The thumping in my ears overrides the violent noise assaulting me from around. I can see people jumping and cheering, running onto the field in fits of joy.

My blood pumps erratically through my veins as I remove my helmet allowing more noise into my brain. Sweat trickles down my forehead but I make no attempt to wipe it away, my whole body is a distant ache. My eyes have one purpose, scanning the bottom row of bleachers.

The air is thick and muggy as the red and white confetti flutters down through the mass of people like an avalanche in slow motion. My limbs ache with fatigue but it feels non-excitant with the adrenaline that's coursing through me energising every cell in my person, they whine in pain but scream in relief that everything they've been pushed for was worth it, that it's what got us here. My poor frail limbs have made it this far.

I can feel Brady jumping on my back and I don't even mind the fact that his hands are clammy as fuck and he stinks- we all do. The boys surround me, shouting and screaming. Fists raised in the air- a few have ripped their shirts off and are spraying their water from their bottles, splashes of water falling upon my too-hot skin. A slash of the liquid hits me on the cheek, black paint running from its linear position under my eye.

Then I see her, jumping up and down with Vixxie and Emily. All screaming, cheeks ablaze. Her blonde hair swishes in a high ponytail held up by a red scrunchie. Her smile shines brighter than the overhead floodlights and her pink cheeks bunch under her sapphire eyes full of glee harnessing the atmosphere inside her. Her long dark lashes graze her cheeks as more players dose them with water from their bottles, they squeal but the smile never once drops from her face.

As she turns her head her eyes find mine and she stops, her blush deepening her rosy cheeks. She doesn't waste another second as her feet start moving, she darts over to me and I open my arms wide enough in time. She jumps into my arms securing her legs around my waist. Her strawberry and coconut scent washes over me as she buries her face into my shoulder, her heart beating just as fast as mine. Tiny fingers grip at the back of my jersey not letting my sweat or stench discourage her from hugging me like a fucking koala bear.

"You did it! You fricking did it!" She exclaims gripping tighter, I move one hand onto her ass to keep her from slipping and the other on her back to keep her flush to me.

"Did you ever doubt me ?" She pulls back at my cocky question to look deep into my eyes that burn like melted jewels, her smile not faltering.

"Not for a second." She whispers planting a kiss on my lips, the contact sends endorphins flurrying to catch my adrenaline, sparks flying across my skin. She deepens the kiss as I move my hand from her back to her neck, pulling her face closer to mine, drinking in every inch of her mouth. Soft and warm.

We've won nationals. We are fucking National Champions.

But nothing feels as good as this moment- something I'd never thought I'd say- her legs tighten around my waist, breasts pushed up against my pads and her fingers run through my hair with my helmet dumped by my feet. As she begins to pull away I bite on her bottom lip pulling forth a tiny moan from the back of her throat. At this point the blood rushing south putting me in a rather fucking uncomfortable situation- not ideal pitching a fucking tent in these shorts, I think she can feel it too judging by the blush that encases her cheeks deepening.

"Told you. I don't need luck." I breathe against her cheek, she scoffs flicking me on the nose, "I only need you." I murmur against her swollen lips. Her eyes mist over, placing her thumbs on my cheeks she kisses me again on the lips. Soft and slow- I need you too.

People might think it's ridiculous, being this emotive over another person but it's a feeling I can't describe...something I've never felt before-nothing I ever thought I would feel. We understand each other and we both believe in one another more than in ourselves- and that is fucking special. She teaches me new things every day and never gives up on me- she replaces the light that was stolen from me when I was afraid and manipulated.

"Blazey! Blazey! Blazey!" The high pitched voice brings me out of my mind back to where Atlas is trying to wriggle from my grip. Embarrassed at the display of PDA... I'm fucking not. Smirking I let her drop but grab her wrist so I can link our hands as Gemma comes bolting through the crowd and into my legs. I bend down to give her a side hug with my free hand and playfully pinch her cheek on the way back up. That's when I see mom, her eyes glistening under the field lights, tear stains down her cheek. Brady's mom stood next to her with the exact same look, both crying but full of pride.

