chapter ten – jerseys and secret make out sessions

"Okay! Marc, Thea go join the boys for a picture" Mrs. Preston ushered Marc and I to join Kevin and Devin.

It was their last football game of middle school and like every win, Mrs. Preston went crazy with pictures.

I glanced at Marc when I tripped, waiting for him to laugh at me but he didn't say a word. I sighed. He's been ignoring me since I asked him to the dance...

Kevin and Devin wrapped their arms around me while Devin wrapped an arm around Marc.

"Say cheese!" Mrs. Preston grinned.

"Cheese" The 4 of us said at the same time.

Click.

"Now one with just Marc and Thea" I awkwardly got closer to Marc as Kevin and Devin went to stand with their parents.

"Marc, put your arm around her" Mr. Preston laughed and Marc awkwardly wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"No, no" Mr. Preston smiled as he came over to us. "When you take a picture with a beautiful girl like, Thea, you need to hold her like this"

I frowned as I could feel Marc's body heat against mine as he held his arm around my waist.

"Smile!" Mrs. Preston clicked the camera. For a few seconds after the picture Marc held his arm around my waist and I frowned, glancing up towards him.

He had his eyes narrowed at something. Or someone. I followed his eyeline and found Kevin, glaring hard at Marc.

I pinched the bridge of my nose as I sat on the sidelines watching our football team run onto the field, leading them was Kevin.

Oh, Kevin. Why can't he just leave me alone?

I awkwardly waved back to him as he made it a point to stop and wave to me. I saw him 30 minutes ago. Why did he have to do that? Now, everyone's staring at me, wearing his jersey. Something only girlfriends do and I am not his girlfriend.

How did I get to here, you may ask. Sitting at a football game wearing Kevin's jersey. Well we should go back to Wednesday when Kevin made me sit at his table and Marc invited himself along.

There I was, smooshed in between Kevin and Marc while they kept trying to talk to me about different things. God, they irritate me. It reminded me of the way they used to act as kids. Kevin trying to keep a conversation going while Marc cut him off every other sentence to tease me. But this time Marc was throwing insults at Kevin. I barely kept up with their conversations as I internally flipped about my realization.

Marc had feelings for me freshmen year and I don't know what to do with that information. I mean... It's Marc. I never thought in a million years that he would have even liked me. And the way he was acting now... it was giving me bad vibes. He wasn't acting friendly. He was acting jealous.

And I don't know how I felt about that.

Kevin refused to leave me alone for the rest of the day. He would walk me to class and even show up outside the classes I didn't have to walk me to the next one, which he wasn't in either. And once Marc found out on Thursday, he joined us as well.

And that happened today as well. But even worse. I woke up this morning and Kevin and Marc were both outside in Kevin's car. Waiting. To pick me up. And then they didn't leave my side all day.

Do you know how much attention I was getting? A lot. And I didn't like it. I didn't like the way girls stared at us in the hallways and I didn't like walking into the bathroom to find girls quickly shutting their mouths. I liked staying under the radar and Kevin Preston was not helping that. At least with Marc, it was only a few people that would send us curious glances. Now it's the entire school.

And then Marc got detention for being late to class and Kevin drove me home alone. And asked me to come to tonight's football game. I tried to lie and tell him I had nothing to wear but then he pulled his god damn jersey out from nowhere and told me I could wear it.

I didn't know what to do. And right now I wish that I had just stayed home with Dad and Wyatt.

"Are you two together?" A guy turned towards me. I think his name was Reggie. He had a dark complexation and thick rimmed glasses. His eyebrow was pierced and he was wearing a jersey with the number 42 on it. Mike's boyfriend.

"No" I grumble. I knew this would happen.

"Then why are you wearing his number?" A redheaded girl named Cristine asked. I remember her from the few days I sat at his table.

"Because he asked me to" I sigh. I don't want to talk to these people. I just feel like they're going to be just like Mikayla or the girl in the bathroom.

"So you're going to be his girlfriend" A girl with pretty brown eyes said from next to me. She's cute, actually.

"No" I groan. "We used to be close friends. And that's all I really want from this"

"That's right" Reggie grinned. "You have a thing for the other brother"

"Devin?" The girl next to me asked and I crinkled my nose. Devin was nice and all but not my type at all. Not that Kevin was my type either.

"No, Kianna" Cristine laughed. "Marc. The one that moved here"

"He's their brother?" Kianna furrowed her eyebrows and both Cristine and Reggie rolled their eyes at the same time.

"Kianna here lives under a rock" Reggie teased Kianna and she gave him a playful glare.

"I'm sorry that I don't like gossip" Kianna crossed her arms. "I'm actually glad that you joined us at lunch. You kind of took Mikayla's spot and she did nothing but talk shit about everyone"

Reggie and Cristine nodded in agreement. I guess I was wrong about them.

"All she would ever blab on about was how some girl was trying to steal Kevin from her" Reggie groaned. "Like, girl nobodies trying to steal your mans"

"He wasn't even her man" Cristine cried out. "Mikayla literally invited herself to our table and introduced herself as his girlfriend. He shut that down so fast"

I laughed along with them. 15 minutes went by with us just watching the game and cheering for the guys.

"Yes baby! Make a goal!" Reggie screamed as Mike made a touchdown.

"Reggie. I explain this every week. It's a touchdown" Cristine groaned at her friend.

"Girl, I don't come here for the sports" Reggie waved his hand at her dismissively. "I come to watch my sexy man tackle other sex men"

I laughed with Kianna as Cristine continued to bicker with Reggie.

