"Sorry I wasn't able to get you the doughnuts this time, sir," Evan joked as dad tightly shook his hand, muttering a friendly goodbye.

If looks could kill, Evan would be six feet under because the glare Gray was sending his way was terrifying to put it lightly. For one thing, he didn't liked the idea of getting outshine by the other boy and that fact that I reprimanded him from doing anything just doubled his frustrations.

But Evan, being the laidback boy that he was, ignoring the growling guy who was shooting daggers with his eyes. To provoke him even more, he jumped in to make an amusing remark which successfully elicited a hearty chuckle from my father.

Massaging my temples, I groaned at the situation. I seriously don't have the energy to deal with this due to the lack of sleep that I have to thank Vivian's loud snores for.

Speaking of my co-captain, she forgone the farewells and was now sleeping soundly inside my car, her body clumsily sprawled on the backseat.

I moved forward and touched Evan on the arm, silently telling him that all the while I was thankful that he was in such good terms with my parents, it was my turn to handle things. With a tightlipped smile, he headed to sit on the hood of my vehicle; that left me with Gray and my parents standing there on the patio steps.

Tugging him slightly by the hand so he would take I step forward, I cleared my throat and urged him to make the first move.

Hell, my attempts of introducing him as my boyfriend had all burned down into an ugly pile of ashes so I might as well leave him to his own devises – hopefully, it would have a better outcome.

"Thank you for your hospitality," he practically forced himself to spit out and I had to take a moment to register the stiffness in his tone, "Sorry for the sudden interruption last night."

Dad blinked up at him before his gaze became uncharacteristically strict, assessing him intently. It was weird though, I already consulted him about dating someone who was a contrast to Evan so I was hoping that he was at least expecting this. Maybe mom informed him about Gray's not-so-perfect reputation and now, he was less accepting than I initially thought.

But because this was Gray we were talking about, he possessed some kind of immunity from adult's scrutinizing looks. He was unfazed by the obvious disapproval as he stuck out a hand, trying to endure this as much as possible for my sake.

Forcing a smile, I tried playing the sweet daughter act to get this over with, "Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Gray."

Although rather compromising, they grasped hands and had this courteous handshake. The other house's door swung open and out came Hallie. Knowing her, she had definitely been spying on us through the window and found this as the perfect opportunity to interrupt.

"Clara," she bounded the steps, grabbing my hand to pull me away, "I can't believe you were about to leave without saying goodbye."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the blatant show of pretense. We already bid our farewells this morning but she ignored this fact and kept on with her lie, "Hallie, if I leave them then everything would turn into a mess."

"But if you don't then you're just going to fool yourself," she retorted and sat me down in front of her own house, a good earshot away from dad's, "And I know you value uncle's opinion."

This managed to silence me and a smile crept on her face, swinging an arm around my shoulder as she patted my head, "Glad to see our Clara understands."

Swatting her hand away, I grumbled a bunch of incoherent words under my breath which she skillfully pretended not to hear. We watched in silence as Gray and my dad released their hold of each other's hands, Evan still sat there with his arms crossed as he tried to gauge what was going to happen next, and my mother stood behind dad, as if she was condescending the teenager with her eyes.

If he leaves me because of them I'm going to throw a huge fit. Have you heard me in my worst? It's comparable to a screeching banshee because when I'm angry, my voice goes an octave higher.

"You know, when I thought that you and Evan looked so good together, I now believe that I underestimated how happy you can be," she muttered next to me, "Because if you were smiling and laughing with Evan, you're positively glowing with Gray around."

That was so corny that I'm surprised I didn't barf. Though, this wasn't enough for me to stop her because I was quite interested in this conversation.

"Don't pretend that you weren't pouting when you came yesterday," she teased, lightly poking my cheek, "And when that boy arrived, it was as if you forgot that our whole family was watching, including our prude grandparents."

I didn't try to deny it because it was true, when I saw him, I felt like time stopped because my brain somehow needed all the concentration in the world to process that it was really him in front of me. After a week of no assurance, he finally came back right on the day he promised that he would come.

