Flashback
- 6 years ago, Gramwood High -

Isobel P.O.V.

Another Friday night, another football game.

We were now about halfway through the season. The Gramwood Groupers were not doing too bad; we've lost about two games and won the rest. And yup. We were named after a giant fish. At least they looked intimidating. I'm not sure why they couldn't have called us Gramwood Greats? As in great white shark, but y'know that's above my administration level.

Tonight, we had travelled to Providence to verse Ridgeview High. I tagged along, as normal, to cheer on my athletic friends. Honestly, how come that skill skipped out on me?

The players and cheerleaders were on the sideline, warming up as I sat on a bench nearby. The wind was sharp and stiff, I shivered as I untied my hair and let it down to cover my ears. I had forgotten my blue hoodie and was currently freezing in a pair of jeans and a tee.

Tobias took a seat next to me as he bent down and tightened his cleats. His curly brown hair fell over his eyes as he tilted his head up to me. "Isobel? Where's your jacket? I can hear your teeth chattering," he chuckled.

"I forgot it," I admitted sheepishly.

"Oh, hold on." He jogged over to his bag quickly and pulled out a long-sleeved jersey. "Here," he smiled handing it over to me. "I brought a spare."

"Thanks," I smiled gratefully, slipping it over my head. I pulled the blue, gold and white material down over my body, instantly relieved from the cool weather. It had the school emblem at the front, with Tobias' #2 and last name "McIntyre" on the back.

The sound of the buzzer initiated the start of the game as the players raced off against the backdrop of loud cheers.

The game went off without a hitch as Gramwood High once again left the field in victory.

"Omg did you see #6 from the other team? He was a hottie!" Jenny fanned herself dramatically as she stepped onto the sidelines to pack up.

I chuckled. "I couldn't really see his face to be honest... helmet and all," I circled my hand over my head in a gesture.

"Yeah true... but his body!" She replied with a wink, stuffing her pom poms into her duffel bag. She was a wild one, Jenny.

"Wait, I thought you were into Jacob?" I said, raising a brow.

"Ugh nah, we just had some fun. He's too much of a manwhore." She rolled her eyes, looking over to our star quarterback who was currently flirting away with a couple of girls over the fence.

"Yeah... he really does "play" the "field"..." I chuckled, watching as the girls giggled obnoxiously. Typical jock.

"Yup!" She laughed. "I'm on to the next!"

I chuckled humorously. "Yo-"

Before I could finish, a strong hand clasped around my shoulder and spun me around roughly. "Kade," I huffed, annoyed that he just cut me off from my conversation.

"What are you wearing?" he asked me with a bite in his tone.

"A jersey? Jeans? What's it look like. It's freezing out here." I said, crossing my arms over defiantly.

"Tobias' jersey?" He continued to frown.

"Unless you know another McIntyre that attends Gramwood and plays on the football team?" I said sarcastically as my eyebrows pinched together. What's he on about now?

"Hmph," he jutted out his lower lip and flared his nostrils as a puff of air escaped.

"This was a nice talk and all Mr. Caveman, but I'm gonna go," I gestured with my thumb as I began to walk away.

Just as I did that, a chilling sensation splattered all over my back and sides.

"WHAT THE HELL WHITLEY," I fumed, turning around to face him, glaring at the empty water bottle he just poured all over the jersey.

I yanked the top off quickly before it could soak further into my shirt underneath.

"Why would you do that?" I cried, wringing out the wet material as best as I could. Ugh, not salvageable.

He stood there looking highly pleased with himself. "Sorry it was an accident, the cap was loose and I was spinning it in the air."

"Bullshit," I scoffed. Now I was back to freezing again. "Thanks a lot Kade," I rubbed my arms as the goosebumps began to form over my skin.

"You know I have a spare jersey. I guess you can have it," he said tapping his finger on his chin as he leant against the fence.

"Oh what, do you now?" I laughed humourlessly. What a coincidence. "Where is it? Give it to me." I demanded, stretching my hand out towards him, motioning for it.

"Nah uh," he tutted with a sly grin.

"What?" My face dropped. "Get it now Kade! I'm going to catch a cold and it's all your fault!" I whined with a frustrated pout.

"I'll give it to you... but what's the magic word?" He teased, bopping the tip of my nose with his index finger.

"Please?"

"Nope," he shook his head.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. Hint! It has my name and is, and my and hero," he said. "All in one lovely sentence."

Oh for flipping sakes my nose was going to start running any second. I scrunched up my face before reluctantly muttering what he wanted me to say.

"Kade is my hero."

"I'll come save you any day baby," he winked, before pushing off the fence. He grabbed his duffle bag to pull out the jersey. Whitley #9. I snatched it and put it on immediately, rubbing my hands together and over my cheeks to warm myself up.

"What, no thankyou?" Kade chuckled as we made our way to the parking lot.

"No," I grumbled, sliding into the back seat of Oliver's car, holding Tobias' wet, balled up jersey in my hands.

"Where have you guys been?" Oliver arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah we've been waiting for ages." Sophie added. "Everyone's started leaving for Milky Mike's."

"Ask Kade," I muttered, buckling my seatbelt and sat staring out the window.

"On second thought, maybe we don't want to know," Oliver chuckled. "Let's go get some burgers and shakes," he smiled, always the peacekeeper as he pulled out of the lot and began heading back to Newport.

