Chapter 12
"How are things going over here?" Smackle walked up to Riley and Darby as they were tying the signs to the poles.
"Hey Smackle, great. I guess. Just tying knots."
"I'm just doing my job as Student Council President."
"No, i'm not making fun of you Smackle. But, as President can I ask you a question?"
"But of course." She adjusted her glasses.
"Why is the homecoming game so far away? What like 8 games? The whole idea is like a welcome home thing."
"Well, that's a great question. I convinced the coach that for a homecoming game, we should win so I picked an easy team on the schedule. I also wanted to give new kids a chance at winning a place in homecoming court."
"Oh, okay. See Darby, I knew there was a reason. I'll see you later Smackle." She looked up to Darby as Smackle walked away. "She has a point."
"You just want Lucas to win."
"No, that isn't my reasoning. But, for a new kid to transfer here his senior year and win, that would be pretty awesome."
"Well, either way. I like him a lot more than the other guys at this school. I have 3rd period with him, he seems really nice." Riley grinned. "I saw Missy left with him."
"Yeah. Good luck to Lucas." She started laughing. "Should we go get the footballs to pass out?"
"Sure." They started walking towards the storage closet. "I thought you two were together?"
"No. We like each other, but since I plan on going away after I graduate I don't want a boyfriend preventing me from going."
"That's great. I guess." They started putting footballs in the big basket that conveniently had wheels.
"Lie better."
"I'm sorry. But, if you are that determined to leave, then nothing will hold you back. So what, you plan on being miserable? Do long distance. That's what me and Daniel do."
Riley didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say, the brunette assumed they would automatically break up if she left.
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"Are you excited for the party tonight?"
Lucas was trying to hurry this dinner along, he remembered Riley's face as he left. "You like parties don't you?"
"What gave it away?" She took a sip of diet coke.
"Well, everytime we talk that's all you seem to bring up."
"Lots of things happen at parties Lucas. People break up, or get together." She rubbed her foot against his leg underneath the table.
"Aaannyways." He adjusted himself in his seat. "Yeah, i'm pretty excited to see what all the hype is about."
"Remember to save me a dance!" He didn't reply, he grinned and waved down the waiter.
"Can I get the ticket please?"
"So soon? I feel like we just got here."
"I have a game to get ready for. Can't be late."
"It's only 4. Come on, stay a little longer. Get some dessert?" He exhaled.
"Sure, we just have to eat it fast. I have to be back by 5."
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"V, VI, VICTORY! YOU SPLIT THE V, DOT THAT I, CURL THAT C, CROSS THAT T, O, R, Y! LET'S GO ELKS!"
Riley looked at the scoreboard. 4th quarter and 10 minutes left to go. Luckily, they were ahead but, only by 3. She turned back to the crowd and saw Brinley.
"B!" She ran to the bleachers and tried to reach up and touch her fingertips! "Hi sweetheart. What are you doing?"
"Lukes plays football." At least that's what she thought Brinley said.
"You're right. Say 'go Lucas' with me. Ready? 1, 2, 3, 'GO LUCAS'!" The running back turned around at the sound of his name and saw Riley with Brinley. His heart exploded with happiness, as he ran to take the field. "Where's your mommy?"
"There." Brinley pointed to her left and saw Taylor walking that way.
"Hey Riley, thank you for coming to see this stinker. Once I pointed you out, she couldn't stand not coming over to see you." Riley's neck began to twinge from looking up so high.
"Anytime. Hold on." She reached down into the basket and picked up a small red football. "Here B."
"What do you say Brinley?"
"Thank you Rileys."
"Good girl, i'll let you get back to it Riley. It was great to see you. Oh, Sunday at 4? Does that work?"
"Absolutely. I will see you then!" She ran back to her squad and stood next to Darby.
"Who was that?"
"Lucas' sister and mother. Brinley is the sweetest little girl." Missy scoffed. "Oh, sorry I didn't realize you were eavesdropping. Next time i'll talk about how great he looked shirtless."
"Cool it you two. Squad, Color Shout!"
"WHAT ABOUT, WHAT ABOUT SAY WHAT ABOUT OUR COLOR SHOUT. WE'RE RED."
"RED." The crowd shouted.
"BLACK."
"BLACK."
"WHITE, WHITE, WHITE, WHITE!"
"GO ELKS!"
The crowd started to cheer and when Riley turned around number 23 had caught the ball and was running for a touch down. "GO, GO! GO LUCAS! TOUCHDOWN!" The squad ran and grabbed tiny footballs to toss to the crowd while the fight song played. The brunette threw a few footballs and turned around to look at the game, and there was Lucas staring right at her. The cheerleader winked at him, without even realizing she had done it. Lucas' face lit up and he got a ton of energy as he started jumping up and down. "He's so cute." she mumbled to herself.
