Picking Up The Pieces

ch.4

Weeks into the school year and already it has been chaotic. Of course, the usual, the hype of the football nights, pep rallies, and students preparing themselves to join into clubs or any sort of after-school activities.

It's the middle of September and already there's a buzz around for homecoming.

But first, tonight at the game, the school is celebrating its twentieth anniversary since it was open. And of course, there's rumored that mostly juniors and seniors are invited.

Luckily, for Chelsea and Phoebe, they are in the junior class. But, the question is, will they go?

''Hell to the no,'' Chelsea slams her locker and placed her binder inside of her backpack. ''I don't know most of our class, plus, I'm invisible. I'm not that noticeable, you know I have to be the top.''

''It doesn't matter if you are! It's still a party Chels. Okay? Look, picture this, me and you are surrounded by our class and with seniors. I'm talking about hot boys, muscular men.''

''Men are trash.''

''True, but still. It'll be fun. Who knows if you'll wind up being with someone else, it's possible.''

''Ugh, Phoebe.''

''Come on, think about it. The first party for the football season,'' she wiggles her brows the same movements that her mother, Janet did when they were at dinner. Chelsea couldn't help herself but laugh at her face.

''Fine, you got me.''

''Yes!'' She jumps, wrapping her left arm around her neck as the two walked through the double doors. ''This is going to be fun!''

By late afternoon, Chelsea and Phoebe pampered themselves before heading to the football game after school. Phoebe was in the bathroom, placing some makeup on while Chelsea was lying on her bed, stalking through Theo's i********: page.

Theo was very mysterious of his content. Guitars, Motorcycles, Tattoos of himself, and a steamy photo that caught Chelsea's attention.

A selfie of him in the bathroom, shirtless with his infamous compass tattoo, a v-line down, and those eyes brightening through.

There was another picture of him at the beach with again with a selfie with a caption: sea you later. Chelsea let out a snort, realizing what Theo meant by that. She bites her lips slowly as she thinks of what it may feel like to kiss him, let alone touch him.

''What's so funny?''Phoebe asked when she steps out of the room. She was wearing boot-cut jeans with a long red t-shirt, red hoop earrings, and a red and pink striped hand band that had long strings at the end. Typical Phoebe, showing off her early two-thousands fashion.

''Ugh, nothing,'' Chelsea exists out of i********: and getting out of her bed. ''Ready for this?'

"Ready is my middle name.''

Chelsea and Phoebe head out of the house and drove their way to the football game.

..

By halftime, the opposing team was in the lead by one point. It was a tight game, neck-on-neck kind of game that was so intense to see who will win tonight.

The girls, Chelsea and Phoebe were in the bleachers, eating their snacks as they watched the marching band performed their show in front of everyone.

From a distance, Chelsea spotted Theo with his friends including Diana. Her brows furrowed with a knot tying in her stomach. She couldn't believe that he was with her, Diana. Something bothered her seeing him next to her; she was jealous.

''Are you okay Chels?'' Phoebe asked taking a bite of her French fries. Chelsea looked at Phoebe. She stared into Phoebe's eyes, determined not to look away first. She was certain that Phoebe knew she was trying to hide something,

''Yeah,'' Chelsea lied. ''Totally fine.''

The sounds of horns from the intercom blew which meant that half-time was over and the teams were out to play on the field. Throughout the third and fourth quarters, the teams were tied in within each other until the last few minutes on the clock.

The sounds of the crowd become part of the happy center, reaching in and pulling out the joy.

''TOUCH DOWN EAGLES!'' The announcer said through the microphone.

Whistling and cheers roared across the bleachers.

''Oh my gosh, we won!" Phoebe shouts with a whistle. ''Woo!''

A group of teenagers was gathered in a circle on the plaza. From body to body they were so tight it was almost impossible to see what was going on inside, only the music that drifted over their heads gave anything away.

Later that night, the upperclassman, well most of them, went to the party that everyone was buzzing about. Phoebe and Chelsea parked nearby and went over to the lakehouse.

The house was welcoming from the open door to the wide hallway. The mansion was all concrete and tall glass windows that gave a view of the lake.

The lake met the moon with such grace that day as if the two of them were so enchanted by this eternal dance that they barely noticed the trees.

Chelsea was about to turn around when a car passed by and honked at her. She braced herself for the usual insult to follow but instead, a guy yelled, "Hey baby!" It was the confidence that boost for her to keep going.

Three steps into the party and she were assaulted with greetings and compliments. She smiled politely and accepted them, but she was distracted, searching for a certain someone.

Theo.

He stared at Chelsea for a long moment as if trying to solve the puzzle that was the smokin' hot version of her. He blinked a few times and Chelsea swear he saw his lips mutter "holy s**t" before his lips broke into a warm smile.

Without a doubt, she kept on moving to try to not think much of him.