Author's Note:
I just wanted to apologize for being so late on updating this story. If you'd like to leave a comment on how I'm doing so far with the story let me know. It's greatly appreciated and I read every comment. Hopefully, the story will be updated quicker from now on. I hope you enjoy the new chapter. =)
The crowd was a mix with different shades of red running throughout the bleachers. Summer heard people shouting different numbers towards the football team, but she tried to drown them out and focus. As much as Summer tried a few voices got through to her, and they all seemed to be shouting for Gary. Her hurt leg had kept her out of the current game causing her to just stare towards Gary's direction. He had tried to honor his parents' wishes as much as it hurt him, and so far Summer tried to understand. As the week had worn on however, it was more difficult to concentrate at practice. Summer wondered if Gary had gone back to the way he was before.
The more Summer watched the game though, it calmed her. Gary had gotten past what people looked liked. His parents may not know how good people could be, but he certainly did. Summer smiled to herself thinking about how much Gary had changed. On the field his game was better and more focused than it ever had been before. Even off the field Gary was a new person he had started playing basketball with Julius, and now never missed a chance. Coach Boone had wanted the team to get to know each other, and now it seemed everyone knew each other's daily life. They loved the bonding within the locker room, the classroom learning, and even the hard practices every day.
The more the team bonded the more they hit hardships at home. Though Summer and Gary's situation was unique, the team members had also been forbidden to see a teammate outside of school. Sunshine was the only one that didn't have that problem. With his dad stationed in the military it was pretty easy for him to approve of any friends. The team seemed to be growing closer together despite the troubles they faced off the field. Summer felt as if the hardships just drew them closer to the ones that understood on a personal level. The more she thought about it football seemed to be the only constant the team had together now.
A hand gripped Summer's shoulder and she turned to see Gary. Apparently she had zoned out long enough for him to come out of the game for a moment. She smiled at him and tried to be her usual self around him. "How's the game going?" He smiled slightly and took a drink from his water bottle. "Couldn't watch the game? Why is your leg bothering you too much again?" Summer smiled and shook her head. "No, it hasn't quit yet still hurts when I wake up too. I was just distracted bad but true." Gary nodded and handed her his water bottle. "If you want some go ahead. Water can help you with the leg cramping all the time. I've been distracted lately too. Summer, I'm really sorry about my parents."
Summer looked down at the grass before taking a drink out of the water bottle even though she wasn't thirsty. She swallowed the water before looking at Gary again. "It's alright like I said it's not your fault for how they feel." Gary sat down on the bench as the game turned to the final two minutes. "Why don't we get something to eat after the game? I'm not too tired and I don't see why not." Summer looked at the scoreboard and saw the winning score. "It'll be pretty busy, why don't you come over to my place?" Gary laughed slightly nodding slowly. "Alright, but my parents aren't going to like this. I told them you were my girlfriend whether they liked it or not, and that I wouldn't go behind their back with it."
Summer stared at Gary for a moment both happy and surprised. "Wait, this is your way of telling me I can see you whenever I want?" The scoreboard hit zero and the game ended in one final roar from the crowd. Gary had to shout to be heard over them, and only after pulling Summer towards their locker room. "Yes, that is if you haven't changed your mind about me!" Summer laughed and hugged Gary making Julius and Sunshine laugh as they tried to get in the locker room. Focusing on getting out of the locker room, they showered and changed into something cool and comfortable. Summer let Gary drive her back to her place for something to eat.
Summer's dad hugged her as she walked in the door then greeted Gary. He listened as Summer begged to allow Gary to stay over for a couple hours, and it made him laugh. Once he said yes Summer rushed into the kitchen to start cooking Gary some food. Gary laughed following her into the kitchen watching as she began piling food onto the counter. "Summer, you know I can't eat all that even after a football game." She laughed looking back at him and shrugged. "I didn't know what you liked, so I thought I'd make you a bunch of things." Gary laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I like regular grilled cheese you know." Summer laughed blushing from Gary holding her close.
Summer buttered some bread and put it in a pan on the stove. "You're easy to cook for then. I wanted to cook you this huge meal instead." Gary laughed going to the cupboard and grabbing two plates from them. He watched as Summer cooked them some grilled cheese sandwiches. "If you want to cook a big meal feed our football team sometime after a game." Gary laughed and then he caught Summer grinning. "That's a great idea!" He shook his head smiling at her. "You can't really want to cook for our whole football team." Summer smiled cutting the sandwiches into small triangle halves and then putting them on a plate. "I know but it sounded fun in theory."
Gary sat at the table as Summer poured them both a glass of milk to go along with their food. "I feel like a kid again eating this." Summer smiled from Gary's comment and nodded. "Yeah, I made these all the time when I was a kid." Gary smiled slightly looking at Summer. "You know my mom used to make mine without the crust on them. Only thing is I love eating the crust on them, she still does it." Summer smiled back at Gary seeing him having a fond memory of his parents. "How'd you start playing football?" Gary's smile turned into a laugh as he finished his food rather quickly. "My dad wanted me to play, plus it toughened me up as a person." Summer took a drink of her milk before looking back up at Gary. "It toughened us all up this season so far."