A/n The beginning of something I've had in my mind for a while let me know what you think. (Sorry for the lame chapter title, there may be a few parts to this one)

Chapter 9: Football Part 1

(Wanda's POV)

I stared in shock at Mel; who had just told me the reasons why Ian has been ignoring my messages. An argument between Jared and Ian...but that was it, I hadn't done anything wrong.

So why hadn't Ian tried to contact me another way? he knew where I lived, he knew where I went to school, he knew me and Mel hang out at the diner every day.

I couldn't help but still think he wanted nothing more to do with me. My heart sank as Mel changed the topic to something lighter, I could barely hear the words that trickled out of her mouth as I pondered what would happen next.

We ate, but I could barely taste anything, Mel did most of the talking, obviously sensing I wasn't in the mood. Snap out of this Wanda. By the time I step out of this diner I'll be over it. I was never expecting more than friends anyway. It's his loss. I repeated my mantra for the rest of our lunch, hoping it would work.

When we stood outside for a moment, before we walked back to school, I looped my arm through Mel's, took a clearing breath of fresh air, pushing all of my Ian-thoughts to the back of my mind.

I let Mel know that I would be late home tonight as it was the first year-book meeting after school; she waved it off, knowing I'm late home most nights anyway, and we separated to go to our last lessons of the day.

*Page break*

I stumbled through the huge library door almost falling flat on my face, dropping my arm full of books in the process, why did the library doors have to be so heavy! I moved to one side so the door wouldn't hit me if anyone else opened it and scrambled to pick up my books that had spread across the entrance.

Standing up, I go through the books, putting them back in the right order and notice one is missing my English book, damnit. I quickly look around and notice someone stood directly behind me; my breath caught in my throat as I looked up into a sea of green and copper.

Hey, I think you dropped this - he added my missing book to the top of the pile in my hands; 'you here to get some work done?' he grinned down at me, clearly because of my red cheeks.

I looked down at my hands which were now clasping the books tightly, 'erm... actually I'm here for the year-book meeting... I'm late so I'll have to go' my voice came out all squeaky and high pitched, I wanted to get away; he makes me more nervous than I'd like to be.

'Lead the way!' he swept his arm out in front of us over-dramatically, I looked at him confused and he just chuckled lightly to himself. I'm signed up for year-book too, I love taking photos...' his eyebrows furrowed as though he wasn't sure why he had mentioned the last part.
'...okay.' I replied meekly and started leading us towards the large tables in the middle of the library - where I could already see people grouped around. I was conscious of the way his body moved close to mine, nearly brushing my arm with his... it made me involuntarily shiver, what is with my hormones lately?! Are my pheromones on hyper drive or something?

I chose a seat close to the back of the group of tables, Burns took the seat next to me and helped me put down my books so they wouldn't fall again; the back of his hand briefly touching mine which caused a flush to spread across my cheeks again. Did he feel the same heat run through his hand as I did in mine? I shook my head slightly and sat down, pulling a notebook from the pile for the meeting, I could see Burns glance at me a few times but I never returned the stare, I was never very good at looking people in the eye for too long... you were okay doing that with Ian.

My brain reminded me of the crystal blue eyes, the last thing I wanted to see right now. I could feel the backs of my eyes burn as my brain wandered back to him, as if it were opening the dam walls to all things Ian I was trying to hold back.

'...you okay?' Burns whispered as the whole table was in discussion; his hand touched my shoulder as he tried to look at my face.
'..y-yeah I m fine..' I was surprised he noticed, most people wouldn't notice me at all, let alone care if I was upset.
'No you re not I can tell - but if you don't want to talk about it, how about I try and cheer you up instead?' he grinned like a schoolboy as I peeked up at him through my lashes, blinking away the tears that had pooled in my eyes, 'how about you come with me to a football game this weekend? I was going to take some photos if you wanted to join me?' I could see how hopeful and nervous he was, yet still just as formal as when he first spoke to me and shook my hand.

Did I want to go to see a lame football game? No not really but it'd be good to get my mind off of things. I gave him a shy nod in agreement and his responding smile made my breath hitch... yes, this will be a good thing.

My smile remained throughout the rest of the meeting, Burns held up to his offer at trying to cheer me up by talking and joking with me, doing just about anything to make me giggle - whenever I did his face would light up like a Christmas tree.

