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“Hey, there's a lacrosse game here in Belinda today.” Jaz commented, catching my attention.

“How do you know?”

“Oh… Ivan texted me letting me know.”

“Ooh, the mystery guy will show up.” Sidney teased.

“Yeah, we talked more on Halloween and exchanged numbers. He’s hot, and there’s no harm in wanting to kiss him a little.” Jaz looked genuinely excited.

We both looked at each other and laughed at Jazmine's face. She was right, she didn't know Ivan much, but having seen Derek's latest actions with Colleen, and knowing what he did for Veronica about the photos that Martin leaked, I could consider him a good thing.

“It's not a crime at all…” Sid stated. “Then please just kiss him already. The guy must be dying for a chance—no one strings someone along for nearly three months except you.”

“I'm a girl who likes courtship and getting to know the person I'm going to make out with.” Jaz commented. “Now that I know him a bit better, I think his looks and personality suit my taste well enough, and I feel ready to kiss him.”

“You go, girl!” I celebrated. “Today, when they destroy our university team, might be the perfect time for a first kiss, what do you think?!”

The three of us were engaged in conversation that only stopped when Evan called us to join the rest of the team. Karlee decided to do a lighter workout that morning, which I mentally thanked, but she also gave us the clothes we would wear to the performance at Belinda's downtown the next day. Which included tacky cowboy boots and a hat. I felt like a drama club member rather than a cheerleader, but in any case, it wasn't like I had a choice. I would still have to practice the next day with the damn boots to avoid the risk of hurting myself when landing from a jump.

After that, the coaches still selected the reserve team that they would support at the night's lacrosse game. According to Karlee, she didn't want anyone else selected for Daytona getting hurt and so she stayed with the group she would be cheering on at the game later.

I had promised Derek that Colleen would be there, so I went to pick her up. The car was completely overcrowded—if the police had stopped me, I probably would have been arrested. After all, a car meant for five people was holding nine. It felt like one of those circus clown cars. Thankfully, Colleen's SUV was pretty spacious.

In the vehicle was me, Jazmine, Sidney, Veronica, Emily, Troian and Taylor, the dude Sid had a crush on. By a miracle, she finally asked him out. And we had still added Colleen and Zorah to the equation. Because of her broken and sensitive arm, Colleen rode up front with me in the passenger seat, but everyone else squeezed in behind. Sid and Taylor went in the trunk after we took the lid off.

I had to drive very slowly and that almost made us late for the beginning of the game, but in the end everything went well. We arrived alive and in time to catch the first goal that Derek scored.

Veronica even shouted next to me, all excited.

We sat near the back of the stands, but at least there was space. The rival team was on the opposite side of the field, but Torres quickly noticed us from behind his helmet. I thought he might have smiled in Colleen’s direction, though I couldn’t be sure. Veronica sat on one side of me and my cousin on the other. The rest of the group spread out wherever they could fit.

The game went on, and at some point, Roni decided to tease Colleen.

“Hey, sister-in-law, want some popcorn?”

I smiled at the teasing tone, but I could tell she was being both sincere and kind. Colleen’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“Did he tell you?”

“Him and Kendra.”

“Kendra also told me some things…” I shot the blonde next to me my most threatening glare, which only made her laugh.

“I didn’t say anything...” she added in a whisper.

“On my time…” I muttered, already feeling a bit irritated.

“Of course!” Veronica replied, giving my shoulder a light, reassuring pat. “I’ll get the popcorn, okay?!”

She left us for a few minutes. The game continued to unfold there and, with each new play, I felt tired due to the excess testosterone in the environment and the exaggeration of violence between the players.

The game kept unfolding, and with every new play, I felt drained by the overwhelming testosterone in the air and the exaggerated violence between the players. It was worse than football!

Veronica came back and handed Colleen some popcorn.

Everything was calm, Belinda, as usual, was losing and Derek was being an excellent captain. The brother of the girl next to me was scoring most of the points in the match and looked like a machine against his opponents. Colleen was very excited about everything and I was a little bored, but I tried not to show it, after all, everyone seemed entertained enough by the game.

Towards the end of it, however, something happened on the field. One of Belinda's players completely lost his sportsmanship, picking up the bat with the net they were using and slamming it into the back of Derek's knee, knocking him to the ground.