Chapter 6 Sloane
Sloane
It’s game day. The atmosphere at school is electric.
I haven’t gotten the chance to see Eden yet.
Becca drove me to school early today for extra practice.
It’s strange, we’ve only walked together for a couple of days and yet it already feels like a routine.
I like getting those thirty minutes with her before our commitments and classes take over.
Becca is still a little salty about the change, but nothing I can’t solve with Doritos and ice cream.
She’s really not that hard to please. Also, it’s been nice getting to know Pia, Todd, and Bella.
Becca seems extra interested in the latter, which is exciting.
As far as I know my bestie is straight, but I’m thinking there might be a little internal awakening going on.
We’ve all hung out together twice at lunch. It was quite comical watching the reaction of our peers as both groups merged at one table. It was like a sea of meerkats turning their heads with every footstep.
It’s odd how we form these small groups of friends at the beginning of high school, never letting anyone else in. Holcroft is full of diverse people, and yet we still fall into the same trap as every other high school. Social groups that stand apart, never to mix. Well, not anymore.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends, most of whom are on the cheer squad, but it was totally refreshing speaking to and getting to know new people. I felt like I had a real break from the norm. No cheer talk or strategy meetings, just plain old fun.
Pia and Eden are hilarious together. Todd is such a sweetheart that if I were remotely into guys, I’d envy Pia. Bella is all attitude, and I love it. I think that’s what captured Becca’s attention.
Hopefully, she’ll come to me when she’s ready.
There’s no need for her to go through anything alone.
Becs was so cool when I came out, and she threatened to take anyone down who dared to make a thing of it.
She didn’t have to rage, though. There are many queer students, and faculty for that matter, at Holcroft.
I’m not saying it’s perfect. Hell, it’s still high school, but I think we could all do a lot worse.
Back to today, and the fact I’m jonesing for my Eden fix. It’s becoming quite inconvenient. I’ve crushed on her from afar for three years, totally unprepared for what would happen when I finally got the chance to be close to her. Answer: become a little obsessed.
I find myself looking for her between classes, even though I know she won’t be walking my way. My mind replays the time when she called me babe, and then blushed furiously. I know she didn’t mean it that way, but my heart did a few tumbles all the same.
Becca still insists I ask her out, and I’m starting to think I should. We’ve only got this year left, and I already want to kick myself for not talking to her sooner.
A little part of me is worried she doesn’t or couldn’t feel the same, but then I think of the times I’ve caught her staring at me, and there’s no way I could be misinterpreting those signals.
Crap, I have to get my head in the game.
Today is important. It’s the opening match and my final year to prove I’m the best captain this school has ever had.
There will be scouts for the football team and cheer squad in the crowd over the next few weeks, too.
Getting scouted would be such a huge win for many of the girls.
It’s not just the students who recognize the importance of today. Many of the teachers let us go early or skip entirely to practice. It doesn’t happen for every game, but the opening and closing ones are an exception.
We’ve run the routine several times this morning, and now I need to replenish my energy. It’s hard being “on” all the time. Not only do I have my own part to perfect, but I also have to make sure the rest of the squad are on point and feeling positive.
“Oh, they’ve got tacos,” Becca announces loud enough for the whole cafeteria to hear.
Becca has an iron stomach, whereas I will have acid reflux the entire afternoon if I eat spicy beef tacos. Looks like another salad for me, which isn’t so bad. I don’t want to feel full, not when I’m going to be thrown around later.
Pia waves us over as soon as we’re out of the lunch line. Normally, the squad sits together on game day and discusses any issues or concerns they have leading up to the cheer. Today doesn’t have to be any different. We can just add a few extra people to the group.
Eden’s eyes grow a little wider as I lead the team over to their table.
“Hey guys,” I say with a big smile.
“Hi, Bella,” Becca blurts. She looks momentarily shocked at herself but recovers quickly. Bella grins at her and pats the free seat next to her. Interesting.
Settling next to Eden, I turn to the table. “Mind if we join you?”
