Behind Close Doors

Chapter Fifty-Two

MY PALMS SWEAT in anticipation as I entered the combination to my locker and placed my books inside after last period ended. Other students were quick to pack the hallways and do the same because of the event that was taking place after school. While only a third of the student body and staff came to football games during the season, the whole school was encouraged to come and celebrate if the team made it to the championship game at the pre-ceremony.

To be honest, I didn't know why having a championship game pre-ceremony was even necessary. Yes, the Dolphins had made it to the state finals, but there was nothing to celebrate just yet in my opinion. Nevertheless, I was prepared to go and show my support for Harry and the rest of his teammates like I had promised the day before.

On my way to the Great Lawn field where the ceremony was being held, I bumped shoulders with someone I hadn't had a conversation with in months. We were both taken aback by the sudden contact and moved away from each other until there was a sizeable gap between us. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw the man I bumped into turn his head to face me. His brown eyes looked more like a brownish-gold due to the sunlight shining on them. A large smile spread across his face upon recognizing who I was, and I mirrored his expression.

"Florence! It's so nice to see you," He said in a cheerful tone. "How have you been?"

"I've been good, Ethan," I answered him with a smile. "Sorry for bumping into you by the way and congrats on making it to the championships. I know Sia is very proud."

Ethan smiled wider at the mention of Sia's name and nodded his head. "Yeah, she is. I wish she could be here to watch me play, but she won't be back until prom," He told me with a frown. "She did tell you that she was coming back for prom, right?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, of course, she did. Sia will be staying at my house," I informed him.

"Good to know," Ethan replied while shoving his hands into his pockets.

As we got closer to the lawn, I saw a makeshift stage with a microphone stand set up in the center and several rows of chairs lined up on either side. A blue banner that read "Go Dolphins" was pinned up at the top of the curtains that flowed down the stage. There was a large gap in the middle between the two sections of chairs that served as an aisle for people to walk through. Most of the seats were already filled, and I noticed the players in their jerseys sitting at the front while students and a few teachers occupied the middle and back rows.

"The first two rows are reserved for the players," Ethan told me. "I'm gonna go sit with the rest of my teammates, but I'll see you afterwards, okay?" He assured me.

"Sounds good," I confirmed, giving him two thumbs up.

Ethan gave me quick hug from the side before jogging down the aisle and squeezing his way to one of the empty chairs in the second row. I searched the crowd for Harry so that I could sit close by to him and spotted him helping a man sit down in the front row at the right side of the stage. As I got closer to some of the empty seats in the fourth row, the man who Harry helped sit down turned his head around to survey the area.

My eyebrows raised in surprise when I discerned the man to be Robin Twist. When our eyes connected, he offered me a polite smile and waved, prompting Harry to turn his head around to see who it was. I smiled at both Harry and Mr. Twist and waved back at them while taking my seat. Harry gave me his signature side smirk before following Mr. Twist's lead and turning back around to face the front.

The action caused a blush to creep up on my cheeks, and I stared down at my hands in my lap until I heard Coach Ford speak into the microphone. My head snapped up as he called for everyone's attention, and the noise levels dropped, silence sweeping over the entire space.