The whole stadium was dead silent, you could hear a pin drop. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, my eyes narrowing in focus. We were all lined up, like soldiers charging into battle, dressed proudly in our teal football uniform, our cleats digging into the soft ground.

And then the whistle was blown.

Everyone sprung into action, like pressing resume on a paused action film. The stadium burst out in hollers of encouragement and booing. I sprinted forward, catching up with the player on the other team who had taken the ball hostage. I tried to tackle the ball, but he was too fast, flicking it to his teammate. I didn't go after it, I just blocked my current player, making sure he couldn't receive the ball again.

The game went on mostly the same way, putting pressure on players so they messed up their passes. By halftime, Phoenix had scored us a point and the other team were still stuck on zero. We all jogged over to the sidelines once the whistle blew, huddling in, our heads close together as the coach fed us instructions for the second half.

We all nodded in acknowledgement, drifting towards our side of the pitch to grab our water and have a quick rest. I congratulated Phoenix on his goal as he poured water down his back, a thin layer of sweat glistening on his forehead.

He grinned proudly, patting me on the back, "I'm counting on you during the second half, Bakker." He winked. "Is Rosa here?"

"Why?" I asked curiously, leaning up against the wire mesh fence as I watched him wipe sweat from the back of his neck.

He shrugged, "Just wondering."

I rolled my eyes, "Right. Well, don't get any ideas, she's leaving tonight."

"Damn. Well, at least there's still Sam."

I scoffed obnoxiously loudly, "Yeah, like she'll ever see it that way."

"Alright, boys! Go out there and score us that win!" The coach shouted excitedly, earning howls of eager approval in return.

I was running, sprinting. The ball was rolling before my feet as I controlled its every move. My eyes twitched up to concentrate on the goal up ahead. I'd have to be fast and precise to get this. I spared a quick glance at the players surrounding me, almost catching up as they closed in around me. I readied myself for one sharp kick.

I tripped over my feet, my face planting into the wet grass and mud as everyone sprinted past, sweeping the ball along with them. I stumbled to get up, my body trembling, my legs wobbling. Thankfully, my luck grew as the game progressed and I actually managed to score a goal before the end of the match.

The score was three-two to us. The whole team cheered, sharing a rough group hug as people began piling onto the pitch to congratulate us. My friends all closed in around me and Phoenix, shouting playful insults and patting us on the back. Daya kept a close, curious eye on me. She'd been looking at me strangely since Rosa told her about the fire. It made me uncomfortable and itchy, but I knew Daya could keep a secret. And if it bothered her that much, she would have confronted me by now.

I caught a head of tousled white hair, lurking by the stands and quickly broke away from my friends. I'd invited Theodore, but I wasn't sure if he'd come. He was lingering on the edge of the pitch, leant up against the metal stands, pressing his glasses up his face. "You came." I grinned widely.

He nodded, smiling up at me, "You played really well, L-Luca." He told me, biting his lip.

I smiled proudly. His stutter had been slowly fading with the more time we spent together. I knew it'd never fully go, but it was reassuring to know that it was steadily evaporating. "Thanks. I'm glad you're here."

"So, have you g-got a party or something t-tonight?"

I shook my head, "No, my Mum's not letting me go. Rosa's leaving for the airport in like an hour and for some reason that means I have to stay home tonight." I rolled my eyes. "Hey, do you wanna come over?"

His brows twitched up in surprise, "D-Do I...?" He looked down at his shoes, kicking a clump of mud on the field, "I-If that's okay." He agreed.

I tried to hide my smile, reluctant to let him know just how desperate I was to spend time with him, "Meet me by my car, I think I parked it by the fence." I told him. "I just need to shower and change real quick."

He nodded and I bolted away, desperate not to keep him waiting for too long. I took a shower at lightning speed, knowing I'd probably left some shampoo in my hair. I pulled on my change of clothes quickly, answering Phoenix's curious stares with the excuse that my Mum wants me to hurry up. I then shouted another "Good job, boys!", wished Phoenix a good time at the party and left.

