Amber's pov:

"That's what I'm trying to say Amber! I've been working out, ain't no one taking me down today." Liam exclaims, flexing his 'muscles' as we walk to his car.

"Yep."

"Amber!!"

"Is ain't even a word?"

"Yes it is!! Now listen to me!!" He whines, tugging on my arm as we reach his car.

"Okay, okay!" I laugh and hold up my hands in defense after getting into the car, "I've seen you, you're getting to be a better boxer, all the extra training is really helping you."

"Really?"

"Be quiet, you wanted me to say that."

"And yet it's so nice to hear it out loud." He places a hand over his heart.

"Yeah but I'm serious, you have gotten really good."

He grins at the complement and pulls out of the parking lot, "I'm not going to stop until I'm as good as him."

"Him?" I question, while he rolls his eyes and flicks my forehead.

"Ow!!"

"Him!! Ashton Rider!! Literally the guy I have looked up to since I joined the boxing team!"

"But you just joined this year..."

"That's not the point. What I'm saying is did you see all the trophies he has gotten? Gosh, I would just be glad if I got at least ten percent of that." He sighs dreamily, while still looking at the road.

I turn towards him, "I promise you, with all the effort you have been putting in, you'll get there. And even if you somehow don't, I'll still be your number one fan." He looks at me for a quick sec and smiles, while I smile back.

"You always know what to say... how are you still a single Pringle."

And.... my smile dropped into a scowl.

"Hey! I am a strong-..."

"Independent woman. Didn't hear that one before." He smirks.

"Well I could say the same for you single... uh... thing."

"Woah great comeback."

"You know what I mean!"

"Uh huh." He grins, turning on the music.

Only two songs get the chance to play until something clicks in my head.

"Wait a second." I turn the music off as he glances at me and whines.

"Amber..."

"You know, it's not fair that you know my crush but I don't know yours."

"That's because my crush is non existent."

"Come on, you don't know one guy that you wouldn't mind going out with?"

"Nope."

"I don't believe you."

"Oh look we are here!!" My gaze suddenly flicks over to the familiar building.

"This discussion isn't over."

"I don't know, you can be pretty forgetful..."

Liam parks the car before we walk in, straight to the arena where everyone else was.

"Oh look, there's your crush..." Liam sings, as he nudges me.

"He is here all the time, do you really have to say that every time I'm here."

"You know you love it."

"I'm going to start filling the concession stand, have a good day." I walk past him while he laughs from behind me and heads towards the rest of the boys.

Just taking a glance at all the boxes made me realize that I would not make it out alive without back problems. Some of these boxes were huge!

I loved my dad to death... but the size of some of these boxes and the lack of muscle I have just don't... go well together.

Starting off easy, I begin with the smaller boxes that were full of candy and organized them first.

From skittles and M&M's to ring pops and jolly ranchers then snickers and Twix, it was a lot.

Next, I organize the chips, putting some of the bags on display while the rest just stayed in the box since there were too many to have out all at once.

I don't know how we always sell out so quickly. There's so much!

I guess you don't come between people and their food.

Looking at the big boxes, I decided to take a small break and enjoy having a pain free back.

I grab a bag of chips and sit on one of the seats near the concession stand, watching the boys as they practice.

They were doing one on one's right now, while my dad screamed at them like a mad man.

...

It was hilarious.

But in all honestly, I'm happy for my dad. Coaching this team has really gotten him through all the bad times.

The fact that he's so committed and passionate about it just shows how much of an amazing coach he is.

Not only that, but he also likes the praise.

I can't even lie about this, our school... isn't the best when it comes to our sports teams.

The boxing team is probably the best thing that the school has.

You don't even understand how much power my dad has when it comes to bragging rights.

Unknowingly, I flip my gaze over to Liam. Gosh, he has worked so hard to make it on the boxing team.

It's hard to assume that it's actually really difficult to get on the team. Dad looks for boys who will be nothing but committed. Just one little slip up and dad isn't afraid to kick anyone out.

