A/n – Okay so this is the last part I promise

Chapter 11: Football P3

(Wanda's POV)

I walked behind Jared and Mel on the sidewalk as we made our way over to the football grounds, feeling like the third wheel and that I was intruding on their time together. Burns told me he'd meet me at the entrance when we got there, so at least I won't be the third wheel for long.

Ever since Mel told me about Ian I expected him to call or message me…but nothing. I still couldn't get him out of my head.

I sighed audibly, 'Cheer up Wanda, we're going to a game not a funeral' Mel called over her shoulder to me.

It's different when you actually enjoy sports like Mel, but with my gawky limbs and petite frame I've never been good at any team-sports. I'm probably the best at running, but even then I'm not very fast, it's put me off even watching sports too.

When we made it to the grounds, Burns was standing by the doors like he said he would be, as soon as he saw me trailing behind Mel and Jared he jogged over and pulled me into a tight hug…this I wasn't expecting.

I held onto his arms for support but made no move to hug him back, I could see Mel scowling at Burns behind his back… she must have seen how shocked I was because the next moment she was standing right next to me and cleared her throat loudly.

'So I guess we better get going!' If looks could kill Burn's would be a pile of ash on the ground.

He pulled his arms back but stayed close to my side and laughed to himself, 'sure thing, lead the way' Mel gave him one last scowl and returned to Jared ahead of us.

'What was all that about?' I questioned him as we walked, his hand now resting on my back, leading me forward up the stairs of the stands.

'I can't give you a hug? I thought we were friends?' he gave me a puppy-eyed look which made me feel guilty… 'yeah, I guess…a bit out of the blue though. I don't think you're Mel's favourite person right now…'

He smiled down at me, his green eyes captivating, 'yeah I got that, I thought she was going to shoot laser beams out of her eyes or something' we both laughed as we grabbed the two seats next to Mel – making sure I was the one who sat next to her.

We all sat waiting, watching the crowd grow; the players started piling out onto the field at last, the sooner this started the sooner I could go home.

'…wait…is that?' I leaned forward in my seat…Ian.

I turned to Mel who was mid-conversation with Jared, and grabbed her arm as hard as I could, 'hey! Ow!' she looked at my small hand clamped on her arm, then up to my face – I imagine I look like I've just seen a ghost, I could feel the blood leaving my head as I stared out towards him.

'…Wanda? What's going on?' she followed my gaze; I couldn't reply, I could barely move.

'Oh crap, Wanda I had no idea he was playing – hell I didn't even know he was on this team! JARED! Did you know about this?' Jared almost jumped out of his seat as Mel shouted his name.

'erm...yeah? I thought that was why we're here?' he looked worried, and slightly scared of Mel.

Lucky for him Mel didn't reply, but turned to me instead, she pried my hand off and held it between hers, 'Wanda…we can go if you want?'

'Go? The game hasn't even started?' I could hear Burns next to me, catching on to the end our conversation.

I couldn't take my eyes off of Ian…he was throwing the ball to one of his teammates, barely noticing the crowd, focussed on the path of the football.

'no…' I managed to force out between my lips, I cleared my throat and tried again, 'No, we should stay.' If he was over me the least I could do was act like I was over him, but seeing him just brought back everything I felt for him.

'Okay' Mel sighed and leaned back in her chair, still clutching my hand…I hoped she wouldn't let go.

(Ian's POV)

'- you really need to learn how to be more of a team player Ian, it's not just you out there.'

'Fine.'

We had lost and I was getting the blame. Typical. Coach just said I wasn't the only one out there so clearly it wasn't just me who messed up, this is all bull, I put more effort in than anyone and he knows it.

I storm out of his boxy office, wanting to shower to get rid of the blood and dirt from my face after getting thrown down close to the end of the game – the bastard who did it didn't even get a foul for it.

I turn another corner, now I have to walk halfway through the back of the stands just to get to the locker room. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through me, how dare he just blame it all on me. I put up a good fight to win isn't that enough? What does he expect; the newbies on the team can barely throw and catch, it's his fault for putting them up to play!

Ugh. I felt like punching something. Maybe I should just skip the shower and run home, I'll still need to grab my stuff but at least I won't have to hang around.

I start to jog, wanting to get out of here as soon as I could. I turn the last corner and stop dead in my tracks…Wanda.

What's she doing here? AND WHO THE HELL IS HE!?

Wanda was standing with her back towards me, looking up into some boy's face. He had his arm snaked around her back, clutching her side, looking down at her and smiling. She looks uncomfortable. He's too close to her.

