There's a thrill lingering in the air waiting in the tunnel. The atmosphere's tense, the players are fueled with nerves and excitement. The crowds are ferociously hyped up, screaming and cheering for their home teams. The cheerleaders are also pepped up and cheerful, chatting to the players they're stood next too whilst they try and remain composed, game faces on.

The school, governors and their sponsors make the run out a tradition whenever we play home games since they spent so much money on the team and sports facilities. They feel whenever we play a home game it has to be done to show pride in the sport and pride in our school. It's supposedly all about school spirit but I think these investors just want to see their money being spent 'properly'.

I don't mind, I kind of like running out next to Blaze, his smile is so genuine when it involves football, it makes me all bubbly inside.

I look up to my side, having to crook my neck to see his face. Two black stripes cover his sharp cheekbones and perspiration lines his tensed jaw, his Adam's apple bobs delicately in his throat. He oozes determination and confidence, installing a nasty level of fear in his opponents. His eyebrows flow into a tick and his piercing eyes focus on the field ahead, they look almost electrified.

"See something you like Blondie?" His deep voice startles me alerting me to the fact I'd been staring at him longer than I'd thought. I quickly avert my gaze but not before I see the corners of his lips turn up. A deep blush settles on my cheeks making me rather skittish.

"I uh..."

"Don't worry I know I'm irresistible," He smirks giving me a side look. I roll my eyes and give him a playful shove, he grabs my arm and catches me before I step back. With one arm around my wrist and the other on my waist, he looks down at me, his gorgeous eyes scanning my face.

"Good luck Butterfly... try not to fall yeah?" He snickers and I give him another shove in the chest, obviously making no impact with his gear on. He ceases to let go but neither do I, not making any attempt to move. Next to my small body he makes me feel so safe, maybe it's just his size being a frigging muscle machine but I just felt so comfortable next to him.

A strange look crosses Blazes face as he abruptly drops my arm, clearing his throat and stares out at the field again. My neck heats and embarrassment fills my mind, I shouldn't have touched him, he's probably embarrassed by the fact I touched him, little mousey Grove.

"Uh... good luck," I mumble looking down at my trainers.

"I don't need-" He scoffs but I cut him off,

"Luck... I know you'll do great but..." I shrug, Blaze always does amazing, he's got some of the best stats in the sodding country and is an absolute pleasure to watch, it's really quite mesmerising. That thought reminds me of something.

"You know, I never got to ask you a question... after I danced yesterday..." I mumble, I feel Blaze tense slightly and the sound of cheers echos around us.

"You can ask me tonight when I take you to the party." He says, fiddling with his helmet.

"Wait, what party? I'm not going to a party!" I exclaim, panic rising in my chest. I can't go to a party, I need to get home quickly! I'm at a supposed extra after school AP class right now to the knowledge of my dad!

"After the game. I'll pick you up from where I dropped you last time." He states, no question.

"Wait but-" He's already started running out as the crowd's noise level doubles. I groan internally and follow him out onto the field, floodlights pounding down on the two of us.

At half time we finish up on a cheer routine, it's basic and fun but after much coaxing, I agreed to help Carrie with choreographing some more advanced routines. The team finishes up on our final basket in our pyramids and then I'm lowered to the ground.

The guys are sat a little further over on the reserved bleachers and Brady waves at me as I grab my water bottle. I wave back before I join Vixxie and Carrie.

"Hey, A you're going to the party right! You haven't been to a single one yet." Vixxie says as I lean my head against her shoulder. I groan.

"I think Blaze is making me."

The girls let out a mixture of giggles.

"What?" I ask sitting up to see them better, Emily chooses that moment to come over and join us, camera in hand. She's the official photographer for football games and other school events.

"Hey, you guys looked great out there!" Emily sits next to me resting her arm on my shoulder, we all smile and mumble a thanks. I continue nagging the girls, still supporting unfathomable grins.

"Seriously! What's so funny." I huff.

"Well you know... how Blaze is making you go to a party," Carrie snickers.

"What is going on between you two and don't say nothing because we all saw you two before the game... before you both got all awkward..." Vixxie winces.

"Yeah, I got a picture of it." Emily shows me her camera, a picture of Blaze and me, his arm on my waist and wrist as I attempt to shove him, both of us carrying big smiles. I won't deny the picture makes me all fuzzy inside and Emily's quick to point out the smile on my lips.

"We're just friends, honestly. Like all of you." I say matter of factly. I don't feel that way about Blaze, sure he's undeniably the most gorgeous guy I've ever seen and I get butterflies whenever he's around but I'm sure he makes every girl feel that way. The girls in the hallways all blush and giggle around him, he could have his pick of the lot so he wouldn't want Atlas Grove, "Even if I felt anything towards him, which I don't, Blaze would never ever go for someone like me." I laugh at the thought.

"Jesus A, please stop putting yourself down. I've been dating Rutherford for years now meaning I've been around Blaze for a while. He's always been very closed off and reserved even in their group of friends but recently he's been integrating himself more into the group, becoming a lot more talkative and less of an ass... kind of... and whenever someone mentions something about you or going out with you, he's the first one to say he's coming. He's happier. Blaze always says he doesn't do relationships but maybe he just hasn't met the right girl." Emily shakes my shoulders with a smile.

'Well, I am definitely not that girl." I roll my eyes. I know that for a fact.