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Riley had beaten Lucas to his truck. So she put the tailgate down and waited. The brown eyed girl looked down at her outfit; boots, blue jean shorts, and a navy tanktop that hugged her curves. "Well, if it isn't the prettiest girl i've ever seen."
"You must not have seen a lot of girls." He tossed his bag in the bed of his truck.
"Don't talk like that about yourself." Lucas looked really good, his plain black shirt hugged his arms, with buckle jeans, a belt and his boots.
"I was kidding."
"I don't care. You are beautiful, don't down yourself or you're no better than Charlie."
"You look good." She glanced at him.
"I might've tried a little harder than normal."
"You always look good. I just don't tell you all the time for obvious reasons." Lucas' heart jumped while he held out his hand.
"You ready?"
"As i'll ever be." They hopped into his truck. "Wow, Missy uh really threw on that perfume didn't she?"
"Yeah, I left my windows cracked. A lot of good that did." He laughed and buckled his seat belt. "So, where are we headed?"
"Oh, I forgot. Let me drive!" The running back didn't move he just sat there looking at her like she was crazy. "Come on, you don't know where it's at."
"You can tell me, and then we'll both know."
"Someone's protective over his truck."
"Tell you what, the moment i'm your boyfriend, you can drive my truck." He raised his eyebrows and started the ignition. "Where to beautiful girl? I gotta show you off." Riley's butterflies woke up.
"Head towards your house. By the way, great game today. You did awesome!"
"Thanks. I was showin' off a bit." The brunette rolled her eyes. "You aren't upset with me? Are you?"
The brown eyed girl threw her head to the left to look at him. "Why would I be upset with you?"
"Me going with Missy."
"No i'm not upset with you. I feel sorry for you!" They both started laughing.
"Good. I wouldn't want to do anything that'd intentionally hurt you." Riley's stomach fluttered and she stared at him, noticing his strong jaw.
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"Just park right here. Perfect." They both exited his truck and took a gander at the field.
"Wow, this is actually pretty cool. I thought it'd be people sitting around getting drunk."
"No, not everyone. Just those guys over there." Riley pointed towards the bonfire. "I don't see the point in drinking to get drunk. Having a few sure, but why would you want to, more than likely forget the night before?"
"Yeah. That's what I think." He was starting to like her more and more.
"You're not drinking right?"
"No, i'm a DD."
"Good boy. I may have one, if it doesn't bother you."
"Not at all." He couldn't stop looking at her long legs and figure. It made his stomach flip.
"RILES!" Her blonde best friend ran and hugged her.
"Hey peaches." The girls carried on their own conversation when Josh walked up.
"What's up man?"
"Hey Josh, good game. You drinkin'?"
"No. DD. You?"
"Same." Their girls took off.
"Maya, where are we going?"
"DANCING!" The blonde pulled her bestfriend into the bed of a truck and they started dancing.
Got a little boom in my big truck, gonna open up my doors and turn it up. Gonna stomp my boots in the Georgia mud, gonna watch you make me fall in love. Get up on the hood of my daddy's tractor...
Josh and Lucas stood back and watched. The brunette would occasionally glance at her crush, which would make him bite his lip. She looked so sexy.
Come on come on come on shake it for the birds shake it for the bees shake it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creek for the crickets and the critters and the squirrels shake it to the moon shake it for me girl Country girl, shake it for me girl, shake it for me girl, shake it for me.
"Is it always like this?"
Josh looked around and put his hands in his pockets. "Yep. Pretty much, they like to dance." Lucas and Josh both laughed at that statement.
So come on over here and get in my arms spin me around this big ol barn and tangle me up like grandma's yarn. Yeah, yeah, yeah...
Riley motioned for Lucas to come join her. "I'm enjoying watching you!" The cheerleader hopped out of the bed of the truck.
"Oh come on. We danced a little at the lake, why not now?"
"You can't handle me off a boat sweetheart." The brunette bit her lip, that was attractive.
"Show me what you got." The brunette grabbed his hand and took him out to the makeshift dance floor.
Winter gettin' colder, summer gettin' warmer, tidal wave come across the mexican border, why buy a gallon when it's cheaper by the barrel just don't get busted singing christmas carols. That's us, that's right gotta love this American ride...
"Come on. Show me." He shook his head and smiled.
"Follow my lead." He grabbed her hand and spinned her into him. "See we're gonna two step a bit. Then i'll break out the dance moves." He pushed her out and she started spinning, he spun her all around him. Even turned himself a couple times. There was a crowd gathering around the floor to watch. Riley started laughing she was having so much fun. The brunette turned back into him and he hugged her from behind while they swayed and two stepped. "Ready to go again?" The brunette nodded, barely containing her excitement. He spun her out again, and switched places with her. Riley was so attracted to him right now, the way he moved was incredible.
