Gracie smirked at the mention of their last bet. "Oh, you have to admit that was so worth it… anyway, it's not. Wouldn't want to embarrass you the day before your big game, now would I?" She, of course, was referring to the homecoming football game Friday. The pair were then going to the dance together on Saturday. "Besides, it's your turn to think of one," she pointed out, poking his abs. They took turns always thinking up their abnormal bets that kept everyone in school guessing what the next one would be.
"You got me there. You gonna cheer for me? Or are you gonna cheer louder than the cheerleaders?" Sammy playfully shoved Gracie, crossing his arms with a smug look. Any attempt at being serious-which seemed to be none-was immediately discarded.
"And you know how you like to embarrass me. In fact, I would be surprised if you didn't try to pull a prank, something of the sorts."
"Don't tempt me, I have ideas," she shot back with a grin. Her eyes studied his face for a second as her lips pulled into a smirk that emphasized her next statement: "As for those cheerleaders, you're never gonna hear them over me."
Sammy burst into laughter, "How're you gonna get a megaphone? The last one was school property, and they made sure to lock that up! No doubt you'll find a way, heck, maybe you'll start a Let's-Embarrass-Sammy fund, and just maybe I'll donate for the fun of it." Sammy shook his head, knowing his face was far from serious with a smirk on it.
"Let's just say I have my ways," Gracie winked. "When you're playing in the last quarter of that game, and you heard screaming from the top of our bleachers, you'll be able to say, 'That's my girlfriend up there!'" She dissolved into laughter.
"You are such a jerk. But you're apparently my girlfriend, so…I'll spare you this time." Sammy flicked the side of Gracie's head, jumping back in suspicion that she'd do something in return.
"Hey, you!" She smacked at his hand. "Meanie!" Gracie stuck her tongue out.
"Sammy!" a voice called from behind Gracie. Gracie turned around and her eyes narrowed almost instantly. Savannah, the head cheerleader, was coming up the hall towards them. "Hey, Sammy! How's the team looking for the game tomorrow?" she asked, batting her heavily mascaraed eyelashes.
Sammy popped a knowing smile. "We're doing good, actually! I was worried about Travis, him being a wide receiver, but with enough practice, I think we got a strategy going on! I'm more concerned that I'll goof up than anyone else, though," Sammy chuckled, beaming, "but we should do fine against those Hallow High Ravens. How's cheer?" Sammy thought of Savannah as more of an encouraging friend, maybe being a bit annoying at times, but she usually always found a way to be around him. Sammy was oblivious about it.
"Oh, cheer's great!" Savannah enthused. Her words were threaded with giggles. "We're practicing harder than ever, so you'll be able to hear us over the crowd yelling." Here, a pointed look was inserted at Gracie.
You've got some nerve… Gracie thought irritably, glaring back at the preppy girl, who was too busy blowing a bubble with her pink gum to notice anything else. Except maybe Sammy. She was gawking at him without care.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Gracie stepped in, sick of seeing the head cheerleader ogle over her boyfriend. "Like, practice?" She hissed the word between her teeth and stepped forward, closer to Sammy, and hoped the airhead would take a hint.
Savannah only laughed. "Practice is after school, silly!" She stuck her finger out and booped Gracie on the nose.
Gracie's glare sharpened. You just wait, princess…
"But I do have to get to class! Buh-bye~" she cooed sweetly, shooting a quick wink at Sammy before hurrying away.
Twat.
(I kind of wish that this was longer, but I don't know what to add…)
As Sammy waved Savannah a goodbye, he turned to Gracie.
"You alright? What was that all about?" He was using his rarely-used serious tone, and his eyes were narrowed with concern.
(It's cool!)
Gracie blinked at his tone being so serious. "Couldn't you see how much she was flirting with you?!" she asked quietly after a moment. And on the day before homecoming, no less. She's gonna have to use a lot of makeup if she continues this…
Sammy's face changed. It wasn't firm, but soft, and his voice took an apologetic tone. "Gracie," his hands went to her shoulders, "you know that I wouldn't do that. Savannah's just a friend, okay? I'm sorry if there's a misunderstanding, but I wouldn't do anything like that. I know that you don't like her, but I swear, nothing is going on between us."
