"K!"

"E!"

"V-I-N!"

"GO... KEVIN!"

I lead the cheerleaders as Kevin kicked the ball from the center of the field. It was Friday and our homecoming match was going on. I observed the crowd jumping and yelling from their seats. Emily sat with Jax and my former friends, I ignored everyone and my eyes landed on Noah, who was busy watching the game.

We haven't talked since he left me on Wednesday. We had no Home Ec. class on Thursday either, so I didn't get any chance to talk to him. I hoped he comes to the after-party that Kevin was throwing, well he'll throw when or should I say if we win this game.

We lost last year, and this year's game wasn't looking good either. The other team was now leading by a point, and if we didn't score now, we'll lose.

My thoughts were cut off when everyone cheered. I turned my head back to the game and saw Kevin tackle the opponent's team player on the ground.

"Alright girls!" I clapped my hands, getting their attention. "Let's do the panthers one more time."

They nodded and did as I said. We divided into two groups, I stood at the end of one and Natasha on the other. I signaled Natasha, and we got ready.

"P-A-N-T-H-E-R-S!

Panther Pride! Panther Pride!

We're steppin' up, so step aside!

We're the best; we're here to win

Panther power's here again!"

The girls gathered together, Natasha, and I ran towards them. Two girls bend down, I step on their palms, and kept my head high and chest out as they help me jump. In the air I pulled my legs to my arms and touched my insteps, doing a Toe touch. I crossed my arms around my chest as I dropdown. The girls caught me and we continued chanting.

"GO... PANTHERS!"

I landed on the ground and took a long breath. Everyone smiled at me and patted my back, I beamed and glanced at Natasha, she also landed safely and gave me a thumbs up.

I clapped and praised. "Good job, girls!" I looked back towards the field and saw Jim running towards the end zone.

I searched for Kevin and saw him running with the ball in his hands. I glimpsed at the counter, only one minute left.

"GO KEVIN!" I cheered, bouncing in my place, and watched him throw the ball towards Jim. I crossed my fingers and pray.

Please catch it, please catch the f**kin' ball!

Everyone got up from their seats and watched the ball in the air. It was like time got slower and in slow motion, the ball went down and Jim caught it.

"TOUCHDOWN!" Everyone screamed, and the time went out.

"We won," I whispered and looked at my team, then at the crowd jumping on their seats, celebrating. "We won!" I exclaimed, punching my fists in the air. Everyone, including me, ran towards the field.

Kevin took his helmet off and screamed. "Victory!" I laughed and ran towards him, colliding with his hard chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck and shook him.

"We Won!" I squealed, hugging him. He was sweaty, but whatever.

We Won!

He wrapped his hands around my waist, hugging me back tightly. "We Won!" He screamed. He picked me up and spun us, making me giggle. We let go, and I observed everyone jumping in enthusiasm.

"Come on." Kevin bent down. I got up on his shoulders and screamed.

"VICTORY!"

"PANTHERS... PANTHERS..." Everyone chanted in excitement.

My eyes darted towards the crowd and precisely towards Emily. She was bouncing and clapping furiously from her seat with Jax and others. My eyes darted to Noah and saw him clapping, looking happy.

He's happy, which means he's in a good mood.

* * * * *

After the celebration and Victory dance. The team went towards their locker rooms. I looked for Emily in the back and gestured for her to come.

"Can you take my bag to the locker room? I need to do something." I whispered.

Her brows knitted in confusion. "Sure, but where are you going-"

"Thank you!" I kissed her cheek and ran outside, pushing everyone in my way looking for Noah. I found Jax and Ivy with Viper and Darren, but Noah was nowhere.

"Hey." Jax offered his charming smile. "That was a great game."

"Yeah..." I whispered, scratching my hair, and looking behind him.

"Looking for someone?" Ivy came smirking.

"Yeah, but not you," I said deadpan and turned towards Jax. "You all are coming to the party, right?" I asked, not interested in anyone but Noah, obviously.

Jax opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by a shrilling voice. "Of course we are!" Ivy answered sweetly, smiling at me.

I rolled my eyes at her and turned towards Jax. "See you at the party then." I waved and went inside the locker room.

Noah where the hell are you?!

* * * * *

I tapped my foot impatiently and stood with crossed arms with Emily in the corner, observing the party.

"Why are you here again?" Emily asked for the nth time.

"Can't I stand here with you?" I glimpsed at her. "Don't you like my company, Em?" I pouted.

"Oh, I like it very much." She smiled, then narrowed her eyes at me. "But it is unusual for you to stand in the corner during a party, Lexi." She said sounding suspicious.

I ignored her and looked towards the door. Jax, Ivy, and everyone else arrived already, but Noah was nowhere to be found.

"Fine." I help my hands in surrender. "I'll leave you alone."

"What's going on?" She asked, raising her brows.

"Nothing," I muttered and went towards the kitchen to get a drink.

"Lexi!" I heard Jax calling me from the dance floor, but I acted like a deaf and stepped inside the kitchen.

There were few people in here, including Darren. I looked around to see if the Viper was near because I didn't want to get bitten by her. I went in and stood beside him. He was busy stuffing his face and didn't notice me.

I scrunched my face and watched him eat. How big is his stomach exactly?

"Hi, Darren." I greeted him to get his attention. He paused and looked at me in disbelief.

"Arr ew twkin tw mw?" He said with his mouth full.

"I speak English Darren and yes I'm talking to you," I replied, taking a chip from the bowl.

He swallowed quickly then choked, punching his chest. I rolled my eyes and extended a glass of- whatever he was drinking- towards him. He took it from me and gulped it down.

"Better?" I asked, patting his back.

"Yeah." He cleared his throat and smiled at me. "I'm good, but..." he gazed at me up and down, "... Are you okay?"

"Why? Don't I look okay?" I questioned biting the chip.

"No- I mean yes you look okay but you're talking to me." He pointed at himself, blinking.

"Yes, Darren, I'm talking to you." I titled my head. "Can't I?"

"Y-yes you can." He answered rubbing the back of his neck, getting flushed. "But this is the first time, so I just got confused..." He said in a low voice.

I chuckled at him. "I just wanted to ask something."

"Yeah sure." He said, composing himself.

"I... uh..." I trailed off, looking around to see any trace of a Viper. "Noah isn't here," I said finally looking at him. "Do you know if he's coming?" Darren stood there rapidly blinking his eyes. I gulped and looked around, then back at him. "Um... Darren?" I snapped my finger in front of him.

"Huh?" He shook his head, then observed me tilting his head. "I'm confused. You want to know about Noah?"

"Yeah..." I shifted under his gaze. "You know we are partners in Home Ec. and we kinda fought... I think-" I don't even know what that was, "- So I was thinking to sort it out with him..." I pressed my lips together to stop babbling and watched Darren.

"No, he's not coming..." He answered looking suspicious.

What's with him and Emily going all suspicious?!

"I can call him." He took his phone from his pocket, making my eyes grow big. I grabbed his hand and stopped him.

"Don't worry. I-I'll talk to him later. No worries!" I squeaked and gave him a nervous laugh before backing up. "Bye." I smiled and waved my hand, turning around.

Geez, Noah, I'm getting nervous because of you now!

* * * * *