7. Urgh y*u are so cheesy.

Golden flecks buried deep in hazel orbs,  he finally asked the question I was sure lingered on the tip of his tongue. "So you're coming right?"

"I don't think so." I replied reluctantly. It wasn't that I didn't want to see him play but I didn't want to send out the wrong signal.

The whole female population would have my head, if they found out that Sky, the popular of all popularity (no pun intended) had personally invited me (a.k.a unknown individual) to this game and I actually loved my head no matter how much the hair could be a pain in my butt on a good day.

"So that's a maybe?" He still had a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"I'll think about it." I said after closing my locker to get a good look at him. "Why do you want me to be at this game so bad anyway?"

His expression remained blank but I knew he was having an internal battle with himself. He cleared his throat before giving me an answer.

"Nothing Rowa, can't a guy ask you anything anymore?"

"Not if that guy is you." I jabbed my index finger at his chest. His solid herculean chest. I'll give him credit for his to-die-for body.

I squinted."There is a motive behind this proposal and I will find out about it,  sooner or later."

"You know,  for someone who has crazy eyes and glasses, you're awfully cute." he said flashing his well aligned teeth at me.

"Charm won't help you in this case lightweight."

"Please be there,  I'm counting on it." He said as he straightened from his leaning position before walking to join his group of 'friends' who were now gathered in a circle.

How they managed to have their lockers beside each other, was still a wonder to me. They probably pulled a few strings since their parents were loaded.

"Mowa!" I whirled around just in time to spot scarlet locks,  bouncing wildly around a face flushed in harmony with the hair. Green depths of starry eyes,  focused on me. Speak of the beach.

After managing to dodge and walk around the mass of students which were practically crushed together and chatting endlessly,  some on their mobiles not even aware of the world around them until their phones were disturbed,  she finally stood before me panting slightly.

"Good morning to you too Valentina." I nodded and crossed my arms over my chest in attempt at looking intimidating but I knew I was anything but that.

Why did she add my mysterious contact to the group chat and without my permission at that?.

"What's with the sass?" she asked, turning to enter her locker combination and started taking the notes she needed.

"What's with the sass." I mimicked her in a low child-like voice. "You know what you did."

"No I don't." she flipped the door of the medium-sized locker then spared me an all too innocent face.

"Spare me the act." I said while unfolding my arms and started walking to first period. I wanted to be there before the warning bell.

"Okay okay, if this is about your secret lover—"

"Stalker."

"Secret stalker." I heard the eye roll in her voice. "I'm not really sorry about him and besides,  isn't it exciting that someone loves you secretly?"

"No it isn't." I said. "You don't see how serious this is, do you?"

"Mowa, I'm telling you,  you're overacting on this,  trust me."

"Whatever,  all I know is that if I were to be kidnapped tomorrow,  I'm absolutely holding you at fault."

"Relax,  Mowa and live a little." she giggled.

"Live a little?" I echoed her words in an incredulous tone. "I am not going to risk getting kidnapped at seventeen just because I wanted to 'live a little'." I added air quotes around 'live a little' with my fingers.

The sound of the warning bell stopped is in our little argument.

"Gotta run!" Val replied already running towards her first class because unfortunately for us,  we didn't have the same class together meaning I'm going to have to go through hell alone.

After sighing with all my willpower, I stepped into first period. Oh, whoever was up there,  give me strength.

***

Golden flecks buried in hazel orbs held an hopeful glint, two lines etched between thick, almost busy brows and hair in a beautiful mess, he finally asked the question I was sure lingered in his mind. "So did you think about it?"

"Yeah I did and..." I trailed off to add to the drama. "I'll go as long as you get me snacks after the game."

"Got that covered already." He beamed at me flashing his blinding teeth.

"So it's settled then,  I'll watch you play with your little friends in exchange for snacks?" I raised a brow.

"Yes." he affirmed. "Look sexy." Were his words before he took long strides to join the popular table.

"I'm sorry I can't come to the game." Val spoke up for the first time from where she sat directly across from me.

Something seemed off about her mood today. She had been silent since we had our seat at the cafeteria and hadn't said a word unless my question was directed at her.

"Val, What's wrong?" I asked studying her facial expression.

Her mouth was set in a slight pout with her eyebrows lightly drawn together in a little frown which hadn't changed during our time in here.

"And don't you dare think of lying to me" I said sensing that that was exactly what she would do.

"Why would I do that?" Came her reply while she avoided making eye contact with me.

Something was definitely up. Val never avoided eye contact unless she was lying or nervous and in this case I could tell she was lying and trying to hide something.

"I'm going over to Abuela's house today because she's been feeling down with a fever and I'm worried about her." she all but rushed out.

"Oh Val, why didn't you say so sooner? I asked softly.

"Nothing." She said before she stopped nibbling at her cheeseburger to look at me.

"It's fine,  I totally understand." I reassured her before concentrating on my chicken salad as a comfortable silence descended on our table.

Sometimes words aren't always needed and silence is enough. Val's parents were almost never around for as long as I've known her so she naturally grew closer to her grandmother who was her closest confidant and the only known family to her.

Her parents visited twice a year or sometimes not at all because of their business trips,  they were too busy for her and themselves.

***

"How about this simple halter top and these ripped jeans?" Val suggested offering the top for me to see.

