nodded his head. She hugged him quickly before turning around as they headed out, his arms around Grace and Avery.

They started walking away, the four of them laughing and talking.

That could've been me instead of Avery.

I tried to shake the insignificant thoughts out of my head... I have a boyfriend now and it is not Sean- even though we are engaged. But that doesn't matter.

Right?

I took a deep breath and started to walk away. I made my journey around the school and then to the parking lot to walk to the field.

We were playing one of the best teams in the county. Football is a big thing at our school, so I hoped we would win.

I bought my ticket and headed inside, with about ten minutes left to spare. I went to the restroom, and then the concession stand for a water. By then, the game was about to start.