Jace's big soccer game was today. At our school, soccer games are like Friday night football, everyone goes to them and shows their school spirit.

We got to the field and Cal ran off to be with his friends and I took Hal with me. We went over to Sebby and Lily who were hanging out with a couple of other people In a group. "Hey guys," I greeted as I walked over carrying Hal on my hip.

"Heyyyyy it's Alexissss," Lily exclaimed obviously drunk.

"Lily, what are you doing, if you get caught drinking on school property you'll get suspended," I scolded.

"Lighten up Lex,"Lily slurred, "Watching these kids sure made you less fun."

"Lex, what's happening?" Hal asked. I had totally forgotten I was holding Hal and let out a sigh, "Sebby, can you please watch lily and make sure she gets home okay after the game?"

"Sure thing," Sebby said and so I left the group. I took Hal over to a part of the bleachers where it was less crowded. We sat down right as the game started.

...

The whole game had been pretty intense, both teams were equally good, and it came down to the sheer will to win. The score was tied, 0 all.

The game had mostly been played on our side of the field, but we had a strong defense so we kept them away from the goal.

Jace, one of the forwards, had had no opportunity to get the ball because of the other teams phenomenal passing. I could see Jace getting a bit frustrated at his lack of action.

All of the sudden, a man went down from our side. One of the other teams forwards was yellow carded, and we were given a break to take care of and assess our guy.

My phone vibrated with a text from Jace.

'that was r best defense. we r done.'

I responded.

'Don't say that, just get the ball and score! -Hallie'

Jace called.

"Hey Lexi, can I talk to Hal?" He requested.

I handed the phone to the little girl and she said, "You got this Jacey I believe in you!"

"Thanks Hal." I heard him chuckle on the other end. "Put me on speaker phone."

"Lexi, put Jace on speaker phone." Hallie said, handing my phone to me.

I pushed the button and Jace's voice spoke out, "I'm gonna win this game for my two beautiful girls." And then he hung up.

"Lexi! Jace called you beautiful!!!" Hal exclaimed.

"No Hal, he called you beautiful." I corrected.

"No Lex, he called us beautiful." Hal sassed back.

"Whatever." I mumbled.

"You two are going to grow up and get married and have beautiful babi-"

"Be quiet now Hal." I said as she smirked. Oh god we have a mini Jace.

The game restarted with one minute left on the clock, and Jace stole the ball from the middle, taking it to the goal where he kicked it into the corner.

"YAY Jacey!" Hallie screamed as his teammates ran towards him and threw him on their shoulders.

A few people around us heard her and chuckled.

"Probably his child." Scoffed Alyssa, the chicc that Jace had just broken up with.

"Actually she's his little sister." I retorted.

Jace flashed me a thumbs up, and I nodded. Then he pointed to his friends which signaled that he was going out to party.

After the game, I texted Cal and told him to meet me by the concession stand. As I was waiting, I saw Lacy, Cal's girlfriend. I was about to go say hi, when I noticed a guy go up to her, and he looked like a junior. Lacy looked around and then started kissing him, the guy had dark hair, was very muscular, and definitely wasn't Cal.

I debated what I should do, but eventually anger got the best of me and I stormed over to her. I still had Hal in my arms so I covered her ears, "You bitch." Lacy looked up and then whispered something to the boy she was with and he smirked, and walked away.

"Hey Lexi," she said perkily.

"I dont know what you think you're doing Lacy, but you need to tell Cal and apologize."

Lacy scoffed, "You want me to tell Cal? As if."

"If you don't tell him, then I will," I threatened, "Cal deserves better than a backstabbing bitch like you."

"Go ahead, tell him,"Lacy said, "But who's he going to believe? His babysitter or the love of his life?"

"You're pathetic," I whispered and then walked off.

I went back to the concession stand and there was Cal, "Lets go," I fumed and we walked to the car.

<><><><><><>

We got home and I put Hallie to bed, when I got a call from jace, "hey jace, where are you?"

"So long story short... I'm at the bridge."

"What?" I asked annoyed.

"It wasn't intentional, my friend was supposed to give me a ride but he came here to get some weed instead and now I can't find him," He explained, "Please don't tell cal, just come get me."

"Fine," I said and hung up. "Cal, Can you keep an eye on Hallie? Jace needs a ride home," I asked and then went out the door before he could answer. I grabbed my keys and got in the car

...

I pulled into the 'Bridge,' and it was packed with kids from our school that must have come after the game. I pulled out my phone and called jace, but he didn't answer.

"Fück it," I sighed and grabbed the pocketknife Tyler gave me and left the car to go find Jace. As I walked, I kept the knife in one hand in my pocket and my phone in the other. I went over to a part of the bridge that was less crowded and then I saw him, he was sitting on a wall talking to one of the other soccer players on his team.

I was about to make my way over to Jace when someone stepped in front of me and blocked my view. "Hey there beautiful," The guy who stepped in front of me slurred, obviously drunk.

"Excuse me," I said and tried to push past him, but he grabbed my arms and kept me in place. "I have a knife." I warned.

"Get your filthy hands off of her," A voice said and then the guys body shuddered and he let go of my wrists. I looked around to see jace holding his now bloody hand from throwing a punch. "Shit, are you okay Lex?" He asked and jogged over to me.

"Im fine jace, but I was perfectly capable of handling him on my own," I lied.

"Mmmmhmmm," He said sarcastically and grabbled my hand with his good one, "Lets get out of here."

"Jace, Lacy is cheating on Cal." I blurted out.

"What?" Jace asked shocked.

"She was with some junior kid earlier today." I rushed, not able to control myself, "What do we do?"

"We'll sit him down and tell him tomorrow." Jace said rationally.

"Ok." I murmured.

Jace and I started walking, and as soon as we cleared the big group of smoking teenagers, we were back to the place I parked my car. As he released my hand so he could get into the passenger seat, I noticed that Jace didn't let go of his grip on my hand the whole walk over here.

As I started the car I looked over at Jace, the lighting was bad so I couldn't really make out his expression, but from what I saw he was shaken. "Are you okay?" I asked as I pulled the car out.

"Am I okay?" Jace whispered, "That guy could have raped you and you're worried about me?"

"Uhh, Yeah," I said, "He didn't rape me and thats all that matters."

Jace took a deep breath, "if anything would have happened to you, it would have been my fault

"Jace, it's ok. Tyler bought me a knife and I had it in my hand. I was fine." I soothed.

"Sorry," Was all he said and then looked out the window and didn't say a word the rest of the drive.

...

When we had gotten back to the house, I put Hallie in bed, and made Cal lay down, letting him play on his phone before going to retire to my room. Jace stopped me on the way however and asked, "Can you help me bandage my hand?"

"Yeah," I sighed, and got out the first aid kit.

I put a wrap around his hand, but he looked away from me as I handed him an ice pack.

"Jace," I said softly, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." He grumbled and ran towards the steps.

"Jace! You can tell me you know!" I shouted after him.

He sighed and walked back, placing his hands on my shoulders when he got to me. I crossed my arms. "Really, Lexi, I'm fine."

I frowned.

He kissed me on the forehead, and then froze, seemingly surprised with himself.

I quickly pushed him away and just stared at him...

Jace Johnson just kissed my forehead.