Don't Let Me Go

7

"Okay. Man, it's cold out today,"

"Yeah it is," Iris agreed. A chilly wind blew just as cheerleaders ran out onto the field. Iris shivered pulling her hat down. The game was finally starting.

Soon, the players were introduced with James, number 7, coming out and being introduced as captain. The crowd went crazy at the sound of the teams new captain.

The other school was introduced and Iris frowned.

The opposing team, Shore Heights Hawks, were about ten minutes from Greenview Highschool and always seemed to be showing up on campus, unwelcomed. Although both schools were located on the richer side of town, somehow the students always managed to end up at one school arguing over who was better. There was this unknown rivalry.

Iris stood cheering with everyone. Blow horns were going off and the cheerleaders were doing their routine.

James turned around scanning the crowd. No doubt looking for Iris. He spotted her and waved. Iris grined waving back as her mom nudged her.

Iris had been able to snag a seat in the front row of the bleachers.

"Things are good between you two?" her mom asked

"They're great," Iris said.

The game started with the Shore Heights scoring a touchdown almost immediately. Their defense was strong and Greenview was crawling their way down the field. This literally never happened before.

"What is happening?" Iris' mom asked, "It's like they know every move that's going to be made,"

Iris nodded.

"Hike!" the quarterback yelled.

James took off trying to get some distance as the quarterback aired the ball out to him but one of the guys from the other team tackled him to the ground.

A sickening crunch erupted and a chorus of "Oooh," came from the crowd.

James stayed down for longer than he should've before Jordan ran over shaking him awake, yanking off his helmet.

Iris watched as he nodded signaling that he was okay but Coach was screaming for him to get off the field.

"I'm good," James yelled walking over to him. Jordan walked with him as James recieved a "talk" from Coach. After lots of nodding, waving, and a quick check, James was back on the field.

"Shit," Iris' mom said.

Iris nodded in agreement. She could not handle another hurt boy. Not on her watch.

Of course, she spoke to soon because next round James' was taken out again. This time, he was forced to sit out. Even though he argued with Coach.

"What the hell is happening?" Iris asked to no one in particular.

The team was a mess.

Halftime came and Iris turned to her mom, "Do you think it's because their used to playing with Jonathan?"

"Probably but that's no excuse. They've been practicing without him for quite some time now,"

"True," Iris said nodding.

She hoped James was okay. He was a good player-probably the best and the team needed him.

After half-time was up, the team seemed to come back with a new vengance because they made two touchdowns and only needed one more to win.

"Come on, come on," Iris said as they took formation again.

They needed this win. Even if it was only to stick to Shore Heights that they weren't all that and a bag of skittles. They sure acted like it.

She watched as Jordan aired a perfect spiral to James who took it and ran it into the endzone.

"Yes!" Iris shrieked standing up.

Everyone around her erupted into cheers. Greenview had won.

Eat that Shore Heights.

Confetti erupted covering everyone in it.

Iris hugged her mom, "Gosh, that was making me nervous," she said.

"Me too," her mom agreed.

Iris turned around to see James' running off the field in her direction.

He dropped his helmet climbing up the fence and hopping over.

"What on earth?" Iris said.

He scaled a few benches and walked over to her smiling, "James, what are you-"

He effectively cut her off by wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her.

He'd never kissed her like that. She could feel the passion radiating from his lips.

He practically kissed her senseless as cheers erupted around them.

"Whoa," she said pulling back.

Where were they again?

Right, football game. In front of a few hundred people.

"Wow," she said pulling back.

James laughed, "Thanks for coming,"

"Anytime,"

He pulled back laughing at the cheering crowd.

He never ceased to amaze her.

"You driving me home?" he asked lowly, winking.

"Yes, definitely," she said nodding. She had barely seen him the past two days.

"Mom, can I drop James home? His ankle is hurting pretty bad from the hit," she said turning around.

Her mom laughed, "Sure. Curfew is 11:00, you know the deal,"

"Yeap, you got it,"

She grabbed James' hand and waited for him outside the locker room while he changed.

"Where are we headed?" he asked when he came out.

"No idea," she said.

When they got in the car, she got into the drivers side, "You played really well tonight," she said turning to James.

"Did I?" he asked grinning.

"Yeah," she said nodding, "I really thoughts Shore Heights had us for a second there,"

"I think I should get rewarded for that, don't you think?"

She grinned.

There were still a bunch of people in the parking lot and even though James was sitting next to her, really sweaty and gross, Iris realized there was nowhere she'd rather be.

Probably somewhere warm but nevertheless, she'd rather be here.

She leaned across the console grabbing his shirt and pulling him towards her.

Her lips descended on his with the gentlest touch but somehow the kiss meant so much more.

It touched her core and suddenly she knew what it meant when someone said "goodbye" in a kiss or someone kissed with "sadness." The only emotion she felt was happiness... and love?

It was too early to say she loved him but God, if this is what it felt like to be with someone who truly loved you. She was all for it.

Even if she had to do it all over again.

"Whoa," he said when he pulled back causing her to smile, "Damn," he breathed, "Can I get another one for the road?"

She laughed playfully shoving him away, as she pressed the start button on the car.

Hey Guys!

So, new update! What do you think was happening with the football game? Do you think there was some foul play going on? Let me know what you think in the comments and please don't forget to hit the like button if you enjoyed. See you next week!

~Beautiful1242