It was Friday, the day of our important match. It was morning and I was standing in my bathroom, looking at my reflection, deep in thought. I sighed and dropped my head and my grip on the edges of the sink tightened.

Three days had passed since Eleanor had seen her father. She was doing her best to act normal. She had her smile on, but you could easily tell that it was fake. Her eyes were sad and she looked so heartbroken whenever she thought no one is looking at her and would let go of her mask.

I admired her strength. Not everyone could be like her. But I wanted to see her happy again. I needed desperately to do something but I didn't know what and that was draining me to no end.

I was afraid to fuck up in the match with my lack of focus. It was very important for us to win. If we could win our next two matches, we could play in the state tournament which could lead us to the country tournament.

My blood boiled when I remembered Eleanor's bloody father. That bastard didn't even deserve to be called father. It was a sacred name that not everyone deserved it.

And my father was one of those who deserved it.

I could remember that night when I came home after taking Eleanor home.

I stepped inside the house and sighed tiredly. It was such a long and tiring day. For the first time in my life, I was feeling emotionally drained. Seeing Eleanor that sad and heartbroken was killing me.

I sighed again and walked to the kitchen, desperately needing some painkillers for my throbbing head. After swallowing two pills I walked upstairs, wanting to just threw myself on the bed and sleep.

I stopped in my tracks once I passed in front of the library. It was odd to see the lights on. It was half past 11 and my parents were usually asleep by then. I frowned and opened the door slightly.

My father had sat on a sofa with a book in his hand and his feet on a foot stool in front of him. His glasses were on but his eyes were closed. His head had been laid on the back seat and his mouth was slightly ajar.

I smiled a bit at seeing him. I couldn't look away. Suddenly after god knows how long, I felt utter love and respect toward my father. He looked peaceful in his sleep, but I knew how many sleepless nights he had only to make sure we have a good life, to not have any troubles.

We had a very hard life when I was a kid, but he had stood like a rock and had made sure we pass through that fucking time with success. He had put his life in order to create this life for us and those hard times had their impact on him. His hair was much whiter than someone his age and his forehead had so many wrinkles.

It was at that moment that I understood what kind of a jewel he was. It was that night, right after seeing Eleanor's bastard of a father, that I understood what a great father my dad was. For the first time in my life, I wanted to be like him, a man of my family just like him if not better.

I quietly went to my room and picked a blanket from my bed. I went back to the library and walked to my father. Gently, I threw the blanket on him and picked up his glasses.

I just stood there and stared at him for a minute before walking toward the door and turning off the light.

I groaned and looked into the mirror again. "What are you doing to my life, Eleanor?" I whispered as I stared at my reflection.

My eyes become sad and desperate. "What can I do to make you feel better?" I whispered and sighed again, beginning to get ready for my day.

Since I was working at the hotel and didn't have time for my schoolwork, I would pick up Eleanor early in the morning and we would do our homework in the school's library. I should admit, my grades had improved too since I had met Eleanor.

She was truly my little beautiful angel.

When I was ready, I walked down the stairs into the kitchen. Mom and dad both were there, talking quietly.

"Morning, dear." said mom cheerfully as I kissed her cheek.

"Morning." I whispered and nodded for dad who returned it before sitting down.

"You will go to work today?" asked mom as she put a plate consisting of toast, scrambled egg, and sausage in front of me alongside a glass of milk.

"No," I answered as I dug into my breakfast. "I have a football match today. I will be tired after."

"I'm sure you will win." mom smiled at me warmly, making me smile too.

"Of course." I smirked and glanced at dad.

He was reading his newspaper and was not even bothering himself to look up. Okay, that hurt. I was sure he believed working was much more important than a mere football match. Why couldn't he approve of what I would do for once? Was it really hard to wish me good luck?

I sighed, losing my appetite wholely. I drank my glass of milk before getting up and grabbing my bag. I needed all of my good spirits today and staying more in my father's presence would either make me feel worse by his ignorance or we would end up in a fight.

He was a good dad but that didn't mean everything he was doing was right.