The urge to touch him and savor that moment was the only thing that occupied my mind. Everything else was pushed back as if they didn't matter.

"And besides," she snickered mischievously, rubbing her hands together, "With me already married, you're next girl to get hitched."

That was what got me too shot up into a standing position and she was obviously holding back her laughter with little success. With an accusing finger towards her direction, I spoke, "I love Gray and all, but I have no intention of walking down the aisle anytime soon."

All of her giggles died down in her throat as her eyes widened and her jaw slackened. Surprisingly, she lunged forward and pulled me into an embrace, "That was the first time you admitted that you love someone."

Okay, another true statement but the way she reacted looked like she was about bawl in front of me.

"I wholeheartedly approve," she said as she placed me in arm's length, her hands heavy on my shoulders, "Don't worry about uncle, I'll take care of it."

Wait, what?

Before I could respond, she was already dragging me back towards the small group. What I have learned from growing up with this girl was that it rarely goes well when she says that she'll handle it but hey, it sometimes goes by to my favor so I'm going to lean back and watch for this one.

It was unnecessary though because the way Gray suddenly yelled, "I love her!" made me think that even the chickens heard him.

No, I didn't start crying nor did I want to hug the life out of him for such a public declaration but my expression softened and I felt like my feelings for him grew more if that was even possible.

Dad stilled for a good minute, too shock to show a reaction and I stopped Hallie from going any nearer. I opted to stay there right next to Evan who also showed a huge amount of surprise at Gray's bravery to announce it like that.

And the first one to create any kind of movement was my mother who graced a soft smile, Gray finally getting her approval. Even though the message was for him, she directed her words to dad, "Just like how you used to say it to the school."

Remembering their stories, I could picture out a gangly sweet boy who finally had enough of having others judge him. It wasn't unusual to have so many people to talk about him, he was dating the head cheerleader and maybe they thought that she was too good for him. From the fond look my mother had, it seemed like this was one of the few good memories they shared.

Then, dad turned to face me as he knew I was already there, "It was him, wasn't it?"

He was referring to that conversation we had when I ran from home, when I came to him at an ungodly hour of the night. Nodding, it seemed to do the trick as he slapped Gray on the back with a sigh, "Well, I guess I trust my daughter's decision more than anything."

"Happy?" was the single worded question that escaped Evan's lips. It was barely audible and I was sure that I was the only who heard it. My parents and Gray were now in the middle of another discussion so I glanced at him and I answered.

"Very."

He smiled and leaned against my car, finding my reply satisfactory, "Good."

Reaching down, I wrapped my finger around his wrist before mouthing, "Thank you."

And I'm pretty sure Gray would never bother to put down his pride to show his gratitude to him so I took it upon myself to show my appreciation for his behalf and also, I was quite thankful as well. Without him, Gray and Vivian might still be on the road up until now.

"Anytime," he shrugged nonchalantly and I released him just as Gray walked back to me.

"That was brave," I laughed, taking his hand in mine, "I'm glad."

"At least I did it right this time," he mumbled and if it was possible, my grin became wider. He wasn't happy with the way he handles things and the crease in his forehead told me that he wanted nothing more than to leave.

Although what unsettled me was the way my parents talked to each other. All kind of hostility was out of the way and when they shared a quick embrace, I tried to ignore that chill than ran down my spine. That was such an uncomfortable sight that I tried to hold back a cringe.

Slowly, they came up to us and dad opened his arms for me. Stepping into them, I hugged him tightly before I mumbled, "Thanks dad."

"Anytime," he replied the same way Evan did earlier and I internally chuckled at the coincidence.

I practically begged Evan and Gray to endure another five hour drive together because Vivian was passed out on my backseat and it would be too compromising if I left my mother with my boyfriend. According to them, nothing eventful happened during the trip and the lack of bruises from both men led me to finally believe them.

***

Even though the large point gap was already a promise that we would win the game, when the timer buzzed loudly, our side of the bleachers started jumping and yelling as loud as they can, throwing the posters and balloons the girls and I passed around in hopes of boosting the school spirit.

