She kept saying the mantra that he wasn't worth her time as she walked away.
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The tears never came. She had expected something emotional to hit her throughout ceramics but she felt slightly numb as the teacher spoke of the complexity of porcelain. She felt cold eyes staring behind her but she went on zoning out during the course of the class.
Kel barely heard the bell to go to her next class and it seemed to slightly snap her out of her self-inflicted pout. 'The junior varsity players sometimes get called up to varsity in the case of an injury…I still have a chance. I just need to focus on making JV now. I can only control so much.' She then rolled her shoulders back to straighten her back and strode out of class to leave a confused Neal behind. Kel walked to the biology building and didn't bother to make eye contact with the annoying boys in the back. Kel faintly smiled to herself when Joren's pale cheeks pinkened slightly from the cold shoulder he was getting treated with.
Instead of reacting to Joren and his cronies she listened to the teacher's animated talk about mitosis. The class ended soon and she was again off to a new destination. She had a small bounce in her step as she walked into the locker room. Kel changed her clothing and walked out to the JV field that was not located in the stadium. She met with the disappointed individuals that she hoped would become her teammates once they got over their own self-pity. She recognized a few boys including Owen and his cousin Iden but aside from the two she did not know anyone.
An older man with a large grin came out on the field, "Hello lads!" He had a large booming voice and it seemed that a chuckle could easily follow behind his words. He peered across the group of amused faces until his dark brown eyes met hers and without much thought he added, "And lady of course." Kel made a ghost of a smile as he continued on, as if having a girl in his vicinity was a normal occurrence, "I know a few of you lads are mighty disappointed about not making varsity but now is the time to push that aside and start focusing on the now.
"I am Coach Seastone and I am the head coach for the junior varsity team. In the next few days I will be observing as you lads," he shot Kel an apologetic grin, "fight for a position on this team. Everyone has to start somewhere, why not have your football legacy start on junior varsity?" Kel looked around to see the sad faces had been replaced by determined personas. The players were split into offense and defense and they reported to their respective coaches. Coach Seastone was the offensive coordinator so she listened as he talked about the expectations of the offense—to score obviously.
The practice was rigorous without too much funny business. All the boys seemed so determined to make the team that they didn't bother hazing Kel. Kel and one other boy were left for the quarterback position so she would almost automatically make the team since the team would want a starter and a substitute quarterback just in case. Now it was simply a fight for the starting position between the two. The other quarterback's name was Wolset. He seemed nice enough but Kel knew it would get ugly if a girl started over him. The offense played the defense throughout the practice and ended with suicides. A few boys had eaten the wrong snacks before practice and as retribution they lost their meals. Kel was able to hold her own, but she was still only mid-pack among the quick boys. The coach brought all the boys together to congratulate them on finishing the day. But he cautioned them to not do anything too crazy this evening, it was a Friday night. They would have an early practice the next day so punishment would be given out to late players. He dismissed them and the boys headed back to the locker room. She trailed behind listening to the excited chatter of the boys.
"At least we don't have to be stuck with Coach Cavall anymore, Seastone doesn't seem like he has something stuck up his—"
"Dude, did you hear about the party tonight? I heard it's going to be a rager with a keg, can you say hangover tomorrow?"
"I can't remember the last time I woke up before noon…"
Kel rolled her eyes. 'A party before an early morning practice? Maybe when hell freezes over...' She went to her own locker room as the boys headed to their's. She was met by the foul stench of urine as she rounded the corner of her locker hall. The stench increased as she neared her locker. Then she saw the puddle of clearly unhydrated urine, due to its yellow glow on the floor. She sighed and reached over the puddle to grab her clothes. Thankfully the urine had not touched her clothing so she was still able to change without much effort. She packed her workout clothes into a duffel bag and began to contemplate how to clean up the mess when a man with straw colored hair came in the locker room. The man wrinkled his nose in disgust, "Kids these days have no respect." He went to the bathrooms and seemed to realize that the urine scent was not coming from the toilets, "What in the world?"
He looked over to Kel questioningly, "I apologize for the mess, and I believe someone tried to pull a nasty prank on me. I'll gladly clean it up. You shouldn't have to do it."
The man scratched the back of his neck, "You must have done something real bad to get a girl this worked up."
"If joining the football team is a crime then I guess I'm guilty."