I was bouncing with post-game adrenaline as I drove home, rambling on about the different players and tricky passes. I knew Theodore had no clue what I was talking about, but he was sweet enough to let me talk without intermission. My fingers twitched around the wheel as he chuckled, his angelic laugh blazing a fire within me. I fought the urge to pull over and slam my lips against his, rip his clothes off and take him right there and then.

As soon as we reached my house, I threw the car door open and scrambled to get out. Being in a confined space with Theodore wasn't a good idea. Being alone with him wasn't a good idea. Even looking at him for too long wasn't a good idea.

I introduced my family to Theodore and they all exchanged polite hellos and curt nods. They told me how well I played as the clock ticked away in the corner. And then it was time for Rosa to leave. My parents loaded her bags into the car and Vera and I told her how great it was to see her. We shared a long, tight hug and then she was gone. And I let out a heavy sigh of relief, grabbing Theodore's hand and dragging him upstairs.

He admired my room, glancing around at the dark walls and messy, unmade, double bed, facing the flatscreen TV plastered on the wall. He examined the framed photos carefully, the ones of my family, my friends, Holland, past christmases and forgotten aunties. "I-I like your room." He told me quietly, sitting on the end of the bed.

I sat beside him, probably closer than necessary. "It's a bit messy."

"I still like it." He stated just as Bugsy came bounding into the room, jumping up onto my bed to lick us excitedly. Theodore giggled, scratching Bugsy's ears as the dog mellowed, whining as he snuggled into Theodore's chest. "S-Scratching dogs' ears give them natural highs." He told me, smiling down at the Labrador now curled up on his lap.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it r-releases endorphins."

"Huh." I commented as Theodore continued playing with Bugsy's ears, the dog's eyes falling shut in bliss. "You're really smart."

He blushed, "N-Not really."

"Theo...have you ever been with a boy?"

His lips parted in shock. Both from calling him Theo and my intrusive question. "Uh...um..."

"I'm sorry." I interjected quickly. "Sorry, that was...that was a really stupid question to ask." I laughed softly.

"It's okay." He smiled. "And n-no." He gulped. "N-No, I-I haven't."

I couldn't control myself any longer.

I grabbed him by the back of his neck, pulling him towards me until our lips crashed together. Bugsy leapt off as Theodore hummed in surprise, his eyes snapping wide open. Before I could even taste his soft lips, I shoved him away, staring at him wildly. "I-I don't...I don't know why I did that." I whispered.

He watched me, his fingers tracing his lips curiously, his eyes fixed on mine. I couldn't read his blank expression, I couldn't tell if he hated me. He placed a hand lightly on my shoulder, snapping me out of my confused state of mind. He carefully ran his fingers along my shoulder, creeping up my neck as he rested his hand on my warm cheek, the feeling sending tingles shooting down my spine. I gulped in anticipation as he leant forward, pressing his lips against mine softly.

He was gentle and careful, the complete opposite to my rough, unplanned kiss. It was like he wanted to treasure the moment, everything about it. I savoured the feeling of his lips on mine, he was warm and tasted like mint. I was worried I'd scare him off, so moved slowly in the way I wrapped my arms around the nape of his neck and pulled him closer, starting to move my lips slightly.

He let out a light, sweet moan of approval, fuelling my confidence as I pushed him back onto the bed, hovering over him as the kiss deepened. I was experienced, I knew exactly how to make Theodore feel good. I nibbled lightly on his lower lip, making him gasp as I slipped my tongue into his mouth. There was no fighting for dominance like there was with Sam. He just let me take control as I explored his warm mouth with my tongue. And wow, this felt fucking amazing.

He was pulling me down, his arms around the back of my neck, twisting strands of my hair between his fingers as I ran my hands down his sides, desperate to rip his jumper off and attack his chest with kisses. But I knew that might be taking it a bit far. He was moaning softly, the sound making me want more. Need more.

Once we'd both ran out of breath, I pulled back, panting as I gazed down at him. His face was red, his lips swollen, his hair a mess.

What the fuck just happened?