"Oh Blaze." She pulls me into a hug, Atlas letting go of my hand so I can hug her back, "I'm so proud of you baby. So so proud." She cries into my shoulder pads.

"Mom..." I whine, half because if she keeps crying I fucking will and secondly it reminds me of when she used to cry because she was sad. I never want to see my mom cry, even over this.

"No don't pacify me! I'm so proud of you and the man you've become. I just can't believe that was my little boy out there. He just won national championships and Most Valuable Player." I squeeze her tighter.

"Thank you... for everything." I whisper, the words catching in the back of my throat. I wouldn't be the man I am without my mom so I let her have her moment.

After pictures have been taken, parents have cried and fans have joined us on the field we head towards the locker rooms to get changed. We always have an annual end of season dinner coach throws no matter where we are and we're definitely not getting out of it tonight- he's the happiest I've seen him in all my years at East Meadow. I tug Atlas through the still dense crowd, Brady, Carrie and Ethan in tow with us but as we reach the tunnel a short man in a grey suit and red tie stops me, one woman in business attire and another man in a slightly less formal suit stand behind him.

He holds out his hand, clad with gold rings, one catches my eyes with a diamond-encrusted A in the middle. My heart stops along with my feet.

"Blaze Beckett. I was hoping I'd catch you." He booms, for a short guy he's got a loud voice, I shake his hand but I still feel a bit spaced... scared even that this guy might be... one of them...

Out of the corner of my eye, I see my friends carry on down the tunnel with bright smiles and big thumbs up but I instinctively turn looking for one person. She squeezes my hand sensing my panic and I pull her closer to my side.

"I'm Colin Mcave." He states with a sharp grin, " Athletic director at Alabama."

"I know who you are," I say harsher than intended, slightly awed, but Colin just smiles, the skin around his mouth tight and well kept. I think he can see it's a bit of a shock- a hell of a shock. I straighten my shoulders and puff my chest slightly regaining the confidence that diminished for a moment.

"And... this is...?" He looks at Atlas who is tucked under my arm, no malice in his voice just pure interest.

"This is Atlas, my girlfriend." I don't even need to look at her to feel her shrink back a bit.

"I enjoyed your routine very much. A very skilled dancer." He nods at her with a smile and handshake before turning back to me, "We're on a tight schedule but I just wanted to meet you Mr Beckett and inform you we'll be in touch soon." His face gives nothing away, a blank canvas void of emotion that's been filled with botox but the woman behind him produces a sheet of paper and hands it to Colin. His eyes skim down the paper like he's already studied the contents a multitude of times, his tight smile grows, "You need to add National Champion to your application form Blaze..." He sends me a wink then turns on his heel walking away without looking back, his companions following closely.

What...? Is that good...? Or bad, I'm not quite sure...

Before I can contemplate it anymore, Blondie wraps her warm arms around my middle squeezing tight.

"That's amazing Blaze!" She looks up at me still flush against my side.

"They didn't say whether it was a good or bad thing," I mutter watching the figures move further down the field, shaking hands with others. An air of dominance surrounding them.

"Ugh, it's good! They know you, they were impressed- as is everyone else! He looked like he'd memorised your application form Blaze." She exclaims.

'Yeah... well we'll see." I huff.

"Nuh-Uh! You've just won Nationals. No negativity... let yourself be happy and have some faith, Blazey." I pull her closer into me and place a kiss on the top of her head, she's right. We're national champions and Alabama have been looking over my application...

Suddenly Atlas pulls away keeping me at arm's length with her head bowed looking at her grass-stained trainers that scuff against a few tufts of grass.

"Whats up Blondie?" I shake her slightly, a frown permeating my features.

"Nothing... nothing bad I don't think..." She mumbles to herself confusing me even more, "I- just...I... is that what we are...?" Her voice is quiet as she avoids eye contact whilst her cheeks flame up.

"What are you on about?"

