by Ivy Kovacs
- I’ll text you later. – I added before closing my locker and walked towards the gym. When I was changing into my uniform, some girls were talking farther in the changing room but I could hear their conversation clearly.
- I know right? –
- She’ll just be another one of Dylan’s bitches. She won’t last long. – Great. It was a good idea to get together with a guy who has a lovely reputation among students. I wished he wasn’t a ladies’ man before we met. It would’ve made everything so much simpler.
I walked out to the field tying my hair up into a ponytail. – Hey girl. How was your weekend? – Debby greeted me. Matt, the sound guy was preparing for our practice on the bleachers.
- It was good. I’m excited about Friday. – I was more nervous than excited, to be honest.
- I forgot to tell you that there will be a party after the match. – Another party? It didn’t go well last time either.
- I don’t know... –
- Come on! It will be fun! – Debby prompted.
- I’ll think about it. – I’ll leave it at that. I’ll ask Dylan if he wants to go and if he says yes then I’ll go too.
- You should come. It’s our last year. We should make the best out of it. – Debby was right but I didn’t belong here. I should be celebrating in Florida with my mom. I didn’t want to think about graduating without her.
I started stretching and warming up when the boys ran out to the field. My eyes searched for Dylan but I couldn’t see him. Maybe he was still getting dressed.
I stood up from the ground and dusted off my skirt. Then I felt someone wrap their arms around me from the back. – Have I told you how good this uniform looks on you? – Dylan whispered into my ears and I shuddered. I smiled and turned around to face him.
- I’m sure you appreciate the length of the skirts. –
- Yours could be longer though. – I rolled my eyes at his comment.
- Torres! – The coach yelled at us and he sighed.
- Don’t distract me too much. – He winked and I chuckled shaking my head.
- What was that? – Debby appeared next to me. – What did I miss? –
- We’re sort of dating. – I replied shyly. It felt so unreal to be saying that. Debby’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. – I’m not sure if your shock is a happy shock or a worried shock. –
-I’m happy of course! But...how? – She was confused.
- He likes me. He knows my story and he’d accepted it. – I said without realizing that I almost mentioned my backstory. – He asked me to be his girlfriend and I said yes. – That was the short answer.
- What do you mean he accepted it? – She furrowed her brows like she should. I’d be curious too if someone said something like this to me. I messed up.
- It’s complicated. I’ll tell you another time, okay? – I knew if I’d be talking about my past I’d break down and everyone would see it. I had to hold myself together.
She agreed and we started practicing. It went okay, better than last week. My uncle picked me up after my last lesson and I spent the afternoon studying.
The next few days were busy. I’ve had three assignments due on Wednesday and two tests on Thursday so I kind of ignored Dylan for a few days. Studying was still my number one priority and it would always be. Especially if I wanted to get accepted to a good university.
Friday began with Math’s and the teacher was handing out the tests we wrote on Monday. I always hated Math but I never had bad grades.
The teacher slid my test in front of me and I saw a D on the front. What? How did I write a D? I studied a lot for this test! I checked the tasks and opened my notes to compare them. They were the exact same. I raised my hand up and the teacher walked up to me. – Yes, Miss Smith? –
- Sir, I think you’ve made a mistake. I checked my notes and they match my task results. – I said politely. It happened sometimes that the teacher messed up.
- Ah, yes. Let me see your notes. – He took my notebook and flipped through the pages with a speed that made it almost impossible to see if what I did was right or wrong. – No, your test results are correct. You misunderstood the tasks and didn’t write the formulas on any of them. – Was he serious? He literally said that we didn’t need to write them before we started the test!
- But Sir, you’ve mentioned that we don’t need to write the formulas on the papers. – I tried to keep my voice as polite as possible even though I was infuriated.
- I think you’ve misunderstood that as well. I said you needed to write them everywhere. – He took the test from me and walked back to his desk. Such a jerk! I was so angry that I didn’t listen to anything he spoke about for the rest of the lesson and when the bell rang I rushed out of class. I bumped into someone on the way and dropped my books.
- Excuse me. – I bent down and picked them up.
- What’s up? – Dylan helped me gather them together.
- I’m pissed. – I growled in a low voice and straightened up walking to my locker.
- What happened? – He followed me.
- My jerk Math teacher. – I shoved the books into my locker. – He gave me a D. A D! I did everything as he taught and he basically told me that I was stupid for not understanding the tasks. – I raised my voice a little and saw that he rolled his eyes. – What? – I frowned.
- Nothing. He’s a jerk. – He added shrugging. – Don’t worry about it, I know you’re better than what he thinks. –
- My only hope is that he won’t be the one correcting the finals. – I rolled my eyes and closed my locker. – I hate him so much. – I growled and Dylan started to chuckle. – What are you laughing at? –
- You’re cute when you’re mad. – He smiled.
- I’m not cute. I’m annoyed. – I pouted.
- Whatever you say. – He shrugged again. – Are you staying for the party tonight? –
- Are you? – I looked at him while we walked to our next class.
- If you want to. We could sleep at yours after. – He said confidently.
- Okay. – I agreed easily. We’ve slept together before so it wasn’t a big deal. We entered the classroom for English and sat down at our desks.
