Chapter 36 - "Why are you leaving?"

"Have you talked to him since lunch?" Courtney asked the empty bathroom.

To an outsider it would look empty, Lynn lived inside Courtney's phone for the moment.

"He texted me," Lynn said.

Courtney focused on her reflection, carefully knotting the two bright-colored silk scarves around her ponytail. She wouldn't say she was taking more care than usual on her appearance but well, that was exactly what she was doing. A girl had to put in effort for her man, right? Her man. His girl. She liked that.

"He asked if the squad was going to make it to Ted's party," Lynn said. "I'm guessing he wanted to know if you'd be there. With Micah. Are you going to be?"

Courtney stepped back from the mirror and turned her head one way and the other. She looked like the epitome of a football fan. A very cute football fan to be exact.

"I had planned on asking if Micah wanted to go. Do you think I shouldn't?"

When Lynn didn't answer right away, Courtney let go of her vanity and picked up her phone.

"Lynn?"

"I think you should still go, the girls want to see Micah. But maybe don't be overly open about being with Micah. Like, don't start making out in front of everyone."

"Yes, obnoxious public displays of affection, definitely my forte."

Lynn laughed. "True. I don't think I ever saw you and Aiden be that type of couple." She fell silent and Courtney rested against the sink, putting her reflection away. "Did you ever figure out what went wrong? Between the two of you."

"We were two trains on parallel tracks with different destinations."

"Oh. I'm glad you were able to understand that."

"Me too."

Courtney pictured Aiden's startled face from lunch and bit her lip. It might have been one thing if Aiden had broken up with her because he hated her. It was another thing entirely that he loved her and let her go.

"Did he say anything at lunch?" Courtney asked.

"No. He talked about tonight's game. But you know, Aiden. It takes him time to process things."

Courtney nodded. She knew. She knew really well since she'd become the person he could process things with. Now he no longer had her. Worse, the things he needed to process were about her.

"Lynn? Could you look out for him?" Courtney asked. "If I do it that would be weird. But I don't want to hurt him."

"Of course. Just don't rub you and Micah in his face. Okay?"

"I won't. And feel free to remind me if I'm being an idiot."

"Obviously. That's a besties' duty."

Courtney left her bathroom and walked into her closet. Yes, walked. As in two feet, two working ankles - one working ankle, one braced - two moving legs, two arms free of crutches. It was a glorious freedom.

"How are you feeling about tonight?" Courtney asked, sinking down in front of her shoe rack. "Did you get the problem with the squad worked out?"

"Yes. Though I will admit it was a relief to see you walking today. We need you back."

"One more week and I shall reclaim my title as cheer captain."

"You never lost it, you temporarily misplaced it."

"That sounds better."

Courtney found an older pair of white cheer sneakers and smiled. They were already worn out, stretching one out with her brace wouldn't be that big of a deal. Though she appreciated her ability to power clash a tennis shoe with a polkadot flat, she wanted to go with a classic look for tonight. Yes, a certain boy was the reason. Though this certain boy didn't notice fashion the way she did so maybe it was a moot point. It didn't matter, sneakers it was.

"I have to go," Lynn said. "I'll see you at the game."

"Yes, you will. I'll be the cheer captain judging your routine harshly from the stands."

Lynn laughed. "I look forward to it, El Capitan!"

As Lynn hung up, Courtney's phone dinged.

Micah:

I'm here. Should I come in?

Courtney:

NO!

Micah:

Ashamed of me already?

Courtney:

My dad might see you.

Micah:

That makes more sense.

Courtney:

I'll be down in a minute.

Micah:

Hurry, I think I saw a curtain twitch.

Courtney:

A horror movie start if

ever I heard one.

Micah:

I'm telling your dad you said that when we have lunch together.

Courtney:

I thought that was a joke!

Micah:

It was. But I'm pretty sure he'd say yes if I asked him.

Courtney:

I hope you two are very happy together.

Micah:

Probably won't be.

I have a serious crush on his daughter.

Might complicate things.