"Well uh... you... you said I was your... girlfriend and we... well we never really talked about labels." She squeaks, the gap between us getting bigger. It completely slipped my mind that we'd decided not to put a label on us and take it slow but I just felt natural, so much so I hadn't even realised the mishap. I pinch her chin lightly and lift her head so she's looking at me.

"Alright then, let's talk about it." Her eyes widen and her lips part slightly, "Atlas Grove will you officially be my girlfriend- labels and all." Her blush lips curl up into a wide grin and she uses her hands to hide behind since her hair is tied up. I grab her hands with one of mine and untie her hair with the other letting it flow down the sides of her face and back. I slip the scrunchie onto my wrist just as she leans up to kiss me, on her tiptoes. I support her face with my hands cupping her jaw, "Is that a yes then?" I murmur against her lips.

"Oui. Si. Sim. Ja. Yes." She giggles, her sapphire eyes gleaming as she bites on her bottom lip.

"I'm so irresistible that one yes won't surface?" I tease, she punches me lightly in the shoulder her smile so bright it's burned into my mind for eternity.

After dinner at some posh restaurant in town, we'd all been banished to bed just in case we ran into the other team stupidly staying in the same hotel as us- there tends to be a lot of animosity between us but even more now since we won and they fucking lost. Coach is always weary after a win, other teams often let jealousy guided them and we have a few hotheads, myself included, on our team- there been more than a few fights between certain teams after games.

However, being a night of celebration most of the team is downstairs in one of the function rooms playing beer pong and getting pissed whilst the younger benched players keep watch in case the coaches or parents wake up.

I fall back onto the bed, the springs moaning as my body bounces off the mattress a few times, the confuter rucking under me. I take a swig of water from my bottle before chucking it onto the bed beside me, revelling in the empty room. Sharing with Brady is impossible and one of the worst things I do so it's nice to not have him snoring next to me or purposefully keeping me awake by poking me or consistently fucking talking, or fucking a random cheerleader.

I close my eyes letting out a breath of air, my muscles revolting inside me. I can still feel the adrenaline coursing through me and an actual smile settles on my lips, I won't be able to sleep and this time for good reason... I think the best part of today was actually seeing the work pay off but not in the physical sense. I got to see my mom proud of me, something she's probably not felt for a while. I saw my little sister look up to me and not skirt around me, I got to see coach fucking choke at the improvements I've made and I got to see Atlas, my girl, her never-ending belief in me. Moments like these I've learnt never to take for granted.

I may be an asshole most of the time but I still feel and today felt good.

A small knock echos around the quiet room and I sit up opening my eyes deliberating who it could be. It's only just gone one AM so I doubt Brady will be back yet, he'll probably just crash out in the hallway drunk. It could be coach checking but the younger kids would have warned us?

I reach for the door handle opening it to a short person dressed in an East Meddows grey T-shirt and banana print booty shorts, big fluffy socks going halfway up her calves.

My smile widens looking at her blonde hair pushed into a messy bun on her head and the fresh glowing face in front of me, the cheer make up long gone leaving her looking even more beautiful with the flushed glow of her cheeks.

"Blondie." I lean against the doorway teasing her slightly by putting one arm behind my head, her eyes widen a little looking at my bicep. She squirms in the hallway diverting her eyes to the patterned carpet.

"Hi." She mumbles with a small smile pulling on her cheeks, "I uh- couldn't sleep." She bites on her lower lip and blood rushes through me. I open the door wider and usher her in under my arm. I'm not surprised, she's told me she prefers sleeping next to me, especially when she has her nightmares. I do my best to calm her down and she's been getting better with them since she started talking to her therapist but I can't deny the bed feels much bigger without her in it now. My mom hasn't seemed to complain as much as I thought she would either- I'm hoping she trust us enough and Atlas isn't like the girls in the past.

"Haven't you been told Miss Grove, no girls in boys rooms?" I smirk walking towards her kicking the door closed with my foot. She shrugs, " I must be special for you to break the rules for... so unheard of from you." I tut shaking my head mockingly.

