Something between Us

Chapter 18.

Game night. 

The stands are packed out, I always feel excited when I see a sell out football game, the marching band it out in full swing hyping the crowd. Our Python mascot is busting out some old school hip hop moves, the worm goes down a treat, however Rufus calls it the sizzler now. His whole body on the ground lifting up and down, non of the team have mastered this move yet and I know they hate it. Guys and their egos. 

"Go Pythons," it excites me when I hear the crowd excited for the game, the girls I live for cheering for our team, it's all we know and it's all we do. Athletes, dancers and yeller coming together to create the perfect routine for our school. 
The first game I always feel nervous for, all eyes on me does give me some anxiety, the pressure to look good and look like a the perfect cheer captain... 
It's immense and I can't shake the feeling of my legs becoming weak beneath me. I hate this feeling. 
"You okay?" 
I nod to our newest recruit who's spotted my change in mood. No one needs to worry, I take a few deep breaths to compose myself. The moment the game starts and the attention is on the guys I'll be fine. 
I take my position front of the triangle... 
"Lets go Pythons. Let's go..." We chant in unison Pom Poms clapping together then hold out arms up above our head. We repeat this a couple of times to egg on our guys.
The crowd chants along with us, with some people screaming for their star player Tate. 
He's a crowd please, he knows exactly how to play up to the crowd. 
In true Tate style he runs out into the open field with his shirt off... The girls scream as they see a true athlete body. 
The rest of the squad continue their chant as as Tate joins our formation, he's spurring the crowd on and he's owning it. All eyes are on him and I've never felt more relieved.
He comes up behind me and lifts me into the air, I scream out loud from Tate's unexpected actions. He's throws me over his shoulder and runs with me around a small length of the field. 
The girls are cooing thinking this is the sweetest thing they've ever seen, but I just want the ground to swallow me whole. 
"Lets go Ally, lets go." Tate creates a new chant and the girls on my squad join in, for a second I want to scream, but I have to save face and be the cheer captain they need me to be so I join in. Laughing along with Tate who's exceptionally happy with himself. 
The rest of the team come out from the stands and that's Tate's queue to return to the team, as he puts me back in my early position he offers me a sweet smile. I think he's relieved I was a good sport. 
Before he parts he kisses me on the cheek. I feel my whole face heat up, I know without catching a glimpse of myself that my face is now a shade of bright red and all I can think is, has Chase turned up to the game. 

"We're heading into half time and The Mighty Pythons are smashing this... Can Tate hold the fort or a certain Cheer Captain taking his attention away." 
I hate when Parker commentates on the game. He's a sweet guy, tall and lean short brown quiff hair always wearing a sweater, really he's a good guy. But he always plays on mine and Tate's relationship in every commentary. I don't usually mind but it's getting old now.
Even though I know it's harmless when I know Chase is sitting in the stands I'm sure that's not what he wants to be listening too right now.
This game is important to Tate, his childhood bully plays for them I know how much he tries to prove himself to show this jerk just how hard he's worked to be the School football star that he is now. Our Quarterback. 

When the half time whistle blows it's our time to shine.  The guys have gave the school a good show of sportsman ship and winning attitude but now it's time for my girls to give them a performance. 
The music plays for our half time performance and as the music plays the girl scatter into the formations. We start in our pyramid and I take my place at the top while the remaining members of the squad perform tricks around our formation. Cart-wheels, front and back flips and splits. These girls are athletes throw and throw. 
As the lyrics of the song begin our pyramid is dismantled and we take our position facing the crowd of excited teens and parents. 
I throw my body into the air into a front flip. The girls follow side by side in unison with each other. 
The song continues and we bring a sexy flare to the performance, Lola and I run over to the opposite team and I sit on their quarterbacks knee while Lola dances around us.... "You make me feel like a dangerous woman.."
When I perform I gain this level of confidence I've never had in normal day life, performing brings something out of me.... As the song continues I become part of a Swan Lake show. 
I rise to my tip toes stretching my arms out the length of my body elegantly while each girl shows off their signature move.. The crowd goes wild for it and I'm reminded why I love what I do and why I'm apart of something this special.  