~

"Oliver, Sophie, Isobel, Kade!" the bright, warm smile of Mrs Morris greeted us as we came through the diner. "I was wondering when you four would show up. The lot of ya are just over there," she nodded over to a large table filled with a mix of jocks, cheerleaders and associated friends.

"Thanks Mrs M." Oliver smiled as we headed on over.

"Last time I checked my last name wasn't Whitley," Tobias said amusedly, eyeing my new top as I came to sit down. "What happened to my jersey?" He asked curiously, halfway through munching on a burger.

"Ugh sorry Tobias, I'll get it back to you. It's currently soaked."

"Kade?" He raised his eyebrows knowingly.

"Yeah," I folded my arms over the table and buried my head. "Can you order me a strawberry thick shake please when a waiter comes by?" I mumbled through the sleeves. "I need a minute."

"Okay," he chuckled.

I got my favorite drink and took a few sips. With a grumble I pushed it aside. I couldn't even enjoy it, because shocker, I had enough chills running through my body. Should have got the fries instead, but I was a sucker for the sweet, refreshing creaminess.

"Bels," Kade nudged my foot from under the table.

I shot him a glare. I was not in the mood for whatever he was going to do next. I felt sniffly and tired.

"What's up, buttercup?" he continued, dipping a fry into some ketchup. I ignored him as I continued to slouch against the back rest of my chair.

"Not enough strawberry in your milkshake princess?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes and huffed.

"Can I have it then?" he nodded over to the abandoned drink.

"What's the magic word?" I mocked him from earlier.

"Kade is a hero," he smirked.

I curled my lip in dissatisfaction.

"Fine then. Trade? My fries for the shake."

I perked up from my position, switching attitudes faster than my mood swings at that time of the month.

"Okay. You have a deal." I nodded.

I wanted some hot food but I was too lazy to order it.

He smirked before pushing the fries over. "Too easy Bels, too easy."

An evil idea formed itself in my head. Oh we'll see about that, I smirked. I grabbed the shake, pretending to slide it over to him. At the last minute, I stood up in my spot quickly and reached over, tipping the tall glass upside down and all over his golden locks and precious football jersey. "There's your shake."

1 for 1.

The group erupted into fits of shocked gasps and amused laughter as they witnessed the scene unfold.

"OOOOH Whitley mate, what did you do this time?" Jacob bellowed, holding one closed fist up to his mouth as he chortled.

Oliver and Sophie shot me a slightly surprised, but curious expression. They were used to our antics.

"Payback?" I shrugged sheepishly, putting down the cup before dusting my hands off. The loud noise had attracted the attention of those around us. I shrank back into my seat. Woops.

"Remind me not to mess with you Is," Tobias chuckled.

"Well, they do say say revenge is sweet." I bit my lip with a smile.

Kade blinked with a blank expression, before wiping the milkshake away from his face with one hand. He took a deep breath before his gleaming green eyes pinned mine down. Oops? Haha. He said nothing as he stood up and pushed away from the table. Thinking that he was headed for the bathroom, I picked up a fry and popped it into my mouth happily.

It was a split second, but it was all the difference. I saw a blur of pale pink and blue from the corner of my eyes as he rounded the table to my side.

"Sharing is caring!" Kade lunged onto me from behind, giving me a big bear hug as he rubbed the sticky, dripping wet shake all over me. My squeals for him to stop landed on deaf ears, and my efforts of escape were futile. Next thing I know, I was covered in my beloved strawberry thickshake too.

I turned around at the culprit with a slack jaw, who was standing there with a massive shit-eating grin.

That's it.

I shot up from my seat and grabbed the nearest drink, throwing it back at him. I put my hands on both hips, popping one leg out with an equally large, satisfied grin. Kade shook his head amusedly as his mouth curved into a wicked grin. Uh oh.

"Kade and Isobel!" Mr and Mrs Morris came over, trying their best to give us a reprimanding frown. Oops. Saved by the bell at least.

"Settle down now dearies!" Mrs Morris popped a hand on her hip. "Leave the poor drinks and each other alone."

Kade bit his lip as he glanced at me from the side. We stood there like the disgraced children we were, our hands behind our backs and a grimace on our faces.

"Naughty, naughty," Jacob tutted at us, causing our friends to laugh.

Mr. Morris disappeared and came back with a bucket, mop, some cleaner and a cloth. We grabbed the things in shame.

"Sorry Mr. Morris, Mrs. Morris," I tried to give them my best apologetic, puppy dog expression.

"Yeah we're sorry Mike, and you too Dot." Kade added.

"It's alright, just clean it up kids," Mr. Morris let out a hearty chuckle.

"I'll try to find a towel so you can clean yourselves up in the bathroom after," Mrs. Morris said, giving us a small pat on the back and an amused smile.

We cleaned the floor, table and chairs of milkshake and soda as our friends snapped away evidence and giggled at our expense. Kade turned to me, the corner of his lips lifting up into a playful expression as he wiped down the table. I couldn't help but smile back, finding humour in the situation. I can't believe we just did that, but at least we were in it together. After cleaning ourselves up in the bathroom, I grabbed the fries to go as we said goodbye to the Morris' and exited the diner.

"Can't take you guys anywhere." Sophie chuckled as she stood leaning against the car with Oliver, his arm swung over her shoulders.

"Let's get you crazy kids home." Oliver smiled amusedly as he unlocked the car.

I now had two wet jerseys to wash up when I got home. What an eventful Friday night.