REBECCA'S POV

I woke up Friday feeling completely at ease. Talking to Landon helped to clear my head and spending the rest of the day with Ryan and his wonderful surprise changed my mood. I decided that I'm going to push through this little funk of bad moods and enjoy the weekend – I mean it is homecoming after all.

I nudged Ryan awake and he smiled the second his squinted sleepy eyes met mine.

"Good morning gorgeous," he said with that gravelly voice he has after waking up. I peck his lips and revel in the moment... until he ruins it by tickling me. I'm immediately squealing.

"Ryan! Ouch, Ryan!" I yelped in between laughter with tears now streaming down my face. He was laughing so hard that I don't think he realized I was serious until he straddled me and saw that I was looking more in pain than having fun.

"Babe I'm sorry!" Ryan's hands stilled and he started wiping the tears from my face.

"No, it's just my muscles – they're so sore!" I giggled again after taking a huge breath and he seemed to relax knowing that he didn't actually hurt me.

"I'll shower first then but I'll save water alright?" I nod at his plan and snuggle back up in the warm blankets.

---

We walked into school about an hour later, hand in hand until we reached our locker. I had on the navy-blue jersey with Ryan's name proudly displayed across the back. It was chilly today so I borrowed one of Alex's UnderArmour long sleeves underneath and wore some leggings and Nikes. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to do my hair this morning – or I should say that my arms were too weak to lift themselves for the amount of time it would take to do it – so I just let it air dry and I could do it cute later on. Kate invited Bentley and me to her house to get ready and Landon would meet us at her house after that.

"You look really pretty today hun," Ryan whispered nonchalantly in my ear right before chemistry began. He sent me a wink and then turned his full attention to Mr. Monty but I scooted myself closer to him and caught him smile.

All of our classes were shortened to half their normal time so the entire day was pretty much done by lunch so the school could host an assembly before the game. The classes flew by and the teachers realized that we weren't going to retain anything they taught us today so most of it was just slacking off. When lunch arrived, I met up with Ryan in the halls and walked to the cafeteria by his side – he'd been much more observant about when I was scared or nervous and needed someone close to me.

"Are you guys still coming over after school?" Kate excitedly asked Bentley and me from across the table.

"You betcha," was the only response out of Bentley, who seemed to be in a grumpy mood. I nudged Landon and basically jumped over his lap to switch spots with him so I could be next to her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just frustrating that I seem invisible to him." I knew she was talking about Landon by the way her eyes flashed towards him and her voice got quiet so he wouldn't overhear.

"He sees you Bentley. Just give him time okay? I'm sure he will come to his senses." She rolled her eyes and threw a fry at my face with a small smile.

"Yeah, you're probably right. I just wish he would come to his senses a little freaking faster." We both started laughing and got weird looks from the others at our table.

Soon the assembly was starting and Ryan had to leave with Mason to take part in it which left the three of us girls with Landon. I wondered if he ever got sick of being the only guy half the time but since he usually kept to himself, I don't think he minded too much.

We walked into the gym and the band was playing, students were milling about while trying to find good seats in the bleachers, and the groups that had to perform were frantically setting up their stations in various areas of the room. Soon enough, we were seated near the front of the bleachers (reserved for seniors) and the lights were being dimmed so everyone would be quiet. The principal spoke a few words before turning it over to the coach. I completely blocked out what he was saying because I spotted the hottest member of the football team making his way towards me with a bouquet of red roses. Kate nudged me hard in my side and I turned to her with confusion.

"This is how our school has the guys of the team ask their 'ladies' to the dance. It's completely old school but I love it!" she explained with excitement as Mason started trekking towards her with a separate bouquet.

"Well my lady," Ryan said with a fake British accent, "I would be honored if you accepted my invitation to the dance tomorrow evening." I laughed but nodded at his goofiness so he grinned and pecked my cheek before handing me the gorgeous flowers and heading back down the bleachers to the center of the gymnasium. I turned towards Bentley and was shocked to see some flowers on her lap as well.

"What the heck!?" I said happily. "Where did those come from!?"

She blushed. "Paul – he's in my math class."

"You're going to be his date?" I continued acting happy even though I was mildly confused. I quickly put it together when she rolled her eyes right in front of Landon and said:

"Well it isn't like anyone else is going to ask me." I shot her a look that said, we will talk about this later. I looked as Landon to see him nonchalant as ever and went back to Bentley. She rolled her eyes and smirked at me but our attention was ripped forward to the center of the room where the football team was trying to rile up the rest of the school. Of course, the cheerleaders streamed out from behind this banner thing and started doing their routine... it ended with them pairing up with the guys and hopping on their backs so they could piggy back them away. I clenched my teeth when I saw Mel clutching onto Ryan's shoulders as he sauntered out of the room. When they returned a few minutes later from the side entrances to join us on the bleachers, she was still following him like a little puppy.

