Love to Hate You • E.D.

Nine

Being dragged to a football game is no fun. Especially when you're forced to go with someone you don't even talk to. A girl from my class wanted me to go with her, practically begging me at my doorstep, and my mother made me go whether I liked it or not. The girl, Andrea, didn't have anyone to go with and we used to be best friends in middle and elementary school.

"You want something? I'm gonna go to the concessions." Andrea says to me while we're standing by the fence waiting for the game to start. I shake my head no while she bounces off, ponytail swaying back and forth. I sigh, leaning against the cold metal while I pull my sleeves over my freezing fingers. While waiting, I look around the field and see the players beginning to take their positions.

Our team is only about twenty feet away from me, and just my luck, Ethan and Grayson's back are right in front of me. Numbers 8 and 47. I roll my eyes when they break, and I watch Ethan put his helmet on his head, bumping chests with Grayson. He looks my way and decides to walk over.

"I'll score a touchdown just for you, baby girl." Ethan says to me with a wink, and the cold air turns his breath into something that looks like smoke. Our eyes lock and I can feel his breath from here.

"Dolan!" Coach yells at him. He backtracks, turning around quickly and jogging back to the game.

"Oohhh, Grayson Dolan." Andrea coos when she gets back next to me with a pretzel and soda in her hands.

She didn't even know the difference? Even I knew that.

"Uhhh, that was Ethan."

Her cheeks turn red in embarrassment.

"Oh my God, that always happens."

"Wouldn't be the first time." I joke. As I start to watch the game, I find myself searching for Ethan. When I find him and see the way he plays, I bite my lip, smiling.

When the game is over, a sad loss to us, I make a bold move.

I make Andrea wait by the gates while I go wait for the players by the school. The rival team heads to their locker room and we head to ours. Grayson walks pass me before Ethan does, his helmet at his side.

"Uh, good game." I stutter awkwardly.

"Thanks." He shows his killer smile before disappearing into the school.

Ethan.

I put my fingers around his exposed wrist, pulling him towards me. He smells of sweat, and his hair is plastered to his forehead while he clutches his blue helmet in his hands. His eyes search mine, his brows furrowing. I gotta put this feeling to rest, or else I just might die. I gotta know what is going on in my head.

"Why don't we try that again." I suggest, and I look to his lips. Leaning in, his breath touching my cheek, Ethan's head tilts to the side, and his mouth hits mine gently. I put my hand on his cheek, my thumb making circles on his tan skin. I hear his helmet drop to the ground, and his hands grip my waist as if he is glued to me.

Despite the chilly night I was consumed with heat. A million and one thoughts raced through my head but all I could focus on was Ethan's lips against mine, and his strong grip on my waist.

Why was I doing this? What made me want this so bad?

I fucking hated him.

I hated him so much it made my heart race and my stomach fill with butterflies.

I hated him so much so that I loved it.

Ethan slowly parted his lips from mine, continuing to linger close.

"I'll consider this my touchdown." He said softly.

"Best one you've ever scored I reckon." I reply. Where the hell did that come from?!

"Fuck yeah." And he kisses me once again, harder, more intensely.

He kisses me so hard he has to hold me against him, causing me to rise onto my tip toes. I wrap my arms around his neck in response, not caring who sees.

Fuck it, let the whole school see, they probably don't know who I am anyway.

"So I guess I've finally won you over then huh?" He asks as he places his forehead on mine, his arms wrapped securely around me.

"I wouldn't go that far, a part of me is still disgusted at the sight of you."

"Oh baby girl I know I can change that." I can't help but smile.

"Correction, you hope you can change that."