"Shut up," She giggles as I draw her into me, securing my arms around her waist.

"You didn't deny I'm special."

"Christ, your ego is massive." She taps the side of my head and my smirk grows, "but... yes... you're special." She places her hands on my chest, "In the head." She whispers giggling. I faux gasp digging my fingers into her sides. Her giggling morphs into squeals as I tickle her sides.

"Stop...pl..ease... s...top." She says breathlessly through her blush smile, her eyes darkening in the dim light from the bedside lamp. Her heart rate wild as I move my hands to her neck, her eyes drifting to my lips in a silent plea.

I dip down and brush my lips against hers slowly, her hands scaling my chest slowly before I deepen this kiss, a rush of electricity soaring through me. I trail my hands down to her waist and slip one under her shirt caressing her back. A cross between a moan and a gasp exits her mouth as I lift her thigh bringing her legs around my waist. She grips my shoulders with her hands and I feel her smile against my lips. One hand travels up the back of her shirt again, arching, pressing her breasts into my chest and I realise she's not wearing anything under her shirt.

I grin and throw her onto the bed, a soft scream escaping her lips. I tower over her my hands on either side of her head, I untie her hair from its messy bun and splay her hair across the comforter. She smiles brightly, a natural red on her cheeks making her look even more virtuous.

"You're so beautiful," I whisper placing a kiss on her temple.

"I-uh..." I silence her by pressing my lips to hers, lifting her arms above her head and pinning them to the bed. She looks a little taken aback but her eyes darken with a small grin.

I trail kisses down her jaw and onto her neck, sucking and nipping at her skin. I can hear small noises coming from her. She tries to wriggle her hands but I hold them tighter.

"Keep them there," I instruct, she nods silently bitting on her bottom lip again. I carry on moving down her torso and lifting her shirt to just below her breasts. I look up from my position for confirmation and she nods. I place tender kisses on her goosepimpled skin. Her breathing causes her stomach to move in and out the higher I get. Quicker and quicker, so much so I start to worry.

I look up, her eyes are shut and her cheeks are flushed, eyebrows drew together in a pained expression.

"Blondie... you okay?" I sit up slightly so I can see her face better. Her eyes shoot open in surprise, glassy.

"Oh... yeah... uh fine..." I release her arms and scoot up so I can cup her face.

"No, you're not."

"I'm so sorry Blaze- I just- I'm not..." She sits up abruptly and hides her face in her hands. I join her prying them away so I can see her face.

"Don't ever apologise Atlas. If you're not comfortable you need to tell me." I bring her chin towards me so I'm looking directly into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't uncomfortable- I thought I wanted to but-" her eyes glass over.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. Do not apologise. This is about your pleasure as much as mine meaning it's up to you what we do and when you feel comfortable enough to do it. I'd never push you nor make you do anything you didn't even remotely like or feel comfortable doing. You should never apologise for stopping something your not okay with." She nods avoiding my gaze but I feel like this isn't just about being comfortable- we sleep in the same bed most nights, clinging to me like trees on a branch, then it clicks. "Listen to me Blondie." I pull her into my chest, "This isn't about experience or how many people you've been with or I've been with- this is about us, okay? Please understand that I don't care about any of that and neither should you, I only care about you." A tear runs down her cheek and I swipe it away with my thumb, I couldn't give a shit that she's still a virgin. I only care about us and making her comfortable. "How about we just see what's on this fucking TV?" I gesture to the old fashioned TV set in the corner of the room, she giggles and nods.

I climb fully onto the bed and pull her down with me, she rests her hand on my stomach and I place one on her shoulder the other in her hair. I pull out the remote and hand it to her so she can choose what to watch.

"Thank you." She whispers up at me still flicking through the channels.

"Don't thank me, babe." I kiss her forehead then I feel my phone buzz on the other side of the bed, I roll slightly to reach it and power on the screen expecting it to be Brady drunk texting me. Actually, I should probably tell him to sleep the fuck somewhere else so he doesn't wake Atlas up when he stumbles in-