State Championships.

The sports field is buzzing. Every seat is filled with screaming supporters for both teams. I heard they're even turning people away at the doors now. The atmosphere is intense, full of excitement and anticipation. Each particle in the air electrified around us.

This is the final step before nationals. The final win for the boys before their last competition as high school seniors- their last game together before we all go separate ways.

Even the ground feels electric, my body hums with energy every time I place my foot down. I'm excited but also so nervous, I know they have it in them to win but you never know what could happen.

Red and white obscure most of my vision as I stretch out by the side of the bleachers, everyone's got that go big or go home attitude, all in the school colours tonight and sat in my cheer uniform my heart leaps a little finally feeling a part of something important and normal.

Vixxie and Carrie are stretching out beside me, both wearing nervous grins. I don't think they've ever performed in front of a crowd so big and it doesn't help the rival team have been throwing us dirty looks all night, trying to secretly get closer to our boys.

Speak of the devils, they make their way along the edge of the field ignoring the rise in volume from the crowd. I'm still in awe at the mass of numbers, the game doesn't even start for another forty-five minutes and it's packed.

They plonk down on the bench in front of us in their gear, sipping from their water bottles as they eye the crowd. Small grins creeping onto every one of their faces. Emily happens to catch the moment with a click of her camera, barely audible over the cheering.

"How are you guys feeling?" She asks crouching beside us. Blaze stays quiet, his knee bouncing up and down, staring at the tiny blades of grass...

"Pumped." Ethan fits bumps rutherford who nods at his enthusiasm.

"Ready to KICK SOME RACOON ASS!" Brady stands up shouting drawing even more enthusiasm from the crowd as they cheer back. The opposing team, The Racoons from Layton High boo but it's drowned out by the school chant coming from our allocated side of the field. Brady nods his head dramatically bitting on his bottom lip in the most un-sportsmanlike behaviour which earns him a harsh glare from Coach. If it was anyone other than B who said it, it would seem arrogant but he manages to makes it humorous... well actually and arrogant.

I turn my attention back to Blaze who still hasn't said anything. His thumb now running across his lower lip- his little nervous tick. This is unlike him before a game, his lack of ego is worrying, to say the least.

"What's up?" I scoot closer to him, sitting nearly in between his legs so he can see me whilst I continue to stretch. His darkened eyes stay fixed on the blades of grass, his jaw looks sharp but too tensed and his scar seems even whiter in contrast to the two black stripes on his cheek. A small line of perspiration already sits on his forehead which makes a few of his shorter hairs cling to his head.

"How's your ankle," He asks in a gravel tone, completely ignoring my question.

After we'd left the hospital Blaze did everything he could to make sure it would stay elevated for at least forty eight hours, he even went as far as piggybacking me to class which was embarrassing but he was persistent. He knew it would kill me even more if I couldn't dance this weekend.

With Dr Blaze's constant attention my swelling went down and although it's still a bit tender and I need to be careful and more reserved it's much better and okay to dance on.

"It's fine. Don't avoid the question. What's up? You don't usually get this nervous." I deadpan, he can't go out on the field with his head all squiggly.

"Is it that noticeable?" He scoffs finally bringing his eyes to meet mine, they look fearful.

Only to me.

"I-uh. Coach told me there's... there are quite a few college scouts here to see me tonight. I... I know it sounds stupid... but I'm... scared of what they think. What if I'm that bad I can't even get into one of the further down teams... Alabama definitely won't want me." He huffs bowing his head and resting his clasped hands on his neck. His slightly damp hair falls in front of his eyes.

"It's not stupid to be scared of scouts Blaze. It's so incredible though that so many colleges want to see you play! That should tell you all you need to know!" His lips turn up the slightest bit, his ego bar filling up, " You're an insanely talented player and every game you seem to get better and better so just go out there and do what you love. There's nothing else you can do other than try your best, which I know you will"

His lips perk up even more and I even see a subtle nod between his legs, his hand reaches down to mine and his thumb lightly skims the back of my hand, sparks flying through my arm.

"Those piggybacks paid off... I told you I needed my personal cheerleader." He chuckles deeply and I resist the urge to giggle feeling the heat on my cheeks at the thought of those frigging piggybacks, "Thanks Butterfly." His dark eyes crease at the edges as his cheeky smirk grows, creating an image of him I will store in my mind forever.