Eden is just looking at me. Pia flourishes her hands to the open seats, gesturing for the girls to sit.
There are a few minutes of shuffling, banging, and clattering before everyone is sitting and digging into their food. Eden nibbles on a carrot stick, her eyes ping-ponging between her friends and mine. She looks adorably confused.
“Looking forward to tonight?” I ask Eden in a low voice so only she can hear.
“I mean, I guess.” She shrugs, making me laugh.
“You’re totally dreading it, aren’t you?”
Sighing, she drops her carrot and turns to me. “It’s going to be cold, and I haven’t a clue what the rules of football are. Or why you lot insist on calling it football considering you use your hands.”
“Eden, you have enough hoodies to open your own store. As for the game, you don’t have to know the rules. Just shout when everyone else does and have a good time. Anyway, I thought you were coming along to see me?”
Yes, I’m flirting.
A shade of red tints her cheeks. “I’m coming along because of you.”
My turn to feel the heat.
“And I appreciate your support,” I say, knocking into her.
The moment feels loaded, and if I were braver, I’d ask her out, but we’re surrounded by people, and I couldn’t stand to be let down in front of a crowd.
The rest of lunch goes by quickly. I’m pleased to see everyone getting along so well. I’m absolutely talking to Becca later, because she is totally into Bella. I’ve never seen her like this.
The bell rings and we all say goodbye. For a crazy moment, I consider pulling Eden in for a hug, but think better of it at the last minute, which makes our goodbye slightly awkward.
Instead of Art, I’m heading to the gym. Ms. Billings had no issue letting me skip class. I think it’s a relief for her. I’m really, really bad at art.
The sun is shining, and it’s nice and warm, but the temperature will drop this evening. We’ll keep our jackets on until the last second. It’s important nobody’s muscles get cold.
By the end of the afternoon, I’m wired.
The stands are packed, and the noise is almost offensive to my ears, but I manage to block it out. I have a series of tumbles coming up that I have to concentrate on. It’s the end of our routine and so far we’ve nailed it.
Trent and Mikey are sweating as they haul Daniella one last time in the air. She performs the stunt perfectly. Now it’s my turn. Taking a deep breath, I launch myself into a run in front of the squad, who are in a perfect pyramid, and execute my gymnastic skills with precision.
The second I land, the crowd goes nuts.
To make things even better, our boys win the game by a landslide.
My eyes scan the bleachers until I land on Eden, Pia, Todd, and Bella. Pia and Todd are hugging and clapping at the victory. Bella is next to Eden, whispering in her ear. Eden looks confused as hell, so I’m guessing Bella is trying to explain what she’s just watched.
Seeing her makes me smile. Hard. She’s wrapped up in one of her large hoodies, with a thick scarf wrapped around her neck. It’s not even cold, not compared to what it will be like in a few weeks.
She has her hands shoved in the front pocket of her hoodie, and all I want to do is put my hands in there too. What would it be like to entwine our fingers?
A shudder runs down my back at just the thought.
I wave at her as soon as she spots me. She waves back and gives me a small grin. God, she’s…
“Sloane, stop drooling. We need to get changed,” Becca shouts in my ear.
Right, I need to get showered and changed before heading to Bryce’s party. A party I really hope Eden will attend. Becca’s been working on Pia for the past two days. If Pia comes along, so will Eden, hopefully.
If Eden were my girlfriend, I’d have skipped over to her and given her a kiss before heading to the locker room. But she’s not, so I just give her another wave before heading inside.
Twenty minutes later I spill out of the locker room with Becca, laughing about nothing. We’re on a high after such a successful night, and I can’t wait to dance the night away.
Becca squeezes my hand when we reach the parking lot. I follow her gaze and almost squeal in delight. Eden and her group are waiting by Becca’s car.
“Oh my god, that was so good,” Pia shouts as we approach. “You fucking rocked it!”
Todd nods enthusiastically. “Totally awesome.”
I step up to Eden, who is slightly apart from her friends. “What did you think?”
She looks at me, and then at my mouth. “Impressive.”