The janitor's eyebrows rose in surprise, "Football? You wouldn't happen to know who did this? They would be punished, and I think we can safely assume it was not a female."
"I'd rather not say, sir. I'd like to handle this myself." The janitor contemplated the girl in front of him and shrugged his shoulders.
"If that's your choice then fine, I will be rooting for you out on the field." Kel smiled faintly and walked out the door of the locker room to find Neal waiting for her. Neal cast a nervous half grin towards her which Kel returned easily. The easygoing grin she gave Neal must have swiped any awkwardness that the two might have encountered.
"How was practice?" Neal asked as they walked towards the car. The car unlocked with a beep and they both swung the doors open to sit down.
"Not bad, I'm basically guaranteed a spot since there are only two quarterbacks left."
"Who's the other one?" Neal asked as he started the engine and began to pull out.
"Wolset?"
"I've never really met him but he always seemed like a nice enough sort." Kel nodded her head since that is what she had surmised about him. The two fell into a comfortable silence as Kel watched the scenery pass and Neal absorbed himself in driving and thinking. As they neared their street Neal interrupted the silence, "Did you hear about the party?"
Kel glanced over at Neal thinking he was joking but saw that he was serious, "I might have heard about it…" she replied slowly.
"So areyou going to go?" Neal replied just as slowly.
Kel cocked her head in confusion, "Do you not have practice tomorrow morning? We have practice at six."
Neal grinned in understanding, "Coach Seastone would do that. Luckily Stump knows that he would have to cut half the team if he made practice that early on a Saturday. So you're not going to go?"
"No I don't think so. I'm not really into the party scene." Kel crossed her fingers, in truth she had never really been to a party but it had never really seemed like her idea of fun anyways.
Neal studied her face before asking, "Have you ever been to a party?"
Kel's nose furrowed in frustration that he had figured her out before sighing, "No I haven't…"
"Well tonight will be a first, I'd love to pop your party cherry." Kel could feel her ears heat up and she cursed her overactive blood.
"Neal I can't! I have to go to bed early so I can get up with loads of energy. I need to—"
"Kel I promise I'll have you home by midnight that'll get you more hours than most of the boys. You'll be fine. I think Dom is coming home for the weekend as well so you'll know at least two people there."
Kel smiled thinking of spending the evening with the cousins. It could be fun, and she was already guaranteed a spot. The teenager in her won. She had just had a difficult week of school, she should be able to burn off some steam with her friends, "Okay I'll do it."
Neal's face lit up into a grin, "Excellent, I thought I would have to get on my hands and knees. So needless to say you won't be drinking?"
Kel shook her head ruefully but she couldn't say no to the boyish grin he was wearing, "I will not be having a single sip of alcohol."
"Perfect, you are officially the designated driver for this evening!" Neal made his voice sound regal as if she had just been knighted by the Queen of England. Kel smiled and exited the car with her duffle bag and backpack. As she was nearing her door she heard a car horn being sounded, "We'll pick you up at ten." Kel waved and Neal drove his car to the other side of the street. Kel went through the house and sat down with a thump on her bed. It wasn't long before Jump leaped onto her bed and Kel began to absently scratch his torn ear, "What have I gotten myself into?"
((()))((()))((()))((()))
At fifteen minutes past ten she heard Neal's car horn being squawked. She pushed her fingers nervously through her hair one last time before leaving her house. She heard loud catcalls from the car as she locked her front door behind her. Kel's ears pinkened and she almost ran back inside to slip into her less female-like clothing.
She hurried across the walkway to Neal's car and quickly sat down in the car, "Well look who decided to get all dolled up for the party." Neal flashed her a cheeky grin before putting the car into drive. Kel pulled the edges of her denim skirt down so as to cover more of her thighs and sighed before falling into the car seat.
"You do look very nice Kel, luminescent even." Kel looked up forgetting that Dom was in the car. She attempted to cover her emotions but the ever present glow of her red ears gave away her embarrassment.
"Thank you Dom. How's college been?"
"Not too bad, I don't have to wake up until ten and I only have four hours of class a day."
"Why'd you come home?"
He turned in his chair to face her and she was struck by how handsome he was, his blue eyes were glittering, "Kel I'm hurt. Do you not want me here to help pop your cherry? Meathead thought he could use some help apparently."
