The Battle of The Bad Boys (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 7: The Fallout

I run as fast as I can, dodging from side to side to avoid the incoming paintballs. As I approach the Blue camp, I catch a glimpse of their flag hanging from the top window in the tower. Quickly surveying the area, I confirm that I'm in the clear. I take the steps two at a time and seize the blue flag unopposed. Score!

"Red!" I shout, relishing our victory. Suddenly I yelp as I am hit in the stomach by a bullet. Sam is standing about a metre away from me with a smirk on her face. As I meet her eye, her face morphs into an expression of apology as she rushes over to me and hugs me, asking to see the wound and apologising profusely. She puts on such a good show, I almost believe her when she says that it was an accident. Almost.

*~*~*

We're all in a bit of a daze returning to the cars. Who would have thought that paint-balling could put such a strain on friendships? Even Jordan and Derek are silent. In the end, the Reds won by 6 games to 4 so it was pretty close. But to be honest, I think the Blues threw the last game so would could go home quicker and not have to play a tiebreaker. Sam won't meet my eye properly after the whole incident of hitting me in the stomach from close-range. She doesn't seem to know why she did it herself. I just want to blame it on hormones and move on but she's still beating herself up about it. And she never told me what Amy's note had said...

Without even thinking, we all slip back into the cars we came in. Big mistake. If it wasn't awkward enough on the way out, now it's actually cringe-worthy. The silence is heavy, and the car feels suffocated by the crushing elephant in the room which everyone is studiously ignoring. I can't do another twenty minutes of this.

"So, that was fun." I try breaking the silence. This is followed by snickers from both of the boys.

"Yeah, really fun." Hunter rolls his eyes, earning him a slap from me.

"Hey, at least I'm trying. Look can't you guys just kiss and make up?" Tyler visibly flinches as I say 'kiss' and I instantly feel bad. What's wrong with you Leila? You're going on a date with Tyler tomorrow and you're kissing Hunter today. Ugh stupid hormones. "I was talking to Chase earlier and he mentioned that you guys used to be best friends..."

"Don't Leila, just don't." Tyler sighs, keeping his eyes fixed on the road. At least I tried. I put my headphones in and gaze out of the window for the rest of the journey home.

*~*~*

Tyler pulls up to our driveway and immediately Hunter gets out and slams the door without another word. As he does this, I see a look of guilt cross Tyler's face but he quickly replaces it with a hard look of resolve. Just as I reach to get out of the car, he stops me and places a hand on my cheek, turning my face towards his.

"Are we still on for tomorrow?" He asks, stroking my cheek with his thumb. Here come the butterflies again.

"You still want to go out with me, after what happened?" I blush as I remember him seeing Hunter and me almost kiss.

"Of course. Look, I get it. We haven't even been on a date yet so it's not like I can be mad about it. Just give me a chance to prove that I'm the only one you want to be kissing." He says, sincerely. I feel myself almost melt as he says the words that I have wanted to hear from him for years.

"Okay." I whisper, and in a moment of boldness I lean forward and kiss him on the cheek before hastily exiting the car. 

"I'll see you tomorrow," he shouts out of the window, just loud enough for Hunter (who's opening his front door) to hear. As Tyler drives away, Hunter turns on heel and strides towards me. I try to jog to my front door but who am I kidding? I'm never going to outrun a six-foot something guy who works out everyday. Trust me, I should know, the number of times I have been caught watching him is embarrassing.