"Becca..." Landon snapped me out of my little trance so I turned my attention to Ryan instead who had an amazing smile on his face meant just for me.

"Hey beautiful." He picked me up and sat me on his lap since there were no empty seats nearby. Mel scrunched up her face and stomped off in anger which made Ryan chuckle. "Good riddance."

We sat like that through the rest of the assembly – including the incredibly boring part where the school guidance counselor talked about drinking and driving for twenty minutes – before we were finally released.

Ryan walked with the whole group (minus Landon) to Kate's car and kissed my sloppily on the cheek before helping me into her car. He leaned his head through the window to kiss me again.

"I'll see you later babe. Stay safe okay?" His eyes flashed with a bit of protectiveness but he smiled and took his head of the window seconds before Kate ripped away from the school.

"Geez I know you have a lot going on but that boy just can't stay away from you!" Kate said and we all laughed. I loved how he acted even if others thought it was a bit overbearing. Bentley usually stayed quiet during these conversations because although she knew Ryan was different, I think she had a hard time not comparing him to her old foster brother that turned a little stalkerish... I changed the topic to make her a little more comfortable.

"So, what's the plan?"

"I think we'll grab a snack first since we're getting pizza after the game," Kate started. "Then we can make our signs and get all ready for the game! I'm just keeping this stuff on for the party because that's usually how people dress at this particular one." Bentley and I nodded along, both fine with doing whatever Kate thought.

We pulled into her driveway and I swear we were still going like fifty miles per hour. I think her car may have left skid marks on the driveway from stopping so quickly – I definitely heard the tires squeal.

"Let's go!" She practically skipped to the front door and swung it open wide. I looked at Bentley in confusion; since when is her front door unlocked? We made our way up the walkway and got swept into some lady's arms as soon as we entered the house.

"Oh Kaitlyn, I was wondering when I would get a chance to meet your new friends! The way you and Mason have gone on and on..."

"Mom!" Kate interrupted the woman, who I now know as her mother, and gently pulled on her arm to release us.

"Oh stop. I'm just excited to meet them! You girls are so gorgeous. It's Becca and Bentley correct?" We both nod and look at each other. This is where Kate got her spunky attitude from.

"Darling, why don't you give them a chance to enter the house before being bombarded with your questions hm? I'm sure they had plans tonight and you wouldn't want to be the reason they're late." A man – probably Kate's Dad – rounded the corner and gently whisked the woman away.

"It was nice to meet you!" Bentley yelled as Kate motioned for us to hurry upstairs.

"Sorry about them," she said as soon as we entered her bedroom and close the door behind us. "They just got back in town this morning. They mean well, they're just overenthusiastic." I saw Bentley shoot her a look and she threw her hands in the air. "Yeah I know... that's where I get it from. Anyways, let's get started on the posters!"

---

Two long hours later, we were finally finished making only two posters; one for Mason and the other for Ryan. Bentley didn't want to make one for Paul because she didn't want him to get the wrong idea – she told them if they went to homecoming together that it would only be as friends... I knew she wouldn't change her mind about Landon that quickly but the boy better get a move on.

Before I know it, my hair is waved by Kate's crimper and Bentley gives me some fancy eyeshadow. Instead of painting our faces, we just stick with the traditional thick black line on our cheekbones that the entire team sports. I'm not too concerned about Kirk at this game because there will honestly be so many people. Ryan told me that practically the whole town comes around and with so many people, it'd be hard to pick out just me in that crowd. I'll also have people surrounding me who will help keep an eye out.

Landon's knocking on the door and schmoozing Kate's mom until we all escape. He sweettalks her for a few more minutes and meets us out in Kate's car. I purposely sat in the front seat so he and Bentley would have to share the back and he knows this I think since he gives me an exaggerated eye roll.

"Alright," Landon's right next to me as soon as I step from the car. "Stay close to me at all times Becca. You don't have to hold my hand or anything but while we're walking please grab my shirt or something so I notice right away if something happens." I just grab his hand and let him lead us through the insane crowd. It's so busy that we don't even get a spot on the stands – I end up near the fence once again but that's not a problem since Kirk didn't catch me here last time. "I'll be behind you the whole time alright? Just have fun, you deserve it." I smiled up at Landon and held up my sign as the boys were running onto the field.