Quick fix, plastic surgical antetode got herself a record deal can't even sing a note. Plasma gettin' bigger, Jesus gettin' smaller...
The friends started two stepping again. "We move pretty good together." he mumbled.
"I'm starting to believe that." The couple began two stepping again when the song ended. Burnin' it Down by Jason Aldean came on. He reached out his hands to dance again and she eagerly accepted.
You slip your finger in the tear in my t-shirt. You stir it up dirty in the back of mind. You keep on flirtin' cause you know that it's workin', you're stuck in my head girl, right in the lines. Couldn't sing a song without you if I tried..
He held her close and didn't think this could be more perfect. He spun her around where she was facing outward and slowly moved from side to side.
Girl when you want it, you know that i'm on it. You know that I love lovin' up on you..
Riley's heart was pounding, she had never been more attracted to him. Lucas wanted nothing more than to kiss her. "Hey, I have a question."
"Yeah?" He sounded breathy.
"Lucas? Can I cash in on that dance?" Missy's smile was seductive.
Chase walked up. "Riley, dance?" The pair of friends looked at eachother and their fingertips detached. Let's hit the switch and let our shadows dance, and light it up like it's our last chance. We're just hangin' around, burnin' it down..
Lucas danced with Missy, but never once tore his eyes away from Riley. He wanted her, they moved perfectly together, they were perfect for each other. The brunette didn't lay her head on Chase's chest, like she did with Lucas. She kept trying to look at his beautiful green eyes but, Chase pushed her further away. "Thanks for the dance."
"No problem Chase." She was secretly annoyed that she was taken away from Lucas. "I'm gonna get a drink. I'll see you later." The brunette started walking to the cooler and grabbed a Coor's. Chase followed right behind her.
"Missy, i'm gonna-"
"You wanna dance again? Absolutely." Lucas was too nice of a guy to say anything, he kept dancing but, it was awkward. She didn't know how to two step. Or, it could've been he wouldn't take his eyes off of Riley and Chase.
"Oh geez. Chase, you scared me. I didn't know you were there."
"I wanted a drink too. Sorry about that." His blue eyes were bright even in the dark. "So, are we still on for tomorrow?"
"Yeah, absolutely. Noon at the diner." She grinned and took a swig, the brunette didn't like seeing Lucas with someone else. But, she told him to do this. She can't be upset.
Chase inched closer. "Do you want a ride tomorrow or?"
"Nope, I will be fine. Thank you though." She took a step back.
"Hey Riley!" She turned around and saw Charlie.
"Oh God." She mumbled.
"Want to dance?" He had his hands in his pockets and looked hammered.
"No, that's okay. I'm just hangin' out talking to Chase. Thank you though." Charlie didn't leave he stared at Chase.
"You got a problem man?" Charlie didn't answer, the silence was intense and Riley had to intervene.
She put her arms out, one hand on each chest like she always did. "Okay, you two chill out. Charlie why don't you go take a walk, you're clearly drunk and need to calm down. Chase, relax, he's just drunk." Her ex slapped her hand down.
"What the hell dude? She's a girl."
"Chase, stop. It's okay." The brunette started pushing him away.
"No, it's not Riley." They were staring each other down.
"You're making your way through the guys Riles. Me, Lucas and now Chase?" Riley's jaw dropped.
"There's no Lucas and no Chase. They're my friends, i'm allowed to have them, now that we aren't dating." The brunette grabbed her beer and turned towards the dance floor. Lucas and Missy were still dancing. The running back was still looking at her, and mouthed the words 'i'm sorry'. The brunette took a swig of beer, and got knocked over from a fight that had broken out behind her. Josh ran over and pulled Chase and Charlie apart.
"What the hell y'all? Knock it off! Apologize to Riley, now!" The cheerleader stood up and dusted off her shorts. Lucas came up behind her and placed his hand on her back.
"Sorry Riley."
Charlie glared her down. "Sorry."
"Seperate ways now! Charlie towards the fire. Chase, dance floor."
"Hey, you okay?" Lucas hadn't removed the hand from her back.
"I'm fine thank you. I don't even know why they were fighting." She continued to brush the dirt off her clothes.
"You're kidding? Riles, they both want you." The brunette closed her eyes and shook her head. "I want you." The look on his face was completely serious and it made Riley bite her lip.
"Lucas-" The cheeleader was interrupted again.
"Come on Lucas. We were still dancing." Missy grabbed his arm and pulled him away again.
"Last dance." The green eyed boy was demanding.
Riley took another drink and looked around her for a partner. She glanced towards the bonfire and turned her head till she saw him. "CHASE!" She found her english partner and drug him to the dance floor. The brunette knew she shouldn't do this, but she wanted to make Lucas jealous.
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