Nate

I parked before the school's building, this bubble in my chest at the sight of the school stirring. I was so disappointed the weekend had come to an end. I wanted to stay in that hotel forever, in that cloud of dreamland that held us away from the rest of the world. Despites sunday's walk and dinner, we did stay in the rest of the getaway. Just talking, laying there and yeah, experimenting this new side of our relationship.

"Hey!"I was jumped on from behind as soon as I locked Letty, someone hugging me from behind and their force urged me a couple steps forward. "Happy birthday!"

"Kimmy." I grinned turning back to see her tilting up her chin. Maybe it was the sun, or a bad night, but she look pale as ever and not even her make up covered fully the dark circles under her eyes or the hollow of her cheeks. That uneased I'd been feeling lately intensified at her sight. No matter she was smiling, there was clearly something off with her and her eyes looked exhausted. "How are you?"

"I am the one to do the questioning. Have they give you the bumps already?"

"Ha ha, fucking hillarious."

"I know." she smirked hanging on my arm as we made our way to the building. "Now how has the weekend go? Too short?"

"Yeah." my lips quirked upwards at the reminder as I locked Letty behind us and a shudder travelled all the way down my body.

I hadn't noticed how much I'd missed it until we actually done it, and still I wasn't prepared. There was something unique in doing it with Hailey, with someone I loved. My last experiences with Nadia were merely the physical act, and with Trish it'd been a long while since we did loved each other. I'd almost forgotten how it felt. And not only how it felt, but how it made me feel; while, before and after.

"Uh, you got that look." Kimmy grimaced dramatically making me frown.

"What look?"

"The I'm-whipped-as-shit." she rolled her eyes, tightening her hold on my arm as we climbed the front steps and entered the bulding. " You're disgusting... If I wasn't this happy for you I'd be jealous."

"Confessed it, you are jealous."

"Maybe a little. Don't let it get to your head." She joked back with a wink. "So, do tell."

"You really want me to tell you?"

"If you don't I'm gonna snatch it out of her."

I chuckled in startlement. "So this is how this is gonna work from now on? You two against me?"

"Get over yourself. No one is against you."

"You both are. If you team up then I'm the one left to deal with your sorority club."

She rolled her eyes but even her chuckle sounded tired and her hold tightened all the more as we get closer to her locker. Was she really fine? It didn't look like it. She looked way worst than she'd been lately and that was saying a lot. The knot in my stomach tightned for a second.

"Don't avoid the question," Kimberly insisted again. Openning her locker and pulling out her stuff for me to take. It was an unsaid pack but to be honest she didn't look like holding that amount of books would do her any good. In fact, sneaking glances at her her frame I wondered if she wouldn't break by holding too much weight. Had she always been this frail? This thin? "Did you both get to enjoy the little no-interruption?"

But for the bad hidden smirk she still had on I could tell this wasn't the first time the matter was discussed and I didn't know how I felt about it. "Why don't you tell me what you know already?"

"What?" she faked a gasp -completely unbelievable- and rose her brows placing a dramatic hand over her heart. "Who do you take me for?"

"Kimmy. You girls had talked, haven't you?"

"Well," she closed the metal door struggling with the strand of her bag as we moved to mine sorting passing students on the way. "She doesn't wait for me to call her."

"Hey! I do call you." I protested. "Maybe not this weekend, but quite ofted and it's you who rarely feels like talking."

"True." the raven-haired chuckled softly. "What can I say? It's a girl thing, she surely puts a lot more tiny details and romanticism than what you would had done either way."

"So she talks good about it, uh?" I can't help the little anticipation forming in the pit of my stomach erasing. But shook the stupid grin tugging my lips and set my eyes on her pointingly. "And how would you know how would I'd put it?"

"Oh please." she scoffed, lowering her tone to mimick mine. "Great. Fun. We're good. You're previous record in telling me the juicy touches is rather lacking. You're as communicative as a brick. If I want a summary then I'll ask you."

