8

If I know what love is, it’s because of you.

N O E L

"Ten points to Corner view’s Timberwolves."

"Ah!" Nadine and I screamed on the top of our voices, turning to each other to clap hands excitingly.

"You guys are so embarrassing," Peyton says shaking her head as she face palms herself.

"My boyfriend is playing out there, yet I'm not even as excited as you two." Liv says with a smile on her face as she looks at us.

"Did you see that hit Tyler gave to the guy on the other team?" Nadine asks me.

"I don't know who Tyler is but that game was legit!" I say my cheeks hurting from smiling too much and my throat dry from all the shouting.

This game didn't turn out as I expected. I expected it to be boring and time wasting like all high school footballs usually is but I was wrong, I was very wrong. It was really exciting, our school is winning and the playing techniques are so superb. Every throw, every hit, every sprint, every goal was so exciting. I was on my feet most of the time. It was as if I was playing the game myself.

I'm surprised to even say it but Aaron is pretty good at playing, he was coordinating the team really well. If they hit him, I winced along with him as if I was the one being hit. Strange, I know. My eyes were on the field, my popcorn... Well let's just say it's everywhere except where it should be.

"Go Timberwolves, go Timberwolves." Everybody on our side of the bleachers was chanting. We scored again and I and Nadine went ballistic once more.

The game ended with us winning 40 points above our rival. Cheering was heard all over and boos too but cheering surpassed boo. Corner view Timberwolves gathered in the middle of the field.

"What are they doing?" I ask Nadine.

She smiled, "time to claim our territory. Wait for it."

My eyes went back to the field and met with Aaron's, I couldn't see how blue his eyes were because of the distance between us. He winked at me, and although I was mad at him, I couldn't frown at him. Not now, not when he just made my day. I watched as he's hands go to his mouth forming a circle.

"Unleash the beast," Nadine muttered.

"Arh...Arh...Arh," Aaron says howling like a wolf.

"Arhwoo!" The whole team howled, the students and even the teachers. I couldn't believe it; I burst out laughing until tears glazed my eyes. Nadine too was howling and Peyton was just looking at like she was from another planet. I laughed until my tummy ached. I don't remember the last time I laughed like this.

"Next time you're joining the school spirit," Nadine said as we made our way down. Liv was already hooked to Luke, giving him what I think is a congratulatory kiss....or make out session.

"That was so hilarious, the howling.... Epic," I said my hands going into my shirt and removing a popcorn stuck inside my bra, don't ask me how it got there because I don't know myself.

"We always do it after an Epic win, claiming our territory, revealing that we are an unbreakable pack." Nadine says.

"That... that actually makes sense," I say as we make our way to the boys. My eyes automatically start searching for Aaron.... I wonder why but I want to see him, maybe to collect my phone. Nadine goes after Pete, her crush I think.

"Hey," a voice says behind me causing me to jump startled. I turn back and I see Aaron. I release a breath. I knew it was him, but confirmation does no harm.

"Hey," I reply my hands stuck in my pocket as I smile at him. Noel, you're supposed to be frowning.

"So... no congratulatory kiss or anything?" He asks his eyes never leaving me.

I bite my lip, pretending to be thinking about it. Aaron eyes move down to my lips and when he looked back at me, something had changed in his gaze. I move to him, then tip toed up, and just when I'm supposed to kiss, my hands shot up to his wet hair, and I ruffled it up. "Congratulations dumb face," I said sweat from his hair wetting my hand. "Ew you're like a dog."

I'm busy examining my sweaty hand and I don't know see when Aaron draws me up in a hug then lifts me off the ground. I yelp in surprise. "I won, I won, and I won." He says jumping up and down. I burst out laughing at his childishness.

"Put me down Aaron," I say between my laughter. He finally does, but there is a huge smile on his face matching mine, "Dumb face."

"Couch potato."

"Blue eyed Kraken."

"Silver eyed Medusa."

I start laughing, "My eyes are grey, dummy."

"Well, you would have nailed silver eyes too." He compliments making me blush slightly.

"Ok, ok, time to shower." Jesse says appearing beside Aaron, "Oh hi, Christmas."

I groaned, "It’s Noel."

"Which means Christmas," He says with a smirk.

I'm about to reply him, when Nadine slings her hand over my shoulder. "Noel, we're going to get ice cream with the team, come along please."

"No..." I start to say but Aaron nudges me.

"Please?" He bats his lashes like an adorable puppy.

I scoff, "that won't work on me, and please don't ruin the cute puppy image for me."

"I'll give you your phone there," he says, going into blackmail.

I frowned, "you said after the game."

"I did? When?" He asks pretending not to know anything about what I'm saying.