"See you guys later." I grumbled as I walked out of the kitchen.

"Good luck, dear." said mom, "Tell Eleanor I said hello."

I smirked at hearing mom's last words and my mood become better so soon. Mom was hell-bent on seeing Eleanor again. I have not told her about my feelings for Eleanor, but she was even calling her my girlfriend, saying that she was seeing things in my eyes that only a mother could and knew I will soon ask Eleanor to be mine soon.

And she was fucking right. I was going to ask Eleanor out soon. Maybe tomorrow.

I was in front of Eleanor's house in no time. My heart fluttered happily as I saw her walking out of her house. She looked so beautiful in her skinny jeans and maroon knitted sweater. Her hair was free, and the soft-looking curls were bouncing around her as she walked toward the car.

"Good morning, Chris." she greeted me with a warm smile and kissed my cheek, something she had gotten used to and I enjoyed.

"Morning, angel." I said and kissed her cheeks, nose, and forehead, earning beautiful laughter from her. She looked so livelier. "You look so beautiful today."

"Thank you." she beamed at me as I started to drive away. "How do you feel today? Are you stressed?"

"Why should I have stress?" I asked confused.

"You have a big match today." she said in a duh tone as if it was the most obvious fact in the world. "And you are going to play after long."

"Again you are underestimating my abilities, beautiful." I pouted and glanced at her, making her giggle again. "I'm going to ruin those idiots today."

"I'm sure you will." she stated firmly. "I will cheer for you from the stands."

I slammed on the brake, making both of us jolt forward a bit and Eleanor squeaked surprised.

I quickly turned to her with big wide excited eyes. "What?" I yelled. "You will come?"

"Of course, I will." she chuckled. "I never have come to any of the matches. But I have taken today off from work. I won't miss this one. I should support my guardian angel. I can't wait to see our captain's magnificent play."

I grinned at her widely and leaned forward despite my seatbelt and peppered her face with kisses, making her giggle. I was beyond happy and felt adrenaline surge through my veins. I was going to put double effort to make sure we will win.

"Thank you, angel," I said. "You don't know how much it makes me feel great."

"I'm happy to hear that." she smiled brightly and for the first time in days, I could see it reaching her eyes as well. God, I wanted to kiss her to death at that moment.

Patience, Chris. Soon you will, very soon.

"I wish my father would be this happy and proud about my playing as well." I said bitterly as I once again began to drive. My hands gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter and I gritted my teeth as the irritating thoughts gathered in my mind again.

I relaxed suddenly when I felt Eleanor's hand on my arm. I glanced at her and sure she had a warm sympathetic smile on her lips. "I'm sure he is proud." she said softly. "He just doesn't show it."

"I doubt it, angel." I scoffed. "A good luck wouldn't kill him. I have seen him giving these sorts of appreciation to Jax for his work in the hotel."

"I'm sorry." she said.

I grabbed her hand and brought it to my lips and plant a gentle kiss on her knuckles. I then turned to her and gave her a smile that got bigger when I saw her adorable blush.

"Don't be, beautiful." I said. "It's not your fault."

Soon we were at school parking. Suddenly an idea popped into my head and I grabbed Eleanor's hand before she could get out.

"Come to the field's locker room before the match." I said and I was sure my eyes were sparkling from excitement. "I want to give you something."

"Okay." she said a bit confused but didn't question me about it.

Soon it was afternoon and time for the match. The school's atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. Everyone was on edge and was talking about the match, only adding to the stress that we on the team were feeling.

I had not seen Eleanor since noon when I had gone for practice and warm-ups. I desperately needed to see her and calm down to be able to concentrate. I was too happy she was coming to see the match. Her presence would help me a lot.

I looked down and smiled at what I had in my hand. Eleanor had texted me a few minutes ago, saying she was coming to the lockers. So I was standing outside, waiting for her impatiently.

"Chris."

I looked up when I heard her angelic voice and couldn't help the big grin that stretched on my lips.