"But you are asking me now."

"Right." she smirked and I shook my head, confused at ups and dows this conversation was having. Leave it to Kimmy to act weird and confused me first thing in the morning. She laughed noticing it too, tugging at my arm to adjust it over her shoulder, making all the more aware of hos delicate she felt against me. She winked when we reached the turn of the hallway the hallway. "Now you look clueless as hell." the girl mocked making me glare at her but she dismissed it with an eyeroll. "My bad. But you have to gave it to me, I'm way better at distracting you than your Gracie."

"What?"

Just then we turned the corner and for the second time in a few day, I was surrounded by hollers and cheers as the football team had gathered around my locker and was now cheering making people look here.

"Now that is a surprise face." Kurt grinned pulling me in for the first bro hug of many.

"Wasn't the surprise party last friday?" I wondered amazed, still a bit too shocked, this time not having anticipated it in the slightes as more patted my back and congratulated me.

"This is the birthday singing surprise." joked Olly, who apparently still hadn't dropped his photographer-mood.

"Please don't sing." I rushed and they laughed as the bell rang over our heads and they began to dispeled.

"What a way to break my heart." pouted Olly as I chuckled and pushed him away, relieved that the whole embarrassing me in public only sum up to the other night compilation.

"He's not even joking." whispered Kurt going away as well with the few remaining teammates as the hallway emptied more and more as everyone scurried to their class. "He's been training for it. Prepare at lunch."

"Now I'm scared." I half taunted opening my locker and he winked going his way too.

"You should be." Kimmy mocked now practically only us in the corridor. "Saved by the bell." her eyes closed, pursing her brows and reaching out to hold on the wall so her mock didn't come quite as taunting as she'd intented.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Mhm? Yeah, yeah, just tired..." Same old song, but there was no way I was falling for this. She smirked but it didn't reached her eyes, not to mention she looked even paler as her free hand flied to her stomach. "So, are you ready for Oliver's awful practiced singing? He doesn't really get the perfect pitch."

"Don't divert the topic."

"I'm fine, birthday boy. Loosen up." she sighed harshy and rolled her eyes, wrapping her fingers around my wrist as soon as I shut the locker and tugged me after her. Well, the pull was rather useless but I went along and followed her to our Economy's class.

"Herond!" coach Grey called out after dismissing our gym class and gestured for me to get closer. I ran there, mentally going through my day wondering if I'd messed up somewhere but finding nothing.

"Coach." I nervously greeted once reaching him.

He nodded in aknowledgement, writting something in his clipboard raising his gaze at me once noting something lastly and giving me his full attention now. "So, I've heard it's your birthday."

"Oh, um, yeah..." I chuckled awkwardly, brushing my hair unsure where this was heading. The coach had always been nice and approachable, and it was no wonder he noticed with how everyone was acting.

"Well, happy brithday."

"Thanks."

"So," he took a few envelopes clipped together from the back of the clipboard."You may have a few more pleasant surprises."

"W-what?" he only smiled handing them to me. I took them startled, feeling them light in my hold. "What is this?"

"Responses."

"Of?"

He chuckled. "What do you think?"

The scouts. My heart did a backflip at the realizations and my gaze snapped down at the sender of the first envelope. Columbia University.

Before even fully processing what it meant I was ripping them and rushedly unfolding the letter inside.

'Dear Mr Nathan Herond,

I'm delighted to announce that you have been accepted to be part of the scolarship program of-'

Oh my God. I've been accepted?

"Good news?" questioned the coach amusedly as my head spun. It's happening. It is happening. I knew this was a possibility, I'd yearn for them to accept me but I guess a part of me always assumed they wouldn't and now... "Don't forget to look up the others too." chipped in more the coach, pointing the other envelops with his chin before walking away and my heart sped all the more as I did just that.

Three yes. I got three acceptance letters. Columbia, Ohio and Notre Dame.

