Homecoming weekend – the highlight in every student’s calendar. Not only did it mark the tradition of welcoming back former students on campus but also the excuse to get shamelessly drunk two days in a row and sneak away with your crush to make out.
Another main event taking place on that weekend was the annual soccer match between the university’s soccer team and the Alumni and Shawn’s heart is still racing as he yanks his captain’s armband from his upper arm. His team has won the match and he high-fives his teammates with a pleased expression on his face before taking off his sweaty soccer jersey.
He is about to head towards the showers as he hears Nate and some of the other players snicker about something. They are gathered around Nate who is holding a piece of paper, a smug grin plastered on his handsome face.
It’s only when Shawn hears him say Charlotte’s name, he turns around. Narrowing his eyes, he steps closer, jersey in hand.
“What’s so funny?” he asks, raising his eyebrows a little.
Nate turns around, as if he’s been caught doing something forbidden.
“Nothing. It’s a joke you wouldn’t get,” he replies, grinning maliciously. Shawn notices him hiding the piece of paper behind his back and he can feel that something is off.
“What is on that sheet?” Shawn asks in a threatening tone, stepping closer. Being the same height as Nate they stare each other down. Nate’s icy blue eyes are locked on Shawn’s brown ones and Shawn stretches his hand out, making a gesture to give him the sheet of paper.
“It’s none of your business,” Nate spits out and Shawn can sense the sudden nervousness of the other players.
With one swift motion, Shawn reaches behind Nate’s back, snatching the sheet from his hands. He quickly scans over it, frowning in confusion.
It doesn’t make sense to him at first.
There are about fifteen to twenty names on the list and some of the names are checked off. It is only when he notices that there are only girl’s names on it he realizes what this is about.
He stares at the headline, clenching his jaw.
The V list.
And as soon as he sees Charlotte’s name right at the top of the list, he clutches Nate’s jersey, slamming him against one of the lockers with a loud thud.
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
Nate tries to free himself from Shawn’s grip but he is at his mercy. “Is this a freaking game to you?” Shawn growls, holding up the list in front of Nate’s face.
Conor steps in, trying to get Shawn away from Nate.
“Shawn, come on, let him go,” he says in a calm voice but Shawn gives him a furious look, keeping Nate pressed against the locker, fisting the collar of his jersey. “Do you know about this?” he mutters in an upset tone, holding the piece of paper up.
Conor swallows thickly, giving him an apologetic look. “I only learned about it yesterday.”
Shawn stares back at Nate. “You will explain what the fuck this stupid list means or I’ll break your face,” he mutters, reluctantly letting go of him and Nate pushes him away.