Chapter 36: 33 | the state championships

a quick note to shine light on the fact that I just published two chapters at the same time, so if you haven't read chapter thirty-two yet, feel free to do that before continuing on with this one!

while we're at it, I'm highly aware this isn't exactly how state championships play out – I made my research and then decided to go my way instead for the sake of the plot. so let's just roll with it yeah? much love always

yours, linn.

. . .

Traffic runs smoothly and the drive from Callie's house, Acebridge to Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill takes them exactly two hours and 43 minutes – including a pit stop at Beans & Bagels where they stacked up on breakfast for the road.

Back home, they'd been cloaked by the overnight mist holding out through the morning. Fogging their way as they left town, the light of the day had only begun to peek through in the horizon once they left the coast behind. Here, the deceitful sun is high on the sky – its blinding rays bringing with them empty promises of warmth Avery knows will be squashed as soon as they step out of Lea's Audi and its cranked up heat.

Whirling past yet another set of streets, Avery's heart flutters lightly in her chest upon spotting a banner reading 'Kenan Memorial Stadium – Home of the North Carolina Tar Heels since 1927' hung along the lamp posts lining a sidewalk. Come fall this could be her home.

She slips her phone out from underneath her leg as they get closer, texting Ethan with an update. The Ace East buses arrived about thirty minutes ago, which is when she last heard from him so he could be all tied up but just the thought of soon being in the same place again has her impatiently tapping her fingers against the leather seat.

Other than her texting Ethan, the three girls have spent this car ride indulging in the spread of Beans & Bagels as well as making due of the flash cards they prepared last night – much thanks to Callie's determination and Lea's glitter pencils. Despite being occasionally sidetracked by singing their lungs out to shared playlist, they've actually managed to cram the most they can even on a day like this.

Avery's heart flutters again as she notices another banner, this one a temporary one dedicated to this long weekend – announcing the '2016 NCHSAA Championships'. Cheeks tightening with her smile, her eyes flickers between the signs for parking and her phone to make sure they're on the same way Ethan mentioned in his latest text. Her fingers positively drum against the leather seat to the beat of Lea's and Callie's voices in the front seat as they take another turn. And then another. Aren't they there soon?

♡♡♡

As they finally arrive Avery folds out of her crosslegged seat and slip her feet into her booties, zipping them up as Lea turns into the parking lot. Lea and Callie glance around in search for Acebridge West's buses, wondering if they're here yet but concludes if they are they may be in another parking lot designated solely for the teams and everyone connected to them. Their words are merely background noise to Avery though, her attention completely drawn elsewhere as she glances out the window to spot Ethan stood leant against a stair railing.

All three of them are swung forward as Lea steps on the brakes, both girls in the front seat whirling around.

"Are you craz–"

The words are cut off as the car door slams shut behind Avery, heels clicking against the pavement as she darts across the lot on swift feet. Ethan's eyes flicker across the lot as she comes into view, smile tugging at his lips as he takes a few steps away from the railing to meet her.

A startled laugh escapes them both as she throws herself into his embrace with a jump, legs hitching around his waist as she loops her arms around his neck but he regains balance in a heartbeat, soon holding her equally close.

Her breath comes out in clouds in the cold air, hold tightening. "I've missed you so much."

A breathless laugh escapes her as she pulls back ever so slightly, flattening her palm to his chest with a smile as she lets her feet touch ground. There's a twitch to his lips, reaching his bright eyes and cold flushed cheeks as he gently cups her face.

His thumb brushes over the blue-and-gold glitter makeup adorning her cheeks.

"You've got some dirt here."

Her beaming smile stays in place as her laugh spills through the air, puffs of breath visible the small space between them. As his hand doesn't fall from her cheek her gaze drops from his to momentarily linger on his lips. Slipping her hands into the front pocket of his hoodie, her chest brushes against his as she tilts her head back to let him kiss her. She doesn't care there are people from both their schools milling around among everyone else here on this day. She's missed him. A lot. Staying out here for the rest of today doesn't seem too bad – let the rest battle it out on the field and scream their voices hoarse on the bleachers, she just wants to stay here, freezing weather and all.

Batting her eyes open as the warmth of his lips leaves hers, she finds Ethan looking back at her with a frown.

He lets his gaze travel up and down her attire of a light cashmere V-neck and thigh-length skirt. "Aren't you cold?"

His arms wrap close around her before she has the chance to utter a word, his chin resting atop her head as he runs his palms over her arms. Leaning into his embrace she senses his heartbeat against hers, relishing in having him so close to her after this near-week apart. She tilts her head back with her softened smile, finding him already smiling at her.

"This could be your home stadium next year you know."