Oh my fucking God. I was gonna faint. Or floated away with this swelling feeling in my chest.

Three. Not one but three colleges were interested. They wanted me. And they allowed me this scape I'd been searching for so long. After everything, all this hard traiments, the long hours spend in the field, the coach's inflexible ways... it was finally showing off. I got my prize. I even got the chance to chose.

I barely remember changing or heading to the cafeteria, it all felt like a dream and people were already out their way with my delay so the path was clear. I came back when I noticed certain chestnut-haired standing by our table chatting casually with Kimberly and a couple more jocks. Our table. She'd never sat there before, and it only increased my already good mood.

"Hey." I hugged her waist form behind, pulling her closer and as usual marveling myself at how well we fit, her sweet perfume soaking my being and making my heart do those weird turns.

"Hi." Hailey's hand covered mine and she turned her head to smiled at me over her shoulder and I kissed her. "How is the birthday going?"

"Great, look at this." I pulled up my hand to show her the letters and she took them from me.

"What is that?" wondered Kimmy resting her head on her folded arms over the table, her lids closed. "Please do enlighten the rest of us."

"It's- Nate!" cheered Hailey as I took my usual spot in the table and pulled her down with me to sit on the bench as well between my legs. "It's the schoolarship."

That sucessfully caught Kimmy's attention, making her straightened in her seat across from us. "They've accepted you?"

"Three of them have." grinned Hailey, genuinely proud of me and making me feel even lighter as she rewarded me with a proper kiss, for the first time not caring about PDA. "I knew you'll make it."

"Yeah, yeah, wich ones." Kimberly took the papers from her quickly scrolling through them. Her brows rose. "Wow, Herond. Three of them. Now this is something to be proud of."

"Thanks."

"It is." Hailey's smile beamed but cut my next kiss too short, turning to the table instead. "Here." She took a cupcake and swiveled her body facing mine and then I noticed a candle on top of it. "I was going to encourage you to wish for something but looks like everything is falling at their place on it's own."

"Oh, yeah?" I hugged her closer and leaned into her ear. "I can think of something-"

"Save us." a new person took another spot in the table snapping the delicate bubble and making my girlfriend blushed harshly. I glared up at Olly but he just smirked knowingly, stretching his arms and neck. "So, are you ready for the song?"

"You really don't have to sing." I suggested, not really eager for everyone in here to noticed once more what today was. I was about to reach my limit of public attention for one day. Specially if he's going to sing me the happy birthday.

Oliver pouted, mocking a hurt expression. "But-"

"Olly." scowled Hailey lighting the candle and sliding it before me on the table. "There's no need to get obnoxious."

"Oh, I'm sooo sorry for being passionate." he glared back and Kurt chuckled by his side as Kimmy rolled her eyes went back to doze off using her arms as a pillow.

"I appreciate it." I reassured him. "Really, but I rather not show off more. At this rate everyone would know it's my birthday."

"So?"

"Olly." repeated Hailey firmer and he sighed, slouching in his seat like a toddler.

"Whatever. Happy brithday, then, I guess."

I chuckled. "Thank you."

"Would you blow out the fucking candle or what?" groaned Kimberly with a pout and I rolled my eyes, taking the cupcake from Hailey and blowing the light flame making claps and cheered echoed from this tables across the whole canteen. Guess the whole attracting attention wasn't up for discussion. Guess it was good I run thin in what regards to self-consciousness.

"Well done, kinda lame, but nice either way." taunted Oliver before Daniel pushed him.

"Stop sulking already."

"He can't," smiled Kimberly not even opening her eyes. "It's his days of the month."

"Hey! I'll let you know-"

"Let's just have this party in peace." cut in Hailey taking one of the plastic knives of the nearest tray and cuting the cupcake on pieces. "Just imagine it's an actual cake."

"It's perfect." I stated. My chest warmed at the thoughtful gesture and kissed her shoulder, but it wasn't enough. As she cut I kissed her neck and pressed the soft spot under her ear, feeling her halted for a second as she shuddered. "I love you."

