Not a Night for Clowning Around

𝔼𝕀𝔾ℍ𝕋

TRUTHFULLY SPEAKING, MY parents didn't give me permission since I didn't ask to go out tonight. But at the same time, they never said no which technically meant it was fine for me to go. When I heard Aaliyah honk her car horn, I finished applying my mascara and went outside.

"Wow, you look good," she said bewilderedly.

"Gee, thanks."

"Looking good for your boo I presume."

"Shut up and drive." I did my seatbelt as Aaliyah revved the engine of her mom's minivan and drove.

"We have to pick up Kellen," she voiced her reminders aloud.

"I thought he was on the team."

"If you were an attentive friend then you'd know Kells doesn't play sports."

I shrugged my shoulders uncaringly. "Whatever. The only guy on my mind right now is Jake."

"Have you decided on a costume yet?"

"For what?"

"Halloween, of course."

"I'm not dressing up."

Aaliyah pulled into Kellen's driveway and he came outside and opened the backseat door. "Hey, Kell Kell," she sang out. "What are you dressing up as for Halloween?"

"I was gonna wear my Dairy Queen uniform and tell everyone I'm a medical school reject."

"Such a nerd," Aaliyah scoffed. "Shawn and I are going as Aladdin and Jasmine."

"Which one's Aladdin?" I asked, making Kellen burst into laughter.

"Keep joking and your asses can walk to the game."

~*~

"Would you look at that? The great Carter came," Jake teased.

"I'm only here for my ice cream."

"If this weather makes me sick, all of you are walking home," Aaliyah forewarned. She took a bottle of Gatorade out of her purse and handed it to Shawn.

He kissed her cheek. "Thanks, babe."

"He always forgets to bring one," she told me. "I'm surrounded by idiots."

"We should go sit," Kellen suggested.

"Have your wallet ready for when we win," Jake told me.

"You two are so cute," Aaliyah gushed as we sat in the bleachers.

"Be quiet, I don't want anyone to overhear."

"When are you two gonna finally get together? I hate double dating with Shawn's idiot friends."

"Who's dating who?" Kellen asked.

"No one," I answered almost instantly. If Kellen found it, it was only a matter of time before this news would circulate back to Jake.

Thankfully, the game started before Kellen could prod any more. The cheerleading team and marching band made their way onto the field, getting the crowd hyped for the game. I locked eyes with Jake who was sitting on a bench on the sidelines with his teammates, and he winked at me, making my cheeks redden. God, he was so cute.

"Staring is impolite," Aaliyah whispered in my ear.

I shoved her away from me. "Shut up and watch the stupid band."

~*~

The game was in full swing, and needless to say, I was lost. Lacrosse had to be arguably one of the biggest wastes of time ever. The scores had been tied 6-6 for what felt like forever, and I was ready for it to be over.

"Come on, Shawn!" Aaliyah hollered. Her, alongside the rest of the crowd, were all standing and cheering for our team. I had no idea how everyone was so hyped considering we hadn't scored anything in a while.

"I'm gonna use the washroom," I said to whomever was listening.

"Get me a water from the vending machine," Aaliyah said without breaking eye contact from the field.

"I'll take a Mountain Dew," Kellen added.

I got up and slipped out of the bleachers as I walked to our high school. The game was happening on school property, so I was hoping the doors would be unlocked. I walked across the football field and past the parking lot to get to the building. Fortunately it was unlocked. I twisted the doorknob and walked to the nearest bathroom.

As soon as I was done I went to the vending machine and slipped in a five dollar bill. I selected both drinks and waited for them to fall below. Grabbing the drinks, I headed back to the field where the game was happening.

I couldn't help but notice how eerily creepy the school was at night. I picked up my pace, suddenly feeling a wave of paranoia wash over me. I froze when I heard the sound of footsteps. The only issue was they weren't mine.