Just a mere ten minutes ago those exact words had travelled through her mind but now – here in his embrace, sensing how her heartbeat stills in his presence as he warms her up from the inside out, they don't quite offer the same excitement they did before. While National Signing Day is still a two mere months away, Oregon is beginning to look more as a done deal with every passing day. If this is what one week away from Ethan looks like, Avery can't imagine what the – give or take – 2800 miles will do to her heart.

"Could be," She swallows back the lump in her throat, clearing her voice as she hears how thick it comes out. "If I'm not in Oregon,"

Her smile falters as his does.

"You don't want me to come with you?"

"Of course I do," Ethan tightens his hold on her again as to amplify his words. Rolling his lips together, he shrugs. "I just think... this is much closer to home,"

Her brows etch together ever so slightly at the response but decides to shrug it off for now. Today is about today. They can speak of the future any other day. Her body complies, smile not too far away as she slips her hands out of his pocket to wrap them around him instead. Gauging his expression – a glimmer to his eyes, lips back in a knee-weakening smile – she notices he seems pretty confident.

He's already carrying the stance – hinting of vigor and spark – she usually sees as he steps onto the field. The Ethan who caught her attention during that game freshman year. He's more or less buzzing beneath her touch and it warms her veins with a light flutter. Not only because he's actually warming her up. He deserves to think highly of himself.

Lifting his hand from her arm, he carefully tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Will you be watching our game?"

"Duh," She unwraps one of her arms to lightly trail a path down his chest with the pads of her fingertips. "You seem ready."

"Yeah, I have a good feeling."

She lifts her hand off his chest with a smile, middle over her index finger. "Fingers crossed, right?"

"You're rooting for East now, Waters?"

"No," Her lips fade into a softer smile, brushing a kiss to his lips. "But for you? Always."

Pulling back, her attention is momentarily drawn away. Eyes narrowing with a scoff of disbelief as a group of unfamiliar girls pass them by, unabashedly eyeing Ethan with their appreciative gazes.

Yes, he's gorgeous. But for heaven's sake – she's stood right here.

Ethan's lips brush against her ear, the faint smirk on them apparent in his tone of voice. "Your jealousy is showing."

Taking her eyes off the retreating group, she turns her gaze back to her boyfriend. "Last I checked I cannot be jealous unless they have something I want," She raises her brows, a faint playfulness in the tug of her smile. "Are you suggesting you're not mine?"

"Nah," His breath tickles her lips in the small space between them. "All yours."

She sprawls her hand through his soft curls, not able to hold back the beaming smile tightening her cheeks. "All mi–"

"Fraternizing with the enemy again, are we?"

Holding back a groan, Avery exhales a sigh-sounding breath at Callie's voice. She casts a glance to her side to find her two friends approaching, quick to reach out and grab her coat as Lea throws it to her.

"Stupid girl," She mutters. "Jumping out of moving vehicles."

Ethan raises his brows and Avery simply shrugs, lips pulling into a sheepish grin as she slips into her coat – welcoming the protective layer it provides against the chill air.

Both girls greet Ethan with a simple "Hey," Before Lea nudges Avery in the back as they pass her by. "Okay Ave, time to say bye-bye."

Fingertips running down Ethan's arms, she shifts reluctantly on her feet. A gust of wind lifts her hair as she takes a step back, lips in the smile only he seems to bring out of her as she lifts her slightly numb cold fingertips to his cheek.

"You'll be great," Her touch is featherlight against his skin as she brings his lips to hers in a fleeting kiss. "I love you," She swallows back a sigh as his smile lights up his features, forcing herself to step away with one last lingering touch to his arm. "See you on the other side."

Hurrying to catch up with her friends, she finds them flickering their eyes between Lea's phone and the signs informing them which entrance is which way. Callie struggles with the strap of her sports bag, zipping up her shin-length puffer jacket hinting of her cheer attire beneath it as Lea's lips slip into a smile.

"Oh," She says, slipping her phone back into her light leather jacket – quite the contrast from Callie's puffer fit for a tundra winter. "It's around the corner,"

They resume walking and Lea's lips form a stupid grin as she bumps Avery in the side.

"Look at you," She muses. "I can't tell if you're adorable or if you make me want to throw up."

♡♡♡

Luke lifts his finger to his lips as he holds the heavy door up for them but his mission for them to quietly slip into the section reserved for West's – among other schools – team goes without success as Nic trips over his own two feet, sending Avery and Callie to the floor in their laughter.

Their commotion goes unnoticed by most, drowned out by the roaring sounds echoing through the stadium. Coach Owens, sat a few rows down glances their way as they skip down the stairs, filing into two rows sporting empty seats. The girls aren't technically supposed to be in this section but he doesn't voice any opinion of their presence, simply nodding in greeting before refocusing his gaze on the field and the ongoing game.

