"Nick! Over here!", yelled Hunter.

I leaned back against the bleachers, taking in the afternoon's sunlight. God knows I could use some tan right now.

I decided to stay back after school for Hunter's soccer practice. It had been long since I saw him slay his game; and well, I had other motives as well.

"I'm open! Pass me the ball!"

I watched as Hunter carefully and professionally steered the ball toward the goal, dodging the other players and making eye contact with the goalkeeper until he finally put it in.

"GOAL!!!", his teammates cheered.

I smiled. He had not lost his touch at all. I could be exaggerating, but for me, he was the next Ronaldo.

After saying bye to his teammates, he jogged back towards me. I handed him his water bottle and towel.

"Hey, you."

"Hey yourself. Pretty nice seeing you here. Reminds me of the days when my mom used to pick me up from school", he said, giving me a cheeky smile.

"Shut up", I said, rolling my eyes.

"So, what did you think? Of the game?"

"Slayed it as usual."

"You're probably praising me too much. I feel like I'm outta shape", he said picking up his bag. "Come let's go."

I jumped off the bleachers and caught up to him. "Well, as part of the audience I didn't notice that, so I'd say it's a good sign."

He laughed. "The inter-school tournament's coming up soon so the coach said the practice's gonna be every day from next week onwards."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing? The everyday practice I mean. The tournament on the other hand will be the talk of the town for quite some time I'm sure."

"Everyday practice is good. It'll put me back on track. And the team too-"

I looked at him. "But?"

"But what?"

"You paused there. So I'm sure there's something else."

"Geez, you know me too well."

"You almost say it like it's a bad thing."

"No. No, it's not, just a tad bit creepy", he said chuckling.

I rolled my eyes.

"So anyway, despite everything, no sign of the captaincy for me."

"What? Why? You deserve it more than anyone!"

Hunter looked at me surprised.

I looked back at him confused. "What?"

"You forgot Kyle. If there's anyone who's going to get the captaincy for sure, it's him."

"I didn't see him at practice today though."

"He had to leave early. Doctor's appointment or something."

I stopped him in his tracks and held his hand. "Hey. Captaincy or no captaincy, everyone knows your worth. And I think that's more important than some namesake position."

He smiled faintly. "Yeah, I guess. Thanks."

His face suddenly lit up. "You know what would cheer me up even more? You joining the cheerleading squad."

I looked at him in disbelief. "Yeah, no way is that happening. Not with Ashley as the cheerleading captain. And besides, I don't have to worry about the ball being kicked on my face while I'm on the bleachers."

Hunter laughed. "So?"

I frowned at him. "So......?"

"What do you need?"

"What do you mean?"

"Mer, I know you stayed back not just to watch me. So tell me. What happened?"

I smiled internally. We do know each other well.

"Right. So the thing is, I'm bored. And Frozen 2 is out. So I wanted to ask if we could go watch a movie today", I said making a puppy face.

He began laughing. "You're such a child Mer. You could have just called or texted me-"

"I know but I figured I hadn't seen you play in a long time. So, two birds, one stone."

"I wish you'd told me this earlier. I'd have come along. The thing is, I have to head over to Lea's to finish off our biology assignment."

"Oh."

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry."

"No, no it's alright. Seems like you're a busy man. Do I need to make appointments from now on?"

He chuckled. "By the way, it's Frozen 2. Why would you even need me for it? It's such a girly movie."

"Would be lying if I said you weren't the girliest person I know."

"Haha. So funny."

He looked at me, a sad smile on his face. "I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."

I smiled, hugging him. "It's just a movie, don't worry about it. I'll go with the girls."

"Okay. C'mon, I'll drop you home."

"No, it's fine. I was thinking of going to Heather's. And besides, I wouldn't sit on that damn bike. You need to get your car license soon."

"Yes ma'am."

------

"Ugh. Could she be any slower!", I said, rolling over on Heather's bed. Abi was to pick us up for the movie.

"She should be here any minute now."

Thankfully Heather and Abigail were free that evening and could relieve me of my boredom, considering Hunter had bailed on me.

"We're going to be late! And I need popcorn. My tastebuds are already craving it", I whined.

Heather rolled her eyes. "Well, I am a tad bit upset for being your second choice you know."

"Aw Heather. I'm so sorry. You know I didn't mean it like that. I'm just so used to going to him for everything in my life."

"Yeah yeah. I'm kidding. But he sure does need to balance his priorities."

"It's okay. He's been doing it for 15 years. I could cut him some slack."

"15 years is nothing if you're looking to go forever. You know?"

I looked at her and smiled. I knew she was right.

Just then, we heard Abi honking.

"Hey girls. Am I on time or am I on time!", Abi winked.

"You're late", I said chuckling.

Abi had just recently gotten her driving licence. It was such bliss. Finally one of us had it!

"Hey, you can't blame me. I'm still getting used to this thing."

"Does that mean we're not going to make it in one piece?", Heather gasped.

"One more word about my driving and you better think of walking to the cinema."

I couldn't help but laugh. I loved my girls.

-----

After buying the tickets, we waited in line at the snacks counter.

"I'm gonna have one huge tub of salt and caramel popcorn and coke!", I beamed. I could already feel my mouth watering.

Heather and Abi laughed. "You never eat so much, what's with the craving?"

They were right. "I don't know. I guess I might be getting my period soon. That could explain the craving."

Personally, when I'm about to hit that time of the month, I get some messed-up cravings. One minute I want some ice cream and the next an entire packet of chips; or a whole McDonald's meal to myself and then just a chocolate bar. There's no in-between.

"Next please!", the woman at the counter yelled.

"Hi, I'd like one large tub of salt and caramel popcorn, 2 cokes and a medium salt and cheese popcorn."

Since Abi and Heather weren't going mad over the popcorn like me, they decided to share one.

After paying the woman, we took our respective snacks and made our way to the movie hall.

"I'm so excited!!!", I said. "I was waiting for this for so long."

"Me too. I loved the first part and I hope the second-"

Thud.

The next thing I knew, someone had bumped into me and my coke had fallen, splattering itself on the floor.

I could hear a boy's voice apologizing and reflex taking over, I bent down to pick up the cup and straw. I barely looked at the person who bumped into me.

"I'm so sorry", the boy said.

"It's alright", I said standing up.

"Summer?"

I finally looked up. The boy had been Kyle. He was wearing a baseball cap and it made sense why I didn't recognize him earlier. I was so dazed that I didn't even recognize his voice. Apparently, neither had he.

"I'm so sorry. Let me go get you another one."

"Kyle, it's okay-" and before I could say anything more, he went and got me another coke and a packet of M&Ms as an apology.

"Here", he said handing it to me. "I was so busy in my world, I didn't even realize who was ahead."

I smiled. "It's alright. Everyone makes a mistake."

"Except this time it was mine. Next time maybe we could grab a beer or something", he whispered. "I'll see you at school."

It was all I could do to contain myself. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach and the lingering smell of his perfume.

I was so focused on him that I didn't even realise Ashley was there.

She walked up to me, clearly angry. "I'm warning you to stay away from him", she sneered. "Don't make me repeat myself or I swear to God I will hurt you where it'll hit the most."

I looked at her, my heart pounding in my chest. What did she mean by that?

She walked off, leaving the realization to hit me.

It was a threat.