One word, but it’s laced with so much heat, I feel my breath grow heavier. “Thanks. So does this mean you’re coming to the party?”
She looks from me to the others who are talking loudly, laughing with each other. “Pia wants to go, so…”
I lean in closer. “What do you want, Eden?” Oh wow, so I’m going for it, I guess.
She swallows and licks her lips. “I—”
“Let’s go,” Becca shouts, and for the first time in our friendship I want to smack her. Way to wreck the moment.
Eden steps back and looks down at the ground. Her hand goes to the back of her neck. She takes several breaths before looking back up with a small smile. “Ready to show me what a high school party is all about?”
We cram into Becca’s car. Happily, Bella claimed shotgun, leaving me in the back with Eden, Pia, and Todd. Pia is sitting on his lap, devouring his face, which is a little off-putting. Eden is doing everything in her power not to look my way.
Bryce’s house is jumping by the time we arrive.
He lives in a McMansion in the middle of the woods that’s bigger than our school.
His parents are visiting their friends and know the party is happening.
They only have one rule, and that is that car keys get left at the door.
There is enough room for everyone to crash out. I hope Becca made that clear to Pia.
“Hey, so you know this is a sleepover situation, right?”
By the look on Eden’s face, she did not know. Shit.
“You didn’t know, huh?”
“No. I didn’t. Can you just excuse me for a second?”
Eden jumps out of the car and grabs Pia by the elbow, dragging her down the drive, and away from the house. I grab Becca by her elbow and drag her in the opposite direction.
“Did you tell Pia we would be staying the night?”
Her eyes go wide. “Of course.”
My shoulders sag in relief. Then I feel tense again as I watch Eden and Pia.
“Did she not tell Eden?” Becca whispers.
I shake my head. It’s one thing for Eden to come to a party she clearly doesn’t want to be at, quite another being stranded there.
No cab would come out this far, and I’m guessing she’s not going to be happy calling her parents.
Maybe she will, though. If she’s that uncomfortable, I’ll drive her home now.
Walking over to them, I note how tight Eden’s voice is. Pia is rolling her eyes, which I doubt is helping.
“Hey, sorry,” I begin, weighing up Eden’s reaction. She glares at Pia before looking at me. “I can take you back. I don’t mind being sober for the night.”
This time Pia glares at Eden. They’re having a silent conversation, one in which Pia seems to have won. Eden grits her teeth and flares her nostrils.
“Eden’s fine. We’re here to enjoy ourselves, and you definitely deserve to let your hair down. Right, E?”
“Right.”
Placing my hand on Eden’s forearm, I make sure she’s looking at me. “I really don’t mind. The last thing I want is for you to feel uncomfortable.”
Her eyes soften and I feel her body relax ever so slightly. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine. Honestly. Um, I’d just prefer not to sleep around a bunch of other people.”
“No worries. I always have a room to myself. You can share with me. Or you and Pia. Or Bella. Whatever you need.”
Ugh, I just rambled like an idiot.
Pia is beaming. “I’ll see you in there,” she calls, skipping over to Todd. Becca lifts her chin. It’s a question. I wave her off. Bella takes her arm and they head inside.
“I’m really sorry,” I say because I feel awful. It didn’t even occur to me that she wouldn’t know about the sleepover.
Eden rolls her shoulders. “It’s not your fault. That’s on Pia, and we will be discussing it later.”
I grip her arm again. “Maybe it can wait until tomorrow. I really want you to have a good time tonight.”
She shifts from foot to foot. “I’ll try, I promise, but this really isn’t my scene.”
I nod. “Got it. There are loads of places to go if you need some quiet or space. Just let me know.”
“Sloane, you’re not here to babysit me. Pia is right about one thing, you do deserve to let your hair down and have fun with your friends.”
“You’re my friend, aren’t you?”
The tension from earlier is back, and I badly want to kiss her, but I’m a chickenshit, and she looks two seconds away from running home.
“Yeah, we’re friends,” she says.
“Then trust me.”