Courtney squealed and wiggled then buried her face. Yes, that reaction did just happen. Get a hold of yourself, Cory. Can't begin the night all flustered or you'll end it a melted person that cannot move on its own. Deep breath. Calm. Controlled.

Courtney:

Then I better hurry down.

Using the wall to help her stand, Courtney inspected her appearance once more in the mirror. Yup, a cute football fan. A cute football fan with a smile as wide as the field. Calm. Controlled, Cory.

Courtney exited her room to find Miles sitting on the floor in the hallway outside of his.

"I've told you before if you speak nicely to the monster under your bed he's not that bad a guy. Just a weird misunderstood introvert."

Miles didn't look up from his tablet. "I can't tell if you're making a joke about a classic trope or mocking me."

"It could be both, you resemble each other in many ways. Maybe he'll become your new best friend!"

Finally, Miles raised his head and made a face at seeing Courtney. Ah, the love of a sibling is a beautiful thing. Let us never forget these precious moments, Miles.

"You seem perkier than normal." He glanced at her ankle. "Right, I forgot how overly cheery you can be when mobile."

"And it's to both our benefits, I make up for your lack of cheeriness." She bent over and kissed his mass of tangled hair.

"Ew! What was that? We don't do that," Miles said, swiping his hair.

"No, but you seem so pouty that I wanted to amuse you."

"I will find amusement with you leaving."

"Okay. I'm leaving and I'm not even going to question why you're sitting in the hallway." She turned back at the top of the stairs. "The monster is only in your mind, Miles. Don't let it scare you."

"Now you're going weirdly self-reflective. It doesn't work with how you look. Go away."

Courtney blew him a kiss and Miles ducked his head, dodging the affection. Grinning, Courtney proceeded down the stairs to the front door. As she reached for the handle, her mother called out.

"Courtney, crutches."

Courtney found the cursed things leaning against the wall by the door. No doubt put there by her dear, dear mother. Sighing with reluctant acceptance, because that was the only way to accept them, she opened the door.

"You know your parental need to look out for my well-being is cramping my style," Courtney called out.

"Cramping your style is better than cramping your ankle."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why there's no arguing with a brilliant woman like my mother.

"No one has said cramping my style in decades," her father called out. "Please get with the times. You're embarrassing me."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was her father.

"Understood!"

Courtney closed the door behind her and instantly felt any tinge of annoyance vanish at seeing Micah and his Jeep.

Heart don't die on me now, it's just him looking adorable in a thought-out outfit, that should not have you freaking out. Unstoppable earthquakes, floods, natural disasters, a bad hair day are the things to freak out about. The last one added purely for my amusement. A bad hair day is easily solved with a baseball cap. But not him looking cute, this is not the reason to be screaming, heart.

"Hey," Micah said.

He has got to stop saying that, it will be the death of me.

"Hey, you excited to watch this game!"

See, normal. Totally normal. Not at all flustered and giddy. A completely normal person going to watch a football game with a guy that is only mildly driving her crazy by being so cute. Totally normal.

"Do you still need the crutches?" Micah asked, taking them from her.

"No, but they are in case something happens. My mom wanted to make sure I was prepared."

"That's smart."

As Micah loaded the crutches into the back, Miguel's car pulled into Courtney's driveway and he parked it next to hers. When he climbed out, Courtney could only stare.

"What are you wearing?" she asked.

Miguel held out his arms. "My parents said I should dress more causally. This is my casual."

Miguel's 'casual' was an expensive-looking t-shirt tucked into slacks with a sleek belt. What planet did he arrive from?

"That's casual?" Courtney asked.

"I don't own jeans, okay? Now, what are you doing? You look like you're leaving."

"Wow! You really make those eyes of yours put in the hard hours."

"Why are you leaving?"

"Because there's this thing called a football game taking place and I plan to be there to enjoy it."

"Your patronizing tone is acknowledged and not appreciated. Why are you leaving? I thought we would ditch like last week and do nothing while making my parents believe we are doing something."