Coach's whistle rips through the air drawing our gazes apart. He gestures for the team to make it to the locker room for one last briefing before the start of the game. We hug all the boys wishing them luck- not that they need it- and wave them down the field. Their retreating figures still look huge, Blazes looks more prideful as he throws his fist in the air towards the crowd earning the biggest cheer I've heard all night.

"Blaze wait..." I jog down the field after him and grab his arm when he reaches the entrance of the tunnel.

"You okay-" I cut him off by placing a kiss on his cheek, balancing on my tiptoes.

"You'll be amazing, you always are." I smile feeling my cheeks blush tremendously. I just couldn't let him go without saying something. He stares at me dumbfound and I feel slightly foolish so I start to jog off back to the cheerleaders.

Why did you-

"Blondie!" I turn back to where Blazes feet are still planted, "My winning touchdown- that's for you, babe." He winks at me nearly making my knees give in before he turns and saunters down the tunnel. Leaving me a gooey fricking mess.

The stands erupt, cheering and screaming fills the air. They won! The Lions won!

Red and white confetti falls like snow from the cannons overhead as Vixxie, Carrie and I jump and squeal in a circle. My heart is beating wildly in my chest, excitement rushes through my veins and my stomach is full of butterflies after the last touchdown. As Blaze had said, before he got the winning touchdown he looked over his shoulder, scanning the crowd until he found me. He gave me a sly wink and a beautiful grin before he scored. The crowd went berserk and I nearly fricking fainted- true to his word that boy.

The crowds are breaking free of the stands, running onto the pitch as the other team retreats. We look for the boys running out with the rest of the cheerleaders to join the mass. It's impossible to see through the bodies being this short and I soon find myself swept up, away from any of my friends feeling slightly panicked.

Not the best idea to run into a crowd of over-excitable teenagers in search of the most prized player. I mentally slap myself trying to push through the boisterous hugs and 'bro slaps' Until I see him.

The sides of his hair stick up in a damp mess whilst the front curtains on his forehead. His chest still heaves in and out with his helmet tucked under his arm making them bulge to the size of fricking melons. His smile is prideful and bright, one of the most gorgeous smiles I've ever seen him wear and his teeth twinkle under the field lights. He towers over the people congratulating him, them being shadows under his strong stubble ridden jaw.

His head turns slightly and when his eyes catch mine it's like time slows down. His dark pupils expand wide enough for me to see from eight meters away, they sparkle with happiness as his smile grows even bigger lifting his white scar closer to his eyes.

I run through the people between us, pushing the occasional one to get through until I'm in his arms. He lifts me off the ground and twirls me In the air making me squeal. I bury my head in his neck as he slows down feeling dizzy.

"You were amazing! I knew you could do it!" I say into the crook of his neck breathing in his sweaty yet still minty scent. His laughter rumbles through his body making me shiver being pressed up close to him. I'm aware of how un-friendly this is but right now I don't care. I love this feeling.

"Couldn't have done it without my cheerleader." He says tightening his grip around me. One of his hands rests on the lower of my back sending tingles through my spine and the other at the base of my neck.

I peel back to look at him, his smile still as big and bright with a hint of mischief sinking through his dark irises.

"Yeah. You could have. You're an insanely talented player, you don't need anyone else to be good." I say moving my hands to interlock behind his sweaty neck. He cocks his head to the side letting out a little chuckle.

"Nah, that's where you're the wrong butterfly. I need you. You make me play better, just knowing you're here watching me makes a difference. I've improved as a player and a person and that's all on you. This win is as much yours as it is mine." He says lowly, a grin creeps across my face slightly dumbfounded by his sincerity. His eyes look into mine longingly showing me his vulnerability. Unable to form a sentence I hook my legs around his waist and whisper,

"Ditto, Beckett."

His eyes look deep into mine, his gaze unbearably strong but I can't pull away. My need to reciprocate is even stronger. The noise around us is drowned out by the thumping in my chest. I can feel his heart beating wildly against my body too. The sensation creates a flurry of butterflies inside me causing my cheeks to flush. The reflection of the stary sky in his darkened eyes makes me weak at the knees and if his big hands weren't holding me up I'd buckle.

I'm falling hard for Blaze Beckett.

I stand in the car park leaning against Blazes' black mustang waiting for him to come out of the locker room. The crowds have finally dispersed, the parking lot waving goodbye to the last few visitors, each car packed with teenagers and booze on their way to the giant house party to celebrate the win. Carrie and Brady took off a few minutes earlier with our group en route to the party, still, all pumped.

