-Harleys’ POV-
“Oh my god, I can’t believe that just happened” I told Char as she drove us to her house.
“What exactly did just happen sweetie?” she asked a bit confused and concerned. Glancing at her before looking out the window, I said “I guess I should first tell you that Dante and I have been talking on that BeYourself app that you told me I should download. At first, it was fun not knowing who I was talking too but the more we talked the more I realized we went to the same school. Then he told me he was on the football team, is gay, and has a crush on a nerdy boy at our school. Eventually, I figured out it was Dante and when I hinted as much, he ignored me for a few weeks partially out of fear and partly because he was busy with practice for the big rivalry game tonight which he asked me to attend before he knew who I was. The incident in the parking lot was him confirming his suspicions about who I was and telling me he wanted to see where this goes even if it means we can only be friends.”
“Okay, that’s a lot to take in but I heard you say he wanted you to come to the game tonight. So, do you want to go? You know it’s the last game of the season and I’ve been wanting to go to one but I won’t if you don’t want too” she said as she pulled into her driveway.
“I don’t know. I feel like I should to at least be a supportive friend whether we become more than friends or not. What would you do in my position?” I asked feeling very confused as we made our way inside the house. Heading up to her room, she said “as a friend, I would go to support him. As he is your crush and apparently feels the same, I would still go to support him. I think you should support him even if he doesn’t know you’re there which I’m sure will be the case since that crowd will be packed with fans from both sides. If we’re going we’re going to have to go early to get seats though.”
“Okay, I guess we’ll have to have a sleep over then and tell my parents we’re studying all night” I said rolling my eyes as I pulled out my phone to do just that.
“Well, you know you still have clothes here and my family will help cover for you since mom and Annabelle both love you” she explained as we plopped down on her bed seconds before her door opened and little Annabelle ran in and attacked me screaming “Harley, Harley, Harley, I didn’t know you was here!”
“Hey Annabear, we just got here and I didn’t see you on the way up” I laughed hugging her back.
“Well, are you staying the night big brother?” she asked smiling as she held onto me.
“We were just discussing that. I just finished texting my family about staying the night when you ran in here” I laughed again as their mom appeared in the doorway.
“Ahhh... I see why little Annabear was so excited. She found her big brother” she laughed before walking into the room to hug me and say “hi sweetie, how are you?”
“Hi momma, I’ve been better. It’s been a day but I’ll fill you in later after little ears have gone to bed. Though, I am being kidnapped later to attend a football game as part of Chars’ bucket list for senior year” I laughed as she pulled back to look at me.
“Okay, sweetie we can talk later” she smiled before scooping up little Annabear and carrying her out of the room. After they left Chars’ room, she said “so we’re going to the game?”
“Yeah, let’s go even if he doesn’t know we’re there” I shrugged.
Forty-five minutes later, we left heading back to school for the big rivalry game that was set to start at five-thirty. Parking my car in my usual spot, we headed over to the field to get decent seats on the bleachers. Heading as far into the corner as we could near the announcers booth where we thought we’d be less likely to be seen, we took a seat and talked while we were waiting for both teams to be announced onto the field.
“Is it weird that I’m scared he’ll notice we’re here?” I asked Charlotte as the band began playing to get the crowd riled up before the teams were brought out.
“Not really, I think he’ll notice at some point even if it’s not right away” she shrugged looking over the growing crowd. Soon enough, the bleachers were so full I doubted he’d see me at all when the announcer called for our rival, South Harrington High School, to come to the field led by their captain Lewis Carlito. A few minutes later, our school was called to the field led by our captain Stephen Thomas. As they ran to the field, I couldn’t help but hold my breath as one of them paused on the field scanning the crowd before he stopped for a second then turned and ran towards the rest of the team. While the team captains were deciding who’d go first, my phone buzzed alerting me to a new message. As I pulled it out of my pocket, Char laughed “let me guess, he’s already found you.” Taking a shaky breath, I said “we’ll know when I manage to unlock my phone.” Glancing around as I unlocked it, I opened the BeYourself app to see a new message from Dante.
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Thanks for coming. I know what happened this afternoon must’ve shaken you a lot and I’m sorry I scared you but I’m glad you’re here.]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): You’re welcome though please don’t take this as we’re anything more than friends right now. I’d prefer to get to know you more before anything else happens if that’s what you’re aiming for. And you’re right, everything earlier did scare me but I’m more scared of myself at the moment. I can explain later when we know each other better. Good luck with the game by the way.]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Thanks, I’ll do my best ;P]
Smiling, I put my phone back in my pocket as Char looked over at me with a smile and said “oh now I know you’re totally in love with him.”
“What? No, I wouldn’t say I’m in love with him. Do I like him? Yes, would I date him? Absolutely, could I eventually fall in love with him? It’s entirely possible but I’m not that far gone yet. I don’t think, though I do think he is” I said as the teams took the field with Dante positioned at the far end of the field from us. Sometime during the first quarter of the game, two women came to join us, taking the seats directly in front of Char and I, that I didn’t recognize. After a few minutes passed, the younger of the two turned around and asked “you guys football fans or here to support a player?”
“Supporting a friend. What about you guys?” Char answered as I watched Dante running down the field towards the end zone.