"No, I would love you to pop my cherry." Kel stopped as she realized what she just said, "What I mean is that I would love for you to pop my party cherry." Kel stopped again and hit her head against the window of the backseat. She heard deep laughter coming from the front seat and that only furthered her embarrassment. Luckily she was saved from further mortification as the car pulled into a parking spot on a packed street. The car door was opened for and she fumbled for the hand that was offered to her, "Thanks." She whispered quietly as Dom grinned amicably down at her.
"Not a problem, my mother always taught me to be a gentleman around a pretty girl. Which I must say, you are." Kel shook her head ruefully and then followed Neal toward the direction of the house she assumed the party was at. The house was colonial style with large white pillars in the front. The lights were all on and a faint boom of bass could be heard from outside. Not enough that the neighbors would be too upset though.
"Whose house is this?" Kel asked curiously as they walked up the steps to the house.
"Garvey Runnerspring. He's a junior on the football team. His parents are out of town so he's having a party." Neal shrugged before opening the door for Kel and Dom. The house was filled with people, music, and heat. The main foyer opened to a staircase and there were rooms to the left and right. One appeared to be a formal sitting room that was being used as a dance room while the other was a living room that was being used to talk and watch television. Neal frowned before turning left into the living room. Kel followed closely behind not wanting to lose her friend in the crowd. Every inch of the couches were full with people talking and drinking with plastic cups. As the alcohol began to take over she assumed this would turn more into a make out room. The living room led into a large kitchen in which even more people were stuffed into it. Kel grabbed Dom's hand as he used his broad frame to follow his cousin. Neal finally reached his destination when they neared the keg. Neal gave who she assumed was Garvey ten bucks and he passed Neal and Dom cups.
The two filled up their cups happily and began to walk towards the open door that led to the backyard, "Why was he selling cups?"
"You can't exactly be charged for selling alcohol if you're selling cups. It's a small loophole, but most the time if you're caught you get charged anyways because the cops just think you are being a smartass." Kel nodded slowly, "Are you sure you don't want any? I can get you some if you'd like."
Kel shook her head quickly, "I have practice tomorrow morning, and I can't drink."
Dom nodded understandingly, "After I finish this drink would you like to dance? You really must participate in some party rituals. I won't be able to pop your cherry properly if you don't allow me to dance with you." His white grin was infectious and Kel found herself nodding. Odds were that he wouldn't finish his drink for awhile. Maybe by the time he finished it he would have found himself a pretty girl to dance with instead. Kel watched as he brought the cup to his lips and she watched his Adam's apple bob up and down as he gulped. She was hypnotized by the movement until the cup left his lips and he let out a satisfied sigh, "How about that dance?" Kel's eyes widened in shock but she mutely nodded as he led her inside to where people were dancing.
Dom pulled her inside the throng of people and Kel suddenly felt self-conscious around all the gyrating bodies. She almost wished she would have had a drink to calm the nerves that were going into overdrive at this very minute. Kel shuffled her feet awkwardly until she looked up at Dom's grinning face, "I don't really know how…"
The grin remained on his face as he reached out his hands to rest on her hips, "You'll learn as you go. Just follow me." His hands remained on her hips as he slowly started to roll his hips against hers. Kel circled her arms around his neck hesitantly as she observed the other girls around her. She watched the other girls around her and began to follow their movements. A smile fit her lips as she heard Dom laugh, "You're a natural." Kel began concentrating on the rhythm of the music and Dom's steady dance flow. The upbeat song ended to blend into a slow beat. Dom and Kel rocked intimately to the music until the slow song ended to again pick up. Just as Kel was readjusting to the tempo she felt a body behind her. She didn't think much of it since bodies had been accidentally running into her throughout the course of dancing. But this felt different. This body was definitely trying to dance with her, it wasn't accidental.
Dom's arms had been looped around her neck and she definitely was not imagining a new set of hands located on her hips. She felt Dom stiffen and now she knew that she was definitely not imagining these hands. Dom stopped dancing and Kel turned to give the interloper a piece of her mind, because she had been having fun with Dom. She shot an apologetic look to Dom before turning to meet icy blue eyes. The hands didn't leave and he nudged her knee so as to place a leg in between her legs. He continued dancing and attempting to entice her to join. Kel remained stone-like and was determined to ignore his movement, "Stone what do you think you're doing?" She hissed into his ear. When she had hissed into his ear she had leaned closer to him which, in retrospect, was not the best plan. The smug blond moved his hands to her back jean pockets to get her closer. Kel's temper was kept in check and she quietly dug her fingernails into the flesh located just below the wrist. He bit back a cry of pain but whatever sound did come out was muffled by the sound of bodies and music.
