For The Love Of The Game

LACEY'S POV

Lacey walked into school on Thursday. She felt a lot better, which she credited all to Aaron's soup and 7up. She felt nervous as she walked through the doors to school. But the nervousness that she felt had nothing to do with her. She felt nervous for Aaron. Today was the big day. Today was the day that they were supposed to play Belle. Today was the day that the college coaches were supposed to come and watch him play. Aaron kept his word and after school on Tuesday he called the Rockhill University coach. Lacey remembered how nervous he was. She had had to give him a pep talk before hand. And Aaron refused to call unless Lacey was right next to him. It all worked out and the coach had said that he'd heard of Aaron and that he would love to drive down and watch him play. Lacey remembered the smile that Aaron had had, she didn't think she'd ever seen him so happy.

She walked into math class to find Aaron sitting in his usual desk. But instead of giving Lacey his usual smile he seemed to be staring off into space. Lacey noticed the creases of lines in his forehead as he was thinking. Aaron didn't even notice her until she sat down.

"Hey," she said giving him a smile.

"Hey."

"You nervous about tonight?" She might as well get right to the point.

"You have no idea. I've never been nervous like this before a game," Aaron said as he leaned closer to Lacey. As she looked into his crystal blue eyes she saw just how nervous he was. She grabbed his hand that was laying on top of his desk.

"Look you'll be fine. I promise." She squeezed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile. He returned it and squeezed her hand back.

Math class went by fast, and when it was over Lacey and Aaron walked down the hallway together. Lacey looked at him and saw the lines of worry spread across his face. She wanted to reach up and smooth them out. He didn't look right. She didn't understand why he should be nervous, she had never seen Aaron Matthews have a bad game. She shoved him.

"Stop worrying!"

"I can't!"

"If you don't stop worrying I won't come tonight!" Lacey threatened, even though she knew it was lie. She wouldn't miss this game for the world.

"You are going to be there right?!" Now more lines of worry crossed his face. Lacey let out a sigh.

"Of course I'm going to be there. Duh!" She smiled at him and he returned it.

"So you haven't said anything to your dad yet have you?" Lacey asked him.

"No. I want to see what the Rockhill coach has to say before I tell him anything."

The bell rang for the next class. Lacey said her goodbyes to Aaron and told him she would see him at lunch. She knew that this was going to be a long day. It killed her to see Aaron upset about something, but there wasn't really much that she could do right now. She couldn't wait for school to be over.

*************************************************************************************************************

Lacey walked into the gym that night with her group of friends. Getting Tara and Nicole to come wasn't even an issue. Since they were both practically dating DJ and Korey they went to everything. But talking Hannah, Tristin, and Ryan into coming was a whole other subject. Lacey basically had to pull them there kicking and screaming. But once they got to the gym their moods seemed to lighten. They picked a place to sit close to the court. Lacey wanted a good view of the floor. There were already a lot of people there and more were piling in. Lacey's school was one of the best around, and there was only one other school that could challenge them for the district title and that was Belle. The other team was already out on the court warming up. Lacey's eyes went wide as she took in the other team.