Hey You

11

Monday went by with me staring at the clock. Watching the seconds tick by wishing for time to speed up.

“I still can’t freaking believe it!” Roxanne said when I was done telling Katie about Steven coming to my house the night before during our free period.

“I cannot believe you finally got your first kiss!”  She continued as she sat down beside me.

“Um yeah, it’s pretty hard to believe. No guy has ever done that for me.”  Katie stated as her phone began to vibrate. And I rolled my eyes at her.

“It’s Matt, he’s making sure we’re coming to the game today.” She said turning back towards us with a smile.

“Yes!” Roxanne told her, glancing at me as I looked at my phone.

“Good luck today!” I texted to Steven

“Thanks :-*” Steven sent back.

I smiled, showing Roxanne his reply. 

The bell rang, signaling the end of class and the beginning of lunch. I threw my notebook and pen into my backpack and slug it over my shoulder, heading out into the hallway.

I walked into the crowded cafeteria, making my way to the table that we sat at every day. Placing my bag on the back of my chair I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket.

“Hey Stacey, I uh, wanted to know if you were free tonight?” Looking at the text I realized it was from John.

Roxanne walked up “Steven again?” she said with a smile and raised her eyebrows.

“No...John.” I replied, confusion riddled in my voice.

“John? As in Seth’s John?” She asked.

I laughed, “Yes, Seth’s John.”

“How did he get your number?” 

“I gave it to him...but he never used it before.”

“He’s finally growing some balls, huh” Katie said as she walked up next to me.

“What do you mean?” I asked her.

“He’s liked you for years, didn’t you know?” 

“How would I know? He never said anything to me.” I replied.

“Well, now you know...so what are you going to do?” Katie asked as she started to walk to get in line for food.

“What do you mean what am I going to do? What about Steven?” 

“He kissed you once...it's not like you’re dating.” She relied matter of factly.

Roxanne snorted, “Please, just because John likes her doesn't mean she has to like him back...or do anything with him! Especially, when she obviously likes Steven and things are happening between them.”

Roxanne and Katie went back and forth about what I should or shouldn’t do when it came to John.

Listening to them argue behind me, I grabbed a tray of food, and a raspberry iced tea; then headed back to our table. Pulling my phone from my pocket as I sat down. 

“No, I’m not.” I replied back to John. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him. But I do know that I like Steven, and with the events of last night fresh in my head I know I wouldn’t be able to find out if I had any feelings for John with Steven in the picture.

“Oh, maybe tomorrow then?” John asked. “Just one date Stacey, that’s all I’m asking.”

I wanted to say no, should have said no. But maybe Katie was right. Steven and I weren’t dating. All we shared was a kiss. A breath-taking, toe curling kiss.

“Ok, yeah. Tomorrow” I replied back to him.

“Great, I’ll pick you up at 7pm :-D” He shot back.

“K” I replied back. Part of me was unsure if I should even be going out with him. Most of me didn’t want to be.

The rest of the day thankfully flew by and the next thing I knew the girls and I were driving to the lacrosse game.

As we walked to the field from the parking lot, Matt headed towards us. Engulfing Katie into a hug. 

"Hey you” a player wearing #12 said as he ran passed us. 

Realizing it was Steven, I smiled and replied back “Hey.”

Roxanne and I caught up to Matt and Katie as they took seats in the stands.

"Craig is number 11 and Steven is 12, as you may have figured Stacey" Matt said.

"Yup. I caught on." I replied to him with a laugh.

Steven and Craig were announced onto the field as co-captains. With his helmet off, I could see his glistening face...already sweating from the warm up.

I watched the game closely, Roxanne sitting on one side and Katie sitting on the other. The three of us having no clue what was going on. All we knew was that we didn’t want the other team to get the ball into the guy’s team net. Which either way seemed hard to do. When a player had the ball, they would get hit hard by another player from the opposing team, trying to knock the ball out of their stick.

The sun started to set as an alarm sounded half time. 

“Oh my god this is intense!” Roxanne stated, as we watched the teams break to their side lines. Craig and Steven walking over to the sideline closest to where we were sitting.

I nodded my head, “Yeah, I mean, I still have no idea, but it looks brutal.”

“Brutally sexy.” Roxanne said with a smile and blush creeping up her cheeks. I turned my face to see where she was looking. More like who, Craig whom had pulled off his helmet and was smiling at her.

The middle of the day was a gorgeous day high 80, but at that moment it felt like it was 60. The t-shirt I was wearing felt like it was nothing. But when I noticed Steven was staring up at me, heat ran through my body and my arms covered in goosebumps.

Matt stood up, "I’ll be right back; any of you want a coffee?"

Katie and Roxanne eagerly replied "Yes!"

With his helmet in hand, Steven ran over to the benches, just as I saw Matt walk right passed the coffee area and right up to where Steven was standing.

We couldn't hear them talking, but as Matt turned to walk away Steven yelled his name and threw something at him.

Matt grabbed the coffees, and came back to his seat.

He handed the girls their coffees, and turned to me."He said if you were cold you can wear this."

Handing me what Steven threw at him, I realized it was his sweatshirt.  I looked towards Steven and he gave me a smile while he pulled his helmet back on.

Pulling the sweatshirt over my head, my mind was clouded by his scent. It smelt clean, but with a hint of pine, like the woods. I loved it. I sat there in pure happiness, feeling like he was wrapped around me.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the tall brown haired girl from the party on Friday night. If looks could kill, I’d be dead.