We made it just in time, running in just as Coach James started his pep talk.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr Quarterback," he yells sarcastically. "Aw, and lovely that your girlfriend could join us too."
It's then I realised that in our hurry, Leo had grabbed my hand and pulled me into the locker room with me. And I'm not stupid. I know what the Coach is implying. Doesn't make him any less of a dick.
I blush and pull my hand away from Leo's. I smile at him and he mouths an apology and I tell him good luck. As I rush out, Finn's eyes catch mine. Still in a state of limbo, our expressions are neither happy or sad to see each other. He smiles slightly; I nod and smile back. I have officially given up trying to decipher that boy and his feelings.
In the bleachers, I locate Maddie by how loud she's cheering. Before I join her, I just watch contently. Even in Jack's jersey she looks beautiful, and the happiness on her face makes her look even more so.
The teams run onto the field as I make my way to my seat. The cheerleaders get the crowd going with a peppy, if slightly provocative routine. Spotting Marina at the top of the pyramid, I push away thoughts of wishing she'd fall. If I thought like that, I'd be no better than her. Doesn't stop her face from making me feel sick though.
The game begins and I find my eyes following Finn's number, 34, around the field. Considering he said he preferred surfing, he is a good player. A team player; something D12 High School severely lacks. The whistle blows as Coach James calls for a time out for him to talk to his team.
"God, I never thought I'd enjoy watching sport but I'm loving it!" Maddie screams, excitedly.
I laugh. "That tends to happen when you're watching someone you love play."
Her smile doesn't falter. In fact, it gets wider. I've known how she feels about Jack for a long time. Longer than she has. You can just tell from the way she looks at him.
"Do you think he loves me too?" she asks, suddenly venerable.
"Don't be stupid, Mad. Of course he does."
To this she cheers even louder, screaming "I LOVE YOU, JACK!".
As If by magic, he looks up, hearing her from all the way from the field. His smile is wider than I've ever seen it, blowing her a kiss screaming back, "I LOVE YOU TOO!"
The game begins again and Leo has the ball. Seeing an opponent running towards him, Leo frantically looks for someone to pass to. Finn is the only person free. The ball flies through the air and into Finn's hands, but before he can take a step, he's knocked by another player. The crowd gasps.
The opponent has walked away unscathed but Finn hasn't moved, lying motionless on the floor. Without realising it, I'm on my feet and running down the bleachers to the front row, getting as close as I can.
Leo sprints across the field, dropping to his knees over Finn. The crowd begins to whisper but my heart is in my ears. What's going on? I panic. This can't be real.
Leo looks up me and nods to let me know Finn's okay; relief floods my body and the crowd cheers as Finn gets to his feet. I let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding and watch as the two boys I care about most walk back to their team.
The whole time, Finn is looking at me. And I'm looking at him. I may be mad at him still, but he's still my best friend. I don't know what I would have done if he was hurt. But there's something different about this look. Something's changed.
As the Ref checks Finn is alright, I turn to go back to my seat. Marina was watching me. Watching me and her boyfriend was looking at me, not her. I swallow and run back to Maddie.
Once the game is over, Maddie and I walk to the locker room to wait for the guys. On the way, we bump into the beautiful Bree.
"Hey guys! Eventful game, wasn't it?" she asks.
"Yeah, very eventful," Maddie replies, looking at me suggestively. I elbow her. "You going to the party tonight?"
"Yes, I'll see you there!" and with that, she skips away.
To Maddie I whisper, "Yes she will. She'll see me dumping Leo's ass so they can live happily ever after."
Her laugh is interrupted as someone picks her up and spins her around. Jack's arms are wrapped tightly around her and I decide to leave them alone for a while.
Finn emerges from the changing rooms and once again, our eyes are locked. Without thinking, I run towards him and wrap my arms around his neck.
"Don't ever scare me like that again," I grumble, my scold muffled in the hug.
His warm arms slide around my torso, bringing me in tighter, as he buries his head into my shoulder. I feel safe. Safer than I ever have before. After what feels like forever, but is still too soon, we pull away.
"I won't. I promise. I scared myself a little bit, not gonna lie," he chuckles.
"Going to have a nasty bruise in the morning I bet," I smile.
"Look, Riley… I think we need to talk. I-"
"FINNY!" a shrill voice shrieks. Quickly, we move away from each other. God that hurts.
Marina skips towards Finn and plants a sticky, lip gloss kiss on his lips. My heart strings pull in my chest and I walk away, running into Leo as he walks out the locker-room. I hug him tight, fighting back tears.
"Rye, are you okay?" I nod and Leo puts his arms around my shoulders, leading me out of the school.
I can't help it and I look back at Finn. He has Marina in his arms but once again, he's looking at me. I mouth 'goodbye' and he does the same.
"Oh Rye," Leo sighs, "What am I going to do with the two of you?"