Amber's pov:

While setting up the concession stand, including laying out the candy and getting food like hotdogs, pizza, and hamburgers ready, my mind was conflicted on reasons why I was given such curious gazes from Damien's group of friends.

I mean, it would have been fine if they were just looking me because they didn't know who I was.

But it's just the way that they were looking, almost like they were astonished that Damien like... even was talking to a girl.

...

That....

That can't be the reason, right?

...

Of course not.

Damien is well liked, kind, handsome, and popular.

And sure, he said he's shy, but that clearly can't be the case. That group of friends was all girls, so I don't understand why they almost seemed...

Confused.

With those thoughts swirling around in my head, I finish setting up the concession stand rather quickly.

Taking one last deep breath, I clear my thoughts and open the concession with a friendly smile to the first person in line.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"That will be three dollars." I say, giving the man his hot dog.

Yes, it was expensive for a hot dog, but it's concession stand food...

Everything is expensive.

Coming to the realization, I sigh happily that no one else was in line...

For now.

It's been about a half an hour since the match started, and I haven't even had the chance to take a second glance at the ring.

By the looks of it, the people who already went were the one's who I really didn't know, so I was happy about that.

Like I said, I am Liam's number one supporter, other than his parents, I want to watch him win.

I don't know why, but it gives me a feeling of accomplishment when I see him win.

I mean, we are best friends, it's our jobs to make each other happy, it's what best friends are supposed to do.

I just happen to have the best one yet.

Suddenly, someone clears their throat as I quickly look up at the person, but as soon as I did, I recognized them easily, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. What would you like?"

"It's okay, and I would like three bags of your finest potato chips." She gives me a cheesy smile, while handing me the money.

I take the money from Julie's hand and put it in the register before getting her the bags of potato chips.

"Here." I smile, as she does back.

"Thank you!" But instead of heading back to her seat, she stays there.

"Actually... I wanted to meet you."

"Meet... me?"

"Wait-... no... I-I mean." She stutters, pushing up her glasses before taking a deep breath, "Ahhh sorry, here let me start from the beginning."

She gives me an awkward wave, "Hi, I'm Julie, and if you are getting waves of awkwardness, that is from me."

I couldn't help but laugh at her words, I don't know why but she just had this friendly aura around her, it was weird.

"Hi I'm Amber."

"I know."

"What."

"What."

I give her a questionable look as her eyes widen, "I mean! Uh-... you know... I see you here often-... yeah!! Definitely not because I stalked your personal media and stuff-... HAHA who would ever do that-.... Errrrr gotta go!!"

Before I could even blink, she was half way down the bleachers.

I stared at her retreating form in confusion, as I try to play back the conversation in my head.

Was it something I said?

I just shrug off the confusing thoughts and look down at the mats to see who was up next.

It was Liam!

"Go Liam!!!" I couldn't help but cheer on my best friend, even if I was all the way up in the concession stand.

I was fully confident that Liam would win...

Until I saw who he was up against.

I almost passed out as I saw how massive he looked compared to Liam, who I have to admit, was pretty muscular himself.

For a quick second, I saw a flash of nervousness on Liam's face, but it was quickly covered up with a more neutral one as he tries to not let his opponent see and take advantage of that.

It was actually a smart game move.

And it gave me a sense of hope. In the ring, the amount of muscle isn't the only thing that matters.

It is being smart, and finding strategies to defeat your opponent.

The two eager boys walk towards each in the ring, keeping direct eye contact as they shake hands.

They are then handed their gloves as the ref gets his whistle ready.

"Hey can I have-..."

"No."

"But I-..."

"No."

"You aren't supposed to be watching the-..."

"No."

I don't even glance at the boy my age as he lets out an annoyed sigh and walks off.

Sorry...

Not sorry.

Okay look, Liam's my best friend, if making someone wait a little bit longer to get food means that I get to be my best friends number one supporter, so be it.

...

Do I feel bad, kinda, but it's just the way it has to be.

The sound of the whistle pulls me out of my thoughts as the match starts.

The other boy was quick to make his move, leaving Liam to become more defensive.

He blocked his swings one after another, but every time Liam was about to get a swing in for himself, the other boy was faster and got to him.

With a heavy heart and sorrowful eyes, the other opponent dominated the ring, leaving Liam in defeat as the whistle blew, signaling the round as over .

Round one.

Liam has lost a first round before, but never like this.

His opponent had the upper hand the whole entire time, Liam didn't even have a chance to have a successful swing.

I wanted to cry as my dad, well... coach, tried to hype up Liam as he tried to get him to drink water and hydrate for the next round, but Liam's eyes held defeat, even if it was only the first round.

I knew him too well, he was dumbfounded. He's never been defeated so harshly like that before.

"Come on Liam, you can do it." I whisper to myself, even though he couldn't hear, I just prayed that he didn't lose hope in himself already.

The whistle blew, signaling the next round was beginning. I took a deep breath and watched as they approached each other once again.

But it happened again.

With his quick and heavy swings, the opponent took down Liam like he was a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe.

Even though I had no control on what was happening, I was frustrated that there was nothing I could do to help my best friend.

The start of a happy day turned into one of the worst as round after round, I watched the same thing play out until the opponent drastically took the win over Liam who just there, angry...