Kel turned swiftly leaving Joren to meet a grinning Dom, "I'm sorry, but I think I'm ready to go home now."
Dom's smile lessened a bit but nonetheless he still looked happy, "I'd say this was a successful night. Short, but successful. I got to pop your cherry and I got to see you hurt golden boy over there." He nodded towards the gyrating bodies and Kel couldn't help but give him a timid smile, "Now we just have to find Meathead."
"Was Yuki coming to this party?" Dom nodded slowly, "I know where they are then." Kel led Dom through the packed house until they got to the living room. Just as she had suspected the room had become a make out quarter of sorts. Kel searched the room until she saw Neal and Yuki located behind a couch on the floor. Dom grinned and marched over to ruin his cousin's tonsil hockey. Neal squawked in unhappiness as Dom pulled him up by the neck of his shirt and his lips were forced to disengage.
"Nealan it's time to leave," Dom declared in a singsong voice.
"I don't wanna." Neal pouted like an insolent child as Kel grinned in amusement.
"Oh Meathead you will see your lady friend tomorrow I promise."
"S'not fair, your lady friend is coming with us."
Dom rolled his eyes, "She's giving us a ride home, and you were the one who worked that out. Now tell Yuki goodbye." Neal sighed dramatically before giving her a kiss goodnight until he turned a faint blue color. The three walked to the main foyer and Kel felt the hair on her neck begin to stand up. It was like someone was watching her. She saw white blond hair turn around and she shivered unknowingly, "Cold?"
Kel looked up at warm blue eyes and smiled faintly, "No I'm alright." He gave her a skeptical look before wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"I wouldn't want our driver to pass out cold while she was behind the wheel, safety first and all that." Kel resisted the urge to inch into his warm arm and got the keys from Neal. He was comically attempting to walk in a straight line and failing beyond belief.
"I think I can drive Kel. Thank you for offering though."
"No Neal."
"Kel, why not? It's my car!" He began to pout but Kel just chose to ignore them as they arrived in the car. Neal watched as Kel sat in the front seat and Dom began to open the passenger door for himself, "There is no way I am sitting in the back of my own car!" Dom sent him a quick glare and Neal then rationalized that the back had much more room than either one of the seats up front. Much more room for activities and fun…
Kel buckled her seat belt and yelled for Neal to do the same. He pouted and resentfully plugged in the fun sucking device. He continued to bounce in the back of the car which sent Kel into peals of laughter. The car managed to reach their street without too much mishap beside Kel being forced to child lock the window and door when Neal insisted that he jump out the window in a reverse Dukes of Hazzard move. Kel parked the car and handed the keys over to Dom, "Are you going to be able to handle him?" she asked motioning to the ball of energy in the back.
"Oh yeah you should have seen him at my brother's wedding last summer. You think he's hyper now, see him after five hours of drinking. It's like Woody Woodpecker on crack." Kel's eyes crinkled in amusement and she looked at her watch absently to see that it was one in the morning.
She groaned before saying, "I have to go, my body is going to hate me in the morning."
"But then you'll remember how much fun it was to have your cherry popped and you'll be ready for another round." Dom replied with all the boy-like innocence that he could muster.
"You'll always be my first," Kel replied cheekily before kissing his cheek and closing the car door behind her. She didn't look back until after she was at her own door and beginning to close it. The dark haired boy was still sitting in the car as she closed the front door behind her.
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So I realize I haven't updated this in daaaaays but better late than never right? I am going to attempt to update this story because I honestly don't like it at all. Everything is just too immature and Joren is just too over the top. So I am going to attempt to modernize it with my writing style of today if that makes sense because I think I have evolved a bit as a writer from when I first started this fic…
Thank you so much for those of you who reviewed last chapter it is so appreciated: rANDOMhYPERgIRL, studentofwords, wierdogirl11, Fencergrl81, EcoEmo404, Imperfectionist ;D, Victoria Taylor, beastie92, Mystic_Moon_Empress, Lotti's Lot, xxTunstall Chickxx, SarahE7191, Ilovenightmares, lazyassjoker, Anywien, abyssgirl
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and next I will be attempting to get going on Another Chance! Review if you'd like :]