Simplify & Solve

Chapter 3: Game Time

Bella's POV

The week went by really quickly. Everyone was getting excited for the football game. I honestly don't see what the big deal is, we have so many games it should be a normal thing by now. It is now Friday and teachers usually don't teach us much on days that share the same date as a football game. Everyone is too excited to actually pay attention, not that they do anyway. Cheerleaders spend half the day at practice and the other half in classes talking about their dates to the game and what they're gonna do after the game at the after party. coughslutscough.

Anyway my friends found out about Ryder asking me to wear his number to the football game. The girls were excited and the boys weren't to pleased. Even though none of us actually like the jocks enough to hang out with them on a daily basis the others in my group didn't mind hanging out with them that much. The girls started talking about what I should wear and how to do my makeup. The guys on the other hand were asking me questions non stop with frowns on their faces. You see the guys are kinda protective of us girls when it came to guys that they knew weren't "good enough" for us. Suddenly realizing what they were talking about I screamed.

"EWWW no you guys I didn't say yes to him!" I yelled. They all froze and looked at me. The boys suddenly let out a breath of relief while the girls looked at me like I was crazy.

"WHAT?!?!?!" all the girls screamed in unison. I swear sometimes they plan these things. 

"What did you expect me to say? You all no I don't like the football players" I said. 

"But still!!! It would have been fun to wear his number and shove it in the cheerleaders faces that he chose you instead of them. And you would have looked hotter then all of them as well which would just add to their anger. Now doesn't that sound fun?" Zoe asked. Well she does have a point I guess. I do hate cheerleaders more then jocks. The boys glared and Zoe after she finished speaking and she just shrugged her shoulders innocently. 

"I guess it could be pretty funny..." I reluctantly said. If there's something I've learnt is that if Zoe has a valid reason for something, she will not stop until you agree with her. The girls looked at each other excitedly. The guys looked at each other before reluctantly agreeing that it would be funny. 

Friday soon came and I was dragged to my own home against my will. Even though this will be funny I still won't enjoy it that much because I have to wear...his number. Breah raided my wardrobe the minute we got to my room while Zoe and Anna got all the makeup and stuff for my hair out. They were all talking non stop and squealing every now and then. This is going to get annoying real quick. I don't see what they're so giddy about, it's not like they were the ones wearing his number to this game. Suddenly there was a crashing noise in my wardrobe and Breah ran out with a massive smile on her face. Without saying a word she showed us the cutest shorts and dress I have ever seen in my life. The shorts were for the actual game and then later I would change into the dress for the after party. We always had one whether we won or not. The dress was about mid thigh and was purple, my favourite colour. It was tight at the top and kinda flowed out at my waist. It was strapless and had a thick brown belt at the waist. The shorts were red at the top then faded out to white, those are also the school's colours. 

Most girls that get to wear a football players number has that number imprinted onto what ever they want to wear. I honestly don't give a poo so I had Ryder give me a jersey with his number on it. Its actually kinda cute and with those shorts it would actually look like something I would wear out...maybe. Zoe did my makeup in a natural way while Breah put my hair in natural waves. After I got dressed I put on my black converse. I think I look hot, not being conceited or anything. The girls were already ready so we all went downstairs and got into the car. Anna drove us there and parked in the schools parking lot. Getting out we all made our way towards the football field. There weren't that many people there since we got there a bit early to get a good parking space. The football team were all on the field warming up. The girls dragged me towards them and pushed me towards the wall that separates the seats from the field. I crashed in the small wall and yelped. This caused the players to turn their heads towards me. Ryder saw me and smirked. He made his way over to me slowly.

"Looking good in my number babe" he said winking at me. Rolling my eyes I crossed my arms.

"Whatever Ryder be grateful i'm here at all" I replied. Something flashed in his eyes when I said that, it looked like... hurt? wait what? nahh i'm probably imagining things, Ryder does not get hurt or upset over little things like that, especially if it's coming from me, he doesn't even like me.

"Ouch babe, don't act like your not happy to be here and wearing my number" he said with his hand on his heart faking hurt. Rolling my eyes I walked away back to my girls and glaring at them. 

The place soon got crowded. The cheerleaders were glaring at me throughout the entire game. It really was hilarious. And to make things funnier half of them had tried asking Ryder to wear his number and he turned them down. I had fun, surprisingly. I did the whole super supportive girlfriend act, cheering Ryder on through the entire game just to get the cheerleaders angry. Ryder even winked at me a few times which got the cheerleaders staring at me like they were about to pounce and kill me. Geez obsessive much? 

Our school was winning but only by a little bit. I was just sitting in the bleachers and eating some popcorn when my girls suddenly pulled me up and dragged be to the little wall thing that I crashed into before. They all leaned on it so I just shrugged and did the same thing.Suddenly our school got a goal( A/N: i don't have a clue about football so sorry if i get the terms wrong) and won the game. Ryder came running towards me and jumped onto the wall and pull me in for a kiss. His hands gripped my waist but didn't go any lower or higher. His lips were surprisingly soft. I hate to admit it but he is an amazing kisser. I freeze for a minute in shock but then I slowly start kissing him back. I felt sparks fly and butterflies in my stomach all at once. Is this even possible. Ryder didn't try to get the kiss any further, it was sweet and simple. We continue to kiss for a little bit until we both need to come up for air. Pressing his forehead against mine, Ryder let out a big breath trying to calm his fast breathing down. 

Realizing what I just did I take a step back and start running towards the car park. It took Ryder a while but he soon realized that I am running away and starts to sprint after me. Ok so he's a football player and i'm a lazy ass, you can guess who's faster. I only made it a little way into the car park before Ryder caught up to me and grabbed onto my waist, pulling me back so my back crashes against his chest. Ryder got a firm grip on me and slowly turns me around to face him.

"Why'd you run away?" he asked me the hurt in his voice really evident. My heart started beating faster at the thought of him being hurt that I ran away. Staring into his eyes intensely I sighed. I hadn't gotten close to a boy in a long time. Boy's are just a waste of time when you're in high school. They think that the aim of life is to impress their friends, no matter who gets hurt. I didn't even realize that I was starting to form feelings for Ryder until he kissed me. Actually, now that I think about it, it kinda made sense since i started tolerating football players, especially Ryder, even more then my friends did. 

Letting out another sigh I snaked my hands around Ryder's waist and pulled him closer for a hug. He was surprised at first and didn't move but then relaxed and wrapped his arms around me. The whole keep guys out of my life thing was getting tiring. I forgot what it was like to get comfort from a guy other then my best friends. Ryder buried his head into my neck and stayed like that for a moment. Soon he pulled away but still kept me in his arms. Taking a deep breath he looked down at me and opened his mouth. 

"Bella i've been watching you for a while now, I mean not in a creepy stalker way but you know..." he said stuttering. I raised my eyebrows at him but didn't say anything and let him continue.

"Well you see... i've had a crush on you for the longest time. I never worked up the courage to actually talk to you properly until the day I asked you to wear my number. I started acting like a jerk because that's what most girls fall for, my cocky football player act. Anyway when you agreed I was so happy, I didn't even care that all the guys were making fun of me for being so cheesy. After having a few conversations with you I think my courage grew a little bit more hence me spilling my guts out to you right now. I guess what i'm trying to ask is..... will you be my girlfriend Bella?