red | e.d

eighteen

EDEN-JADE THURLOW
friday night.

" Be safe, okay? " My brother Alex, called out as I rushed to the car waiting by my house, a small smile curving up onto my lips as I heard this.
" I will! " I yelled back, rushing around to the passengers seat of Katie's car, hopping in.
I grinned when I joined her, the loud music playing from the speakers only making me ten times more excited. Tonight was Ethan's first game on the football team and we couldn't have been more happy for him. It wasn't just that, though. It was also a chance to watch Luke play, because he's my best friend and the team captain, after all.

Thankfully, the weather was great. It was slightly chilly, with the crisp air and almost orange autumn leaves resting on the ground peacefully. However, the sun also peeked through the trees, the sky a clear blue. This was my favourite type of weather: sunny, but also cold.

" Okay... I know I'm gay, but your brother's fucking hot " Katie spoke up, snapping me out of my short daydream " Like damn, does your whole family have good genes, or something? "
I laughed at this, burying my face into my hands. I tried my best to forget about the words that had just left her mouth, but eventually the two of us burst into a fit of laughter, before pulling up onto our schools street. It was only a short drive and when Katie had parked her car, we hopped out, shivering slightly at the cold air. The sound of excited and eager students filled my ears as we approached the football field, soon enough the sound of drums and cheerleaders heard, too. I hadn't been to a game in so long, but I had definitely missed the atmosphere. Everyone was always so upbeat, which instantly transferred to me.

Katie and I walked close by eachother as we made our way past the side of the bleachers, soon the view of the field and the hundreds of students sitting, buying snacks and talking, coming into our vision. The cheerleaders wore their usual outfits as they hyped up the crowd, my eyes landing on one in particular. Mackenzie.

She was in her element, the pom poms in her hand being waved around from side to side, as she jumped up and down on her feet. She led the group, boys whistling from the front row. As we passed, we caught Mackenzie's eye, a small smile curving up onto her lips when she saw us. However, the look she received from her cheer team let me know that they weren't too impressed with her sudden friendliness, towards us. Fuck them, then.

The game was seconds away from beginning and so Katie and I took our seats, both of us buzzing with energy. That was when loud cheers sounded from those around us, everyone rising to their feet, both of us doing the same. The opposing team ran out from their side of the pitch, many of Eastfield High's students booing at their arrival. However, when our first player rushed out onto the field, everyone became ecstatic once again.

I felt the adrenaline in my veins begin to flourish as I waited anxiously for the boy I liked so much to arrive on the pitch. I didn't even realise it, but I was biting down on my lip, it bopping back into place when I finally saw the boy with a number 7 jersey, run out onto the field.

I knew it was Ethan instantly, I could tell from a mile away. The helmet he wore covered his face, but I could have only imagined the beautiful and contagious smile that was growing on his lips at the sound of our school cheering him on, clapping their hands as he made his way onto the pitch. I felt so proud, all I did was scream ten times louder, raising my hands into the air as I clapped.

I knew it wasn't exactly what I should have been thinking, but I couldn't help but eye the boy in his football uniform. I didn't think it was possible to accentuate his muscles even more, but it did. The white and blue kit looked incredible on him, making me gulp slightly at the sight.