I was too excited about the afternoon and my thoughts were somewhere else. Somewhere where my mother watched my performance from the bleachers just like every other parents. She’d tell Dylan to take good care of me before she’d leave us to party. I wished she was here.
The teacher didn’t bother to ask me any questions so I spent the lesson wondering about an imagined world that I knew could never exist.
The cheerleaders and the football players only had three lessons so they could get ready for the match. I ate my lunch in the canteen and waited for Debby to arrive.
- I’m nervous! – She entered the canteen and dropped her bag next to mine.
- We’ll be great, don’t worry. We practiced a lot. – I tried to ease her nerves though I was nervous myself.
- I know we’ll be great. I’m nervous about Nathan! What if he asks me out after the match? –
- Then you’ll say yes. You like him, he likes you. There’s nothing to worry about. – I was always good at giving advice but my love life was always complicated. She nodded and took a sip from her water bottle.
- Are you gonna tell me about that thing you mentioned on Monday? – Here we go again... Did I trust her enough to tell her? Dom knew about it because I’ve told him after the last party. Debby deserved to know...
- It’s about why I moved here. – I began the story and took a deep breath. – I had an accident a few months ago. –
- Oh my God. Are you okay? I mean you seem okay but you know... – She had worry in her eyes.
- I guess I am. We were picking strawberries with my mom one afternoon. She was driving when a bird flew into our windshield and our car drove off a cliff. – I heard her gasp and her eyes filled with tears. – I survived but she didn’t. – I tried to make it short because I didn’t want
to cry. Not today.
- Grace... I’m so sorry. – She wrapped her arms around me and sniffled. – I didn’t know. – She stroked my back gently. Her hug was very comforting.
- It’s alright. I don’t want anyone to know. It’s only you, Dylan, and Dom other than my family. – We pulled away and she nodded wiping a tear away from her cheek.
- I won’t tell anyone, I promise. – She swore and I trusted her. I knew she wouldn’t tell anyone. We sat there for a while, regaining our mental strength before we walked to the locker rooms to change.
twenty-seven
We had two hours left until the match. We already changed into our uniforms and Debby and I decided to do our hair and makeup. We stood in the bathroom of the girls’ locker room, each one of us in front of a mirror as we applied makeup to our faces.
I didn’t overdo mine like everyone else did. The average amount was enough. I tied my hair into a half up half down and used hair spray to secure it in place.
I had more and more butterflies in my stomach with the time getting closer to the match. The lead-up choreography was going to be Debby’s and I was nervous that I’d mess up.
- Grace… you look insanely stunning. – Debby walked in and I smiled. My cheeks probably flushed red.
- You look great Debby. – I returned her kind compliment by telling her the truth. Her ebony skin looked amazing in the uniform.
- Where is your loverboy? – She asked fixing the lashes she glued on.
- Probably getting ready. – I shrugged. I haven’t thought much about Dylan in the past hour. I was conjecturing about the match and the after-party.
- I’m gonna go stretch. – Debby responded. – Are you coming? – She looked back at me and I nodded closing my locker, and walked out to the area next to the benches. The boys hadn’t come out yet so it was just the two of us on the field and a few students on the bleachers.
- I’m nervous. – I admitted while putting my leg up on the barrier and leaned over my leg to stretch my hamstring.
- Don’t be. We’ve practiced and we have no competition, remember? – I knew there weren’t any other teams but it was my first game and my boyfriend was about to come out and play. Butterflies flooded my stomach.
- Gracie! – I heard someone yell from behind. I turned around and saw my godparents, Lily, and grandma on the bleachers. I ran towards them with a confused smile.
- What are you doing here, guys? – I asked politely.
- We’re here to see you, silly. And Dylan of course. – Nana replied.
- Dylan invited me to watch the game and they wouldn’t stay at home. – Uncle Seb spoke honestly. – Where is he? –
- I haven’t seen him yet. Probably with the boys. – I shrugged. – But I’ve gotta go and finish stretching. The match is in 20 minutes. – I added and gave them a smile before running back to Debby.
- Are they your family? – Debby asked as I sat down beside her and continued stretching.
- Yeah. My grandma and my godparents. – I responded.
- They seem cool. At least you have a good family. – She said. – Not like Dyl. –
- You know his parents? – I asked curiously. Dylan barely spoke about them for obvious reasons.
- His mom is a bitch. She treated Dylan like shit while she praised Dylan’s little brother. –
- Have you met her? – I tried to keep my questions simple though I was eager to know more.
- Sadly, yes. – I didn’t know how to reply. I felt sorry for Dylan of course, though I couldn’t help but feel the urge to solve his family-related problems.
– They’re coming! – Debby said and I glanced towards the group of boys running out in their uniforms.
- Is Nathan coming? – I asked while watching Dylan talk to some people.
- Yes! I’m so excited to see him. – She started babbling but I focused on who Dylan was talking to. It was a girl and when he turned around she ran away. The girl was my cousin, Lily. What was she doing with him?
- Excuse me for a second. – I stood up and walked towards Dylan. He was smiling but when he saw that I wasn’t his mood shifted.
