For someone who had little to no interest in sports, Robert watched the game as intently as possible, resting his chin in his hands and staring straight ahead for long durations of time.

Honestly, the sight of it was so amusing, I struggled to pay attention to the actual game. Occasionally I'd mutter, "Describe to me what's happening right now," in Robert's ear, and he'd merely whisper, "Shut up. Fuck off," in response.

When it was half-time, he threw his head back and groaned loudly. "This is useless," he complained. "I have no idea what's going on." He glanced suspiciously up at me. "Do you?"

"I have a vague idea," I teased, smirking. He groaned again.

"Tell you what." I drew the twenty Elena had given me from my pocket and held it triumphantly before him. "'Moneybags Alyx' over here will treat you to one food item of your choosing."

"Aw, Alyx." Robert grinned widely as I stood from my seat. "You absolute legend. Go get me a soda you incredible man."

I bowed mockingly and made my way from the bleaches to a small makeshift canteen that had been set up a few paces away from the field. Given it was half-time, there was a decent line already forming, and I joined the end of it with a resigned sigh.

"Cash was so hot out there," a girl in front of me exclaimed. "I could barely concentrate on the game."

Her friend giggled shrilly into her shoulder. "I know what you mean. It's honestly a little annoying just how attractive he is."

Tell me about it, I thought despairingly, with whole-hearted agreement. What's a boy to do?

"Next, please," a voice called, and I moved up to the front of the line as the pair shuffled off. But before I could order, a tall shadow fell over me, and Cash himself cut in front of me.

"Sorry," he said without a hint of sincerity, turning to glance over a shoulder. "Players get first dibs-"

He broke off suddenly, as though shocked, and it occurred to me he mightn't have realised who I was when he'd taken my spot in the line. Now we were staring at each other, just staring, and I felt like my whole being was on fire.

"Nevermind," Cash said suddenly, abruptly stepping away. I gaped after his retreating form, barely able to comprehend it.

Did he feel guilty for the other day? Was that why he'd backed off?

Good, I thought firmly, setting my jaw. I told myself that was why I felt so euphoric; because the sight of me had upset Cash, and not because he'd seemed to regret pushing ahead of me.

"Excuse me?" The canteen worker was watching me irritably. "Are you going to order?"

"Yes," I said hurriedly, jolting upright. "Yes. Sorry."

- - - -

The rest of the night passed in a blur. Having officially given up on memorising football plays, Robert and I began mockingly commentating the remainder of the game, which was strangely therapeutic. With every insult, I felt the tension leave my body, and the stress from the past few days drain away. Up here, over the roar of the crowd, no one could hear us, and we were safe to ridicule those who had previously ridiculed us.

The last ten minutes were especially intense. The Geckoes and the Lions were tied, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats. Even Robert and I, despite being a little hazy on the rules, knew enough to understand the agitation and excitement that charged the air around us. When the Geckoes scored the final goal just as the game ended, the crowd erupted into cheers, and people stood from their seats and clapped vehemently, stomping their feet and hollering with delight.

"Imagine being this enthusiastic about anything," Robert muttered, clapping half-heartedly from his seat. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and watched the darkening clouds above with a forlorn expression. "And now it's going to rain. Great."

"Aw, cheer up," I teased, elbowing him playfully. "You're just a grumpy old bastard." I spread my arms grandiosely as the crowd began to filter down from the bleaches, gathering around the field to congratulate the players. "Sports! Weird smells! Fellow students! What more could you want?"

Robert merely shook his head. "Oh, Alyx, you sad, sad weirdo." He stood and stretched with slow, grateful movements. "Damn, that was boring. Football is boring." He glanced up at the sky again as thunder rumbled a second time. "Do you need a ride?"

"Nah, Elena's picking me up," I informed him, standing from my own seat. "You go ahead. I'll see you on Monday."

"Okay, man." Robert bumped shoulders with me as he passed. "Have a good weekend."

As his shape disappeared into the distance, my phone buzzed, and I read the message glinting across my screen with a sigh.

'Will b late,' Elena said. 'Sorry. Should b there in abt 30 mins.'

"Great," I muttered, texting back a brief, 'All good.' I spent a moment surveying the scene before me. Most of the bleaches were empty, and the crowd surrounding the players had dispersed, too. The players themselves had even disappeared, returning to their club room to change from their uniforms. I was almost alone. And the sky looked bleaker than ever.

Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I decided to hide in the bathrooms for a while. There, I settled against one of the sinks, pulled out my phone, and reflected on the day's events. Coming to the game might've been a good idea. Or a bad one.