Behind me, I hear the distinct laughter of a bit of a bitch. The snickering gets louder forcing us to turn around, met with Hannah and a few of her puppets, Connor and his are sat behind them- curious about our exchange. It's so clichè isn't it... the mean cheerleader and the popular jock boy.

"Hey mousey... You know I have a little joke you might find funny." Hannah purses her lips, the girls on her side popping their hips with giggles, "The joke is... Blaze actually liking someone like you." She laughs, getting closer to my face. The collection of chuckling behind me makes my face burn. Humiliation is shining down bright on me, my chest feels heavier and much tighter with everyone looking at me.

"How ironic, cat got your tongue, mousey?" A larger amount of laughter encloses me.

"Fuck off Hannah." Emily steps up beside me, frustration clear on her face, " I've just about had enough of your crap!" She nearly shouts, all this pent up anger at her old friend group is coming out and nobody stops her, she deserves to get it all out, "You're a nasty condescending bitch who-"

"Well well well, Emily! You know I should have expected you'd join the rejection gang. I'm sure Wednesday Adams, Mousey and bossy boots are happy to have you." I'm not sure why Carrie is bossy boots? I presume she's just jealous Carrie's head cheerleader. "Maybe you should pack up and head back to wherever you're from... it's starting to smell of... curry around here."

Emily's face contorts in hurt and embarrassment, she should never ever be made to feel humiliated of her ethnicity or family background. Before I know what I'm doing the rage inside me has slapped Hannah right across her face, I hear the gasps from around me but the strength of the anger is too overpowering.

I'm never one for violence especially with what happens at home but sometimes when all the pent up anger comes to the surface I have these angry breakdowns, I try and suppress them not wanting to feel like my dad but insulting my friends... that is not on.

"You are a cruel, racist, little bitch Hannah and I would be ashamed to be friends with you. Call me Mousey, I don't care, I've been called much worse. Come on! Give it your best shot!" She stares at me dumbfounded, "Oh cat got your tongue?" I mock, "But when you hurt my friends, you've crossed the line and that goes for all your little followers back there, you're just as bad as she is if you sit by and watch this happen." I look behind at the group of footballers and cheerleaders, they either scowl at me or hang their heads in shame as they should, "Honestly I pity you. You can't keep your legs straight, your tumbling is awful- complete shambles, you can't complete a back walkover without kicking yourself in the face and your extensions are weak. If your daddy didn't pay for your place you wouldn't be on this team. It's like they say, you're only as good as your weakest link." I snicker. All this newfound confidence hangs over me, maybe it's from what Blaze said the other day about not giving an 'F' or maybe it's the fact that she's a bully who hurts my friends.

I've lived with bullies my whole life, I don't need it at school too.

I watch as Hannahs face morphs into an ugly disfigured mess then she stomps her foot, the air around us is completely still- nobody knows how to react to my sudden outburst or the fact that Hannah's actually been given a taste of her own medicine.

"You- You Bitch!" She shouts bringing her hand up to the side of her face, I prepare for the impact of her slap, closing my eyes tight. I don't even mind, it's totally worth it for showing her up.

The sting never comes, opening my eyes slowly I see Blaze is stood in front of me holding Hannahs arm from hitting me, her face drains pale when he states through clenched teeth, "Put your fucking hand down." She slowly drops her hand and storms off with a few other girls... that's when reality sinks in and I realise the entire cheer and football team is looking at me, probably even those in the stands have seen some commotion over here.

"You alright?" Blaze turns around to look at me, placing his big hands on my tiny shoulders when I don't reply, I'm fixated on the many gazes looking at me, my face illuminating red. "Hey, chill Blondie. That was impressive, no fucks given yeah?" I finally bring myself to look at him and he's smiling down at me with pride.

"Well... I just... I... everyone's looking." I whisper, trying to shield myself behind his arms.

"Let them look, you stood up for yourself and your friends- that takes balls. The slap was the cherry on top though, that's bound to leave a mark." He lets out a low whistle, "You really are quite the mystery Atlas Grove." He shakes his head with a smile.

After I'd got rid of the initial shock and so had everyone else, I'd walked home to get changed. Nobody had expected me to burst like that, I hadn't even expected it but it felt kind of good, I'm fed up with taking shit. I always have this deep pit of anger inside of me that very rarely shows but I guess in some shitty generic way I inhabited my dad's temper.

All of my confidence diminishes once I've grabbed my stuff for the party and come down the stairs, I'd done my hair and makeup in my room and slipped on my work uniform- I told my dad I'd been called in to fill in for someone who's sick. My outsits sat in the duffle bag on my shoulder, I had to facetime Carrie and ask what one wears to something like this since I've never been...

"Well... I'll... I'll be back later." I mumble passing my dad lounged out in an armchair clutching a glass of scotch in one hand and the bottle in the other.

" Wait." He sighs as I try and escape past him, "Come here." He looks up at me with menace in his eyes, my heart thumps erratically. I bend down closer to him as he grabs my hair, I wince under the tightness of his grip. His palm makes contact with my cheek and I push back the sting as water gathers at my lashline.

"Why couldn't you be home like normal, like Jenny was." He slurs venomously, way passed sober. I say nothing, unsure of what to say in this situation. Whenever I do say anything I just get a repeat of whatever he's just inflicted.

He pushes me away and I take that as my opportunity to dash out of the house. The cool night air cushioning my reddening cheek. I resist the urge to cry and not ruin my make up as I start my walk to the place where Blaze is picking me up.

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