Gray didn't even wait until he reached the benches, he removed his helmet before raising his arms in victory, grinning so widely that I was afraid that his face was going to fall off. The drumline beat down on their instruments as the cheerleaders threw their pompoms into the air, meeting the boys halfway through the field.

They carried various members of the team on their shoulders with some of the audience hopping off of the bleachers to cheer them as well.

Once my boyfriend was safely back on the ground, I leaped into his arms, hugging him as he lifted me off of my feet, "You won!"

"We won," he corrected through the midst of sounds surrounding us. Laughing, I leaned down to give him a quick peck on the lips before he placed me down, getting once again lost in the crowd who were so eager to congratulate him.

With the play that he showed, it would be more doubtful if he didn't seal his college deal yet. Even if he slacked off with the practice after disappearing for a week, he proved that he was more skillful than people gave him credit. Chucking goal after goal, even managing to place a touchdown at some point, and every time he added points to the counter, my cheers got louder.

Even though it was the eve of my birthday and the competition, I have never been so willing to stay up all night to celebrate before. Usually at times like these, I would have banned the girls from even touching a single drop of beer but this calls for a party indeed.

During the middle of the week, one of the boys had informed us that his parents gave him permission to host a part in their house so we already had a destination to go to.

They shook hands with the other school before all of us headed into the guest locker rooms. I had to mentally applaud the team for the speed they possessed with changing out of their uniforms because in a matter of minutes, we were all dressed in our casual clothing. We then filed back into the buses that would bring us back to our school.

We were in a separated vehicle from the boys but I guess that was easier since we all knew how rowdy they would be right after snatching the title.

"Girls," I called their attention when we were finally on the road, "I don't really care if you get drunk, start dancing on tables, or sleeping with whoever you may think of, but I do not want anybody to use that as an excuse to be a mess tomorrow."

They were silent for a while, accepting their freedom but also dreading the outcome.

"It's our last competition for state finals. If we're lucky enough, they might consider throwing us into the nationals so for the love of everyone, control yourselves."

Simultaneous responses of confirmation rung around us and I nodded even though they couldn't see me. Vivian, who was busy with typing on her phone to even pay attention, only hummed absentmindedly to my command.

"I never thanked you for agreeing with Gray, haven't I?" I spoke and that's when she finally looked up, "Though it only ended up with you two asking for Evan's help then probably arguing the whole way."

"What can I say," she shrugged, leaning against her seat, "I knew you were going to need your annoying sidekick."

Laughing, I shook my head before nudging her with my elbow, "And you need your bitchy captain."

She didn't try to deny it and I smiled, my mood considerably better for the rest of the trip. We arrived at the school earlier than the boys so we were all stuck waiting by our cars, knowing that it was pointless to drive to the house when the occupant wasn't even there yet.

"Two things I learned from visiting your dad's place," Vivian muttered as she fixed her makeup using the small compact mirror she brought, "One, Evan Matthews is a jerk and second, your cousins are hillbilly assholes."

I resisted the urge to scoff at her statement as I crossed my arms over my chest. It was better to keep my mouth shut on this one and let her rant because this is too damn entertaining to put a stop on it.

"Like I know he's hot and all but he has such a fucking horrible mouth," she grunted and I only nodded, biting my lip to hide my smile, "But then again, if someone has that dirty of a mouth then I could just imagine what he can do to me using it."

At that, I almost fell off of the hood of my car. Her eyes were now twinkling with a newfound determination before her hands clasped together, "He'll be at the party, right?"

Evan, if I were you, I would run.

"I guess..." I trailed off and this gave her more hope, grinning mischievously at the thought. Discreetly pulling out my phone from my pocket, I shot Evan a quick text to warn him about the storm that was heading his way.

After what felt like hours, the bus finally pulled into the parking lot and I felt a sudden gush of relief. I swear, if I hear anymore of Vivian's plans to get Evan to put her dirty mouth on her, I'm going to start throwing up.

By the way, her words, not mine.

"Now what are you two talking about now?" Gray stalked to our direction and probably getting the hint from my disgruntled face, he figured out that it was something less than pleasant, "Want to ride with me?"

And this guy has proven himself to be my saving grace.