In fact, he can do it with the snap of his fingers.

Poor Liam was so nervous for his try out. Of course my dad knew him since he was a child like me, but we both know that no matter what background you come from, you earn the spot on the team.

Like I said before, Liam has come a long way. I watch as he defeats his opponent and throws his hands up in the air, cheering for himself.

Although with his training he was able to push himself past some of his teammates in wins, there were a few that were quite the struggle to beat, well, thats if you had the slightest chance to.

I flick my gaze over to Damien and his group of friends. One being Luke, the team captain.

As him as the team captain, I was for sure that the team would be heading into the championships again this year.

Dad almost passed out on the spot when the team won the championships last year. Sadly, I wasn't there, but when my friend told me about all the events that went down, I wish I was.

Suddenly, dad blows the whistle and another one on one finishes. They get off the mat and it was now Damien's turn along with another boy on the team.

I promise, it's not an obsession. I don't think about Damien 24/7 like Liam thinks I do.

But like I mentioned before, even though Liam can't get it through his thick skull, I admire Damien.

He's like the perfect character right out of a movie. Kind, attractive, athletic, you would be a straight up liar if you denied any sort of liking.

Which is why there are so many who like him.

It's so much easier just to stand back and admire from afar.

Reasons why?

One, less people will hate your guts.

Two, less stressful.

Three, it just avoids heartbreak.

I just had one of the biggest heartbreaks in my life.

My mom passing away.

My heart is not ready, although I don't struggle like I used to, it is still taking its time to heal.

The sound of the whistle goes off and I shake my head realizing I spaced out through the entire match. Damien fist pumps the air and then shakes hands with the other boy.

I look behind me at the boxes before standing up and walking towards them.

Well, it was nice having a working spine.

I attempt to lift one of the boxes up, but after getting it only a few inches off the ground, I place it back down.

I swear the thing weighed more than I did in like third grade.

I may have grown, but my muscle strength definitely did not.

After a few, most likely, embarrassing attempts, I am able to lift it up, but as I start to walk to the concession stand with it, I can feel my arms quickly giving out.

But as soon as I feel like I'm going to drop it, a force from the other side of the box lifts it up from the angle it was slipping from, "Woah need help?"

No, it wasn't... I look around the box to see a familiar face as he helped me to carry it to the concession stand.

As we set it down inside, I couldn't help but blush as he looks at me, "You shouldn't be carrying those boxes all on your own, I'll help you." He grins while I push a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"Only if you're sure, you really don't need to if you don't want to-..."

"No it's okay! I would feel bad if you got hurt." He shoves his hands into his pockets and smiles at me.

"Well, uhm, thank you!" I smile back as he nods his head before we walk to the other two boxes.

He helps me carry both of them into the concession stand, well, him doing about 99% with his strength and about 1% with mine.

...

Just kidding!! That's way to inaccurate.

1% is way too high of a number.

"Thanks again, you just saved me from breaking my spine." I chuckle as he laughs.

"It's no problem, I hope I'm not crazy for saying this, but I feel like I've seen you before, you go to my school right?" He asks as I nod my head.

"Uhm.. yeah actually, I think we were in maybe two or three of the same classes back in middle school... I don't think I really see you know though."

Lies.

"Oh, okay that's probably it! I'm sorry, my memory is pretty awful-... Wait no. I remember now, you help out at the children's hospital!"

I nod my head, "Yes I do, it's just nice to help out when I can."

"I agree I-... oh wait I guess I should mention this, I'm Damien." He smiles cheekily while holding out his hand.

"My name is-..." but before I could finish, the sound of my dad's whistle goes of.

"Better hurry, you know how impatient Da-... uh coach gets." I quickly fix my mistake, as he nods his head, not catching on.

"I can't help but agree, I guess I'll see you around?" It came out more like a question as I nod my head, "Yeah, you too."

He then quickly makes his way out and when he does, I couldn't help but let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding.

I just talked to my crush.

...

I just....