"Hey," I greeted her and kissed her forehead fondly, wishing it was her lips instead.

"Hi," she beamed at me and then hugged me tightly. "You will do great, I'm so sure. We will win. God, I'm dying of excitement."

I chuckled and hugged her back and hauled her up a bit from the ground before putting her back and kissing her forehead again. "I needed to hear that." I said gratefully. "I promise to do my best."

"Just be careful as well, okay?" she said a bit worriedly.

"I will." I smiled down at her. "Now, raise your arms."

"What?"

"Raise your arms, angel." I giggled at her confused face and grabbed her arms, pulling them up her head.

"Why?"

She squealed as I suddenly shoved something down her head. "You will wear my jersey today." I said proudly and her eyes widened as I led her arms through the holes of my jersey.

"Chris!" she gasped shocked.

"I should admitt it suits you more than me." I smirked but my heart fluttered. I really did mean what I said. Although the black and maroon jersey was so baggy for her, she looked too damn sexy in my eyes.

Fuck! She was torturing me.

"I feel honored." she whispered and dropped her head. Her cheeks tainted pink as she bit her bottom lip and caressed the material of the jersey adoringly.

"I feel more honored that an angel like you is wearing my jersey." I husked out and put my finger under her chin and raised her face.

She opened her mouth to say something, but just then we heard a crashing sound from the door next to us which was leading to a sort of storage. I frowned and without thinking opened the door.

We both peeked inside and I could swear both of our jaws hit the ground at the sight in front of us.

Chase had Mia pushed against the wall and her legs were wrapped tightly around his waist while the two love birds were practically sucking each other's faces off. Chase's hands were roaming Mia's waist and butt and her hands were pulling at Chase's hair. A bucket was on the ground, surely the source of the sound we had heard.

Thanks to heaven they still had their clothes on!

Eleanor let out a shocked shriek and slammed her hand on her eyes, making the couple pull away instantly.

Mia squealed as well as her gaze fell on us and quickly hid her red face in Chase's neck. If look could kill, Eleanor and I were ten feet under already from the death glares that Chase was giving us. I have not seen him like this ever. His eyes were pitch black and he had a feral look in his eyes.

"Get the fuck out." growled Chase as he held Mia tighter.

Eleanor rushed outside in less than a second. I smirked devilishly and raised my hands in surrender before walking outside. I was so fucking happy for my friend and so fucking jealous at the same time.

I looked down at Eleanor as the desire to kiss her grew in me.

"God!" she groaned and rubbed her face. "That was embarrassing."

She then looked up when I didn't answer and just stared at me. My heartbeat increased and my breathing become uneven. My gaze fell on her lips before jumping up to her eyes again. I gulped and hardly controlled myself.

Was she ready?

She was looking up at me with a mix of emotions in her eyes. Anxiety, confusion, and something that I couldn't understand.

I opened my mouth to say something but just then the door of the storage burst open and Mia stormed out. Her head was down but I could see she looked like a tomato.

"We should go." she mumbled and grabbed Eleanor's hand and dragged her with herself.

I sighed in frustration and looked at Eleanor's back.

Next time, I wouldn't hold back myself. Not even for a second. May the result be whatever it wanted to be.

Just then Chase also came out while trying to tame his hair. He looked at the two retreating girls before glaring at me. Composing myself, I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Next time you interrupt me, I will kill you; brother or not." he hissed angrily but as he turned again to look at Mia, his eyes got filled with joy and longing.

"Let's go, man." I said and patted his back. "You will have lots of time to make out with her after the match."

"Yeah," he said and slammed his fist on his other hand's palm. "I'm ready to ruin those fuckers. Let's go."

***********************************************************************************************

My face was flushed as I rushed out of the storage where Mia and Chase were kissing each other like there was no tomorrow.

"God!" I groaned and rubbed my face. "That was embarrassing."

I looked up once Chris didn't say anything and found him staring down at me with unreadable emotions in his eyes. I was frozen under his heated and intense gaze. My heart began to race in my ribcage, wanting to be released from its cage as I saw his eyes falling for a second on my lips and he gulped.