"Mmm." I tapped my chin in consideration. "I'm trying to opt for something else."

After I showed Val what I had originally planned to wear to the  game, she had insisted that I couldn't go in that and with no other option,  here I was looking through my closet in search of something to wear.

"I like this romper." I held out the short jumpsuit for her to see.

"It's perfect." Val gushed in approval, clapping her hands in a dramatic fashion making me shake my head at her.

"And you can pair it off with these beauties." she held up a pair of peach coloured ballet flats. I nodded my acceptance.

"Now remember" Val started in that voice she uses whenever she wanted to start a speech.

"Be confident, you are going to walk in there with class and a pop in your step and a confident sway of your hips, you're going to kill every soul who dares to mess with you,  got it?" She stopped in her demonstrative pacing to look at me.

"Of course mam." I couldn't resist rolling my eyes before leaving her to make my way to my bathroom and dropping my glasses on my bedside table.

"Oh my crackers!" She exclaimed after glancing at her wrist watch.

"You're not going to be able to find good seats if you don't leave in the next twenty minutes."

"Thank you Val, and make sure to text me when you get to abuela's place okay?" I requested giving her a brief hug.

"Later girl." She said before she disappeared behind the door.

Stripping myself of my clothes,  I stepped into the warm shower letting the water ease my already tensed muscles.

I accepted to come because I didn't want to let Sky down (which was surprising considering I didn't know a thing about baseball).

After carefully stepping out of the shower, I wrapped the towel around me and stepped out of the bathroom.

Perfect. I admired my appearance in my full length mirror.

The warm summer air caressed my cheeks and danced in my hair as I walked to school aware of the stares that were directed at me.

I suddenly became conscious of the length of my romper which stopped mid thigh and clung lightly to my hips. After endless tugs and grunts, I secured a seat which was a bit away from the field but gave me a good view of what was happening.

How I was meant to survive this game was beyond me. I watched as more students from our school and some from another school (no doubt the rival team school) made their way to the bleachers.

"Is this seat taken." A deep male voice asked from beside me.

"No,  it's empty." I replied not bothering to look at the stranger who might or might not go to our school.

My phone vibrated with a message. I reached into my pocket, unlocked it and viewed the message. My heart leaped in my chest for some reason unknown to me when I saw it was from the unknown number.

I felt my breath hitch immediately. With a zoo already dancing in my stomach,  I replied.

Me.

Urgh you are so cheesy.

A smile made it's way to my lips (why was I smiling?) I replaced my smile with a scowl.

My heart paused it's beating. How did he know I smiled? Maybe he wanted to say that I thought brushing it off lightly.

Me.

Don't you have someone else to annoy?.

I felt my face being invaded by warmth at his compliment (get a grip on yourself girl!)

Me.

Wait.

You're here?.

Me.

Don't play dumb with me now.

I felt my head snap up quickly in an attempt at spotting anyone suspicious. After a few sideways looks,  I couldn't find anyone.

Cheerleaders waved their pompoms and preformed a few routines as the crowd cheered and clapped.

***

"Rowa!" I heard my name being called from the field. My eyes scanned the nearly empty field before settling on the familiar figure.

I waved shyly before making my way towards him mindful of the stares a few cheerleaders sent at me.

"We won." He beamed once I was in front of him. "Did you see me?" I could detect pride in his voice.

"Yes,  you were good for a lightweight." I replied making him chuckle.

"You really are something and I'll give you that." His words were directed at me but his gaze was concentrated on something behind me.

I looked at where his attention was directed and saw a slim brunette kissing a taller muscly boy. I didn't know them but maybe Sky did.

"I'll be right back." He said before turning his back to me and walking off to gather his things.

Frowning, I started thinking about the brunette and why he was so worked up about her. I let it go with a shrug.

"Ready?" His voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"As I'll ever be."

Throughout the walk,  Sky's expression remained distant like he was thinking of something but I dare not ask what.

Stepping into the fast food place,  we located a booth and sat.

"Sorry I'm late." A girl whom I recognise as one of the popular people, said before planting herself beside Sky.

"No worries,  we just got here." Sky reassured her with a small smile.

"The others will be here soon." she announced while flipping her wavy tresses over her slender shoulders.

Others? I looked at Sky enquiringly and got an impassive shrug in return.

After a few minutes,  the booth is practically full with six of Sky's team mates and a few cheerleaders and I was starting to wonder why I even agreed to this.

They talked about the game,  making jokes at each other while I nibble on my fries since I had already lost my appetite for food.

"So who's the beauty you came with?" A voice which sounded like the voice of the stranger that sat beside me on the bleachers.

"Morowa." he called my name making me look up at him. "I know you weren't expecting this sort of company and I'm sorry about them." he apologized in a low voice.

"It's okay." I met his gaze and noticed the once noisy table was now silent and observing the exchange between us.

Their attention was making me feel queasy and I was seriously considering running out of here.

"I should go." I said and wasted no time in standing up and exiting the booth.

The warm air hugged my face as I started walking home. The road quiet as I walked.

I hear the soft hum of an engine behind me before a blue Range Rover stopped beside me.

My breath quickened as the tainted glass on the driver side rolled down to reveal a head full of Raven which shadowed his face due to the light from the street lamp.

"Get in."