“Both actually, but mainly we’re here supporting my younger brother” she said sounding happy just as Dante caught the ball and kept running.
“Oh, which team is he on?” Char asked the woman in front of her.
“He’s one of the NHHS players. He’s actually their wide receiver, Dante Holden. I’m Grace and this is our mom, Kathrine” she said drawing my attention from the field to their faces as they watched me carefully.
“Cool. I’m Charlotte and this is Harley. Dante seems to be doing well tonight” she said nonchalantly. Glancing between the women and the field, I could feel my face heat up as a blush crept across my cheeks.
“Yeah, he said he asked a friend to come and watch but wasn’t sure he’d show. Then before the game started, he sent me a message saying he spotted his friend in the crowd and told us where he was sitting. Honestly, you showing up has made his night. Earlier he was so nervous, he was shaking but now he seems to have calmed down knowing his only true friend is in the crowd” Grace explained before Kathrine said “my son has always been very solitary even before their father died, never making any real friends, but something changed when he started talking to you. He smiles more and is back to being his old self when he’s not around everyone who expects something from him. He understands how lonely it can be to have to meet peoples’ expectations of what the world wants for you even if it’s not what you want for yourself. Trust me, he had to grow up a lot faster than we’d have liked but after their father died, I lost it and couldn’t care for them. So instead, they took care of me.” Reaching over to take her hand, Grace continued “even if you don’t see him as something more than a friend right now, at least give him the friendship that can make both of you happy. I can see it in your eyes that you know how it feels to be alone in the world of other expectations even if you have one close friend.” Glancing between them and the field as Char took my hand, tears streamed down my face as I nodded then looked away to wipe my tears on my sleeve. Quietly, Char asked “are you okay?”
“No, I hate to admit it now but you might’ve been right from the start” I sobbed cryptically knowing she’d understand as she smiled pulling me into a hug before turning back to Grace and Kathrine.
“Can I you ask a question? I know as his family, it’s not really your place to tell us anything for sure but can you tell us if he’s got a crush on someone?” Char asked as I stiffened slightly. Meeting Graces’ eyes, she smiled and said “I’m sure he told you that he’s liked the same person since eighth grade. He said he admitted to it to the boy he likes and yes, I can confirm that my brother is gay. However, I’m sure he doesn’t realize the extent of his feelings for this boy just yet.”
“Did he tell you anything about the boy he likes?” Char asked as my eyes made their way to the field where they were planning another play while Dante was watching us intently as he listened to the coach. The look in his eyes was slightly sad but understanding as he glanced between me and his family. Taking off his helmet for a minute to seemingly retie his hair, he mouthed “I’m sorry.” Giving him a sad smile, I turned back to Grace and asked “why would Dante be apologizing right now?”
“Oh he did, did he? Well, then I guess I can tell you what he told me about his crush. He never named him, just said that he’s a brilliant nerd with uniquely colored hair and caramel hazel eyes. He said his crush has an interesting sense of humor, smart but in a funny way, when you can get him to use it but is incredibly sarcastic or quiet otherwise. He also said this boy never had a single choice in his life but would’ve made a great athlete with his body type had he been allowed any choice in the matter” she smirked as Char laughed aloud. Looking back over at the field, Dante was still watching me when we locked eyes and I mouthed “I’m your crush aren’t I?” His eyes widened for a split second before he looked away to get into his position which was answer enough. Turning back to Grace, I asked “did he tell you why his crush never had a choice in his life?” Kathrine picked up the explanation and said “he said his crushes’ dad was a very controlling man right down to the fact that he’s not allowed to have any hobbies or do anything that might distraction him from whatever goals his dad has set for him.”
“Oh my god, Dantes’ crush is you isn’t it Harley?” Char asked surprised as Kathrine and Grace stared at us.
“Yeah, I think I am. Though I wasn’t sure until I just asked him and the look in his eyes was answer enough. Somehow, I don’t think he’ll talk to me for the next few days out of embarrassment” I chuckled.
“Oh my god, aren’t you a cutie? Can I ask how you feel about my brother?” Grace asked quirking a brow. Glancing at the field to be sure Dante was busy, I answered honestly.
“I’ve had a crush on Dante for a fairly long time and according to Char I’m in love with him though I wasn’t sure that was true until I heard you telling us about how he is talking to me verses when he wasn’t. I know it’s weird but something inside me told me it was true. Please you can’t tell him any of this. I want a little more time to get to know him better before I admit to him how I feel” I pleaded. Smiling, they both said “we won’t tell him anything until you’re ready.”
“Thank you, now I should probably message him and tell him not to freak out so much but something tells me that would only make it worse” I shrugged chuckling as I looked back at the field to catch Dantes’ eyes on me. Smiling, I mouthed “don't worry, just relax and have fun. We can talk later.” Nodding, he turned back around and followed his team back to their positions.
“Wait a second! Dante can read lips!” Char exclaimed. Laughing, I said “yeah, why do you think I glanced at the field before answering Graces’ question? And how’d you think I asked him who his crush was?”
“I wasn’t sure until I just saw you mouth something to him and his response” Char said as Grace and Kathrine laughed.
“Oh yeah, Dante is going to have his hands full with you” Grace laughed throwing her head back as we just smiled.
“Oh you have no idea” Char laughed nearly doubling over making me laugh at her antics.
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