As Callie and Lea sink into the Carolina blue seats in the row in front of her, Avery notices a few of the West players sat next to them glance over their shoulders at her but they're just as quick in turning away as Nic leans forward to swat Chase in the back of his head. Next to her, Luke bites back a laugh and reaches over to grab a fry from the paper plate in Lea's hand – the last evidence of their quick lunch with Luke's, Nic's and Lea's families.

Despite a couple of hours having passed since, they're all still riding the high of West's win – even though there's a sense of melancholy lingered in the victory. This is the last time Nic and Luke will properly experience something like this, after all. And though Avery has a feeling her days of being sat in football stadiums are far from over, she too senses a hint of sadness with the realization that this is it.

In a mere twenty five weeks she'll no longer be a student at Acebridge West, it's an equally sad as liberating thought. One thing is for sure, this is only the first of many lasts the upcoming months.

Glancing around the stadium, still – to this day – mesmerized by it's size, Avery struggles with holding out hope for East to not play better than West just did. East can still win, as long as they don't perform exceedingly and pass West in the official ranking of their shared bracket – something they've already succeeded in doing the past two years. Letting her gaze fall from the crowd, her eyes zero in on Ethan on the field and her lips are soon to pull into a smile.

It looks so right. Him here, in his element.

Luke's gaze flickers to her lap as she absent-mindedly crosses her fingers, raising his brows. "Seriously?"

She simply shrugs. Even if she tried uncrossing her fingers she's not sure she'd be physically able to.

Keeping her gaze on Ethan she's overcome by a slight wave of nausea, but it's the right kind of nausea – the mix of excitement, pride and nerves blending into one. She lets her eyes flicker across the thousands of seats, knowing his family is somewhere here too, before pressing her teeth into her lip and turning her focus back to game.

In front of her, Lea kicks her sneaker clad feet up on the back of an empty seat and drinks from the bottle of water Callie just passed along to her. Reaching her arm back to extend it to Avery she's simply met with a hand pushing it away. Turning around, Lea takes in the sight of Avery on the edge of her seat – lips twitching in amusement as the girl almost shoots to her feet.

"You need to practice your chill if you're going to be a football wife."

Again, the line of West players in the row before her shoot glances over their shoulders but Avery's busy choking on a surprised chortle to care for them.

Taking her eyes off the game she meets Lea's gaze. "Who said anything about me being a football wife?"

"You did the moment you decided you're following him across the country."

"How did you know–," Avery cuts herself off, twisting towards Luke with an accusatory glare. "That was supposed to stay between us."

His lips twist into a faint smile. "...Sorry?"

Avery's eyes narrow as she turns back to Lea. "And I'm not following anyone anywhere. I'm just – considering my options."

"Uh-huh," Lea takes another sip of the water as she turns her gaze back towards the field. "I've seen that look on your face. You're officially playing by the Tammy-and-Harold rulebook now."

Avery parts her lips to respond but her train of thought is cut off by Nic muttering, "Now that should have been a fucking penalty."

Whipping her head back to the field, her brows etch together. "What? What did I miss?"

Lea shoots her a glance, rolling her eyes. "Did I not just tell you to cool it?"

Ignoring her to survey the field, Avery's lips twist into a faint smirk as she realizes what the commotion is about. She leans across Luke to look at Nic with a sweet smile, still hinting of her smirk.

"Nicolas? Are you rooting for the Montagues?"

"I simply happen to think the refs are here to do their job," He shoots her a pointed look as her lips pull back further. "Don't you get any ideas of all of us holding hands in that pretty head of yours."

Letting a soft silent laugh out her lips, Avery grabs a fry off Lea's plate to chuck at him.

♡♡♡

Not only does East win – but soaringly so. Luckily for Avery, she doesn't have to stay under the scrutinizing glares of Westers for long, already running up the stairs with Callie and Lea.

The three of them decided a while ago to hit the roads as soon as they could after the game, knowing getting out of the parking lot will become a hassle the longer they wait. Somehow being stuck in a traffic jam before even leaving the stadium behind doesn't sound too appealing.

Shooting Ethan a text – knowing he'll be busy enough as it is, probably swarmed by Easters too – she holds onto Callie's hand as they whirl through the sea of people and head towards the lower floor holding their exit.

On their way there they pass by Brianna and Rhea, both adorned in their cheer attires. Their shy smiles of recognition mirror those on Avery's and her friends' lips. Though conditioned to put the rivalry first and foremost – here they're not only rivals, but students from the town that's home to not one but two schools good enough to make the cut in the top ten every year. Even though East just knocked West down a peg on the official ranking, that town pride does count for something.

