Subtle and Sweet

chap 2, the football game

Bianca's P.O.V.

Friday nights soon became the highlight of school. Since I was in marching band, I got to go to every football game to play my trombone on the field. Sometimes they were home games and sometimes they were away.

It was the first football game of the season, an away game. I obviously sat with Kaitlyn and Lacy sat with her other friend Mara.

I was super nervous, but band camp trained me well and I ended up rocking it! I became friends with this 8th grader named Nolan. He played the baritone just like Hayden.

So far, life was great. Cool 8th graders were friends with me, school was challenging, marching band was lit... Did I mention Kacey and I were becoming friends? She started sitting with Kaitlyn and I at lunch.

Maybe this was a mistake on my part, but one day, I started talking to Hayden. It started with asking him for help on a math problem.

"How do you do this?" I asked, massaging my forehead. "This makes no sense."

"You just cube this number right here," he explained, pointing to my paper, his shoulder almost brushing on mine. I looked at him blankly, moving in closer. Our shoulders were touching.

"See, you take 15 and then multiply 15 to it 2 more times. So the formula would be 15x15x15," Hayden said, writing it out. He wasn't making any attempt to move his shoulder away. "Get it?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "Thanks. I'm Bianca."

"Hayden," he said, kind of smiling. I grinned and went back to work, our shoulders separating. But it was kind of hard to focus because the butterflies in my stomach weren't going away.

That night, as I drifted into sleep, I had a dream.

Hayden Hepart was kissing me. His hands were caressing my cheeks. I kissed him back eagerly, one of my arms around his waist and one in his hair.

I woke up smiling and blushing. Woah. Did I like Hayden? No, I barely knew him.

The next day at lunch, a group of 7th grade girls joined Kaitlyn, Kacey and I at lunch.

"Wassup ladies?" a girl smiled wickedly, plopping down her tray next to Kaitlyn. "The name's CJ." She had brown hair, wore glasses, had brown eyes that screamed bad girl, and wore a Chaplin Falls t-shirt and sweats.

"Ashton," the next girl smiled, sitting next to CJ. She had long wavy brunette hair that was really frizzy. Her blue eyes lit up and she had adorable nose freckles. Her fashion statement gave her a look of maturity: casual enough to look fancy, even though her personality was playful, I soon learned.

Three other girls joined CJ and Ashton but they didn't introduce themselves.

"I'm Bianca," I greeted.

"Ahh, Beesly. The principal's daughter," CJ grinned, biting into her hamburger. "Ask your dad for a snow day, would ya?"

"It's the beginning of September," I laughed. "And the superintendent decides that stuff, not my dad."

"Eh, worth a shot," she shrugged.

"So, Bianca, what do you like doing?" Ashton asked, taking CJ's glasses and propping them up on her own head. CJ growled and tried to get them back but eventually gave up.

"Umm, I like acting I guess. And writing and softball," I stuttered, nervous by the sudden pressure.

"Cool!" exclaimed Ashton. Kaitlyn nudged me from under the table and I knew she was happy that I was making other friends in my grade.

Kacey gave me a thumbs up and I laughed, feeling at ease. Then Hayden walked by our table and I found myself watching him pass by.

CJ and Ashton raised their eyebrows playfully but Kaitlyn and Kacey sighed.

"Don't," Kacey warned. "He's a pig."

"What's your guys' problem with Hayden? He's a really nice guy and he's not hurting anybody," I asked forcefully.

"Listen Bianca," Ashton explained. "Not a lot of people like him because he switches from girl to girl. But I can see you two together."

I reddened and stammered, "N-no, I just didn't get why people were hating on him and I guess it, it was my first instinct to protect him."

"Awww," Ashton cooed, touching her hand to heart. "That's really cute."

CJ rolled her eyes and snorted, "But seriously being serious, don't fall for him. All you'll get is heartbreak."

Kacey and Kaitlyn nodded, but Ashton remained quiet, staring at her lunch. I was about to ask her what was wrong but then the bell rang and Nolan ran up to me, keeping me from going up to Ashton.

"I hate people so much sometimes," I sighed.

"Same newbie," he agreed, giving me a noogie. I laughed.

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Two Fridays later, the football game rolled around again. It was an away game. I sat with Mara on the bus. We were starting to become good friends.

Kaitlyn and I sat next to each other on the bleachers, and coincidentally, Hayden and Nolan sat behind us.

Ignoring the fact that Hayden was behind me, I got out my phone and texted Kacey. Kaitlyn looked over my shoulder as I texted,

B: Hey I'm going to find out if Hayden actually likes you or if it's just a rumor.

K: ok whatevs

"So Hayden," I asked, putting my phone down and turning around. Kaitlyn giggled. "Is it true you like Kacey?"

Hayden's face turned red, and I smiled. Caught him.

"Well," he stuttered, gulping. "I-maybe." He caved in.

"Knew it!" I sang and Kaitlyn smiled in victory.

"Hey Bianca wait," he sighed. "Can you find out if she, well, maybe likes me back?"

My heart panged but I ignored it. So picking up a fake smile, I replied, "Sure. Anything."

Nolan choked on the water he was drinking and he formed his hands into a heart shape. It was my turn to go red. I picked up my phone, ignoring heart screaming, "Oh my god oh my god he likes your best friend!"

My brain was scoffing, "So what if he likes Kacey? His choice."

"But he's cute," my heart whimpered.

"Nope. You are not allowed to like him, remember?" my brain retaliated. My heart sighed.

B: Yeah, he definitely likes u. Hbu? U like him?

K: ewwww god no. gag me

My heat sank for Hayden. I couldn't let him see this text. Too late. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I heard Hayden softly reading the text out loud.

"No-" I started and Kaitlyn gasped.

"Oh," Hayden whispered. I whipped my head around.

"Hayden, it's okay, really. With or without Kasey, I think you're pretty awesome," I said hopefully. Nolan grabbed his chest and pretended to scream.

SHIP, he mouthed.

Kaitlyn touched my arm. She was telling me to stop. Hayden smiled bitterly and changed the subject.

"Ooh Bianca, so you have a crush on me then?" he teased, but the hurt from his rejection was still in his eyes.

"Hah, I-umm, well... No," I gulped, laughing nervously. "I don't have a crush on anyone." I heard Kaitlyn breathe a sigh of relief.

"Oh, okay," Hayden nodded. I kind of felt relived, but Hayden didn't talk the rest of the night and it kind of depressed me.