But she stormed off the stage with a face like thunder.
“That was so freaking cool,” Ashleigh whisper-shrieked.
“What do you say, Miley?” Avery said with conviction. “Will you dance with me?”
The room was silent save for the wild beat of my heart. Ashleigh gave me a small nudge forward and the crowd parted, leading me right toward Avery. He came off stage and stood before me. He looked so freaking handsome in his slacks and black shirt.
“You’re not wearing your crown,” I said.
“Don’t need it.” He shrugged. “Not when I have a much better prize waiting for me.”
“You do?” I glanced around, making a show of looking for something.
“Miley.” He banded his arm around my waist and pulled me close. “Stop.”
“Okay,” I breathed. “Is this the part where we dance?” I was vaguely aware of a song playing in the background.
“This is the part where I tell you how crazy I am about you.”
“You are?”
Avery moved closer, brushing his nose over mine. “I am. I’ve fallen hard…” He swallowed, his eyes darkening.
“I guess it’s a good thing I’ve fallen hard too then, isn’t it?”
“Yeah?” He grinned.
“Yeah,” I said.
And then I kissed him.Avery
“Here he is,” Coach said, welcoming me into his house. “The man of the hour.”
“Thanks, Coach. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You’re damn right there, kid.” He smirked. “Miley, it’s good to see you. I hope you’re keeping this one out of trouble.”
“I try.” She squeezed my hand.
It was the Sunday after Homecoming and I’d finally told my parents about Notre Dame yesterday. I knew Ashleigh wouldn’t be able to keep a secret and I wanted the news to come from me.
“Well, come on in, everyone’s already here.”
We followed Coach into his huge open plan kitchen. My parents were standing with Felicity over at the counter. Mrs. Bennet and Asher were here too. I spotted the twins sitting outside around the fire pit with Lily, Poppy, and my sister.
“No Ezra?” I asked.
The Bennets shared a look. “He’s… not feeling so good. Congratulations, Avery. We’re all very proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Bennet.”
“Oh please, we’re not in school now. You can call me Mya.”
“Son.” Dad approached me, pulling me into a hug. “She’s right. We’re proud, kid. So fucking proud.”
“Cameron!” Mom gasped, and everyone chuckled.
“It’s not every day your kid commits early to one of the best football programs in the country, Hailee. I think I’m allowed to get a little emotional.”
“You can get emotional without the cussing.”
“This looks great, you guys.” I changed the subject, glancing over at the huge spread of food Coach and his wife had laid out for me.
“Well, it’s a great reason to celebrate. Now all we need is to bring home that championship and my work here is done.” Coach smirked again.
“No pressure then.” I chuckled.
“You’ll do it, babe.” Miley leaned over and kissed my cheek and I swear all the moms in the room swooned.
“You two are just the cutest, and so lucky to be attending schools a stone’s throw from each other.”
“Oh, I won’t hear back from Northwestern until the spring,” Miley said.
“No, but you’ll get in.” She had to. Because spending four years without Miley close was not an option.
“I’m sure it’ll all work out.” Mom smiled.
They’d been so great about everything. Notre Dame. Miley. It had only been a couple of weeks since we walked into school that morning and surprised everyone, but I couldn’t imagine life without Miley now. Some of the guys didn’t get it. She was still a traitor in their eyes. But her second article had gone some way to repairing the damage done.
Micah had surprised me the most. He gave the word that Miley was my girl and that was that. If anyone had a problem with it, he took it upon himself to set them straight. I think it was his way of apologizing for what went down at his party. And maybe because he’d always suspected there was something between us.
Either way, things were good.
Better than good. Life was pretty fantastic.
Lily was doing better at school. Ashleigh was as annoying as ever. The team was on a winning streak. And I had the girl of my dreams by my side.
I had everything I needed.
And I couldn’t wait to see what the future held.
Three years later…Lily
“Hey, you,” Mom joined me outside. I was curled up on a garden lounger, reading a book.
“Hey, Mom.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Okay, I guess.”
“You know, school starts in a week.”
“I know.” As if I could forget. It was senior year.
It only felt like two seconds ago, I was starting Rixon High as a shy ninth grader.
“You’ve come so far, baby. I have good feelings about this year.”
“It’ll be fine, Mom.” It was my go-to response when things started to feel too much.
I’m fine.
It’s fine.
Everything will be fine.
Mom knew, they all did. But they didn’t push. I think over the years, it had gotten easier not to push. To just let me be.
“Has Dad found out what’s happening yet?”
“He’s on a conference call with Principal Kiln and Principal Mendoza right now. But whatever happens, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” She leaned over and squeezed my knee.
Over the summer, there had been a fire at Rixon East High School. Luckily no one was injured, but the damage was too extensive to repair in time for the new school year. The school board decided that kids would be shipped to the three nearest schools, including Rixon High.
It was all Ashleigh and Peyton, my best friends, had talked about all summer. I guess it was a big deal. Kids from Rixon East and Rixon High didn’t exactly mix. The rivalry wasn’t as bad as it was back in my dad’s day, but there was no love lost between our two high schools.
“Sucks to be them,” I said.
“Lil,” Mom warned.
“What?” I shrugged.
She rolled her eyes. “Remember how you felt starting Rixon High in ninth grade? I imagine it’s going to be scary and unknown for a lot of kids. A little