"Here," I tossed Vivian my car keys, "Drive my baby safely."

Although she wasn't too willing to do so, I gave her a look that left no room for any protest. Rolling her eyes, she pushed herself off of the hood before going to the driver's seat. Well, it was either that or she walks because we actually came here together.

Once we were safely in Gray's car and he was driving us towards the house of the party, it was then he questioned me, "Should I ask?"

"Let's just say Vivian's attraction with Evan is not yet over," was my simple answer, "And she was so open with her thoughts."

Even though I didn't straight up told him, he cringed at the idea, "And I thought the fucking arguing while in the car was enough to tear them apart."

"They won't be a couple though," I spoke, crossing my legs one on top of the other, "He has this no nonsense attitude and then there's Vivian, who you know, is too Vivian."

Truth to be told, I can't think of any other way to describe her.

"Opposites attract," he stated the same old corny line that everybody tries to say as a justification from getting out of the norm.

I had to snort in response because our relationship was a prime examples that it wasn't true. He tried dating some bunch of good girls and they never worked out – although there were some external forces – but still, if you're just going to argue because of the huge amount differences then might as well call it quits.

When people say that they're falling for the opposite, they're just fooling themselves. You can't be in love with someone on the other side of the spectrum, you need a common ground.

"Ah my sweet, sweet Clara," he drawled out, "Says the one person who managed to keep me locked in her grasp after a fall out."

"Because we're not opposites," I justified and he chuckled, setting his hand on my thigh that effectively made all of my following arguments dissolve into thin air. I sighed contentedly, sinking deep into my seat and I threw my head back with my eyes closed.

This was perfect.

Well, for about another hour or so.

Trashed – that was the most accurate way to describe the party. Some guy was dancing shirtless on one of the tables as people hooted at him and I could only lift an eyebrow at the scene. Hm, football did some good things on those abs of his though.

That wasn't all of it because the amount of times I had to catch someone who was toppling down while I was nothing but an innocent bystander was too damn high. They would clutch on to me, saying something incomprehensible and I would only set them down on the floor, giving them a leaf from the houseplant to hug.

Weird? I say that's the fun part.

What's not a freaking fun was the way I saw cheerleaders left and right getting themselves wasted. I've snatched enough drinks from them to fill up a mini pool because every time I chastise them, they would only go on their way to grab themselves another drink.

When I took another plastic cup from one of them, she groaned in protest before walking away. Rolling my eyes, I turned the knob of the nearest door, knowing that it was a bathroom, to get rid of the alcoholic beverage down the sink.

I stopped in my tracks the moment I glanced into the room as I saw Evan pressed against the wall with a tight lip lock with Vivian. Clearing my throat rather loudly, the two of them separated and she flashed me a smirk while her victim looked like he was caught in a daze, his jaw slacked open.

Truth to be told, I don't even know how to react.

Looking down on the cup that I was to dispose, I brought the edge to my lips before chugging it down in one go. Wiping the side of my mouth, I stepped back before slowly closing the door.

Interesting.

"Hey Clara," someone slurred and I turned to my side, tilting my head at the boy swaying his way to me.

Before he could even take another step, he was violently pulled back by Gray, easily shoving him to the side as he casually dusted his hands off and giving me a wink. Laughing at the sudden happening, I failed to warn him about the occupants of the bathroom because after he opened the door, I swear that I saw his brows go high up into his hair.

He gave me a look that clearly displayed 'should I ask' and I merely shrugged to this. Vivian, sensing another interruption, detangled herself from Evan and grumbled out her frustrations.

"I'm getting myself a drink," she muttered before happily tapping Evan by the cheek, "See you later."

We could only watch as she exited the room and made her way to the kitchen. Turning back to Evan, he appeared that he was a breath away from fainting as he carefully sat himself on the edge of the bathtub, "What the fuck was that?!"

"Kissing, making out, snogging, smooching," I listed off, "Any way you want to call it."

I'm so calm about this that I was surprised with myself. Normally, I would have bit Vivian's head off for trying to fool Evan like that but now, I'm relatively neutral.

