CHAPTER 17:

"Faye, wait up!" I turn around, Ruby is running up to me. Her smile is bright and she obviously knows something, that smile doesn't just say she's in a good mood. She grabs onto my shoulders and shakes me, "oh my god! You and Jake!? Tell me all the gossip."

I chuckle and begin to walk again, holding my books tightly. "Well, we did call all night until I fell asleep. We talked about everything, hopes and dreams, favourite food, favourite colour; things like that. Just getting to know each other," I smile slightly in remembrance.

"Oooohhhh, do you like him?" She wiggles her eyebrows and I roll my eyes at her.

"Well I guess so," I shrug. She squeals and jumps up and down in excitement, "let's just hope he isn't tricking me and isn't doing this for some big prank so everyone can laugh at me."

"What? Why would you think that?" She scoffs and I stare at her, after staring at her for too long I look away and sigh.

"Every time someone does something good for me, there's always something behind it. Usually some sick scheme so I can be embarrassed and they can win some sort of points. No one has done anything to stop it," I shrug. "In my world, when someone's nice to me there's always a cruel intention behind it."

"Oh," she goes quiet after that. We part ways and begin the day on a sad note. I'm walking down the halls, thinking silently and day dreaming when someone stops me. Jake. My heart skips a beat and I smile shyly at him, he chuckles and grabs both of my hands. Oh no, is this the part where he tells me this was all a lie?

"Faye, would you come to my football game Friday night?" Oh... way different outcome than I expected. I look down at our hands that are joined and bite my lip, "Well?" He says impatiently.

"Sure," I end up saying. I've never been a fan of watching sports, I'd rather be the one playing instead of sitting on the sidelines. I've always found it a bit boring, but I bet I won't find this particular game boring only because Jake is involved in it. He smiles and kisses my cheek, of course they go a deep red after that.

"Great! You know when it starts right?" Is that even a question? In my country football is soccer. It's one of the biggest sports. Everyone talks about it, especially if this weeks game is against our rival school everyone is talking about it. They have so much belief in our team, I've never actually seen our team play. There's a change for everything.

But I don't actually know what time it starts, "no. What time does it start?"

"6pm, I expect you to be there earlier to calm my nerves," he winks at me. He's obviously just saying that to be a big flirt, I roll my eyes and playfully hit him. His hand catches mine and he just stares into my eyes for a few minutes. I clear my throat and break the eye contact.

"Well, class has started and I'm late..." he releases me and nods.

"See you later."
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Friday rolled around quickly, this week went by too fast. It's 4pm and I'm freaking out, I don't know what to wear. In times like these, Ruby is most definitely needed. I send her a quick text, she replies instantly saying she's on her way. I don't want to be overdressed because it's a school thing, but I don't want to be underdressed and not impress Jake. I want to look somewhat appealing.

"Okay, I brought the makeup, hair products and some clothes just in case you don't want to wear anything in your closet," I smile. Is this what having a girl friend is like? I love it.

"Thank you so much! Let me inform you on a few things. I don't want to be overdressed because it's a school thing, but I don't want to be underdressed and look totally bad. It's important to somewhat impress him, you know?" She's nodding while having a thoughtful expression on her face. Taking in every word.

"Hun, trust me when I say there will be girls that are overdressed there. Wear something that he'll have to remember. I'm thinking this white skirt and off the shoulder black long sleeved top, match it with these vans and you won't feel as overdressed," I smile at her and hug her tightly.

"Thank you so much!! This is perfect, I love it," I grab the clothes and get changed, I already had a shower before she got here luckily.

"I'm thinking for makeup to just fill in the brows because brows are essential, some mascara, highlight and a bit of brown eyeshadow," I shrug not really caring what she does. I'm sure whatever she does I'll look fine in the end. I'm not a complainer, she has come over to help me and I'm grateful. The least I could do is accept what she chooses.

An hour later, her work is done and I'm loving it. The outfit is super cute, the makeup is well done and I look pretty good not to sound up myself or anything. But it's good to recognise self beauty once in a while. I've never really been a confident person but it's good I'm being positive today. "Thank you for everything, I love the final look," I hug her tightly.

"That's what friends are for," I smile. I guess we are friends. "I'll drive you, I can't wait to see his reaction," she claps her hands and squeals.
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My hands are clammy, my heart rate is increasing by the minute and I keep biting my lip. This is so nerve wracking. I got here early as he asked, now Ruby is showing me where he would most likely be so I can wish him good luck before the game. I want to back out so badly but she's dragging me and saying positive things to attempt to make me feel better. "Honestly, when he sees you he will be speechless. You look that good," I nod trying to convince myself that everything will be perfectly fine. "Jakeee," she sings, this is the moment. She releases me and steps away, I look at him. He is staring, looking at every single detail while walking closer and closer towards me.

"Wow," he releases a breath of air, stunned. "You look f**king perfect. So beautiful," I blush and hide my face with my hair. He cups my cheek, making me look at him. His lighter brown eyes stare into my darker brown orbs.

"Do I?" I twiddle with my fingers nervously. He obviously picks up on my nervousness and grabs my hand, I bite my lip.

"Most beautiful girl I've seen," he whispers in awe. I smile and surprise both him and I by hugging him, his arms wrap around my waist as he hugs me back.

"Good luck for the game tonight. I know you will win though," he chuckles and I try pulling away but he keeps his arm around me.

"I don't want to let go," he nuzzles his head in the crook of my neck and takes a deep breath in. I don't want him to let go too. Maybe this is all real, I mean this can't be fake right? I hear some people wolf whistling and I try to hide my face. He chuckles and releases me. "Well I have to get back to warm ups, do I get a kiss for good luck?" He wiggles his brows. I push her face away and scoff, my confidence entering my body again.

"Not today mister," he pouts and I smirk. "You can't have all of this," it's his turn to smirk.

"Oh but I can."

"You're gross," I scrunch up my nose, pretending to be disgusted when in fact I'm actually not. He laughs and I wave at him while walking off. Ruby saved me a seat near Max and Tyler, they all greet me and Ruby winks at me.

"How was it? Any smooching?" Max smirks, I glare at him and flip him off.

"Jake isn't that privileged," Ruby chuckles and Max raises his eyebrows.

"Confident, I like it," I shrug and look out onto the field. Each team is warming up, they are doing intense warm ups probably trying to show off and scare each other. I bet both teams are scared though.

The game soon starts, I should be watching everyone but the only person whom I'm watching is Jake. He's so talented, he's intercepted the ball many times already and scored. I sigh and see Ruby staring at me in the corner of my eye. Okay maybe watching sports isn't that boring. The game finishes, our team having won. "Go congratulate him personally," Ruby smirks. I laugh and stand up, she looks shocked as she watches me running down the stairs. None of them thought I would actually agree to congratulating him personally.

Jake sees me, standing behind the fence and he runs over to me. He reaches over to grab me and lift me over to the side he's on, I squeal and wrap my arms around his neck. "Congratulations! You played so well, I didn't know you were that good," he smiles genuinely.

"Thank you. I was trying to impress someone," he wiggles his eyebrows.

"More flirting, Collins?" I shake my head.

"Of course. I won't stop."

"I don't expect you will."