"Run you idiot, come on!" Stefan yelled. Marcel picked up the cricket ball and turned around, throwing it as Rebekah screamed in delight and ran past. She pulled off her shoes and ran harder in the grass, making it back to home base. Caroline, Elena and some of Rebekah's friends cheered her on, and all went into a group hug including Nick.
"Well played, Bex!" Marcel called.
"Marcel!" Stefan called in protest.
"What?" Marcel protested back.
Now it was Elena's turn to run. She took her shoes off and glared daggers into Stefan.
"You ready, Lena?" He asked with a smirk.
"Fuck off Stefan."
He grumbled to himself and threw hard. All Elena had to do was let the ball bump into her cricket paddle, it tumbled into the grass a few feet from her, and she ran to first base, celebrating with a cheerleader jump and leg spread. The other ladies cheered for her.
Now it was Caroline's turn. She pretended to take a drink of water, letting it spill over her chin and wet her white button-down tee shirt so she had to tie it off higher. Nick watched her, chuckling. She considered her actions, and looked back at Nick for encouragement, but he just raised an eyebrow at her. Stefan turned to one of the women on his team as Caroline turned to him and gestured for them to move back. He tossed the ball in the air, smirking at her.
"Your turn, Care." Nick kept saying while Caroline struggled to tie her shirt up higher. She turned and took the cricket paddle, sticking her butt out and taking a mock swing, letting the tip point to Stefan.
"Be nice to me, Stefan." She cooed. Stefan looked away, and Nick felt embarrassed for her. She was not getting the reaction she was hoping for but didn't seem to be noticing. Stefan tossed the ball and it went past Caroline, hitting the umpire's glove.
"OUT!" Stefan proudly yelled. Caroline protested with a little stomp of her foot while he and Marcel celebrated.
Now it was Nick's turn to bat. Caroline ran her fingers through his hair behind his ear and muttered a 'lose the game' to him, much to his surprise.
Nick instead hit the ball hard, and it went flying much to Stefan's chagrin. Caroline stared after him in surprise, and the umpire stared dumbfounded. Nick ran hard around everyone, greeting Marcel for the first time of the day.
"Run you sexy thing!" Elena cheered as the girls crowded around Caroline, knowing their team would win now.
Stefan groaned and fell to his knees. Elena cheered Nick on. Caroline was in a state of surprise for so long she forgot that Nick was supposed to be her boyfriend. She pretended to cheer him on with the others as Nick rounded the rest of the circle, plowing into Caroline and gripping her waist just before the ball could hit him, staring at her mouth.
"You're supposed to be helping." Caroline protested in his ear. Nick smiled.
"Trust me, I am." He replied. Stefan glared at him from his spot. He kicked at the dirt. Caroline jumped onto Nick's waist and he held her upright. She kissed his ear, still staring at Stefan. Stefan stared after her longingly...she hoped.