I'm not a popular girl | ✔️

Seventeen - Shivering

Zoë

Anticipation coursed through Zoë's veins as she stared down at the field. Lights lit up the entire stadium and a gentle breeze blew in through the canyon a couple miles away. It was the perfect conditions for a football game.

But to be fair, Zoë had never been to a high school football game. She preferred to be a reading hobo in her room on Friday nights.

Dean trekked up the stairs toward them, two drinks in his hands. "Hey guys."

"Umm, hello," Andrew answered for Zoë, who stood motionless and awkward. "What can we do for you, sir?"

"I just brought Zo here a soda." He flipped back his brown bangs from his eyes. "You like Coke, right?"

"Yeah?" Her answer sounded more like a question. First off, how did he even know that Coke was her favorite? Carden himself didn't even know that. He had tried for awhile to figure it out.

She reluctantly took the Coke from him before turning her attention back to the ongoing game.

"GO CAR! YOU GOT THIS!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. It felt good to feel some form of freedom and be herself, even if people glanced back at her, some girls with hatred in their eyes. She wouldn't admit it out loud but she was grateful Carden had invited her to come tonight.

Carden got the ball, running back and bouncing on his feet. Zoë's breath held as he released it to Cam, who caught it and got tackled. Amber and Zoë burst out screaming, loud cheers coming from their lips.

"Hey guys, quick question," Dean said with a wide smile. When nobody answered his question, he said, "Is it okay if I sit with you guys?"

Zoë and her friends shared a look. On one hand, if they said yes the boys might get super jealous and that might affect their playing but on the other hand, if they said no, Dean would have to sit by himself. And as a new kid, that wouldn't be very good.

Amber smiled, the smile not quite reaching her eyes, and said, "Of course but a little before half, we're gonna go down to concessions when the players walk to the locker room." She nudged Zoë. "This girl can't go an hour without talking to her boyfriend."

"So not true!" Zoë teased. "You can't go thirty minutes without talking to Cam!"

"Lies!"

Zoë rolled her eyes playfully as Dean stepped up onto the bleacher and stood next to her. The offense was on third and inches, according to Andrew who actually liked football, and the entire stupid section's breath was being held.

The ball was snapped and instead of passing or rushing the football, Carden leaped over the defensive and offensive lines, front flipping into the end zone.

The entire student section burst out screaming. Zoë didn't realize she was jumping and cheering until Dean grabbed her arm to keep her from falling forward into the group of Freshman in front of them.

She pulled it away, scowling.

"And the kick is good!" The announcer cheered over the PA system. "Clarkston leads seven to zero with nearly six minutes left in the first quarter! Congrats to Carden Ash for scoring the first touchdown of the game!" That earned more cheers.

"GO CARDEN!" someone yelled from the main group and it took Zoë a moment to recognize Chloe and her minions a couple rows over. Her long blonde hair extensions were curled into a ponytail and her face was caked with makeup, her jeans whitewashed and ripped.

When Carden turned around to face the crowd, Chloe blew a kiss down to him.

Jealousy surged through Zoë's veins. Nobody, not even Queen Chloe, could talk to her Carden like that and get away with it. Nobody could blow kisses to her "boyfriend." Nobody could flirt with him and think it was okay.