"Last week was a fluke. I can walk again and so watch out world, Cory is back!"

Miguel stared at her unimpressed with her jazz hands. Rude of him since she did exceptional jazz hands.

"I'm just going to hang out with your dad," Miguel said, heading towards the front door.

"You can't. My mom is taking him on a mandatory date night. You could join but I don't think you'd want to."

Miguel froze with his hand hovering over the door handle. "Miles?"

"Dealing with the monster inside."

"Heather?"

"Seeing more apartments."

Miguel dropped his head and Courtney knew he'd finally accepted his fate. An old politician bearing through a high school football game, he was a brave brave soul. Truly inspiring. His campaign would be undefeated when he shared this story. His war story.

"Cheer up," Courtney said. "It could be worse."

Miguel climbed into the back of Micah's Jeep. "How?"

"You could be wearing jeans and having to go to a football game."

"Just drive," Miguel said.

Micah sent Courtney a sightly baffled look but put the car in gear and drove off.

As they wound their way through their neighborhood, Courtney snuck glances at Micah, unable to stop thinking about all the drives they'd taken before this. Micah glanced at her, his shy smile seeming to say he shared the same thoughts with her. As they approached the gate, Miguel groaned in the back.

"You didn't warn me that you were together," he said. "Micah stop here. Good. Courtney let me out."

Courtney did as instructed genuinely curious if Miguel would walk all the way back to her house. In his loafers. She bet there was an 85% he wouldn't. They looked new. When Miguel got out, he gestured for Courtney to get back in, but into the back seat.

"I'm not going to go an entire car ride with having to see you two exchange longing glances," he said.

"They weren't longing. More reminiscent."

"Gross. Even worse. What are you an old married couple in their sixties?" Miguel asked.

"I mean one day-"

"Stop, just stop talking. Micah drive. I'm going to do all the talking for this car ride."

Micah peered at Courtney in his rearview mirror and she shook her head. It was better not to question Miguel or his personality. She'd known him too long to know it wasn't worth the headache which inevitably ended with no conclusive answers.

"Eyes forward, lover boy. I don't plan on dying before I've changed the world."

"Only after?" Courtney asked. "Are you immortal?"

"Don't ask questions you can't handle the answers to."

Courtney shook her head but smiled when she noticed Micah doing the same thing. Or at least attempting to hide that he was smiling. That was most likely the safest option, who knew how Miguel would react to cheeriness in his current moody state. Best to distract him.

"How's the sponsorship program coming along?" Courtney asked.

"Sponsorship program?" Micah asked.

Miguel relaxed back in his seat, placing his laced fingers on his stomach. Like the old man he secretly was. He quickly and concisely explained the program to Micah, who looked appropriately impressed.

"Do you have anyone signed up as sponsors?" Courtney asked.

"My family has agreed to do five sponsorships. We don't want to look too flashy. I have a meeting with Ted's father set for Monday. As you know he runs City bank. I won't schedule too many next week since Homecoming is the focus."

"I have that in hand," Courtney said.

Don't be offended, Cory. You know he's a control freak. Be honest, you'd expect nothing less than him babysitting you.

"I know," Miguel said. "But I'd hate to be pulled out of a meeting if there's an emergency."

Logical. Can't argue with that.

"You should talk to my dad," Courtney said, leaning forward, putting her head between the two seats. "I'm sure he'd love to be able to be a part of the program. When do you plan to have it all done by?"

"January. That way when spring sports have tryouts students can apply for sponsorship."

"Sounds doable. Let me know if you need a pretty blonde to act as an assistant at any meetings."

"You're the first on my list."

Courtney rested back in her seat. As she should be. She'd be insulted if she wasn't.

"You're telling me," Micah said. "That you not only came up with this program but you're going to put it into place this year?"

"Yeah."

Micah didn't say anything but watched the road with a wide-eyed expression. Courtney smiled as she looked out the window. Miguel had that effect. He even put Heather to shame and she'd developed the school's app.

