Lizzie

"Guys, they're coming back out." I nudge Lilly and Tammy to pay attention. It's the second half and the teams are currently even. We all know how bad our side wants to win. It's their last game of the season and I especially want Brandon to go out on a high. For a fact, the talent scout he talked to me about is here too and it's one of the biggest nights of his school year.

His folks are watching from the private VIP area, which of course we were invited to sit with them, but you know, we're kids and all and prefer to hang out on our own.

I pull his jersey round me some more and hug it to my body. "What are you doing?" Asks Tammy. "Please don't tell me you're hugging Brandon's jersey. Oh. My. God. That's hysterical."

"Shut up, Tammy. It's cosy, and I want them to win." Now I am wishing I hadn't told the girls anything about wanting to lose my virginity and especially not that I mean specifically with Brandon. Honestly, I could slap myself.

The crowd goes wild again as all the players come back out of the tunnel and the cheerleaders start their routine. It amazes me how high they can kick their legs and how damn strong they are as they hurl each other up and around. It's kind of impressive, and I have come to realise from all the games I've attended never to underestimate a cheerleader.

"Say, Tammy, why didn't you ever become a cheerleader?"

"My folks said it'd take up too much of my time from studies, not that they were ever around to know in any case." There is a faint sound of bitterness in her voice. I see Tobias making a move to put his arm around her, then refrains.

"Yeah, but they're back now and staying, right?" Lilly asks as she opens a pack of Oreo cookies. My favorite cookies for sure. Tammy nods.

"Apparently so. But we'll see. You know what my mother is like; she can't resist some grand opening of the next best and biggest hotel."

"Maybe they're done with all their travelling." I sound hopeful; I know I do, because I just want what's best for Tammy. She shrugs.

"Who knows. Still doesn't make up for the fact they left Willow and me alone most of our growing-up lives. They suck at being folks. Not like your folks." Tammy looks at both Lilly and I. She's right; we have both been blessed with good parents.

"And mine," Tobias adds in a low voice as if he is intruding on the girl's conversation.

Tammy squeezes his leg, his face goes beetroot and clashes with his copper hair. It's so adorable.

"I sure hope they win, guys. This is so exciting." I sit myself down, barely able to contain myself, the nerves in the pit of my stomach. If they lose, Brandon is going to be the worst person to spend any time with later tonight. I know how mad he can get, and when he's mad, he sulks and can be a real jerk. Fingers crossed this is their game.

The team huddles around Brandon; I know he'll be telling him what the play is, and that coach will be talking to him through his earpiece. They clap each other on the back and chant then go to their positions.

Boy, is he so ultra-sexy with those tight pants on that grab his ass and lift it to a different stratosphere. I'd love to be the girl who touches that ass later, only I know if they win, the guys will go out and celebrate, and Brandon will definitely be fucking someone. Only it won't be me. My stomach lurches, and I feel instantly sick at the thought of him having sex with someone different.

"You okay, sugar?" Tammy asks. "You look a bit pale."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry." She smiles and gives a quick smile to Tobias, then turns to watch the game. Lilly is transfixed on the playing field as she watches Denver get into position.

Brandon throws the ball to his right for Denver to catch. His arms are so strong, and I can make out his trailing tattoos that run up and down each arm. Vines, roses and his parents' name are on one arm. On the other, he has Always and Forever, Lizzie & Brandon. I'm not sure how his forever girlfriend is going to feel about that when he meets her. There, I can't help myself constantly thinking about him and other girls. It's sickening, like literally making me feel as if I am going to heave.

He runs down the field, some player from the opposite team tackles him, and he goes over. With his arms up in the air, he starts shouting his mouth off. But the referee doesn't call it. Even I can see it was an off-tackle. Game continues. "That was out of order," Tobias says. "They should have carded that player. Man, so bad."

"Damn straight." Lilly agrees, who is scrutinizing the play with her beady eyes, not leaving the game for even a second. I sip at my coke and all the while my eyes are on Brandon. Nobody else, just him with his broad shoulders, appearing even wider with all his padding and kit on. I'd love for him to fuck me with his kit on. Shit. What am I thinking? But it's making my legs feel like jelly and the familiar warmth comes crashing through my body like I've been under a heat lamp or something.

The whistle blows as the referee comes walking towards the two center players; there's some shouting going on from the opposite team's center guy. He doesn't look happy at all. The referee makes some hand signals, then blows his whistle. My eyes go back to Brandon; he's looking my way, and I swear his eyes are directed at me. Only with his helmet on, it's kind of difficult to see for sure. Then he nods and places his right hand on his heart and then points to me very discreetly. Fuck. What do I make of that? Is he telling me he loves me?

My heart is racing so fast, it feels as if it is coming out of my chest. My mouth has gone dry. Looking around me, I cannot see anyone else he'd make this gesture to. Holy Fuck. No, no way. Get serious, girl. Of course he loves you; you're his best friend. Stop making such a huge deal out of this. Get a life.

"Four minutes to go," Tobias informs us. "They have to score, or we lose." That's a bit like stating the obvious, but we girls say nothing. We've all no doubt got our hearts in our mouths as we watch intently the guys passing the ball, running up and down like crazy and then Joshua passes to Brandon. He jumps higher than you'd think possible and grabs the ball. He pulls it tightly to his chest, and an opposing player comes right at him. Our defenseman is right in there; he's got this. Oh. My. God. It's so fucking close. Tobias is yelling. "Come on, Brandon. Sock it to them. Run. Run." It's more exciting and nerve-racking than any other game I've been to.

"Two minutes. Just two fucking minutes." Tobias tells us.

"Alright already with the time." Lilly spits out.

"They've got this. Brandon is going to make it." I feel like I can't breathe; my heart is seriously up there in my mouth. Breathe, girl, inhale, exhale. But I can't. Everything is riding on Brandon as I watch him dodge his way between the players. His speed is like lightning, his footwork is the sexiest thing on earth right now, and his long, muscular legs carry him to the end line.

Brandon lifts himself in the air and then dives, like I mean he literally dives and throws himself across the line.

The end-of-game whistle blows, and within literally a nano second, he has brought our team home to win.

Lilly, Tobias and Tammy jump up and hug me; we're screaming and jumping up and down like lunatics. The cheerleaders are going crazy. The stadium roars, shouts, claps and the music of the champions blasts through the stadium.

The guys all jump over each other on the field; they're clapping and hugging, and then I see as they lift Brandon into the air. His gorgeous arms held high, punching the air.

He did it. My Brandon, he has only gone and won the fucking championship. I'm crying with happiness; my heart is so damn full of emotion right now. Tammy wipes them away gently.

"He's so fucking awesome," she says, and she is so damn right.

"Damn straight he is." And then I break down into tears because I know how much in love with him I am, and that I'll never be able to be his. Not like that anyway.