Chapter 2: The Game

The stands were louder than usual that afternoon.

Everyone showed up, which didn't come as a surprise; Tyler’s team was playing for first place. That was something everyone from the school wanted to see.

Laila and I sat near the front, wrapped in school colors, surrounded by shouting students.

“That’s your boyfriend,” she yelled, pointing unnecessarily as Tyler ran onto the field.

“I’m aware.” I stated, trying to act calm,

“You could at least pretend to be cooler about it.”

“I am cool,” I said, trying to sound more believable, but I clearly couldn’t fool her.

“You’re clearly blushing.”

“Shut up, I am not,” I refused, but my voice immediately betrayed me, as it turned high-pitched, making her grin.

“You so are.”

I just shook my head in disbelief, as I turned my attention back to the field before she could say anymore, and there he was. Focused, confident, and completely in his element.

It was different, seeing him like that. He seemed stronger and sharper. Like the whole world disappeared around him, only leaving the game, and he knew exactly what to do in it.

The match was intense and fast. Everyone was sitting at the edge of their seats, as the ball went back and forth, but in the end, Tyler made the final touch-down. The victory was home, making the crowd erupt.

Laila grabbed my arm, shaking it excitedly.

“They won!” She almost screamed, as I smiled.

“I can see that!”

Players rushed to the field, shouting, laughing, colliding into each other, and then Tyler found me. He jogged over, breathless, grinning before he pulled me into a quick hug over the barrier.

“Did you see that?” he asked, high on the moment.

“Of course, I did, you were amazing,” I smiled, as I looked up at him with a warm smile.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

His smile softened slightly.

“I still wish you would come tonight.”

There it was again. I felt a small pull because, of course, I wanted that too.

“I told you,” I said gently. “Next time.”

“Next time,” he repeated with a defeated smile.

His teammates called him from behind.

“Tyler! Come on!”

“Duty calls,” he sighed dramatically, and I couldn't help but laugh at that.

“Go.” I spoke, before he leaned in, pressing a quick kiss against my lips.

“I’ll text you.”

“Go celebrate.”

He lingered for just a second longer, then he was gone.

The Decision

The house was quiet when I got home, too quiet.

I dropped my bag by the door. The silence wrapped around me almost immediately.

No TV in the background. No voices. No movement, just silence.

I exhaled slowly.

“This is fine,” I muttered to myself, trying to focus on normal things like homework and dinner, but then my phone lit up.

Tyler: You sure you’re not coming?

I stared at the message longer than I should have.

Then I typed my reply:

Yeah. I promised.

Three dots appeared on the screen. Then for a moment they disappeared, before a reply showed up.

Okay.

Then there was a small pause before another message arrived.

Wish you were here though.

Something in my chest tightened. I looked around the empty house once again.

The sound of the watch’s endless ticking filled the quiet space.

Is this really what I want?

Then I made a decision. A reckless, but rare one.

“I’m not going to stay home all night,” I said out loud, like I needed to hear it to believe it.

I’m not breaking a promise. Not really. I’m just going for a little while to surprise him. That’s not reckless, right? I’m just being a good girlfriend.

At least, that was what I told myself.

Getting Ready

I stood in front of the mirror longer than usual. Maybe even too long.

“Stop overthinking it,” I whispered to myself, but I didn’t.

I smoothed my dress down again. It was a simple black dress. It wasn’t too much, and not too obvious either, but still nice.

Because tonight wasn’t just a surprise, it was… Something more.

My heart beat faster just thinking about it.

Almost a year together, and we still had never—

I swallowed, feeling nervousness creeping in on me.

“Okay,” I whispered. “Okay.”

I grabbed my bag and checked my reflection one last time. Then I left.

The Party

By the time I got off the bus, I was already second-guessing my decision.

The street was darker and quieter than I had expected.

For a moment, I just stood there, adjusting the straps of my dress, staring at Daniel’s house like it might give me a sign.

“Just a little while,” I murmured to myself. “In and out.”

My heart was beating too fast for something that was supposed to be so simple.

But then I heard it. Music, the blinking lights, and laughter, feeling the air, as someone opened a window.

It was full of life and energy, the slightly dangerous kind, something I had always wanted to see for myself, but never really dared to explore, and suddenly my nerves twisted into something else — excitement.

I walked up the driveway and pushed the door open before I had the chance to hesitate again.

The sounds hit me all at once.

The bass thumping through the floor. Voices layered over each other. The sharp smell of alcohol mixed with something sweet and artificial.

It was overwhelming, but also strangely energizing. People were everywhere. Dancing in the living room, leaning against the walls, packed into the kitchen.

I scanned the room instinctively, searching for Tyler, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Julia?”

I turned, as a sudden familiar voice called my name, and I saw Daniel standing near the kitchen counter with a red cup in hand, and eyebrows slightly raised in surprise. Daniel was Tyler’s best friend and teammate.

“Hey,” I said, trying to sound casual, but I could hear it in my own voice. The slight edge, as my nerves peaked.

“You came?” he said, while stepping closer.

“Yeah. I just… thought I would stop by.”

He looked genuinely confused for a second.

“I thought you weren’t—”

“I wasn’t,” I interrupted quickly. “It’s just for a bit.”

He nodded slowly.

“Right. Yeah, of course.”

There was no suspicion in his tone. No awkwardness, just... Normal, which should have made me feel better, but for some reason, it didn’t.

“Have you seen Tyler?” I asked.

“Uh, yeah,” Daniel said, glancing briefly toward the stairs. “He went upstairs. Said he needed a bathroom.”

“Oh.”

A sudden relief fell over me.

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Hey!” Daniel started, like he was about to say something else, so I paused.

“What?”

He hesitated for a moment, but then he shook his head.

“Nothing. Just... It's crowded tonight, so watch where you step, okay?”

I smiled faintly.

“I will,” I replied before I turned away.