When Micah found an open spot to park at the football field, Courtney nearly shoved Miguel aside to get out. But she was able to restrain herself, barely. She climbed out of the car and couldn't stop the smile from spreading on her face. Lights from the field filled the darkening sky. Voices overlapped and created a chaos of noise. The smell of hot dogs and butter popcorn floated on the evening breeze. No crutches to bring me down, oh it's going to be a good night.

"You smile any wider and you're going to blind someone," Miguel said.

To this, Courtney responded with a brighter smile. Unfortunately, Miguel was not blinded. Okay fine, it was fortunate he wasn't blinded, she didn't dislike him enough to wish a permanent disability on him.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"Ready to bear through a night of idiots yelling at other idiots that run after a ball? No, I don't think I ever will be ready," Miguel said.

"I'm ready," Micah offered.

And that was why she loved Micah best. Liked. Liked Micah the best. She couldn't get ahead of herself. If her head got ahead then she'd be left headless and she was pretty sure that equaled death. Except for that one guy who rode a horse but she knew for certain he was a myth.

"Let's go!" Courtney said, working double time to stop herself from bouncing.

The moment they hit the curb and joined the mass of football supporters, people called out to her. It didn't seem to matter that they were at a different school.

"Hey, Courtney!"

"Hi, guys!"

"Courtney, you made it."

"I did! Can't let my school spirit die!"

"You missed last week, glad you're here now."

"It killed to miss last week."

"Hi, Courtney."

"Hey! Oh, cute shoes!"

"Our President is here, victory is ours!"

"No pressure or anything," Courtney laughed.

Courtney wasn't sailing on cloud nine. No, she'd bought out all the residents and created a monopoly on cloud nine. And try as other developers might, she wasn't going to sell.

"Is this normal?" Micah asked.

Courtney looked at him but saw he was leaning towards Miguel.

"Yeah. It's like walking with a minor celebrity. You get used to it."

"Please," Courtney said. "It's not that bad."

"Courtney, sweetie! Oh, it's so good to see you."

Courtney spotted Miguel's eye roll before she turned to Lynn's mother.

"Hi, it's good to be back," Courtney said.

"Lynn told me you were walking again and I was so happy to hear it."

"Courtney. Mija, look at you!"

Before Courtney could respond to Rosa's mom, she was wrapped in a hug. When she was released, Rosa's mother held onto her arms.

"It's so good to see you walking again," she said.

"Isn't it?" Lynn's mom said. "We were worried."

"Is that Courtney without crutches?" Aiden's mother called out, hurrying over.

She was closely followed by Ted's father, Kimber's parents, and Kyle's parents.

Okay, maybe Miguel wasn't completely off with his analogy. But Courtney didn't care, she felt like she'd lost the dark cloud which had been hanging over her. Which shouldn't be confused with the cloud nine resident she currently held. Two completely different things and in two completely different stratospheres.

Miguel cut into the mob formed around Courtney. "Yes, Courtney is walking and this is all very exciting, but her ankle still needs to recover, and standing for long periods of time is not advisable. I will not be taking her to the bleachers."

The parents instantly pulled back at Miguel's calm but authoritative tone. And it couldn't be helped, he was the only person at a football game wearing slacks. He demanded respect. Courtney appreciated him intervening, even though her ankle felt fine.

"I feel like that was more for your benefit than mine," Courtney said when they were out of earshot.

"Of course it was, I could care less but I'm not going to find a spot alone where someone could engage in conversation with me. Also, I think the mob was starting to freak Micah out."

"I'm fine," Micah said.

Though Courtney did see a little of the wide-eyed deer look in his eyes. A little of her excitement dampened. She was used to the endless bombardment of people, she hadn't thought about how it might be for Micah to be with her. She drew closer to him and sensed as he relaxed with her reassuring smile. Oh! Do I have a superpower now? Ha. Just cuteness most likely.

They walked onto the bleachers and Courtney found spots close to the front.

"Courtney!" a loud male voice called out.

Courtney turned around. "Brian!"

The guy smiled and Courtney sat down.

"Who is that?" Micah asked.

