Until We Meet Again

Chapter Eight: Six-Thirty

Cheer and football practice ended up running until five o'clock. Everyone was pumped for the upcoming game. After practice, the football players headed straight to the showers to get cleaned up, while all the girls stood around the field gossiping and giggling. While the rest of the girls were chatting away, Allison made her way toward the bleachers to sit with Olivia, who was eagerly waiting for her.

Olivia skipped over to Allison with a dandelion in her hand. "Here, this is for you." Allison beamed as Olivia gently placed the delicate flower in her hair. "I told you, you were one of the best cheerleaders out there." Before Allison could thank her younger sister, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"I gotta agree with her."

"Kyle?" Allison turned in surprise.

"Who else would it be?" he replied with a playful grin. Kyle bent down to Olivia's level, his presence warm and welcoming. "Hi, my name is Kyle. What's yours?" He extended his hand toward Olivia, who beamed a big toothy smile at him.

"Hello, my name's Olivia. Olivia Kate Hayze. I'm Allison's sister," she introduced herself proudly, shaking his hand.

"Well, Miss Olivia, it is an honor to meet you," Kyle said, bowing dramatically while speaking in a horrible British accent. Allison chuckled at his playful antics, and Olivia giggled, her eyes darting between Allison and Kyle.

After a few moments, Olivia gathered her things and announced, "I'm going to find Eliza down on the field."

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Kyle!" Olivia said, giving him a quick hug before skipping off.

Kyle stood up and turned to face Allison, his smile lingering. "She's a spitting image of you," he said, watching as Allison tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the dandelion still nestled in her hair.

"You were so sweet to her," Allison replied. "I see the team made an exception for you to join them." She grinned, teasing him lightly. Instead of responding, Kyle hopped up onto the bleacher beside her and took a seat.

"Hey, I wanted to ask if you wanted to hang out sometime." Kyle's sudden openness caught Allison off guard. She hesitated, unsure of how to respond at first. She thought about telling him she was too busy, but there was something in Kyle's eyes—a quiet determination that told her he wasn't going to give up easily.

"Yeah, I'd love to. That would be great," she finally said, her heart fluttering.

"How about after we get cleaned up?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, man, I can't," Allison said, biting her lip as Kyle gave her a questioning look. "I promised Eliza we'd have a girl's night tonight. You know, a little celebration because we made the team." His expression softened with understanding.

"Of course," he replied, nodding. "What about Sunday night?"

"Sure," Allison said, pulling out a small sheet of paper with her number on it and handing it to him. "Six-thirty work?"

Kyle chuckled, sensing her nervousness. "Perfect."

He smiled and then, without a second thought, reached out and gently grabbed her hand. Allison's heart skipped a beat as she looked down at their hands.

"Kyle?" she asked softly, feeling both curious and unsure.

"I hope you think of this as a gesture of starting a closer friendship," he said, his voice sincere. His eyes, filled with warmth, met hers. Allison's face lit up with a beautiful smile, her excitement unmistakable.

"Okay, well, I'll pick you up Sunday," Kyle said before standing up and walking away, disappearing behind the school. Allison watched him leave, a happy, fluttery feeling filling her stomach. There was something unique about Kyle, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. He was mature for his age, yet playful and fun in moments like these. She started to wish she had gotten to know him earlier when they first met.

"This is only going to be two friends hanging out," she reminded herself as she walked away, her thoughts swirling. But before she could get too lost in them, she spotted Olivia and Eliza.

"Ready?" Eliza asked as she approached.

"Yeah," Allison replied, still dazed by what had just happened.

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Once they arrived at the Ginger residence, the girl's night officially kicked off. Eliza hooked up her music to the speaker while Allison prepared snacks. They stayed up painting their nails in neon colors, watching Disney movies, playing "Would You Rather," and laughing until their stomachs hurt. Olivia eventually crashed around one-fifteen, leaving Allison and Eliza to clean up the living room. Once everything was tidied up, the two girls collapsed onto Eliza's fluffy pink bed.

"Hey, can I ask you for a favor?" Allison asked casually, turning to her best friend.

"Anything, girly," Eliza replied, her tone playful.

"Could you watch Olivia for me tomorrow night? You can sleep over afterward."

"Yeah, sure. My church doesn't have evening service tomorrow."

Allison smiled in relief. "Great, thanks! I can always count on you." Eliza noticed the hint of nervousness in Allison's voice and raised an eyebrow.

"Spill," Eliza demanded, giving her best friend a knowing look.

"What?" Allison asked, taken aback.

"Who is it?" Eliza pressed.

"Who's who?"

"Who asked you out?" Eliza said, more forcefully this time. Allison hesitated, then shrugged her shoulders.

"Kyle asked if I wanted to hang out tomorrow, and I said yes," Allison admitted, watching Eliza's eyes widen in excitement. "But it's not a date!" she quickly added. "Just two friends hanging out."

"This is huge, Ally!" Eliza screeched, practically jumping up and down like an excited child. After regaining her composure, she declared, "I am going to help you get ready for tomorrow. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!"

Allison couldn't help but laugh, feeling lucky to have a best friend like Eliza. They spent the rest of the night laughing, playing "Truth or Dare," and acting like the carefree high school seniors they were.

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Meanwhile, Kyle had told his parents about his plans with Allison, and they were thrilled for their son. The anticipation built inside him as he counted down the hours to six-thirty the next evening. Even though they hadn't known each other for long, Allison had a way of making him smile without even trying. He couldn't wait to see where this new chapter of their friendship would lead.

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