𝔇𝔦𝔣𝔣𝔢𝔯𝔢𝔫𝔱 -Z.K

5

Later that day.

I picked everyone up and we drove to the football game together.

We sit where the parents usually sit because we didn't feel like being around screaming, annoying high schoolers.

I looked on the field for Zion but he was benched for most of the game.

Around the fourth quarter we all walked down to the concession stand to get snacks before the game ends.

"Damn i cant believe we're losing, we were playing so good" Brandon says as we wait in the long line.

"Yeah hopefully we still win" Sophia says wrapped in Austin's blanket.

"There's 40 seconds left and the other team has the ball, 20 yards away from their end zone. There's no way." I say.

"Number three, Zion Kuwonu, stepping onto the field for the first time this game" the announcer says over the intercom.

I look up and sure enough Zion was getting in position to play.

I watch as he starts running next to one of the other teams player, trying to make sure he doesn't get the ball. The other team passes it. Zion intercepts it, turns around and starts running to our end zone, which was right next to the concession stand.

"Kuwonu intercepts the ball and runs to the end zone" the announcer calls. The student section goes wild. "TOUCHDOWN TITANS"

Zion drops the ball and takes his helmet off, looking right at me. He smiles my way, and his teammates all jump around him as he scored the winning touchdown.

The game ends and everyone goes down to the field to take pictures. We are taking photos when a boy I recognized as Nick approached us. He was still in his football uniform.

"Brandon! My man" he daps him up.

"What's goin on Nick" Brandon says smiling.

"You coming to my party tonight right?" He asks him. "We gotta celebrate that dub we took today"

"Uh.." he turns back to look at us. "Yeah, is it cool if my friends come?"

"Yeah for sure. The more the merrier"

"Ight cool, text me the addy" he says.

"Got it, see y'all there" Nick says walking away.

"Text me the addy?" I say making a face. He laughs.

"You guys down to go or what?" He asks us.

We look at each other.

"Okay" me and Austin say. We all look at Sophia.

"Okay. Let's go to a fucking party" she says.

"Yeahhh that's my girl" Austin says giving her a high five.

We arrive to the party a little late so everyone was already dancing and drinking.

Brandon starts talking to some people we didn't know. Austin started wandering around and anywhere he goes, Soph goes. Before I knew it I was by myself.

I poured myself some juice I found in the fridge and sat on the couch. A couple starts making out right next to me so I get up to go anywhere but there.

I go to a room at the end of the hall, hoping for an empty and quiet room.

I open the door to see Zion sitting in a beanbag looking at his phone.

"Oh sorry.." I say.

"Yo Wait China?" He says. "What're you doing here? Come in"

He pulls another beanbag next to his. I close the door and sit next to him.

"Uh my friend got invited so I just decided to tag along" I say.

He takes drink and passes it to me.

"I don't drink" I say passing it back.

He scoffs.

"What's in the cup then?" He asks.

"Apple juice" I say. He smiles.

"Of course it is" he laughs.

"Uh you did really good tonight" I tell him.

He laughs.

"I barely played" he says taking another drink.

"You scored the winning touchdown" I say. "That's huge"

"Yeah tell that to my dad" he says looking at the floor. "He's pissed at me that I didn't get any playing time, like if it's my fault"

"That's stupid. You're a really good player, it doesn't matter how much playing time you get"

"Yeah well my dad certainly thinks it matters" he says. I could tell he's really upset. "Tells me that if I don't get playing time, colleges wont watch me and I won't get signed. Thinks that I'm too stupid to go to college if it isn't on a full ride scholarship"

"What? Bro you're like hella smart" I tell him.

He shrugs.

"I'm sorry you're going through this Zion" I say. He looks up at me.

"You're really fucking cool, China" He says.

"Thanks, I don't get that a lot" I say smiling. He smiles.

"See! You're so genuine and cool. And you're funny. You're just-" he pauses and stares deep into my eyes. He looks at my lips then back to my eyes.

It felt like something straight out of a romantic movie. He leans in closer and places his hand on my cheek. At this point our lips were centimeters apart from each other.

The door suddenly swings open.