"A guy from my math class. We've been yelling each other's names since eighth grade."

"Why?"

"No clue."

Micah smiled but Courtney wasn't blind to his confused brow. He had a right to be confused, she didn't know where it started. But it had somehow become a tradition. Another random aspect of being a girl a lot of people recognized.

"Uh...do you mind if I sit with you?"

Courtney leaned forward and saw Nathan hesitating next to Micah, looking completely out of place.

"Of course. Micah this is Nathan, Aubrey's boyfriend. Nathan this is Micah..."

Courtney paused unsure what title to give him just yet. They hadn't made anything official but it felt official though they weren't being open because of Aiden as well as the flood of attention it would bring. What did one call that? A mess. But that didn't work either.

"I'm a friend," Micah said, nodding to Nathan.

Nathan sat, not at all aware of the internal dilemma Courtney had mentally gone through in the span of a breath.

The shout of bright feminine voices preceeded the squad as they rushed onto the track, waving their pompoms and smiling. Kimber broke off from the pack, rushing forward and executing a perfect tumble routine. The crowd cheered. As the squad formed up, Courtney couldn't help it, she stood up.

Instantly, the squads' smiles widened as they spotted her, Lynn's being the biggest among them.

"Oceanside panthers' let me hear you roar!" she shouted.

The crowd responded and the squad dived into their hype routine. From her spot, Courtney mirrored their movements. People behind her clapped for her and she beamed, buzzing with energy.

"Cory, your ankle," Miguel warned.

"I'm only moving my upper body," Courtney said, sticking to the routine with only her arms and head.

It couldn't be helped, it felt like it had been ages since she'd felt in sync with the squad and taken in the excited buzz of a football game. She felt like herself again. And she was fully aware that she felt this way due to the person sitting next to her. He'd helped her find her happiness again.

Finished, the squad shouted and shook their pompoms as the crowd returned their cheer. Courtney sank to her seat, nearly vibrating with her energy.

"Are you ready?" Courtney asked Micah, trying not to bounce in her seat.

He stared at her with a baffled tilt of his head but a warm expression in his eyes.

"Honestly, not as much as you are," he said.

That was understandable, she was the only resident on cloud nine at the moment.

"Welcome everyone to tonight's game," a voice over the loudspeaker announced. "Between the East High wildcats and the Oceanside panthers."

Courtney cupped her mouth and shouted, "Go panthers!"

Micah laughed and Miguel rolled his eyes.

As the game got underway, Courtney ignored everything except what took place on the field.

"Kyle, what was that? Are you blind? He was right there!" Courtney yelled, coming to her feet. "Come on!"

When she settled back down, she realized Micah was looking at her. Was he not as annoyed with Kyle's fumble? How could anyone not be?

"What?" she asked.

"I know you're a cheerleader but I didn't realize that meant you were so into football."

"Are you kidding? I love it. But I usually stand on the sidelines and can't yell this type of thing though I want to. It's very cathartic."

Again Micah laughed but Courtney got the sense it was from wonderment more than amusement. A cheerleader being a football fan, what will this world think of next?

"That was terrible!" Miguel yelled, launching to his feet. "What do you think you're doing?!"

He swore in Spanish and then sat back down.

"You're right," Miguel said. "It is cathartic."

This time, Courtney rolled her eyes. Leave it to Miguel to find amusement at a football game by yelling at people. At least he stays on brand.

"Are you not as into football?" Courtney asked Micah.

He shrugged. "Not really. It means so much to Denzel that-"

"Hey, Courtney! It's good to see you."

Courtney waved. "It's good to see you too, Mr. and Mrs. Lopez. Marco is doing well tonight."

"He is. We're hoping this is a good season for him."

"I have no doubt it will be. Enjoy the game." She focused on Micah. "You were saying?"

He blinked as if he'd forgotten he'd been talking only a moment before.

"Right. Uh... yeah football means a lot to Denzel but I found I didn't get into it in the same way. I don't know if it's because it was a lot of who he was that I pulled back from it."

