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Happy New Year (nine days late)Â (I hate school already omg)
~~~
It's funny seeing my mom come awkwardly out of her little shell, just quietly observing the chaos during Christmas. Leah and Maxwell are there with my grandmother, and we sit on the carpet in front of the tree as we take turns opening presents. Leah's parents sit on the couches near us, part of the chaos, and my mother sits a bit apart from them.
I don't blame Leah's parents for not talking to her. They know each other, but my mother has never actually tried to spend time with them. But this year, my mom decided to host Christmas at our house. This is a huge step for her, because she usually leaves due to unexpected calls from work.
On New Year's Eve, we go to our goalie Taylor's house, and it's pretty big. All the extended friend groups are there, including Carson, Brandon, Alex, and their situation-ships. Hazel's also there, but she's hanging out with her friends. So I hang out with mine, and we all drink apple cider at the countdown. I don't get a New Year's kiss from anyone, but I don't mind.
I drive Hazel home afterward, but something's different. My right hand rests idly on the center console, and I debate silently in my mind whether or not I should make a move and put it on her leg.
I make the move.
My heart still races as fast as it did before, which is definitely unsafe for driving. I should probably take my hand off. Maybe I'm being inappropriate.
"You know, I like it when you do that."
I swear my heart stops beating again. Keeping my eyes on the road and away from Hazel's, I choke out a, "You do?"
"Mhm."
I steal a glance at her. "I thought you weren't a fan of distracted driving?"
She looks out the window. "Maybe I changed my mind."
I briefly remove my hand to make a turn, then return it to her leg. My breath catches in my throat when her hand brushes against mine and she keeps it there. I suddenly don't know what to do.
Her pinky touches mine, then her forefinger, then her middle. Then somehow, my hand is resting on top of hers, and she laces her fingers with mine.
Fuck, I can't think straight.
I don't dare meet her eyes because I know that I'm blushing hard.
~~~
The Monday before school starts, we have a game. It's an away game, at Sunset Academy, an hour away from our school.
The stands start to fill in as we warm up, and I'm surprised at the number of people who show up on our side of the bleachers. People rarely show up for away games.
The game is long and hard, and the referees keep making bad calls. By the end of the game, we're all sore and exhausted. The score? Zero to zero.
"That game sucked," Leah says, slumping next to me on the bench and downing the rest of her Gatorade.
I nod, agreeing. "At least we didn't lose."
Leah side-eyes me. "When did you become so optimistic?"
Coach tells us we did amazing, and that we played hard and well. After she lets us go, I turn to the bleachers. Leah's parents haven't arrived yet, so I don't know what I'm looking for. But my eyes find someone in the stands, and I gasp.
I feel a hand on my back. It's Leah.
"Is thatâ?"
I nod slowly. It's Hazel. She's waiting outside the fence when my game finishes, and I don't think words can describe how happy I am to see her there. Ignoring the stares from Leah and Emilia, I run up to the fence where she stands.
"You came to my game?" I ask, unable to contain my wide smile.
Hazel nods, smiling back. "I did," she says. "I told you I would come to as many as possible."
I'm gripping the fence that separates us, wanting desperately to hug her or something.
"Um," I say, instead. "Wait."
I leave the fence, turning and running to the edge. People are already leaving, so the bleachers are crowded, but I start up the bleacher stairs, pushing past the wave of people. My cleats clank obnoxiously loudly on the metal floor of the stands, and I rush to find where I last saw Hazel. Noticing her still standing in the same spot, I push through more people before I reach her.
"Hi," I say.
"Hi," she answers, looking amused.
"I can't believe you came. To an away game, too. How did you evenâ"
Hazel leans forward and hugs me. "Shh. Don't worry about it," she says into my ear.
I'm a little concerned, but I let it slide. She pulls away, but instead of letting her go, my hands slide to her waist.
I'm looking at her lips. "Can Iâ?" I look at her. She's smiling, a little pink, even.
I lean in. In front of everyone.
When I pull away, I bite my lip. I shouldn't have done that, because now I want more. Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I look at her.
"You guys tied, huh?"
"Yeah," I say. "But it's whatever." I shrug.
My hands dangle near my sides, and they brush against Hazel's. I ignore the electricity that shoots through me.
"You played very well, Casey," she says.
I just stare at her. "I'm glad you think so," I say. Then I glance at the field where my teammates have resumed their celebrations. "I'm really glad you came."
Hazel laughs. "I can tell." God, I could get used to this. But I probably can't.
Hold on, maybe I can.
We're standing side by side, our arms a few inches apart from each other's. My hand brushes against hers again, and I dare to keep it there, my fingers intertwining with hers. She looks at me.
"You know what I think?" I say, holding up our joined hands. "I think you might be my new best friend."
The look she gives me is comical. It's like a mix of disgust, disappointment, and disbelief.
I chuckle. "I'm kidding," I say, and she looks a little relieved, but it's short-lived. "Nobody can replace Leah."
Hazel looks as if she's about to slap me.
"Um, I have a question," I say, semi-distracted by the fact that we're still holding hands.
Hazel raises eyebrows. "I might kill you."
I look away from her rich, caramel eyes, ignoring her hostility. My chest is full of nerves as I say, "Wanna . . . be my girlfriend?"
I return my gaze to her when she doesn't reply right away. She's staring at me, and her lips slowly spread into a wide smile. Then she puts a hand on my cheek and kisses me.
Both the nerves and butterflies don't go away as she looks at me. "IâI don't know if that's a yes or a nâ"
"It's a freaking yes."
I'm staring at her, smiling. I don't think what I just asked has even sunk in yet. As I randomly glance towards the stands, my eyes widen.
"Mom?" my voice breaks as I stare at her. My mother sits shyly, glancing at random people in the stands. She keeps looking around, then her eyes meet mine. Her face softens, and she gives me a weak smile and a little wave.
Still shocked, I manage a meager wave back, and she starts coming toward me. When she finally reaches me, she stands awkwardly in front of me.
"I, um, saw you play," she says, a faint smile across her lips. She's clutching her purse like she doesn't know what else to do. "I didn't know you were this talented."
"Yeah, well," is all I say.
Mom gets the hint that I'm aware of how little she knows about me, and her gaze shifts to Hazel.
"Is this your friend?" she asks. Hazel quickly releases my hand.
"Um," I glance at Hazel, who's smiling politely at my mom. "Yeah. This is Hazel."
She reaches out and shakes her hand. "Nice to meet you."
"She's my, um, girlfriend," I clarify.
Mom blinks, clearly surprised. "Oh! I didn't knâum, my daughter has great taste. I hope you treat her well."
But Hazel's staring at me, smiling.
"I do."
THE END
(I wasn't expecting this chapter to be so short what the heck)
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Thank you so much for reading, and a special thanks to those who supported me throughout the entire story. I love y'all sososo much take care!
xoxoxo, @sisirbffr