- What’s wrong? – He asked curiously.
- What did Lily say? – I asked kind of harshly.
- She wished me luck. – He had a small wrinkle between his brows. That was probably the truth. Lily tended to be sassy just like her mom, not to mention she really liked Dylan.
- Okay. – I responded with a low voice and jerked my head lightly.
- Was that all you worried about? – He looked at me, studying my facial expression. It was hard for him to read me, just like it was for me to read him.
- I’m just… nervous. – I added and swallowed the lump in my throat. I hadn’t danced in front of an audience in a year.
- You will be great. – He held my hand and swung it sideways. – I’m worried that you’ll distract me too much. – He added with a smirk on his face and I chuckled.
- Don’t get yourself smushed. – I commented and he chuckled. I loved his smile.
- I’ll try, Smith. – He answered. I smiled and kissed his cheek before walking back to Debby and the girls.
- That was cute. – Debby said and I looked at her. – Dyl seems happy around you. – Her compliment made me blush, though it wasn’t actually a compliment, a statement rather.
- I’m happy around him too. – I added and watched Dylan warm up with his teammates.
- Alright, let’s do this, girls. – Debby clapped her hands together and we gathered around her. – Give it all you’ve got and enjoy yourself. We’re supposed to have fun! – She stuck her arm out and we all put them together in a circle to work ourselves up for the performance. The other team was out on the field by now and soon our principal began the event with his speech.
– And now let’s give a round of applause to our very own cheerleaders! – He yelled into the microphone and we ran up to the field. We stood in position, me and Deb in front row. I took a deep breath and when the song started we began to dance. I tried not to look at anyone so I wouldn’t mess up and smiled brightly while dancing.
The choreography ended with Debby and I doing splits while the girls in the back formed a tower. I dared to look at the place where my family sat and saw them applauding. Everyone clapped and screamed. Dylan was looking at me proudly from the benches as he clapped. It was very heart-warming.
Debby introduced our football team and we held up the sign so they could break through it, and after they did we ran off the field to watch the match.
I was no expert in sports so I had no idea what was happening but the coach cheered so I guessed we were winning. Dylan got tackled a few times but he seemed to brush it off. Probably the adrenaline.
I kept my eyes on him by searching for his number. 14. I’d easily remember that since it was when the accident happened. April 14th.
Before half time, we began to stretch again to make sure we would be flexible enough to dance, and when the referee called halftime, we ran up on the field to entertain the crowd. It was my choreography’s turn.
We turned around when the music started and danced. The crowd clapped through the entire song, which made me enjoy it even more. When the song came to an end, the front row did a backbend and the others did three towers.
I heard Dylan yell my name and suddenly the entire audience started chanting it. My cheeks turned red as I smiled like a fool. Debby hugged me tightly before we ran inside the locker room.
- That was insane! - I giggled still in shock.
- We did it! We were amazing! – Debby cheered.
- They should’ve cheered the team’s name. – Sophie walked next to us and opened her locker.
- Grace did an amazing job. Two months in and she’s succeeded more than you did in three years. – Debby went off at Sophie.
- She made one choreography and now she’s co-captain. – She judged me.
- You’re just mad Dyl didn’t fuck you because he loves her. – He
loved me? I mean I knew he liked me but loving me… that’s another thing. Did he tell that to Debby himself?
Anyway, it seemed to be the truth because Sophie rolled her eyes and walked away. – Don’t believe a word they say, okay? They are dumb bitches. –
- I wouldn’t want to be co-captain, Debby. That’s your spot. – I said while taking off my uniform. – But I’ll help whenever you want me to. – I added grabbing my towel and shower gel.
- Deal. – She said and we walked inside the bathroom to shower. I never liked showering in public bathrooms but since we were staying for the after-party, I had to. I showered quickly and wrapped a towel around myself as I walked out. I consciously put my underwear on and placed the wet towel down on the bench.
- The match ended so they’re probably showering by now. – Debby said looking out from the window.
Suddenly we saw a flashlight from the back and immediately turned towards it. I wrapped the towel around myself and hurried after Debby.
She rushed into the boys’ locker room and grabbed Ben’s hair pulling him back. She was still wearing her towel and I was half-naked under mine as well.
- You sick son of a bitch. Give me that fucking phone or I’ll pull your organs out through your nose. – She held his hair tightly and Ben handed his phone to her. She handed it back to me and demanded to delete the pictures he’d taken.
- Uh… it’s locked. – I said shyly. I was so embarrassed but Debby wasn’t. She was always fierce and I admired her strength.
- What’s the code? – She commanded and when he didn’t answer, she pulled his hair even more. He whined.
- Okay! Okay! 349864. – Debby held him there until I unlocked his phone and deleted the pictures from it.
- What’s going on? – James stood behind us only in his boxers and I turned around holding the towel around myself tighter.
- Ben, the creep tried to sneak a naked picture of us. – Debby scowled and kept holding Ben by his hair.
- Torres! Your girl is here! – Max yelled chuckling. He seemed so devilish. The fact that I was in a towel made my cheeks flush red.
- And she’s sexy. – Oliver licked his lips and I felt my knees tremble.