"But you do the sound for the games."

"That's because I like working-"

"Hi, Courtney!"

"Hey, guys!"

"Are you running for Homecoming queen?"

"Nah, I got my crown last year. Someone else should reign for a while. Being royalty is not all it's cracked up to be."

"But you make a great queen."

Courtney laughed. "Thanks. Enjoy the game." She rested her chin in her hand. "How did you get into working the sound booth? Is that part of being on the AV team?"

"What?" Micah asked. "Oh. Yeah, that's how it started. I got comfortable with setting things up and running them. It went from there. Mr. Vandergrift asked me to help out-"

"Well look who decided to show up, Courtney Hart. We missed you last week."

"No you didn't. Don't lie."

"We did."

Courtney waved the group of guys away. "Have you been on the AV team since freshman year?"

Micah opened his mouth but nothing came out. Adorable even when doing nothing but looking lost. Will wonders never cease? Hopefully not, I like all the wonders of Micah.

"I'm gonna go get something to eat," Nathan said. "Do you want anything?"

"You know, I'll come with you," Micah said. "Do you want anything?"

Courtney sent him a teasing smile. "Nope, I'll just eat some of whatever you get."

Courtney watched as they shuffled their way past legs and headed down the bleacher stairs.

"You understand that your popularity can be intimidating, right?" Miguel asked.

"Please, having this many people talk to you is like your worst nightmare."

"Not to me, dumbo. To Micah."

"Oh." Courtney looked to the food stand but couldn't find Micah in the mass of people. Tonight wasn't abnormal for her. This was her life ninety percent of the time. But of course, it wasn't the same for Micah. Was that a drawback to him?

The happy bubble that had been engulfing her popped.

As she watched Micah return, she felt herself descending from cloud nine to cloud eight. She had to admit, it didn't have the same glorious feel as the upper level.

"Hey," Micah said, holding a bag of popcorn. "We ran into Aubrey on our way back. She said something about Ted's party tonight."

Ted's party. A party Courtney hadn't even thought twice about not going to. But now she was having that second thought. And it was a strong second thought, the one that you have that makes you rethink your entire view on life. Okay, maybe not that strong of a second thought but it definitely played into her lowered cloud residence.

"Yeah," Courtney said, cautiously. "Ted's dad loves to grill."

"It sounded like you planned to go," Micah said.

He said this evenly and Courtney didn't know if that was because he didn't know how to feel about the idea of going or was hiding how he felt.

"I was going to ask if you wanted to go," Courtney said. "But it might be overwhelming, so we don't have to."

"But you'd like to go?" Micah asked.

Be real. Courtney hesitated then nodded. "I do. And the squad wanted to hang out with you."

"Then let's go."

Courtney studied him, trying to gauge if this was what he wanted.

"You want to go?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said, offering her popcorn. "It will be fun."

**********************************************************************

Buckle up buddy boy! We're in for a ride!

(Why do you even question my sanity anymore? I know I've stopped. I lost it. Somehow on the interstate between California and Boston)

*Waves pompoms in your face* I won't stop waving these until you tell me your thoughts! Come on, I want to hear you shout! Let's go comets! Let's go! 💬🗯💭❣️

(I was going for cheerleader and humorous, not sure I accomplished either of those. Whateves!)

Shout out to Brian, the guy who one day decided to yell my name at me and like any normal, sane person I yelled his name back at him and so began our tradition. He will never read this but if case he somehow does: BRIAN!

Since we've gotten over the jubilation of Courtney and Micah finally being together and the delight of me torturing you in the author's notes by making it seem like they would never get together *gasps* we can return to the classics!

(Oh jeez you'd have to be really deep with ARMY to hear the right voice for that phrase)

The classics being me asking you questions. Like now! Question for Fashionista203 (that you should all feel free to answer): What can make you smile even when it could be the worse day ever?

Oh do you want to know my answer? *Cutely cups cheeks* It's you! So thanks for being you, boo!

Szavazás, Megjegyzés, Kövesse (Hungarian)