A swift breeze sends goosebumps up my neck as I start my trek to school. The sky is a hazy gray but the sun shines just bright enough to provide sufficient light without being overbearing. I zip my jacket up over Zack's jersey, making my chest appear bulky. It causes a small smile.

When I arrive at school, my friends are all together with their faces painted with navy and white dots. Taty is wearing #50, Xavier Smith. I wish that I could have gotten ready with them but the thought quickly fades as they run over to hug me.

We stand at the front. When Zack comes out, his eyes are sparkling and, as always, he points to me with a wink. Like I'm the only person there.

The game is easily the closest one of the season. Our rival school is the only one near our level so it's rare to have such an intense game. It builds the anticipation stronger, makes the chants louder.

Zack scores two touchdowns, bumping chests with the other guys each time and then looking up to the sky. 

"Darrington! Darrington!" the crowd chants. I'm shouting like I've never shouted before.

By the last quarter, my dad looks stressed. We're winning by three points and it's fourth down. The other team is on offense and there's a mere five feet from our end zone. Sixteen seconds on the clock.

I clasp my hands together, praying, as the timer starts. Everyone is cheering for Lincoln High.

Sixteen seconds.

I see a figure running in red, the shade of blood. The clock stops at three seconds. The other side of the stadium explodes in cheers and their cheerleaders fly as boys in red uniforms bump chests and slap each other on the backs.

We lost.

I catch sight of my dad's face and it's absolutely broken. He tries to hide it, encouraging the players who have their heads dipped.

"Damn," Ella whispers. My dad starts to yell and move his hands aggressively. The players get back in their positions to finish the last three seconds.

The second the game's over, I'm running towards the field. Despite everything that's happened, I find myself searching for my dad and sprinting towards him.

My steps start to slow as my dad pulls Jaden into a hug and the team huddles together. They're all holding onto each other for dear life. Some kind of force field forms around them.

The huddle breaks and my dad and I lock eyes.

He walks away.

Before I know it, my feet are moving and, despite everything, I'm running after him. "Dad!" I call out. "Dad, wait!"

He pauses to let me catch up to him, completely worn out. It hits me that this is everything he's worked for and I have absolutely no idea what to say to him. I don't know how to talk to my dad, much less comfort him. But if I don't comfort him, who will?

My fingers start to intertwine. "I'm sorry about the game, dad. You did really well, though." I raise my tone to try and sound more positive. "We won pretty much every other game and almost won this one and I know all the guys are really proud of you." I bite my lip. "I'm proud of you."

He studies me, looking straight at me like I'm someone else, contemplative. His mouth opens to say something but quickly closes again.

"Why don't you go see your... friends?" he asks carefully.

I'm equally careful with my words. "I will, but you're my dad and I know how much football means to you..." Despite how uncomfortable my voice sounds, it's genuine.

His eyes glaze over me and he places a hand on my shoulder. "I'll wait in the car," he says and his gaze shifts to focus behind me. Turning slowly, I follow his eyeline and see Zack on the field, sitting and staring off into the distance.

He's giving me permission for the night.

Readjusting his cap with a sigh, my dad pats my shoulder and walks away.

---

"Hey," I greet softly as I approach Zack and he looks towards me with a weary smile. "How are you feeling?" I ask as I sit beside him, like that time he brought me here after school.

I reach out to brush the hair matted in sweat away from his forehead and he melts against my touch.

He starts to collect his thoughts. "I just..." he says wistfully. "I feel bad for the seniors. Their last game." He grimaces and I start to brush his cheek.

"I know," I say. "But you guys did really good today. I'm really proud of you."

His eyes soften but he continues to stare ahead. "My dad came today," he lets out. My fingers pause on his face. "He's been reaching out to me, trying to repair our relationship..." He looks down. "He saw me lose," he whispers.

"He saw you score two touchdowns. He saw you work hard at the game you love," I insist.

"Not hard enough," he responds briskly. "If I had just... I..." I see his brain replaying every play of the game, the responsibility and regret crushing down on him.

"Hey, look at me," I say. He turns to face me. "You're Zack Darrington. That means you're kinda fucking awesome. Don't you know that by now?"

A tiny grin appears on his lips as he nods. Smiling, I press a kiss to his cheek before standing up and offering him my hand. He takes it, getting up with an overdramatic groan, and weighs himself down until I'm the one to pull him up. Holding his hand, I start to lead the way but he grabs my wrist and pulls me into him.

My breath hitches in my throat as he takes control again, holding my face in his hands. He stares at me.

It feels like I'm dreaming when his lips press into mine, patient and sweet.

It lasts for only a moment before all hell breaks loose as he pulls me even closer, deepening the kiss. He tastes like burnt marshmallows and smells like crackling smoke. Fire and wind burn between us, warming my entire body from where his scorching lips devour my shy ones to the space on my hips his hands claim. My first kiss on a football field.

This time it counts.

---

That night, I pull out an old notebook from my bookshelf. It sits on the bottom shelf and I have to wipe the dust off before opening it. A small smile creeps on my face as I read through the stories that I started as a kid, never to finish. I read every single word.

Then I pull out a pencil, crack open a fresh page, and start to write.

                                         There once was a boy with eyes like the night sky.

A/N: Thank u for reading. Pls vote and comment if you enjoyed :)The later chapters need some more editing before I publish them but only about 8 chapters left! Seriously thank u sm to anyone reading this