"I love you-"

"Eww." protested Olly, but regained his grin once she passed him a piece of the dessert. "Thank you, sweetheart." He's such a kid.

The other took it easily too, but Kimmy scrunched her nose as Hailey slid the little chunk towards her. "Oh, I can't" she retorded eying the cupcake with a look as if we're showing her a dead rat instead of a cute dessert. But then her eyes snapped up at mine concealing her emotions in that amused smirk again. "I'm full, got a huge breakfast home."

"Oh, have you?" frowned Hailey earning herself a wary look.

"Yes, Gracie. I have."

"Hey, hey, if she doesn't want to that's fine." I reassured her noticing this weird tension between them growing. What was this about?

"Oh, thank you." snapped Kimmy sarcastically leaning backwards and folding her arms narrowing her eyes at my girl. "See? I have a permission now."

Hailey frowned, still not dropping their staring contest. "Stop acting like that."

"Stop being a nosy bitch."

"Kimmy." I frowned as Hailey tensed, hurt clear in her demeanor. "What's wrong with you?"

She tore her glare from Hailey to me, her anger faltering to that shattering unease hint and like that the tension building broke away. Her lips parted, exhaustion tugging at her making her shoulders slumped once more as she shifted in her sit, looking down at the table massaging her skull.

"I... I'm sorry, Gracie. I've had a bad night."

"It's okay..." muttered Hailey but it didn't sound genuine for a second.

I couldn't pinpoint what it was, but this tension between them was far from settled. I was about to chip in about it, hating this unease within them. It felt wrong, it made me awkward as well because... because they were Hailey and Kimmy. How was I supposed to cope with them arguing as well? Last time with Seth and Kimmy things ended horrible, and now involving my girlfriend too? I hate being torn in the middle of people I care about fighting.

I was about to comment something else, and judging by Oliver's glare on the raven-haired I could tell I wasn't the only one, but just then a phone beeped. And another. And another. Someone must had sent a diffusion or posted something on the course's group. Hailey shifted in my hold shrugging hers off her pocket and stiffened as she watched it.

"What?" I questioned leaning forward, curious as a low muttering spread across the cafeteria but she blocked the screen before I could, her wide eyes meeting my confused ones. "What is it?"

"I..." she cleared her throat, sliding off my hold and off the bench. "I need to go."

"What?" but she had already waved dismissively and crossed the distance to the door and a scratch agaisnt the floor snatched mmy attention from her to Oliver who's also stood, glaring down at his phone with a set jaw and marched the same way Hailey'd gone.

"What the fuck is going on with everyone?" grumbled Kimmy just as my phone buzzed as well and I took it out. The knot in my throat tightening at everyone's reaction. What the hell was it?

But my inquirings were answered as I unlocked my screen as well and my blood freeze. What the hell? An unsettle feeling twitched my stomach as I erased it immediately, but there was no use. Raising my head I saw more and more people glancing down as they received it and when I walked out to the hallway too I saw that same picture plastered in the walls and lockers every ten feet.

Fuck.

Hailey

I marched out the school's building towards the field, rage filling me as I spot his tall frame at the bottom of the bleachers, chuckling at whatever Seth was saying as he brushed his golden hair carelessly.

"You." I slammed the stupid poster against his stupid chest. "How could you?"

Once superposing his first shock a malicious amused glint sparkled Bear's eyes. "Hey, Gracie. In the mood for another smoothy?"

I felt my palm stinging, yearning to slap his stupid attitude out of him but instead I content myself shoving his chest. I might had surprised myself but such a violent outburst but I was buzzing in anger, too worked up to feel worry yet. "This is beyond low. Even for you."

A startled-mocking-dry chuckle passed his lips and flued my ire as he shook his head, sly disbelief drifting from each pore of his. His eyes were murderous, tho, as they narrowed back at mine. "Guess you've seen the picture."