Stepping outside they're immediately surrounded by darkness – the only light the ones from the spotlights lightening up their way to the parking lots. In a sea of cheery voices, not being the only ones already headed to their car, they eventually make it to the Audi and Lea happily drops the keys into Avery's palm as she offers to drive.

Stifling a yawn, a faint smile lights up Callie's face as she slips into the passenger seat. "I would offer too," She begins. "If I actually knew how to drive."

The three share a small laugh and Lea leans forward to connect her phone to the AUX, their playlist soon filling the vehicle with a 5 Seconds of Summer song as they wait for the car to heat up and for the fog lingering across windshield to disperse. Callie rips a bag of candy open, holding it out for the others as they slowly roll out of the parking lot. The moonlight joins the streetlights as they make their way out to the highway, voices hoarse from the day as they sing along to their favorite songs.

♡♡♡

Avery's quick to pull the front door close behind Ethan to keep the cold out as soon as he's crossed the threshold, tucking her still slightly damp hair behind her ears with a smile. Turning around to look at her, he slowly shakes his head upon seeing her t-shirt – faded bold letters spelling out 'WEST' across her chest.

"Hi," She says, stretching her arms over her head with a small yawn before holding her hand out to pull him closer to her. Instead he places a bag of chocolate M&M's in her palm and the corners of her lips twitch up further as her gaze falls to it. "For me? What's the occasion?"

He loops one of his arms around her waist, his fingers warm against her newly showered skin as he gently lifts her chin. "Who says there has to be an occasion?"

She lets her free palm rest against the fabric of his dark wool sweater, a contented exhale leaving her nose as he kisses her. "Hi."

A silent chortle escapes him at her second greeting, brushing his lips to her temple. "Hi."

She's about to congratulate him properly on today's achievements as she pauses, her brows etching together at a faint burning smell. Oh shit. Quick to escape his embrace, she whirls around on swift feet – not quite running but not quite walking either as she makes her way down the hall and into the kitchen.

Rescuing the baking tray of cookies from the oven, she eyes them where it's now stood on the counter – wondering if at least one is on the brink of being edible. A sigh escapes her as she throws the oven mitten aside, turning around to find Ethan stood in the doorway.

He rests his head against the frame, an amused curve to his lips. "You know there's a timer on your phone, right?"

Padding across the room, she perches in a seat on the edge of the kitchen table – lifting her now lukewarm cup of tea to her lips. "Don't make me kick you out."

"You won't."

She smiles against the rim of the cup, eyes narrowing. "What makes you so sure?"

"Just a hunch – I don't know, maybe it has to do with how you threw yourself at me this morning."

Her cheeks warm, eyes casting to her tea as she mumbles, "Shut up."

"Are you going to be sat over there all night?"

"Are you going to be stood over there all night?" She counters, setting her cup down as she jumps out of her seat. Walking back to the counter, she regards the baking tray once more. "You want a burnt cookie?"

"Not really no."

"What about some tea?"

Her lips pull back in a smile as his arms wrap around her shoulders from behind, realizing he's no longer in the doorway. "Yeah that'd be nice."

She tilts her head back against his shoulder, reaching her hand up to twirl one of his curls around her finger. "Did I tell you you were amazing today?"

"You did," He says – referring to her texts from earlier tonight. "A few times."

"Well, you were. Are. Every day, not just on the field."

She loops her arms around his as his hold tightens.

"You're not too bad yourself."

♡♡♡

Sat on the couch, Avery's cheeks tighten with a smile as Ethan scoots down to rest his head on her chest. Their cups of tea are stood on the coffee table, her discarded paperback lying next to them. The TV stays off, the way she likes it. He's using her as his pillow, the way he likes it. Reaching out for the bag of M&M's, she pours some into her palm. She pops a red one into her mouth before nudging Ethan, dropping one into his as well.

His weight presses her down, heavy on her chest. But it's a nice heavy – a warmth to her heartbeat as their chests rise and fall in sync. She pops another M&M into her mouth as he twists around, his chest to hers as he points his finger into her dimple with a smile.

"Beautiful."

Her cheeks – still – instantly warm with the word, a flutter expanding far past her heart as she bites her teeth into her bottom lip. A silent chortle escapes her as her smile widens, eyes falling shut for less than a second as he pecks her lips.

"You're not too bad yourself."

There's an amused glimmer to his eye as his smile softens, their breaths melting together in the small space between them. His hand drops from her dimple, his touch featherlight as he lets his fingers run along her collarbone. Reaching up, she sprawls her fingers through the softness of his hair before letting them fall to linger on his jaw. She smiles as his eyes flicker to hers, propping herself up on her elbow to kiss him.

It's only meant to be one light brush of lips over his but soon they loose themselves in one another – tea long forgotten.