If Only

Ten

Reina looks at herself in her mirror. She gazes over the outfit she picked out a few hours ago after Ezra called asking her to go to the football game with her and Riku. She takes selfies with her phone admiring her masterpiece. Her phone suddenly rings and she answers it without looking at the contact I.D.

"Hello?"

"Do you want to go to the game with me?"

"Huh? Z-zhang? she stutters in surprise."

"Yeah."

"Oh. Uh...um...Ezra asked me to go with her and Riku." she answers slapping herself for not saying yes.

"Oh really. Well, I guess I'll just see you there then." Zhang says and hangs up the phone.

Reina face palms herself, 'Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.' She calls Zhang back but it goes straight to voicemail. She tries a few more times but still the same result. I missed my chance. She calls Ezra very disgruntle.

"Sup hoe?"

"I screwed up."

"What the? What are you talking about now?"

"Zhang."

"Okay. What about him?"

"He asked me to go to the game with him."

"REALLY?! YEAH!!! WAY TO GO REINA!!!!"

"Uh...Ezra. I kinda told him I was going with you guys."

"..."

"..."

"Hello?"

"Izzy??"

"Reina...what in the unholy half of a fuck WHERE YOU THINKING???!!!"

"Uh...I panicked."

"Well bih unpanic And fix it."

"He won't answer Izzy. Please help."

"Grrr...we're on our way to pick you up. Ill fix it THIS time but you owe me bih."

"Thanks Izzy. Thats why I'm glad you're one of my best friends."

"Aww. Thanks Reina."

Reina grabs her things and goes outside the door after hearing the car horn. She runs down the walk way to Rikus white Chevy Camaro. She gets inside and smiles at her friends. Ezra glares at her while Riku drives to the stadium. "Reina. What where you thinking not going with Zhang?" She spits menacingly. Riku looks through the rearview mirror at her, "Hey. Dont sweat it Reina. He can be a bit abnormal at times. You never know what to expect from Zhang Nakamura." She nods and stares out the window thinking to herself, 'Why DID Zhang ask me to go with him?'

Zhang and his dad walk up to the front gate where Shouyu and Liam are waiting. They see them and wave to get their attention. He and Nahm walk over and his immediately bops Shouyu in the top of the head.

"Ow. What was that for Mr Nakamaru?" Shouyu whines and he bops him again. He points at his shoulder, "Thats for fighting with your injury!! Do you realize you could have burst your stitches?!!" He fumes at him. Someone taps his shoulder, "Its okay Nahm. I made sure he learned his lesson." He turns around and then hugs his best friend. "Yuri! Hi. And Liam. My boy." he exclaims.

The three adults go to the press box where the other alumni are seated. Shouyu and Zhang go to the concession stand for some snacks. While they are ordering, Shouyu gets a text.

Amari
Hello Zhang.

Zhang
Hey Amari. Where are you guys?

Amari
We're in the parking lot. Riku, Ezra and Reina just pulled up as well. Where are you guys?

Zhang glances at Shouyu and smirks.

Zhang
Me and your boyfriend are at the concession stand.

He can feel the blush appear on her face when she read that message. He chuckles and then he gets another text.

Amari
T-thats n-not f-funny Z-zhang

Zhang
Geez Amari. How is it possible that you stutter in a text message?

Amari
Leave me alone. We're on our way through the front gates.

Zhang
Alright

Zhang delivers the message to Shouyu who nods with a plain look on his face. Zhang raises an eyebrow but doesnt question it. After a few minutes, Mitsuki and Boruto walk up, surprisingly, with Sarada and Sumire. Shouyu makes a face and then looks over at Zhang who shrugs his shoulders.

Boruto sighs, "Here comes the onslaught."

Everyone looks at him and then hear a very loud voice, "BORUTO AND SARADA!!!! YEAH!!!" They all sigh in defeat. 'Typical Reina.' Amari walks up and greets them and Shouyu gives her a quick and small smile. Only Zhang catches it though. Zhang looks up and sees Reina looking at him. He quickly turns his head the other way and begins walking towards their seats. Reina drops her head and walks along with everyone else. Amari lingers back to walk beside her. "Hey. Are you okay?" she asks.

"Yeah. Im fine. I think I made Zhang mad when I turned down his offer to come with him instead of Ezra and Riku." she admits. Amari looks at Shouyu and drops her head. "I know what you mean." Firm hands grip each of their shoulders and their friend squeezes between them. "Dont be so down guys. Not all early birds catch their worms. And sometimes its best to let your pot roast marinate to perfection rather than cooking at a higher temperature."

Both girls sweat drop but nod in understanding.

As they reach their seats, Ezra switches seats with Reina at the last minute so that she is sitting directly between Riku and Zhang. They are seated like so: first row Shouyu, Zhang, Reina, Riku, Ezra, Amari. Second row, Jai, Keiri, Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki, Sumire.

The game starts with the playing of the national anthem. Reina notices an off look on Zhang's face as he stares at the field. He feels her staring and turns his head to her. And at that moment she sees nothing but pain and sorrow in his eyes. He turns back and looks at his god brother Denki who has his head lifted directly towards the sky with his index finger pointing towards it.

Shouyu, Riku and Jai all copy them with the rest of their friends joining in. A tear slips from Denkis eye as he turns around and points to his little god brother. Zhang points to him and they nod to each other. The cannon explodes and the game is underway.