Brady ran out and threw me around like a frigging rag doll again, to say he's happy would be an understatement especially since some scouts collared him after the game to tell him they were impressed and would be in touch. Much like Blaze though he is also waiting to hear from Alabama.

I'm so proud of him and Blaze who is doing the same thing right now. He's in coaches office with some of the scouts who wanted to talk to him.

I look subtly at the clock on the wall, not wanting to be rude, but these scouts have kept me for the last hour and I know Atlas is out there waiting for me. The scouts are from The Oklahoma Sooners and Clemson Tigers. Both of which are very good teams but not my team... not the one I want to be on.

"So as I said, we think you're one of the best kid, and we'd be honoured to offer you a place on our team come next season." The one from Oklahoma moves forward, his large elbows on his suit-clad knees letting his orange tie fall between his legs.

"Us too, the Clemsons would be a great match for your skillset." The other guy glares at Oklahoma shoving me some paperwork and pamphlets.

"Whenever your free just give us a call and we can arrange for you to practice with the team." Clemson shoves me a small business card looking thing with a black tiger on the back.

"Tour campus! See how well you'd fit with us." Oklahoma hands me a pamphlet with rows of housing accommodation on.

Both of them are slowly edging forward getting closer and closer to me and it's fucking overwhelming. I don't know what to say, I'm so appreciative and actually, rather stunned teams want me this badly but I still don't feel that same spark I get with Alabama.

Or like the spark, you felt with Atlas today...

Not the time nor place. I don't think these colleges would be as desperate to recruit me if they saw I had a fucking boner in the middle of our conversation.

But I can't deny she's been on my mind every second of every minute since I left her to go and get changed. She was all I could think about during the game too, wanting to win for her more than the team. I feel like I'm about to explode, especially when I held her on the field. I wanted to take her there and then, feel her glossy hair wrapped around my hand as-

Stop!

I'm falling hard for Atlas Grove and it scares me shitless because I shouldn't be. I shouldn't let it get in the way of football and I shouldn't pull her into something as fucked up as my life- lord knows she's been through enough.

Although I wasn't lying when I said she made me a better player and person. I want to play better for her, do better for her and try and be someone she deserves to hang around with... all though no one will ever be good enough to deserve Atlas Grove.

"Well thank you both for coming. Blaze has a lot of thinking to do obviously and I'm sure he's desperate to celebrate his big win with the rest of his team tonight so we'll be in touch." Coaches hands land on my shoulders bringing me out of my Atlas induced thinking bubble.

"Of course. Of course." The two men scramble to grab their belongings. They straighten out their suits, bags in one hand and each shake my hand with the other. I give them a tight-lipped smile and a quick thanks as they exit the office, coach shutting the door behind them.

I let out a groan slouching into my chair, coach sits behind his desk looking at the wall with a wide grin.

"I'm proud of you Blaze." He says fondly making my lips turn up slightly. Coach Simpson is a hard man to please but getting praise from him is one of the most important things you can get from being at East Meadow High.

"Thanks, coach," I mumble, letting the adrenaline from tonights win and my moment with blondie rush back through my veins.

"Alambama will be intouch. Mark my words kid." He chuckles shaking his head, "Nationals here we come." He sighs looking content.

I nod at him. Nationals here we come.

"Alright, it's late. Piss off and go find your girl." He slaps his thighs sucking in a big breath.

"She's not-"

"Oh cut the crap. Man up and make her your girl Beckett." His eyebrows move up his forehead challenging me, "You look at her like you've just won seven states at once. Stop cowering around and do something about it." He strikes his palm on the table with a smug grin.

I shake my head getting up from my chair, not bothering to protest. This man knows me better than I know myself sometimes.

"Thanks, coach... for everything." I walk out of the door, closing it softly behind me and bolt through the athletics block to the parking lot. It's all deserted bar my car and a petite blondie leaning against the side of it. My letterman jacket hanging loosely from her shoulders as her blonde hair cascades down her back, glowing in the moonlight.

When she sees me she smiles, a gorgeous smile that makes my fucking heartbeat ten times faster. Jesus, I feel like such a sop but it's worth it to see her smile.

I bridge the gap between us, thinking about what Coach and my mom had said, how she makes me feel and what she does to me.

My heart overrules my head and in a split second, I've made my decision. Pinning her against my car I grab her neck, planting my lips on hers. She lets out a small squeak and tenses but soon relaxes into my hold. Her lips are warm and soft sending this spark surging through me, making everything feel so alive again. She's like no one I've had before. Nothing will ever compare to this girl.

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