Tate really is the star of the show, he has the crowd sitting at the edge of their seats, the cheer squad scream his name throughout the whole game, me included. 
The truth is Tate was born to be an athlete, the way his arms cling to the ball and how his bulky physique is enough to run through the opposing players and get the touch down is evidence enough. 
He has the speed, the strength the physique and the charm too woo his way through the supports. He is an athlete and when his final pop-up kick is taken the final whistle blows and everyone cheers his name, the team run to him and Henry and Jackson lead in lifting him up into a kings carry. I know Tate will be relishing in this moment. 
This one game means a lot to the guys, the Chicago Lions are their biggest kryptonite. For as long as I can remember beating this team has been impossible. They put up the best fight, but tonight Tate led the guys to victory and that's when I'm reminded what drew me into Tate. 
His ability to be the best leader is inspiring and so inviting. You can't help but be in awe of him. 
The girls and I run over to the guy to join in the celebrations.
"Well done!!" We all squeal excited by the results.
The guys let Tate down when he demands them too as I approach him.
He looks like a school boy crushing on his best friends sister, "hey you." 
He says with the biggest smile on his face, he holds his arms out for me to walk into, I can see he's hoping I return the gesture. 
I do just as he wants. I run into his arms wrapping my small arms around his torso, nestling my head into his chest. "You guys were amazing out there," I'm so proud of Tate, I know things aren't the best right now but for tonight I want to forget all about that and just be proud of the guy I care about.
After everything that happened with Tate at the party we've been in the worst place, I'm no where near ready to forgive and forget but I need to leave it at the door for today. 
It's an important evening and we need closure, or at least be in a place together where we can smile at each other again.
"I'm so sorry for everything Tate," I know I'm equally to blame and I won't pretend to be innocent in this. 
I knew Tate loved me and I still couldn't stay away from Chase.
"I'm sorry Ally... Can we enjoy tonight and try and be friends?"
I'm so relieved with how easy this was, I hug him again... I know we still have a lot more talking to do but for now I know we're on the same page and that means I can give everything to Chase.
"Fuck you Ally.."
Of course it wouldn't be this easy. My heart stops when I hear the voice that usually sends happy shock waved through is cursing me out. Venom laced in his voice.
I turn around swiftly to face the boy I can already tell his sending daggers into the back of my head.
"Chase," 
"Come on man calm yourself,"
Tate's voice has changed, his arrogant and smug, he knew Chase was behind us and he knew how he wanted this to look to him.
"Chase we were just clearing the air."
Like a needy little girl I'm rushing over to him.
"What about the show earlier?"
He raises his brow and I know he's referring to Tate kissing my cheek and carrying me around.
"Please listen to me Chase it wasn't like that," but right now part of me knows this is exactly how Tate wanted Chase to react. Tate has pulled Chase's strings and Chase is his puppet now, acting how he intended.
"You know Ally, you play the innocent girl act but you're not," he's spiteful now and I know he's got more in him.
"You want two guys to run after you like you're some grand prize. Well fuck you because I'm out. 
Enjoy her man. She's all yours." Chase motions his hands to me like I'm a disposable toy he's handing down to the new kid. 
"You don't get to speak to me like that Chase, you have no idea what we were talking about, what was going on. You're a scared little boy looking for an excuse to run. So run away little boy because there's no amount of freedom that will feel as good as we did..."
I pause, I'm burning with anger, "If you walk away from me now Chase, don't ever come back."
He looks me dead in the eyes and obliges, he walks away like it's the easiest thing he's ever done. 
I turn to Tate, "this is what you wanted isn't is." I feel disappointed by the two guys I've cared deeply about. 
Caring about two people and not wanting to hurt anyone doesn't mean I love this situation. I've tried everything not to let it get too far. 
Of course Tate wasn't ready to make amends this easily and of course Chase would never believe it was as innocent as could be.
Boy did I misjudge the two guys I've ever cared about. 
They're both more in love with themselves and invested in their rivalry than the could ever be with me. I know that now so I need to love myself more than I could ever love anyone else.