Did he want to kiss me? Was I ready?

God! Was I ready?

Just when I thought I would die from overthinking, the door beside us burst open and Mia jumped out. She was flushed like a tomato.

"We should go." she mumbled and grabbed my hand and dragged me with her down the corridor.

I sighed in both relief and frustration. Any girl in my situation would have kissed Chris so long before. But there I was, nervous when he acted a bit intimately around me.

Next time, I would not stop him.

Mia groaned next to me and fanned her face.

"How was the kiss?" I asked a bit smugly and wiggled my eyebrows. "You both seemed so eager. That was where you wanted to go that fast after class?"

"Shut up!" grunted Mia and I giggled at her annoyed face. "He started it and I was caught off guard."

"You didn't seem like someone who didn't want to be kissed." I said teasingly.

Mia rolled her eyes. "Yes, Maybe I enjoyed it a bit." she responded and then glanced at me with a smirk playing on her lips. "You will understand once Chris kisses you. I see you are wearing his jersey. The atmosphere out there seemed so thick with sexual tension."

I quickly looked away and tried to hide my instantly burning face. "No, It wasn't." I said quickly.

"Whatever." chuckled Mia and led us up some stairs. "Come on. Ethan is supposed to save seats for us on the first row."

We stepped into the stands and the loud sound of excited students filled our ears. A few glanced our way and they double checked with wide eyes as they saw me and Mia and whispers grow and more heads turned to us.

It was only then that I realized that Mia was also wearing Chase's jersey. The two imid girls of the school were wearing the bad boys' jerseys.

"Keep your head up." whispered Mia as she led me down some stairs. "Show them you are Harrington's girl. Show all of the girls that they should back away. Especially Lara. You don't want to see Chris with someone else do you?"

I gulped once her last words sank.

No! I didn't want!

Even the thought was filling my heart with dread. I never had given it a second thought, but now that I was thinking, I couldn't bear seeing him or even imagining him with someone else. Even the thought was so painful.

So accepting Mia's words, I held up my head and we walked toward where Ethan had sat, looking at us with raised eyebrows. Adrian was beside him as well.

"Are you two the new queens of the school?" asked Ethan as we reached them and took the two seats that he had kept for us.

"Shut up, Miller." grumbled Mia. "Let us watch the match."

"Pisst, Eleanor." said Adrian in a hushed voice. "I think Lara is killing you in her mind over and over down there."

I looked at the field and sure the cheerleaders were there, dancing in their skimpy shorts and tank tops.

Weren't they feeling cold???

And sure, in front of everyone was Lara Samuels, glaring daggers at me. I held my head up and kept her stare for a few seconds before looking away indifferently.

Good, let her know Chris was mine now!

Just then the commentator announced the entrance of the players of the two teams and the stands blasted with cheers. My heart began to thump against my ribcage as I cheered too and looked at Chris's back.

He looked so attractive in his football gear. His muscular body looked even more bulkier in his gear. He looked like a god, walking with determined steps. I was more than satisfied when he didn't even glance in Lara's direction.

Instead, his eyes began to search the stands and they stopped just as he found me, sitting on the row just above their bench. A large grin formed on his lips as he saw me cheering for him enthusiastically.

"Good luck." I mouthed for him and then smiled brightly.

He made a serious face and saluted me before running to the middle of the field, taking my heart with himself. This time, I embraced all of the stares and whispers. Mia was right. Let them know he was mine now. I was feeling so good and a bit smug.

Let's just say, I had lost so much fun by not coming to watch matches over the past years. Every second was filled with so much excitement and thrill. Though my eyes were most of the time fixed on Chris.

He was playing as if the ground, ball, and other players were all in his command. He was so great and even graceful in his movements. It was obvious that he was the key player. He looked so determined as he guided his teammates throughout the game, making me marveling him.

We won the game. When the referee blew his whistle, the stands erupted in cheers and shouts of victory. Mia and I hugged each other, jumping up and down.