A warm breeze swept through the auditorium, adding to the blazing sun's heat and earning some groans from the seated audience. The sun was at it's hottest, filling the entire arena with hot, nauseating air. Its rays against the bare skin felt like millions of needles being pushed into it. Nobody dared look skyward for fear of being blinded by the harsh light.

All in all, it was a typical afternoon in New York.

Primswood's football grounds was packed to its max, as students and teachers from Primswood and McConnell High gathered to watch the game between The Prim Lords and The jackals.

On the field, the referee had just blown the whistle for halftime, and Kenner had joined his black-and-white clad teammates to walk to their part of the sidelines. Although, every limb in his body hurt and his heart hammered against his chest, a huge smile was planted on his face.

The scoreboard revealed that his team was leading by seventeen points, most of it touchdowns he'd scored or assisted in. He could hear the crowd go wild when his face appeared on the huge screen at the end of the field, and a wider grin jumped to his face.

He knew as much as everyone that Primswood had the State Championship in the bag.

He completed the jog to his coach, who was wearing a Cheshire cat grin with his arms open for a hug that Kenner happily walked into.

"This is the best game we've had all year, and I'm proud of you guys." Coach Tatum addressed them, as they huddled up, crouching their water bottles that they'd just emptied.

The guys cheered in ecstasy.

"Now, y'all know that it isn't over until it's over, right?" He looked around at all of them. "The jackals have enough time to make a comeback, so we've gotta make sure they don't have the space to."

"Here's what we'll do for the next fifteen minutes, defend," Tatum said.

Kenner raised his brows at the coach, wondering the same thing every player in the circle probably was --- was coach Tatum okay?

"Defend?" Kory, one of the lead defenders, repeated, his tone unsure.

"You heard right, Kory, defend. We can't be greedy," Tatum answered.

"Uhm, we can." Another guy argued, breaking away from the circle. "We've got a huge margin, and a chance to widen it. Make something record-breaking."

Kenner didn't like bulky, sassy George, but he had to agree that he had a point. If all they were supposed to do was defend, and not be greedy, He had no place on the field anymore. He was about to agree, then Tatum spoke up.

"George, you're not listening to me," Tatum replied, patiently. "We can't be greedy till the last minute. And talk about record-breaking, I'm changing the game plan."

Did those cheating jackals slip something into his water?

"What?" Kenner protested. "Look, coach, the plan we already have is the bomb. What could replace it?"

"I have a better plan." Coach tugged them all closer, then reduced his voice to a whisper. "Now, everyone will be expecting you to throw the final touchdown, Kenner, but it's not happening."

"But ---"

"No buts, Kenner. This isn't about being the star, this is about winning." The stern look Tatum passed to him was enough to keep him quiet, giving the coach time to continue. "So, while everyone's expecting you to go for it, you won't. Run to the base, but last second, I want you to pass it to your Y-receiver."

Kenner's eyes connected with a pair of dark blue eyes across him.

"I want you to pass the ball to Terrence Donovan and have him score it."

Terrence's face lit up with a smirk as he nodded at Kenner, who returned the nod.

He would've been disappointed if coach had given the chance to be star of the night to someone else, but he was glad it was Terrence. He could think of no-one deserving enough, not even himself.

When the team broke and the whistle sounded for them to return to the game, Kenner walked up to Terrence.

"So, ready to win this thing?" He asked, grabbing the water bottle from Terrence's hand and taking a swig.

"These jackals will have their asses handed out to them today, dude," Terrence drawled, bumping his fists into Kenner's padded shoulders. "Let's go!"

****

Kenner stuffed the last of his football gears into his duffel bag, then swung the bag over his shoulder. His brown eyes scanned the locker room for a few seconds, checking to see if he'd left anything behind before he walked out of the room.

Just outside the changing room, Terrence stood, backing Kenner. His gaze was fixed on the auditorium before him, a smug smirk on his face.

"I swear, that look gets more annoying every time I see it," Kenner grumbled, pulling the door shut. He grabbed Terrence's backpack from the floor and shoved it into his hands, then nodded towards the parking lot.

"I scored the winning touchdown," Terrence mused as they walked. His blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and the sun rays on his blonde hair gave him a sort of angelic look. "That's so unreal."

Kenner laughed airily. "I remember the look on Francis' face when I passed to you. He didn't see it coming, neither did his teammates."

Terrence smiled knowingly. "The only thing I remember is that the State championship has come home. That's the only thing I remember, right now."

"In coach's words, football is a game that promotes unity and team spirit," Kenner started, laughter lacing every word he said.

"Screw Wikipedia, it's all about winning and knowing that you made the other team depressed," Terrence finished.

Kenner, personally, loved mocking people who thought they were better than him. All those butt-kissing idiots at school who thought that an occasional victory feat made them stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him, had gotten their egotistical bubbles burst when Kenner found one weakness or another of theirs to exploit.

He didn't find it rude, he just thought that everyone ought to know their place - and stay there.

Football games like this were opportunities for Kenner to remind the school of his importance, because he really wasn't good at anything else. His teachers said he didn't exactly have enough "brainpower" to compete with most kids, he wasn't a good publicist, like that girl, Kyra. All he had was his ball and wits, and no-one would drag that with him.