Gracie looked at his face and studied his eyes. After a minute, she sighed. "Alright. I believe you… crazy,"she added the last part as a tease and poked his cheek.
"Hey! I'm not crazy! You are!" Sammy grinned and playfully shoved her. "I have to get to class, though. I'll see you later, maybe?"
Gracie laughed and thoughts of Savannah instantly disappeared from her mind. "Yeah, definitely." A mischievous look flashed across her face. "But you don't know when…"
"Oh no! I'm gonna get jumped by girlfriend Gracie! We're all doomed!" Sammy laughed before heading off to his class, AP History.
(About what time of day is it? Like, 1st period, 2nd, etc.?)
Gracie watched him go and grinned before turning and heading the opposite way to CEO Business Sim.
(I was thinking first, but we can timeskip to their practice, maybe at the end of the day if you wanted.)
(Okay!)
Sammy had to rush to Football practice, feeling bad that he couldn't talk to Gracie beforehand. He knew he shouldn't have spent those extra minutes helping Gavin on his soccer passing in gym, but he did nevertheless. Fetching his change of clothes and a water bottle, he practically ran to the sports area of the school, a separate area altogether. Irritatingly, Sammy was the one of the last players out of the changing room.
Gracie was art the field hockey field, already leading her team through stretches and the warm up jog. She smiled as she heard a group of freshman whisper: "That's Gracie Hart! She's an All Star." Gracie thought about Sammy, and her smile grew.
"Sam! C'mon! We're about to start warmup!" Kyle hollered from outside. Sammy was quickly getting changed in his number 07 jersey, frantically trying not to be late-he was the Quarterback, as well as a leader.
Just as Coach Doran was about to blow the whistle, Sammy stumbled out of the changing room.
"I'm…not late!" Sammy huffed. "I was…helping someone…sorry, Coach."
A faint hint of a smile resembled on the Coach's face before he warned Sammy that, "just this once, I'ma let it fly. If it happens again, you wouldn't be setting a good role-model for the rest of the players."
Of course, Sammy knew the Coach was only joking-this was the first-and only, hopefully-time that this would happen. Besides, Sammy was one of the best players on the team, and he wouldn't let anyone down. Not even Gracie.
(Time skip? I don't have any ideas atm)
(Okay. When were you thinking? It could be at the football game or after both of their practices they go out for smoothies or something…? Those are just suggestions.)
(I feel like…smoothies? That okay?)
(Yup, that's fine! Do you want me to start?)
(Okay!)
The field hockey team ended practice like they always did: practicing strokes, meeting in the goal cage for a team meeting, announcements from Coach Taylor, and then everyone getting dismissed. Gracie stayed behind and took cones and balls and pinnies up to the shed since she knew no one else would. A few girls decided to stay today and help with the water and ice, so she was free earlier than usual. Coach Taylor must've told them to, Gracie thought, fishing her keys out of her backpack. She was going to drive over to the stadium turf field to watch the last 15 minutes of Sammy's practice.
"Gracie," Coach Taylor called out her name just as the senior captain was unlocking her car. Gracie nodded at her coach and hurried over after throwing her stuff in the backseat of her car.
"Yes, Coach?" she asked, absently glancing around to make sure that no one had left any trash. They wouldn't be doing sprints tomorrow if she had anything to say about it.
"I'm hesitant to tell you this, not because I know it'll go to your head, but because I don't want you to stress yourself out about it for no reason," Coach Taylor began.
"What do you mean?" Gracie asked quietly.
Coach Taylor took a slow breath and spoke, "You've been nominated for All-County and All-Region."
Her heart took a bounding leap. Being All-County and All-Region were the qualifications for All-State, the dream Gracie had been chasing since she'd picked up the stick in 6th grade. "Are… Are you serious?" she asked breathlessly.
Coach Taylor smiled. "Yeah." Her face turned quickly serious. "Gracie, listen. Please don't hold yourself to any higher standard then you've been, okay?"
"Yes. Okay. I will. I mean– I won't. Thanks so much, Coach!" Gracie stammered excitedly.
Coach Taylor laughed. "Alright, now get out of here. You need to take a break tonight. Relax. Do something to reward yourself."
"Okay!" Gracie replied, jogging back towards her car. She got in and made sure no one was looking as she squealed excitedly. All-County and All-Region! She couldn't wait to tell Sammy!