I sighed before I helped him up to feet, being in this stuffy room wasn't going to get us anywhere. Gray and I led him outside into the back garden with my boyfriend swatting a few girls away who drunkenly tried to latch themselves onto him.

"How many have you had for the night?" I questioned once we were stepping on the grassy ground.

"About more or less eight," he chuckled, referring to the array of ladies who dared to defy me and came too near for something that they claim as a friendly conversation, "You?"

"Three," I replied smoothly as I sat Evan down on one of the chairs, "Two from some other school and the one you just tugged away."

I see the boys were more aware of our relationship status than the girls. Besides, nobody and I meant nobody ever got near me unscathed even when we weren't dating yet.

Well, except for the groaning boy staring right at us. Sniffing the alcohol in his breath, I could now conclude how Vivian managed to convince him into a session. Although, she was already intoxicated herself when I caught them.

"When you two wake up tomorrow, this will be just a fuzzy mess," I told him, "So if I were you, go take up one of the beds upstairs and wait this out."

He shook his head before carefully standing up, "I'm going to hunt for Erin and make her drive me back."

I was already hesitant to make him go home because he already drank quite a bit and I'm not really reassured to hear that the lamb, who could possibly hold up less alcohol than he can, was the one behind the wheel.

"She doesn't drink," Gray answered my unspoken worries as Evan walked away, "She claims that she hates the way alcohol stings her throat or something."

"Like that time you dragged her to her first after party and is the reason why I got completely wasted?" I reminded, rolling my eyes at the memory, "Only for me to wake up in your bed in the morning and then getting my ankle twisted during the competition after?"

Nope, still not over that.

He wrapped an arm around my waist to pull me closer, obviously trying to calm me because I was near fuming. Bending down, he captured my lips with his and I wanted to retract, I really did, but it was completely useless – I was wrapped around his finger.

When he stopped, he tilted his head and let his lips linger on the skin of my jaw and I knew I was a goner. Kissing right above my pulse point, I clutched his jacket to pull him closer to me, desperate for more contact.

His chuckle broke off the spell and my eyes widened, writhing in this grip while shooting him a glare, "You're messing with me."

Grinning, he pressed his lips on my forehead and my eyes instinctively closed. It was chaste, a complete contrast from the one we shared earlier but the effect was just the same.

We entered one of the many guestrooms of this house but instead of making out on the bed or anything, all we did was dive into the covers after the fatigue and exhaustion finally caught up with our bodies as we both knew that there was no way that we were going to reach any of our houses without causing any accidents.

It was past midnight and both of us wanted nothing more but to sleep.

And when he wrapped his arms around me as I laid my head on his chest, we slowly drifted into a peaceful rhythm, effectively blocking out the noise coming from downstairs.

Like my earlier statement, this was perfect.

Completely and utterly perfect.

"Clara," he whispered just as I was nodding off, giving into the slumber that wanted to pull me in.

"Hm?" I hummed, closing my eyes.

"Happy birthday."

--------------

Let me be a sap for a while, alright? So I had my first ever signing last Sunday and it was so surreal. I was a mess to be honest because I was buried with schoolwork the night prior so I only had three hours of sleep but my gosh, my heart felt like it was more alive than ever. I was able to put a face to many of my regular commenters or those who always messaged me and honestly, it was in that single moment did it finally sink that I was doing something right with my writing. To see that boy whose hands were shaking because he was too nervous and excited to even hold his phone properly to take a picture or to look at those people who was grinning madly as they walked to me was so touching. I didn't care if I was too tired to even think properly, I was the happiest that I could be.

In Clara's words, it was completely and utterly perfect.

Question: Win the competition or nah?

To those who sent me a cover and wasn't featured yet, there may be two reasons: I may have accidentally skipped you (sorry but people send them through different social media platforms so it's difficult to keep track) or I've received it but you didn't say what was your username. I appreciate every cover you guys make me so of course I want to show it to others as well so if you did send me one and it wasn't put up, just e-mail it to me ([email protected]) again.

And with that, I'll do a quick wrap-up with my author's note. I love you guys so freaking much that I shouldn't really but I do. Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow; I shall see you all next chapter!