Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 11- She's Good At This Game

Eli's POV

Tonight is the first football game of the season. We are playing Belmont HIgh, they're not very good so it should be an easy win. We have had practice all week except for Monday. Monday was our day off to help us prepare for our intense week. Since it's the first game we also have a pep rally.

That's where we are right now. Mark and I are in front of the bleachers with the rest of the football team. The cheerleaders are doing some stupid cheer thing for everyone right now. Watching them I have officially decided that I like dancers more than cheerleaders. By a long shot. Cheerleaders are too peppy and stuck up, at least the ones at my school are. How come I've never noticed that before? 

When the girls finished their cheer they each ran up to a football player. Naturally Beatrice ran up to me. She threw her hands around my neck and attempted to put her lips on mine. I pushed her away before she could. Her best friend or at least her closest minion did the same with Mark which made him uncomfortable so he pushed her away the same way I did. I know he didn't want Savannah to see her trying to kiss him, like I don't want Athena to see Beatrice. This is starting to get ridiculous.

"Beatrice, you need to stop. I'm not into you. I don't want you to kiss me or hug me or honestly even talk to me. So please, just leave me alone." I told her sternly, trying not to put too much venom in my voice.

"She has corrupted you Elliot. You have changed so much, don't worry though, we will get you back to yourself." She said before walking away. What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

"You okay dude?" Mark asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, I don't even know what all that was about." I looked back up into the stands and made eye contact with my sweet girl. OKay I know she isn't mine, but she's mine. I smiled at her and watched her return it with one of her own. She has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. 

"Yo, Voss! You ready for tonight?" Joey, one of the safeties asked coming up and doing the bro hug thing with me.

"Without a doubt man! What about you? Ready to beat the titans?" 

"Hell yeah dude!" 

He walked away and we carried on with the rest of the pep rally. I didn't really pay attention though. I never really liked these things. I know I'm supposed to be like 'Mr. School Spirit' but I really just can't be bothered. Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked for the game today, ready to kick some ass, but I am not the most spirited person. 

"So, did you ever ask Athena out?" Mark asked me out of nowhere.

"Not yet. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like something is going on with her, and I don't want to make things more difficult for her." I told him 

"What do you think is going on?" 

"I don't know, but I think it's bad. She told me she uses dance 'as an escape' and she said she would drown without it."

"Did you ask her about it?"

"Yeah dude, but she gave me some bullshit about needing to escape the stress of homework." I told him starting to feel worked up. I hate that she lies to me, but I hate even more that something is clearly upsetting her.

"I'm sure she'll tell someone if it gets too bad, whatever it is." he tried to reassure me

"I hope so." I said more to myself than to him.

"NOW WELCOME YOUR VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM, LEAD BY OUR VERY OWN ELLIOT VOSS!!!!" The student council president person announced and we all got up in front of everyone. I took the mic, since it was my job. I put on my most convincing smile.