short crush / love stories

It's Her Season

Liam+Jamie
POV: Liam
7 months pass since we've been starting to talk...
Man, I am proud of myself. When she became manager, I finally had a chance to talk to her. Even though I was being made fun of by my friends. It's all worth it.
She's beautiful and the sweetest person I knew. I just have to make my move. And it was by going to her soccer game.
Recently, she got on the varsity team, and was appointed as a starter. For celebration, I took her out—for the first time—to go get ice cream. She was about to pay, but I slid my money secretly, to pay for her too. She got Rocky Road, apparently her favorite ice cream.
I wanted to do something. No matter if she lost or won her first game, scored a goal or not, did terribly, I would ask her out to be my girlfriend after the game. My eyes were locked on the prize.
My "survival backpack," as I called it to Jamie when we were watching the JV game together, was actually filled with flowers, her favorite candy: butter finger and starbursts, a heartwarming card, and a necklace from me.
I assumed she liked me, but I could be wrong. I mean I don't know. If she says no, I'm fucked to be honest. Probably eating that candy all alone.
But I couldn't think about that right? Have to be positive. I got this.
The game was about to start and Jamie took her spot on the field. She seemed a little traumatized today, most likely because our team was versing the Barrington Wolves-one of the hardest team in the conference.
Her posture seemed to me that she was scared. During warmups she tippy toed and her body was shaking . I could understand how she felt, the pressure was so high, it was a full house tonight.
She was next when they were practicing shots. She kicked her soccer ball a few steps in front of her. Finally she hit the ball, with an equivalent amount of force. Her stroke was beautiful as it landed in the corner of the net.
Everyday I taught Jamie my shot, as a forward. She was midfielder and had good hustle and handles with the ball. But at the time, her shot was lacking.
She was a quick learner and devoted. It was so god damn cute. She was so serious about soccer you could see it in her face.
She told me a story about how soccer basically engulfed her into happiness and that she was thankful for me being patient with her on teaching me her an effective shot. She was supposed to be an offensive midfielder, so she needed it anyway.
After she made the shot, she looked at me and gave me a wave. I gave her a soft smile and thumbs up, showing her I was hella proud and she got this.
My friend, Jerry Barnes texted me that he was going to be here. Well I asked him to come, so before my big move I had someone to talk to and calm me down.
Jerry wasn't apart of the soccer team, however he had his suspicions about my feelings towards Jamie. I haven't told him yet the whole truth. Hopefully I could tell him today.
Jerry was walking up the bleachers and we made eye contact. Instantly, he greeted me.
"Liam Neary," he gave me a high five. "What are you doing at a girl's soccer game?"
I briefly stopped and bullshitted my answer.
"Coach told me too...you know?"
To my advantage, the players were suppose to be announced in a couple seconds. Every loud chattering came to a stop.
"All rise for our national anthem," the PA said.
Everyone put their hand on their right side and listened to the national anthem which was being played by the band today.
After the national anthem, the players came closer to the stands to be introduced. The bench players flocked to their benches. Jamie was #4, and she was wearing double braids which looked very pretty on her. I was proud that she was on the field right now as a starter. She made a lot of effort on the field and even as our manager. She deserved it hella.
Jamie's team was pretty stacked. They had Krista Stegall, Tess Hurt, Alaina Reyes, and Juliana Harper. They were extreme athletes who couldn't be stopped on the field.
They introduced Jamie and she took a step. She laid out her little hand out to make a wave. She scanned the audience and saw me. As our eyes locked, my mind began thinking about multiple things at once.
"God...Jamie has too much acne and she's so little.." Jerry smirked.
My mind stopped. I didn't say anything then but he kept continuing.
"She's really not pretty...compared to the other girls.." he looked at me.
"Oh shut up man," I said, "I know what shit you are pulling."
"Man I can't stand her, she's so ugly...I just—"
That's when some fucking dragon came out of me. I leapt and blew out fire.
"Dude fuck off. Jamie is so fucking pretty. She's little? Who gives a shit! Makes her cute asf. Fuck off—She's freaking beautiful,"
I said it too loudly. When I said it, Jamie's parents and her little sister who I knew well, were walking up the stairs. Most people on the side I was sitting at heard me. My cheeks burn.
I'm such a fucking idiot. Why the hell did I sit so close to the stairs to the bleachers... Suddenly, Jamie's 8 year old little sister, Isa, went up to me.
"It's okeeay," she giggles. "Jamie is in luv with you"
"Isa.." I look down at the floor. "This isn't the time to be a goofball..."
"I don't know...she says you make her happy or somethung like that." She laughs and runs away to her parents who give me a wave.
"Oh man, this is awkward." Jerry says. "I'm sorry dude."
...
It was tied up 0-0. The second half was about to start and Jamie was now visible on the court. To me, she stuck out like a sore thumb.
Alaina, the center had the ball. She passed many of the defenders, which to be honest weren't that good, but the last one stopped her.
Luckily for her, out of the corner of her eye she could see Jamie cutting. With Jamie's cut, she made herself open and in position to score.
The last second Alaina crosses it to Jamie, and she scores the ball, the way I taught her.
I screamed, "nice goal Jamie!"
From a mile away, I could see a little blush come from her. But I thought for a second I was being paranoid.
...
The team got themselves going the second half and scored 4-0 after Jamie started off the team with their first goal of the season.
I was so happy. I was waiting for her outside of the fence as coaches were talking to the team.
"Good luck Champ," Jerry patted me on the back.
Ever since the Colton situation and behind, it was hard for me to talk to girls. I came off as creepy and I didn't know how to flirt.
But with Jamie she made me more comfortable. She laughed and understood it was just me being awkward and that everyone was awkward. She understood my teasing when nobody else did.
"Thanks man," I said. "See ya tomorrow at school"
Suddenly, all the girls went there separate ways outside of the huddle. This signified the talking was over with. And soon, I had to ask Jamie out.
I hyped myself for the big move. I shook my arms like an idiot, and closed my eyes. Liam. You got this.
She was walking out of the fence and I approached her.
"Hey."
"Hey Liam!!" she smiled.
"That was a nice goal...who taught you your shooting form?" I winked.
"Oh shut up. Stop flattering yourself." she rolled her eyes.
"You are—"
"I am what?"
"Cute when you do that. you know." I shrug my shoulders.
"When I what now? Liam? Is there something wrong?" she says confused.
"I wanted to tell you something." I said seriously.
"Ugh stop with the jokes I—"
I unzip my bag and first give her a purple necklace with a shining star on it.
"I asked my older sister about stuff like this and what to get you. I don't know if this has been apparent. I like you Jamie. You are so beautiful, you have a pretty smile and are so down to earth."
She stood there silently.
I smile. I give her a bag with Pink on it with my professional goodies: my flowers and candy.
"Liam..."
"Jamie Rachel Osborne, would you want to be my girlfriend?"
She went up to me and hugged me tight. Then, she stood a little on her tippy toes and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"Yes. I would love to."