i sit in the library after school, even though it's a friday afternoon. there's a varsity hockey game today everyone's going to. i have a science test monday that i need to study for. i sigh as i scan over my science textbook for the tenth time. to be completely honest, i feel pretty prepared for it, i really just don't want to go to that game. i know if i tell my friends that i'm free, they'll surely drag me there. outside it's windy and gloom, a perfect day to be in the library huddled up, reading books. maybe going to the game will be good for my social life, which is non existent. my best friends jessica and lizzie always want me to go out with them, sometimes i give in. but i've only been to one football game so far this year and the season already ended. lizzie is dating one of the boys on the hockey team so she goes to every single hockey game. i force my legs to stand me up and gather my things. you're going to that game, whether you like it or not i say in my head. as i shove my textbook and notes into my bag someone calls out my name. i turn around to see my - sorta friend, charlie conway before me, he's a good 6 or 7 inches taller than me so i have to look up.
"hey, charlie," i smile, zipping up my backpack. the reason i say we're sorta friends is because i barely know charlie, we're just friendly with each other. basically just saying 'hi' in the halls or talking in the lunch line is all we ever do. i've never spent time with him outside of school.
"hi, are you, uh, are you going to the hockey game tonight?" he asks. he seems so unsure of himself, like my answer is somewhat important to him. well, i guess it's a valid question, he's on the team. but i'm not sure why he's worried about my whereabouts.
"oh, yeah, i am. i was trying to study for my science test but i decided it would be nice for me to finally get out for once." i laugh, slinging my backpack on my shoulders. he smiles and nods as he shifts uncomfortably on his feet.
"great, are you going with lizzie?" he wonders. i try to think of the most cool and calm answer i can muster up. charlie's never seemed to be this interested in my life, but now, all of a sudden, he wants to have a full- on detailed conversation about my plans for tonight.
"yeah, jessica too, lizzie always wants to see jeremy, so y'know." i shrug a little and glance back up at his beautiful, bright blue eyes. he nods, looking me back, directly in the eyes.
"cool, well i'm sure jeremy will be excited." he laughs awkwardly. he's never been this awkward, is something up?
"yeah, well, i'll see you, tonight." i nod, walking towards the doors of the library.
"yeah, tonight," he nods back, showing his hands into the front pockets his blue jeans.
"good luck," is all i say before hurrying out of the library, unable to keep a straight face anymore. charlie conway just asked if i was going to his hockey game tonight! he came all the way to the library to talk just to me!
———
when i told lizzie and jessica i wanted to go to the hockey game they were both over the moon. they convinced me to put on mascara and dress up nice. well, just in light jeans and a green button up sweater. i put my hair in a ponytail and brought 10 dollars for food.
"there's jeremy!" lizzie squeals, she frantically waves at him from our spot on the bleachers. he smiles big and winks back.
"liz, you're so lucky, there's no guy as hot as jeremy on the varsity team." jessica tells her, shoving her face with popcorn.
"i know," she sighs.
"well, maybe charlie, right, y/n," jessica elbows me in the arm.
"huh? i guess," i shrug, trying to find him on the ice. there he is, squirting a bottle of water in his mouth before tossing it back at his coach.
"he's got a thing for you, y/n." lizzie informs me. my heart leaps in my chest. really? charlie has a thing for me? well, why else would he try and find me in the library, just to ask if i was going to his game? i tell lizzie and jess about how he talked to me today and they both squeal.
"see, he does!" jessica exlaims. "do you like him?" i think about if for a second. do i? maybe. if i dont why did i get so nervous when he started to talk to me? why did i have to force myself not to smile? he's so cute too, his brown hair is sooo nice and his blue eyes, ahh.
"i don't know," i shrug. "maybe," lizzie and jessica squeal again.
the game begins and eden hall is playing pretty well. but the other team, the eagles, beats them by 2.
"i bet jery is so so mad," lizzie states as we wait for him outside the locker room. we're all going to the diner apparently. and i hope charlie will be there.
soon, they all emerge from the locker rooms. all of them have damp hair and nice sweaters and jeans on.
"hi baby," jeremy steers toward lizzie and gives her a big hug. she kisses him on the lips and whispers something in his ear, which makes him grin.
when we get to the diner i order a strawberry milkshake and fries. lizzie and jess say that they need to use the bathroom but order me to stay at our booth. and all of the guys get up telling me that they want to go play pinball. soon, it's just charlie and i left at the table. alone. he looks me in the eyes and smirks.
"good game," i tell him. he waits a second to respond.
"thanks," he shrugs. "we could've done better,"
"well, i think you did really good," i tell him, smiling. he blushes a little, then stands up and moves to sit next to me. my whole body stiffens. he's so close, i can feel his shoulder touch mine and the smell of his cologne. he waits a second before slowly leaning toward me. i can see his kissable lips. he's leaning in to kiss me! i lean in too and feel touch of his soft lips on mine. after we pull away charlie smiles sheepishly at me.
"i like you," he tells me, nervously. "a lot," my body breaks out into a sweat. he really does!
"i like you a lot too." i tell him smiling.