But either way, when I walked back out of the bathroom half an hour later, I felt confident that I had dealt with the situation admirably. And that I was one step closer to getting over Cash.

The rain was coming down hard as I made my way past the bleachers. Elena had texted me a few minutes earlier, informing me she had arrived, and I drew my hood over my head to defend against the rain while I made my way to the parking lot.

"Miller! Hey, Miller!"

I froze instinctively, my heart hammering against my chest. I knew that voice.

I stood there for a moment, contemplating, uncertain what to say, what to do. Then I quickened my pace and kept walking, moving briskly through the rain.

Footsteps squelched behind me.

"Hey, Miller! Don't walk away from me!"

The footsteps became faster, and then I was running, and the person behind me was running, chasing me through the rain.

"Please!" There was a strange desperation in the voice behind me. "I just want to talk! Slow down!"

I turned suddenly on my heel, half skidding on mud, and whirled to face the person standing a few paces away from me.

Cash was soaked.

Wet hair, dark with moisture, hung heavily over his eyes, and his Geckoes jersey clung tightly to his skin. Water dripped down his face and neck, spraying majestically with each movement.

And there we were. Two rivals, facing off across a battlefield. There were maybe two feet between us. If that.

"What?" I demanded finally, yelling to be heard over the rain. I could feel every breath leave my body, could feel every beat of my heart against my ribcage. "What could you possibly want?"

Cash was silent for a moment. He was just staring at me, those brilliant eyes searing holes into my skull. I considered leaving. Just walking away.

"I'm sorry for the other day," he said suddenly. His face was unreadable. "I'm sorry that Tyson-Well, I didn't think he'd ever try anything like that."

I thought of the afternoon Tyson had beat me up, how hateful and bitter I'd felt.

How alone.

"Maybe you don't know your friends as well you as think," I spat finally, and even I was surprised by the venom in my voice.

I went to leave, but Cash called, "What's that supposed to mean?" and there was something so obstinate in his tone that I couldn't help turning back to glare at him.

"Why do you care?"

I'd taken up a defensive stance without even realising; my fists were clenched, arms rigid at my side, shoulders taut with tension. And when I looked across at Cash, I realised he'd taken the same stance, too.

"Because-Because-"

I'd rendered him speechless, and there was such a ferocious triumph that came with knowing it.

"Do you feel bad?" I asked mockingly, furiously blinking water from eyes. "Do you actually have a conscience?"

Cash was opening and closing his mouth, beginning and ending his sentences, and I cut him off with glee.

"Is there a part of you that actually experiences regret?" I couldn't stop myself, couldn't stop the flames as they leapt from my tongue and flickered in the air between us.

"That's not-" He took a step forward, seemed to think better of it, then took a step back. "I'm just-I'm trying to-"

"Clear your conscience?" I sneered cruelly. I was sick of being the weak one, sick of being the one who was always getting hurt. Hurting him back felt good-It felt like justice. And I sure as hell could use some of that in my life. "Well, I've got some news for you, Cash Smith-You should feel bad!"

I wasn't even thinking anymore-The words were just coming out, and I was letting them, I was letting them fall out in whatever configuration they wanted.

"I'm the person you were texting these past few weeks! I'm the one you were talking to! I'm the one who read 'This Burning Heart!'"

Oh god.

I'd said too much.

Words died in my throat. I felt suddenly cold-The heat searing me moments ago had been extinguished by the piercing blue of Cash's eyes.

He was just staring. His jaw was clenched, and his brow was furrowed, and my chest was heaving up and down as I struggled to catch my breath.

I wondered if it was his turn to destroy me. If we were destined to just keep breaking each other, over and over again.

And then he started to walk forward, stepping closer and closer, devouring the gap between us until his face was all I could see, until the blue of his eyes were so close I was drowning in them-

And then he was kissing me.

Kissing me.

His hands were gripping the front of my sweatshirt, yanking me to him, and our mouths were moving together quickly, feverishly, as though we were running out of time, as though we couldn't get enough of each other, as though we needed each other-

My hoodie fell from my head and then Cash's hands were in my hair, running swift, fervent tracks through it. My hands found his waist, and I gripped the hem of his jersey as tightly as I could, like it was a lifeline.

And we were kissing. Cash Smith was kissing me, in the rain.

He drew away suddenly-Too suddenly.

I gasped aloud, stumbling as the weight and warmth of his body abruptly vanished. He walked away quickly, disappearing into the darkness so fast I wondered if I'd dreamt him all along.

A/N: If you've made it up to this point, thankyou so much! Hope you're enjoying the story so far, and if you are, please leave a vote and/or a comment :)