'How about I walk you home?' the whole group started to pack away their notebooks and head towards the door, 'when I saw Mel the other day she was walking down my street; so we must live pretty close.' He shrugged and grabbed his own bag.
'Sure, that'd be great..' I hurried after him, not wanting to walk alone now he had offered.
I never really felt safe walking alone, even though the crime rate in our town was really low, I still knew I wouldn't be able to defend myself if it ever came to it.

(Mel's POV)

I had thought all afternoon about my options for tonight;

1, I could hang out with Jared - like I'd done every night for the past week.
2, I could go home, be sensible and do what homework I've been given today and call it a night
Or 3, I could track down Ian at the address Jared gave me at lunch

1 and 2 were the safest, which obviously meant I'd go ahead and do number 3.

I walked all the way across town after the final bell rang, which isn't really that far, and sat at a bench across the street from Ian's house. I don't know if he lived alone or with his parents - being close to Jared's age it could be either. What I didn't expect was for him to have a twin... well, what looked like a twin.

I saw him walk up the street and turn up the driveway, making his way to the front door. At first I thought it was Ian, but he was built differently - definitely more muscle, maybe slightly shorter too, but the same black hair and general facial structure I couldn't see his eyes from across the street but I could bet they were the same piercing blue.
I left the bench and jogged over the road, 'hey! Ian!' I knew it wasn't him, but I didn't know how else to get this guys attention.

Clearly recognizing the name, he turned towards the sound of my voice, I jogged up the drive so I was closer to him.
I pretended to do a double-take and started apologizing, hopefully I was believable. 'Hey there - I'm Kyle, Ian s brother. Don't worry about it, we get it all the time' he smiled kindly, although I'm sure he's said the same thing to many people over the years. He slid his key into the locked door, 'Ian should be inside, do you want to come in or is he coming out to meet you ..erm..?'
'Mel, my name's Mel. He doesn't know I m here, I was just wondering if I could maybe talk to him?' I tried to smile like Wanda would when she needed something... I hoped it worked.

Kyle chuckled just as Ian did and shook his head, 'sure thing, anything for a pretty little lady...' I blushed at his open nature and smiled 'I'll just go get him.' With that he left to go inside, I could hear them talking and Ian sounded pissed; which just made me more annoyed. I squared my shoulders and hoped I could make this end the way I wanted it to.

'I am not talking to him, so if that's all you came for you've wasted your time.' He stood in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. I had to stop myself from laughing he looked like a stubborn 5 year old that had just been denied a candy bar.
'I'm here to talk about Wanda, Ian.' His face softened at the mention of her name, but he soon recovered his scowl, '..you made her happy and then just dropped her like she was nothing, and I know that can't be true...' I tried to step lightly, hoping his barrier would drop.
'She's been really upset y'know. She thought you were friends... she told me she really liked spending time with you...' I know he was trying hard not to smile at the thought.
After an awkward pause he lowered his arms, yes!

We ended up crossing the street and going back to the bench opposite his house, '...I really liked Wanda hell, I still like her. I just got to thinking about what Jared said, I don't know, maybe I am no good for her... she deserves better.' He shrugged like this was something I should know already.
'That's crazy... even I know not to listen to what Jared comes out with.' We both laughed, at least this wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be, 'and how do you know who would be good for Wanda?, you didn't even stick around to get to know her!...'
'I know, I know.' He sighed and dropped his head, staring at his shoes, 'I guess I just freaked and bolted... do you think... I mean... is there any chance she'd be interested in maybe hanging out again?'
YES YOU IDIOT! 'I guess you'll just have to call her and find out! ...I hope you've got yourself a new phone!' The smile was evident in my voice which made Ian look up at me, he was beaming, I'd obviously told him all he needed to hear.

'Thanks for coming over Mel. I needed that...' I nodded in reply, we both stood and he pulled me into a hug I definitely wasn't expecting. When he pulled away I must have looked as shocked as I felt, we both ended up laughing.
'Just do me one favor?' he looked at me warily, 'don't be too hard on Jared okay? He always puts his foot in his mouth! He was just looking out for Wanda.' Ian sighed and ruffled my hair playfully, 'sure thing.'