I huffed, "fine, I'll come along."

"Yay," Nadine says, "we'll leave after the boys shower, we could take my car."

"Oh, she is riding with me." Aaron says.

"You are?" Nadine says at the same time I ask, "I am?"

He nods, following Jesse back into the building. I glare at his retreating back. "Nadine, hope you don't mind?"

"Nope, it’s perfectly ok by me. We'll see you there." Nadine says as she skips off.

Just so we're clear....I still dislike Aaron.

*

"I thought you drive a car," I ask as we approach the parking lot and all I see is a motorcycle. Everyone else is gone. We're the last students in school, all because someone has to take his precious time while showering.

"Yes, I do." He says walking to the motorcycle. "This baby belongs to Jesse."

"Donovan?"

"No, Salvatore."

I frown at his sarcastic reply and refuse to move from the spot I was currently standing on. He sighs running his hand through his hair.

"Sorry. Yes, Jesse Donovan, my friend," He says.

I reluctantly walk to him. "Why are you with his motorcycle?"

"He used my car to transport some of the team,” he mounts the motorcycle. "If anything happens to my car, I swear I'll kill Jesse." He mutters under his breath but I still picked it.

"Ah, that's why your tail's on fair. You're worried about the state of your car," I say trailing a finger on the spotless black bike.

"Yes, guys are pigs you know. They'll litter my car and Jesse would be too excited about sport talk to even care." He grumbled turning on the ignition.

I smile. "You're cute."

He groans, "No, I'm not. I'm beautiful, I'm handsome, and I’m sexy. I'm all appeasing to the eyes. I, Aaron, the eternal stud."

I roll my eyes, "you wish."

He smirked, "hop on."

I suck in a breath then decide to confess. "So...fun fact. I'm scared of bikes!" I say then follow it up with an awkward laugh.

"You are?" Aaron asks, looking concerned. I nod, ready to see him laugh at me, turning into a jerk once more. "Hop on; I'll help you overcome your fears."

I chuckle drily, "I doubt that. If I get on that thing, you're probably going to kill me."

"No, I won't," he defends.

"Whatever, I don't know how to mount it. We should just walk," I say already walking away. His warm big hands suddenly grab my wrist.

"Come on Noel, I'll teach you." He says his eyes boring into mine. I shrug then reluctantly agreed. "So it’s very simple. Just place your legs here, and then swing the other one over to the other side."

I do as instructed but my legs wobble as I climb up, I lose balance and I'm about to fall but Aaron's hands go to my waist, steadying me. I feel his hands on my body and my heart flips again, just like it did at the pool. "Put your leg now, Noel." He says calmly. I ignore my strange feeling and I finally mount the bike.

Aaron gives me a small clap, making me blush. I come down and after he mounts, I mount too, successfully. "Hold on tight," he says.

I look at his back, hold on tight? I could see muscles showing through the shirt. His broad shoulders and perfect hair… "Noel?" He calls snapping me out of my thought.

"Huh?"

He chuckles, "I said hold on tight."

I nod even though he couldn't see me. I reluctantly lean forward and wrap my arms around him, feeling his abs through the shirt. I see him smile and I smile too placing my head on his back as we hit the road. I can hear my heart beat, loud and clear.

We reached the ice cream shop in no time. The whole football team was here, including their lady friends.

"Ah, finally I thought Christmas has taken you to the future." Jesse said as he and Aaron did some bro shake.

I spot Nadine and friends and I start walking to them before Aaron's hand clamps against my small wrist. "Let's order first."

I nod wordlessly and follow him. "I'll have chocolate flavor," Aaron said pointing at the glass for the lady, "What would you like Noel?"

"I'll take Mint chip," I answer.

"Oh so you're a mint chip girl," he says bringing out his wallet.

"Yea anything wrong with that," I ask bringing out my purse too.

"No, I actually like a Mint chip girl. I'm paying for you. Don't even dare argue it," He says giving the ice cream Lady money for us both.

"Thank you," I say collecting my minty heaven.

He shrugged, "Anytime." I turn to go join the girls. "Noel?" He called, I turn back to him. "Do...do you have a homecoming date yet?"

I'm taken back by his question. Lie Noel lie. "Yes. Yes I do."

He frowns, "Simpleton?"

I shrug, "somebody."

He nods but there is still a frown on his face. "For buying you Ice cream, you owe me a dance."

I nod, "ok," if only he knew I wasn't attending homecoming.

I turn to go again and he calls me again.

"Noel?"

"What again?"

"Just so you know....I'm taking you to prom. I am first." He says before walking away to meet his friends.

I let myself smile, Aaron is just so confusing at times.

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