Angry at himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Liam please don't be upset, you did your best, that's all that matters." I try to cheer him up after the match ends.

All the boys were in the locker room showering and changing, but Liam just sat still on the side bench, staring dozed off at the ring in thought.

Even though some of the boys on the team were able to pull off a win, including Luke, Damien, and a few other boys, the team lost.

To some of the boys, they were able to take in the defeat, it just pushed them to work harder, but others...

Others like Liam... took it more harshly.

"Didn't you see Amber? I was completely crushed!! I didn't even get a swing. Maybe I'm not as good as your father thinks I am-..."

"What-... Liam no!" I try to get him to face me, but he looks away, embarrassed at himself."

"Liam, please look at me."

"No, I-...."

"Look. At. Me." Liam quickly flicks his head towards me, knowing me and my tone of voice too well for comfort.

"Don't put yourself down like that. You did amazing. Sure, you didn't pull out a win, but the fact that you came back round after round with a look of determination on your face makes you strong. You were up against an opponent who looked like he's been doing it for years, this is only your first year. You can't give up on yourself so quickly." I put my hands on his shoulders as he looks up at me.

"I-..."

"I agree." A familiar voice startles me as I jump up in surprise and turn around towards an amused Damien's face at my sudden mini heart attack.

"I-...uh..." I try to catch my breath as I could almost FEEL Liam's smirk as he opens his mouth to speak.

And it all went down hill from there.

"Thanks Amber," he turns toward Damien, "Damien this Amber, she's the girl you helped out with the boxes that day when moving stuff into the concession stand."

I'm dead.

I'm dead.

I'm dead.

"I know, we are actually friends."

...

I'm definitely dead.

Liam. Is. Going. To. Kill. Me.

I take a small peek towards Liam as his face drops.

"I... WHAT."

"Yeah, we actually spent the day together yesterday at the children's hospital, and she gave me some friendly advice." He gives me a small, shy smile.

But as much as I wanted to return his smile, I couldn't because I was too afraid of the ticking time bomb standing right next to me, as Liam starts to take heavier breathing.

"Oh.... really?! I. Had. No. Idea." He says through gritted teeth, his eyes flickering to mine, as I give him a sorrowful look.

"Sorry, I just assumed you knew since you guys are best friends and tell each other everything. I see you guys together all the time." Damien laughs to himself, before patting Liam's back and giving me one last smile, "just tell me when you are ready and we can go wherever you'd like."

I give him a small nod, as he walks towards his group of friends, whereas I slowly face towards an angry looking Liam.

I feel so guilty that I didn't tell him.

Even though at the time I felt like my reasons for not telling him were accurate, now that he does know, I feel like a horrible best friend.

I should have just told him to begin with.

He's the one person who would have understood where I was coming from, I don't know why I decided to take it in myself to deal with it on my own.

"Liam I'm so sorry-..."

"Don't... just don't."

"Liam I-..."

"Amber we are supposed to tell each other everything, why the hell would you not say anything and make me feel like a fool for not knowing you were even friends with him."

"Liam, please, it's not like that. Well it is, I mean..."

"How can you even try to make up an excuse for that? I would have told you right from the start of something was happening."

"I know, I know, But-..."

"Do you not trust me? Were you never going to tell me-..."

"Of course I was going to tell you!!! I just-..." I take a deep breath and start over, "You are right. I should have told you. We've told each other everything since we were kids. I just-... I didn't know what me and Damien even were. I felt like... if I told you, I would have been getting my hopes up. I was scared it was only a friendly encounter for a day so I didn't say anything just in case nothing else happened. But then he approached me and wanted to thank me and hang out and-...."

Liam's hand covers my mouth as I try not to cry.

I assume that he is going to still be angry at me again...

But then...

Then he smiles, "Wait...WAIT!!! You mean, your crush for years, DAMIEN, asked you to hangout!!" I stood there, confused, as Liam starts to bounce up and down.

"Are-.. Aren't you mad at me? I..." He stops bouncing around and looks at me.

"Amber, you're a dummy but you're my dummy. Yeah you should have told me, but you are just a LITTLE BABY DUCKLING IN LOVE, you are bound to make stupid mistakes."

My cheeks flush in embarrassment at his words, "Don't put it like that..." I whine at his words as he grins.

He grins but shakes his head at me, "I don't completely forgive you yet, but you have to promise to tell me EVERYTHING from now on, okay?"

I eagerly nod my head at his words, but then, he suddenly pushes me in a direction, "W-What are you doing?"

"Letting my little baby duckling fly, go to Damien and have a fun time." He smiles at me and signals me to go towards him.

"I-... but I feel bad. Are you sure? Don't you want to know everything about what happened yesterday?" I ask.

"Of course I do!! And yes you will tell me later, but you~" he sings, "have a date."

"It's not a date."

"Yes it is."

"No it's not."

"Yes it is."

"No it's not."

"Yes it is."

"No it's not."

"YES IT IS NOW GO!!!" He again pushes me towards Damien as I look back at him and give him a smile.

"I-... Thank you Liam." I give him a grateful smile as he laughs at me.

"Don't need to thank me, as a best friend, it's my job."