A/N: Thanks again for the reviews!

Chapter 9: Football Friday Night

Their first week back at school had gone great. The 7 of them had their own group forming. Now it was Friday. The football team's first home game, and Jack's birthday. The friends, as well as Jack's parents, were going to go to Jack's favorite pizza place after the game. But right now, they had to get through the game.

Kate, Claire, Ana, Charlie, and Hurley went to their usual seats on the bleachers. They got food, drinks, and got ready for the game. Jack, Sawyer, and the rest of the team were warming up. Ana noticed 2 blonde cheerleaders staring up at them.

"Who's that?" She asked Kate, motioning to the girls.

"That's Shannon and Sarah." Kate replied.

"So, that's them."

"Yeah, but the suck at cheerleading. Me and Kate are usually louder than them." Claire added.

"Well, I'll just have to help you girls out." Ana smiled. She was fitting in nicely with the group.

Charlie meanwhile was trying to figure out the game. "Hurley? How exactly does this game work?"

Hurley thought for a bit then said, "OK. It can be confusing, but I'll try to help. You have two teams, each trying to score a touchdown, in either of the endzones." He pointed to the sections of the field. "The offense is who has the ball, the defense is who wants to stop them. Jack is the quarterback, or leader. He decides how they will try to score. Either with a pass, which is throwing, or a run, which is giving the ball to a teammate and they run through the field. You still with me?"

"I think so." Charlie said.

"Cool. Then when we score a touchdown, it's 6 points. After that you can kick a fieldgoal into there." Hurley pointed to the yellow goal post. "Or you can try to get two points by going back into the endzone. Then if you're close enough but don't get a touchdown, as long as it's 4th down or try, you can kick a fieldgoal for 3 points. That's about it dude."

Charlie nodded and said, "It makes sense. It kind of reminds me of soccer and rugby." He then noticed Claire rubbing her stomach. "You OK love?"

"Yeah, I just feel nauseous. Thanks for asking." Claire smiled back at him.

"Charlie! One more thing." Hurley said. "The girls get really loud."

Charlie just nodded and didn't think anything of it as the game started.

He then realized Hurley was right.

"That is SO not a first down!" Claire yelled.

"COME ON! Kate and Ana screamed at the same time.

Jack then laughed to himself. The girls take this so seriously. He looked back and caught Kate's eyes. She waved and smiled at him, which he returned.

"Feels great to have our own cheering section." Sawyer teased.

"You know you like it too." Jack replied. It was time to get back out there and win this game. Jack put his helmet back on and ran onto the field. There was only minuets left in the 4th quarter. They needed one more touchdown to win.

"GO JACK!" Kate, Claire, and Ana yelled, making Sarah angry.

The team got into formation after picking a play. Jack got ready to get the ball. Let's win this thing. "HIKE!"

He got the ball in his hands and looked around. He spotted Sawyer wide open and threw the ball win all his energy. Sawyer caught it easily and took off.

"Come on!" Jack yelled.

"GO SAWYER!" The girls now were screaming.

Sawyer ran as a defensive player came but he couldn't catch up. He got in the endzone just before the clock went to 0. They won 16-15.

"How does it feel to have a big win all on your 18th birthday?" Christian asked his son at the restaurant.

"It's great!" Jack smiled widely. They had beaten an undefeated team. Kate was sitting next to him, but they all pushed tables together so everyone could sit in a group. All the pizza and cake were eaten, but Christian had a surprise.

"Well Jack, your mother and I have a birthday gift to give to you. But do you mind sharing it?" Christian asked.

Jack was confused. "OK. What is it?"

His father handed Jack an envelope. "Don't open it yet. Claire?"

"Yeah?" She asked surprised.

"This is also your gift since your birthday is 2 weeks away." He handed another envelope to Claire. "But there's one more." He said as he held a third envelope. "This one is for you, Kate."

Kate was shocked. "Really?"

"Yes, and I OK'd it with your dad." He said as he gave her the envelope. "Open it."

The 3 teens did and what they saw shocked them. Inside were airplane tickets to Boston.

"We leave right after Claire's birthday. The trip is for 2 weeks and we got you all out of school." Christian explained.

"Dad, this is awesome! Is it OK with coach?" Jack asked.

"Yes it is."

"Thanks so much dad! It's been so long since we last went." Claire beamed.

"I can really go?" Kate asked.

Christian nodded as Margo said, "Kate, you are a part of this family and we would love to have you with us."

"Thank you all so much!" Kate was so happy. She hadn't really traveled that much and never been to the East Coast. Jack squeezed her hand under the table and they smiled.

"Now we have a lot planned. We are going to have a fun filled vacation!" Christian ended the conversation.

The teens were so excited. They were going to love this trip.