They arrived at the parking lot and stopped by Terrence's red Datsun, and Kenner handed his bag to Terrence, then walked to the front of the car. He smiled at he thought of the game again. It felt so good to win.

"You think so?"

He raised his brows. Who was Terrence talking to?

"Hey, T, think wha --- " The rest of his words caught in his throat as he recognized Kyra Maynard standing with Terrence.

It wasn't unusual to find her still in school, since she was the new publicist and face of Primswood. She also ran a blog, Kenner didn't remember the name, that carried school stories. What he found unusual was the fact that she'd come to speak to them? She'd made it clear two weeks ago at homecoming that she didn't want to have anything to do with him or Terrence.

And while the pain from the slap she'd given him didn't exist anymore, what remained was the newly found interest he had in her.

She was dressed in a grey T-shirt with The Prim Lords boldly printed into the front of it, a pair of dark jeans, Nike sneakers and a hat. As always, her make up was minimal, but he still found those fake cat-eyes sexy.

"Kenner?" Terrence snapped his fingers in front of him, jolting him back to reality. He felt his cheeks heat up as he realised that Kyra had noticed him gawking at her.

Great, Kenner, great.

"Um, hey, Kyra," he greeted dryly, reaching out to rub the back of his neck. Man, he felt silly.

"Hey, Kenner, great game," Kyra chimed, rocking herself on the ball of her feet. Kenner could see that she was itching to say something, possibly to him, since she kept glancing at Terrence. So, he stepped away a little, and she followed.

"So, Um... " What was he supposed to say? Looking at her was a problem, but she was so pretty. And he didn't want to come off as coy or shy.

God forbid that.

"I just wanted to apologize." She bit her lower lip as she observed his face. "I shouldn't have hit you, embarrassing you like that."

"It's fine." He laughed awkwardly. "I shouldn't have been too... well, a jackass."

She laughed too. Her laughter reminded him of church bells and chirping birds. So sweet.

He was definitely lovestruck.

"Can't fault a guy for trying," she said, dismissing his apology with a wave of her hand. "Look, I think you're charming and awesome in football. So, maybe..." her cheeks turned pink as she trailed off.

Holy shit, she didn't mean...

"You accept?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.

"I don't know." She shrugged. "How about that date at Rowan's you promised? I'll give you my answer then."

Was she calling him stupid? If he took her on that date, which he would, it meant they were something. Not just frenemies, or even just friends. She had just accepted to go out with him, but she was still playing games with him. And he loved that about her.

"Tomorrow at six. Dress nicely, it might be our first night as a couple." He couldn't hide the grin that planted itself on his face.

She gave a fake scoff and half-turned away from him. "You're reading too much into a simple date, Ken. It might be a friendly dinner."

"Or something else. By the way, I prefer cherry lipstick." He winked at her, feeling his insides melt into a hot puddle as she smiled and walked away.

That had not just happened. This day was really his day.

"The sexual tension was so strong even though there was a good five-feet between you two," Kenner heard Terrence's voice behind him, and rolled his eyes.

"Shut up," he mumbled in reply, looking on after Kyra's retreating figure. "She hasn't even said yes."

"But she hasn't said no."

Terrence was right. If Kyra didn't like him, she would've turned him down. And she didn't. The thought made him smile again, and this time, something hit him on the head.

"T!" He exclaimed, rubbing the back of his skull repeatedly.

"Stop thinking about women, and get in the car already." Terrence mused, walking over to the driver's seat.

Kenner simply laughed, then got into the car.

"You know, all this is happening because I don't know the girl you like yet." Kenner propped his legs up on the dashboard.

"Sorry, Ken, but you wouldn't be meeting her anytime soon." Terrence glanced at Kenner, then started the car.

Kenner pulled a fake frown. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were gay."

Terrence grinned, putting the car into gear. "Oh yeah, would you love me any less if I was?"

Kenner rolled his eyes. He was used to these jokes Terrence made every time. The guy was too inappropriate some times, and Kenner didn't mind. From the cheeky, innocent smile, to the inappropriate jokes, they were everything that made Terrence Donovan who he was.

And Kenner wouldn't have him any other way.

****

Now, as Kenner stood before Terrence's headstone, he felt an emptiness overwhelm him. Something bubbled inside him, begging to be released and promising him rest if he allowed it out.

He needed Terrence.

He wasn't ready to let go.

Suddenly, his hands flew to his face, and every tear he'd held in came bursting out. He didn't care if anyone heard or saw him, he just cried. Tears rolled down his hands, dropping so poetically on the flowers he had placed beside the stone.

However, as quickly as it had happened, it ended. Sucking in air, he suddenly stopped crying. The sadness that was all over his face, was soon replaced with a heavy frown.

"I'll find them, T," he said, directing his words to the air in front of him. "I'll find who did this to you, and I swear, they'll pay. No matter what it takes."

****

Procastination is evil. This chapter should've been up on Saturday, yet, here it is ON MONDAY! Forgive me, I'm so lazy.

Anyway, since I'm sleep deprived, this author's note will be short. Picture above is Terrence, played by Austin Baker. Cute, right? Song is Oats in The Water by Ben Howard.

Please, please, please, vote if you liked this chapter. And comment, they're my virtual food. I can't live without them! Thank you for reading.

Zina xx