A New Life

7. A Thrilling Game

Hey readers! This is my personal favorite chapter so far! I'd love for you vote and comment below once you finish the chapter. Enjoy!!:) Elizabeth

Nick and I walked to the restaurant on the other side of the building from the coffee shop. He was really funny and sweet, and I was starting to really get to know him. Nick could tell I was thinking about something.

We ordered sandwiches at the front of the restaurant and sat down at a small table in the corner.

"Is there something bothering you?" Nick finally asked me.

"Well, tomorrow is my cousin's Tyler's birthday, and this is the first year I haven't been able to be with him. I don't have a present for him this year and I still want to get him something, but I can't think of what," I said. I smiled, and I decided I could tell him. I began to tell him the story of my childhood, and how my cousin Tyler was so important to me.

"Well, maybe I can help...what kind of things does he like to do?"

"Hmmm..." it took me a minute to think of something. Then, I said, "He likes soccer a lot, and he needs a new pair of cleats. He only has one pair, and they're pretty worn out."

"Then, we should go get him a pair. I have a car, we can go to the sports store that's only a few minutes away."

"You know, that kind of sounds like my situation," he began. "I lived with my grandmother all of junior high and high school because my parents died in a terrible car accident when I was younger. I took care of my little brother Scott when I got home from school."

We finished up our lunch, and Nick drove us to the sports store. We listened to the radio and Ed Sheeran started playing on the radio. We went in, and Nick helped me choose the perfect cleats for Tyler. I knew Tyler would absolutely love them. I bought the cleats, and Nick took me back to campus. He had football practice at 5 before the game.

Nick and I spent as much time as we could together before he had to leave for football. We talked more about our childhoods and learned a lot more about each other.

"Thank you so much for an amazing day," I said as he found a parking space and we got out. "You are so sweet to help me find the perfect present for Tyler." 

Nick pulled me into a tight hug and whispered, "Anything for you, little one."

Am I dreaming? Snap out of it, Lauren, this is serious.

"I'll see you at the game later. " I told him, smiling.

Was I falling for him? I didn't know, but I really needed to talk to Sophie.

I walked to the dorm with my bag of cleats and went up the stairs.  I pulled out my key and opened the door. Sophie didn't seem to be home. I went to my room and set my backpack and the cleats on the floor. I went back to the kitchen and got an apple out of the fridge. I sat down on the couch and started writing my English paper that I got today. Just then, the lock turned and I heard Sophie talking to someone in the hall. She said goodbye to whomever it was and came in smiling brightly.

"Hey! You're home! I just had the most amazing day with Connor!" she told me excitedly. "After I got your text I assumed it would be alright if I went to lunch with him instead. Is everything ok?" she asked me, sort of worried.

"Yeah it's great! My lab partner in Physics named Nick invited me out to lunch, and I didn't think I could let the opportunity pass."

"Awww that's adorable!! Is he cute?" she asked me smiling.

I nodded. "He is sooo sweet! He helped me pick out a present for Tyler for his birthday." 

"Awwww, I think we'll have to meet this Nick," she told me jokingly.

We both laughed. "He's playing at the football game tonight, so maybe you can meet him then," I told her.

"Speaking of the game, we need to get ready," Sophie said.

We both went to our rooms and got ready. I took a shower and straightened my hair. I put on one of my new University of Missouri shirts and a pair of jeans. Sophie was still getting ready so I left her a note and decided to take the cleats and mail them to Tyler back in Wisconsin. I walked to the mailroom which was a few minutes from the cafeteria. The lady there helped me pack them and get the package in the mail for tomorrow.

I got back to the dorm and found Sophie ready to go to the game. We walked to the football field, which was about 10 minutes away.

As we approached, we saw the team have the first kick-off by the University of Indiana. The game was really thrilling to watch. Ryan scored a touchdown after just 4 minutes of the game. He was a great player and really helped the team play well together. At half time, Sophie and I got some popcorn and soft drinks. The score was 15-0 with our team winning.

Then, after a player threw a terrible pass, Ryan tried to catch the ball. He barely missed it, but he collided with the biggest player on the other team. He was knocked out and was taken off the field by the trainers and doctors. I couldn't see the rest because he was taken inside, but I was worried about him and I hoped he was alright. Nick went in the game for him and scored another amazing touchdown for our team. He was also a really good player, and thrilling to watch play.

The game ended in our favor with a 21-7 game.

After the two teams shook hands and the game was over, Sophie and I waited in the stands about 30 minutes for the boys to take a shower and get their gear off after the game. About that time, everyone had cleared from the stands except for Sophie and me. We saw them come out and greet us, and we took the stairs down to the field to see the boys. Nick's eyes met mine and I began to run over to see him. He was so happy about he win that he picked me up and kissed me.

"This is the first time in history we've won against the University of Indiana!" he stated really loudly.

We both laughed, and he kissed me again, but more passionately, and this time I was on the ground. But, I was definitely falling for him.