I step closer, cursing my football boots for tapping on the floor with every footfall. I could see her more clearly now, shifting from foot to foot, her eyes never meeting his, she didn't want him to be touching her. I looked to his face again and recognition flashed through my mind…shit.

'Get your hands off of her.' I don't know what made me say it…maybe the overwhelming urge to protect her from him, or the adrenaline coursing through me. Either way it had the effect I wanted, they both turned around at what I said, Wanda's eyes widen as she realises who spoke.

'And who the hell are you?' arrogant prick.

'I'm the guy who's going to punch you if you don't get out of here' I clench my fists...hell if Wanda wasn't standing in front of me I would have punched him as soon as I saw him.

'…Ian' I couldn't look at her…not while he was still here, what was she even doing with him anyway.

'Leave.' We stared at each other; I knew he would look away first. He looked like he didn't recognise me, then again why would he remember me.

He was scared…good.

'…I guess I'll see you later Wanda.' He looked down at her once last time and slinked off, his back turned towards us, coward.

She fumbled for something to say '…I-I' but before she could get a coherent word out I crouched and put my arms around her waist and pulled her up towards me to cut out the space between us.

I could hear her small gasp before she put her hands around the back of my head, into my hair, I felt a growl at the back of my neck as I burrowed my face into her neck, I could feel her almost translucent skin pulse with her heart beating rapidly.

I held her for a long time before I lowered her back onto the floor. With one hand still around her waist I lifted the other to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, caressing her face in the process.

Our faces were only inches apart now, her hands had slidden down from my neck to hold on tightly to my upper arms, I could hear her breath coming quickly…she wanted this as much as I did.

I closed the gap between us and pressed my lips to hers, tilting my head to part her lips with mine. Her lips were as soft as I had imagined, we moved in sync, matching each others rhythms as though we were made for each other. I stroked my tongue over her lower lip and felt her breath hitch in her throat, her hands move into fists in my hair gently tugging me closer…I was as close as I could get without lifting her again, which is exactly what I did – without breaking the perfect contact of our lips I trailed my hand down the side of her body to join the arm already around her and pulled her towards me.…

I couldn't think, all of the tension and anger left me as soon as my lips had met hers, all I could feel was Wanda's perfectly small body pressed against me, her mouth fitting against mine, her hands entwined in my hair. My eyes were tightly closed, not wanting anything to ruin this moment between us.

I wish I could deepen the kiss, but not here, not when I was covered in mud and smelled of sweat…my mind also reminded me that there were things we needed to talk about.

I reluctantly pulled away and opened my eyes so I could see her face, her lips were apart and swollen, she still had her eyes closed. She looks like every bit of the angel she is.

I kissed her quickly one more time and settled her back to her feet, opening her eyes she looked into mine and took a deep breath, we were still only inches apart '…hi' her voice shook as she spoke making me chuckle, I ran my nose along hers and sighed. 'Hi'. It was lame but I didn't know what else to say, I could stay here and stare into her shining grey eyes forever.

Someone coughed in the distance…we didn't move, neither of us wanted too, another cough, this one more urgent and obvious.

I tore my eyes away from her to see Jared and Mel about 20 feet away. I straightened up and tucked Wanda into my side, not wanting to let go of her for a second – she seemed to have the same idea as she wrapped her arm around my lower back, scrunching my jersey under her fingers.

'Nice face man, can barely recognise you under all that mud.' Jared walked forward and punched my shoulder; I winced as he hit the same spot I fell on.

'You okay?' Wanda whispered, only loud enough for me to hear as she noticed my wince, I glanced down and saw her small eyebrows were furrowed with a look of concern on her face – it was so damn adorable it made me want to kiss her all over again. 'I am now' I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

'Wow Ian you stink' Mel had to point out the obvious as she moved closer to us. Wanda giggled beside me and tightened her hand on my side.

'I guess I should probably go clean up, are you guys hanging around for a while?' I addressed everyone but I looked down at Wanda when I spoke, I didn't want her to leave my side at all – it was bad enough I had to go back into the locker room and waste half an hour without her.

She nodded shyly; I kissed her forehead again, 'I won't be long.' She took her arm back and I moved forward to the locker room, already hearing Mel interrogating her before I even made it to the door, I chuckled – guessing I'd end up getting the same questions from Mel sooner or later about what happened.

(A/n – this has been my favourite chapter to write by far, let me know what you think!)