Fractured from the Fall

Crash & Burn

Lily stood near the field socializing with friends. She tried to stay focused on the conversation but it was proving to be nearly impossible.

"Lily," one of the girls said. "Earth to Lily."

"What, uh, oh sorry."

"You've been spacing out all night," the girl responded in irritation as she chomped on a piece of gum.

"Is it because you're nervous for Grant?"

"What?" Lily asked in horror, and her face turned beet red. How did they know?

"Because of the scouts that are watching tonight?" the girl continued, sensing Lily's confusion.

"Oh right," Lily said, releasing the breath she didn't even realize she'd been holding.

"I hear there's several of them here tonight and that Grant's got a chance at a full ride scholarship. You're so lucky Lily. He's going to make it big!"

Lily just nodded and smiled. She didn't know what to say. She was embarrassed to admit she'd been too preoccupied with her own drama that she hadn't paid much attention when Grant had told her about who would be watching tonight. She just knew it was a big deal and that's all that mattered.

"Lily," someone said, touching her arm. She jumped and spun around to see Violet standing next to her. She'd never been so glad to see her nosey little sister.

"Oh hey Violet!" she said in an overly excited tone.

Violet pulled her sister aside.

"Ford just found me," she said.

Lily looked around to see if anyone was listening. Luckily the girls Lily was with had moved on to another topic of conversation and the crowd was large enough that Violet and Lily's conversation was drowned out.

"He wants you to meet him under the bleachers," Violet rolled her eyes and Lily raised an eyebrow to indicate her surprise at her sister helping to facilitate their secret meet up.

"Look, I don't want anything to do with this drama," she began. "But...Ford practically begged me. He seemed pretty concerned or upset. I don't know. I've never seen that side of him before. It actually made me feel bad for him, despite how shady you two are being."

"Thanks Violet," Lily said sincerely, but her sister didn't respond.

"You know you're playing with fire," Violet said, then she left and was lost in the crowd.

Lily made her way towards the bleachers, making sure she wasn't seen. Ford was standing near the back, dressed in his football uniform. He held his helmet in one hand. The sight of him in those tight pants and his muscles bulging out of his jersey, made Lily weak in the knees. Two days without him had felt like an eternity. This is a terrible idea, she thought to herself. There was no way she was going to be able to keep her hands off of him.

"Hey," he said, looking her up and down. His eyes followed her body as she approached and it made her weak in the knees to see in his eyes how much he wanted her. He didn't even have to say a word.

"Hey," she said back, trying to keep a distance, knowing she wouldn't be unable to control herself if she got too close, but the look in his eyes was like a magnet pulling her nearer.

"Why haven't you met up with me the past two days?"

His voice sounded hurt and he ran his free hand through his hair.

"It's just been...a lot," Lily said looking down at the ground, unable to meet his gaze. "I needed to clear my head."

"Why? Are you rethinking things?" He sounded concerned.