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The people in the stands erupt in cheers around me. Harper jumps from her seat, waving her souvenir pom-pom and yelling. I glance from my Kindle and notice that the scoreboard has changed 21-7. Our football team has scored another touchdown. I am a damn good friend. My head swivels to look at Corey on my other side, who is standing with a group of his basketball friends, while they watch the football team stomp all over their rivals. He’s loving it and so is Harper. I glance at my phone again and see the time. My gut clenches when I notice how late it's getting and that I would rather be somewhere else than here.
All week I’ve been racing out of school to get to the studio. I practice my dance until the routine is engraved in my bones then I make my way down to the recording studio. More often than not, I find Onyx slumped over in the recording booth, his fingers spinning a pen and tapping out a new beat. His grin when he sees me is infectious. In the week I’ve been meeting him, he’s added two additional songs to the first one he let me listen to. The tracks keep getting better. Each song is more empowering, slightly sultry and completely raw. It's Onyx’s original style, only more mature with a hint of violence. Right now, I want nothing more than to be there with him.
I watch the clock count down the remaining time before the end of the last quarter, my knee bouncing the whole time. Once he notices, I can feel Corey’s eyes on the side of my head at the same time Harper pats my knee in understanding. The clock runs out and the whole crowd explodes in celebration. Our entire team runs out on the field and starts hugging and jumping on each other. The win was a big one for them, or so I’ve been told.
I stand and follow Harper off the bleachers and through the crowd. I purposefully drove separately tonight so I could leave as soon as the game was over and my promise was fulfilled. I take out my phone and shoot him a quick text, making sure he’s still there.
Me: The game is over. Any new songs for me?
I wait while the bubbles dance on the screen. Waiting makes my heart race and I feel a little anxious.
O: When can you get here? I’ll wait for you.
Me: Leaving now. I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.
I tuck my phone in my pocket, a smile tugging at my lips when I hear my name being shouted.
“Jade!”
I glance up and see Corey and Gage staring at me. Harper is also looking, but she’s busy suppressing a smile. “What?” My brow quirks.
Corey shakes his head. “We were calling your name and you weren’t paying attention.”
“Oh,” I shrug and smile before stepping over to them, “Sorry. What's up?”
Corey frowns at me, while Gage starts talking. “The team is having a party tonight. It's at Liam’s. Guess his parents are away this weekend and they don’t care what he does.”
My nose scrunches. “Doesn’t he live on the other side of town?”
“Yup,” Gage chuckles, “we get to party in the swanky part of town tonight.” He elbows Corey, who shoots him a sly grin in return. I can only assume they are excited about the girls that will be there.
Corey gently nudges my side. “You in? Want to ride with us?”
“As exciting as that sounds, I have plans. I need to get to Ms. Patti’s,” I tell them all, and Harper gives me a knowing smile.
“No worries, Jade. I’ll make sure these knuckleheads get home tonight.”
I give her a thankful smile and a hug before moving in to hug Corey. His arms wrap around me easily before tightening. “I thought Ms. Patti closed on Fridays? You’ve been there every night this week. You can’t hang out for a few more hours?”
“Yeah, because the parties always last only a few hours.” I roll my eyes at him and pull out of his embrace. “See you, Gage.”
He gives me a head nod with a smirk on his face. “See ya, Jade.”
I turn and start walking, grabbing my phone to check the time once more. I almost reach my car when a familiar hand grabs my elbow. “J.”
I turn to my best friend, my eyes widening, checking over him to make sure he looks okay. “Yeah? Everything okay?”
“No,” he shakes his head, “it’s not. You’ve been absent for the past week. You rarely answer my texts and miss calls. And now you won’t hang out with us for a few more hours?”
“I don’t like parties, Cor. You know this. I tolerate them when I have to and I’ll sober cab you when needed. But no, I don’t want to go. I have to be at Ms. Patti’s.” I gently lower my arm and his hand falls away. Darkness clouds his eyes before melting away as fast as it came.
“Is it because of him?”
“Who?” I shrug and feel slightly embarrassed. I really don't want to make a big deal out of this, but I also don’t want to lie.
“The Kid,” Corey answers, and his blue eyes narrow slightly over the words. “Are you seeing him?”
“We hang out.” I meet Corey’s eyes, refusing to feel ashamed by this. I get it, Onyx is on his way to being a bigger star. Nothing romantic has happened between us, but I won’t deny that he makes my heart beat faster and I come alive when his eyes are watching me. It’s too new and nothing might ever come of it.