"You know you have such pretty hair, I just want to touch it" Cristine turned to me suddenly and I laughed awkwardly.

"Thanks?"

"Cristine! What did we say about this?" Kianna rolled her brown eyes. "It's not just a race thing you know. It's creepy when you go up to people and try to touch their hair"

About 10 minutes later, I decided that I was hungry and made my way over to the overpriced concession stand.

"You know I should go beat your sister up, Marc" I heard while standing online.

"Uhuh" I heard Marc and he sounded bored.

"I mean she basically road the hype of Gabriella's birth and announced her engagement to Tony!" The woman went on. Oh! That's Mrs. Gomez. The theatre teacher.

"Marilyn, please" I heard a familiar voice. "Elle's 3 months old. How long did you expect Summer to wait before announcing it!" Brielle Preston. I recognize her voice from the times I went down to Miriam's diner.

"At least a year" Mrs. Gomez announced dramatically. Oh yeah! Sometimes I forget she's married to Marc's brother since she kept her maiden name. Sometimes it's weird having a teacher that you remember as a teenager. All the times she was hanging out with Marc's siblings while I was over for playdates with Kevin and Devin. All the times she woke us up at sleepovers, sneaking in drunk to visit Eric and Summer. God, how weird is it to have that memory of your teacher.

"You're so dramatic" Marc grumbled and I glanced back to see him.

He was standing there, in his usual leather jacket holding a toddler and the hand of a little girl. She looked just like Mrs. Gomez. That's so cute.

Mrs. Gomez was holding a 3 month old while Brielle stood there, pregnant as ever, with her son who was latched onto her leg.

I turned forward as it was my time to order.

"Is that girl wearing Kevin's number?" Mrs. Gomez gasped. "Does Kevin have a girlfriend?"

"What the fu-heck" I heard Marc growl. Before I knew it, Marc was standing there in front of me with the biggest scowl on his face. It would have been terrifying if he didn't have two little kids with him. "You're dating him, now?"

"No" I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "You left me with him because you had detention and he made me come"

"So why are you wearing his number?" Marc glared harder at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Because he asked me to and I didn't know what to do" I crossed my arms.

"You say no" Marc squinted at me. "Unless you want to be with him"

"God you're so stupid" I snort, grabbing my food. "When have I ever showed an interest in your brother"

"When you kissed him" Marc all but spat at me. Oh no. Here it comes. The conversation I've been dreading.

"You kissed uncle Kevin?" The little black haired girl standing there with her hand in Marc asked.

"Okay! Time for me to take the little ones" Mrs. Gomez appeared next to us with Brielle and the other kids. "Come on, Kaia. Let's get ice cream. Brielle can you take Junior?"

Once the kids were gone, Marc spoke again.

"Great. Now I have to hear about it every holiday and birthday" Marc scowled at me and I shrunk back. I've never actually been the cause of any of Marc's anger and I was kind of hurt. "Why did you even do it?"

"Because I wanted to piss Mikayla off!" I exclaimed like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I just wanted to teach her a lesson"

"And kissing him was the only way to do that?" Marc seethed.

"I don't know! I wasn't thinking! I'm not good around people! That's why I always stuck with you guys! And then Laurel, Millie and Charlie. I don't like attention and ever since you and your stupid brothers appeared in my life again, that's all I've been getting" I ranted, my own anger getting the better of me. "Why do you care anyway?" But I knew the answer...

"How can you be so ignorant?" Marc almost yelled, more towards the situation and not me but it was still in my face.

"Don't scream in my face" I pushed his chest and he stumbled back a bit.

He looked guilty but his anger was still there. I knew he didn't mean to scream in my face, I just got angry. That's why I pushed him.

"Wanna know why I care?" Marc spoke, his voice lower than usual.

No... "Yes"

In an instant, I was pushed up against the wall of the concessions stand, his body pressed against mine and his lips smashed against mine. We were out of eyesight of everyone so I wasn't panicking. He had his hands cupping my face and his lips moved roughly against mine.

I should have hated it. I should have pushed him off of me. But I just kissed back with the same force he did. It felt like electricity was shooting down my fingertips as I entwined my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. My heart was beating so fast I could feel it everywhere and I could feel his as well. My face felt hot. And my mind wasn't working properly.

His tongue found his way into my mouth and we fought for dominance. Neither of us backing down. Neither of us wanting to give in but eventually I won and my tongue started to explore his mouth. We stumbled back and crashed against the wall of the school as I took control. Then it clicked.

What the hell was I doing? Why was I making out with Marc Preston while his family was less than 5 feet away. While wearing his brother's jersey. Why was I wearing Kevin's jersey when I wanted his... No.

I pushed my thoughts aside. I don't want to think about anything I just want to stay here and-

"Kevin Preston makes a touchdown!" The announcer speaks and cheers erupt.

This made Marc pull back. We stood there for a few seconds. I could hear both of our heavy breathing and nothing else. Marc's blue eyes burned holes in mine. His eyes were filled with desire and love. But then they flicked down to my shirt and they were filled with anger again.

He didn't say a word as he stormed past me and made his way back to wherever he was sitting with his family.

I leaned against the wall to catch my breath and evaluate what just happened but-

"I didn't know the boys knew her" I heard Brielle speak. She must be talking to Mrs. Gomez.

"Oh god" Mrs. Gomez laughed. "They were best friends up until 8th grade"

"Why aren't they best friends anymore?" The little girl from earlier spoke.

"They just grew apart, mamas" Mrs. Gomez explained to her daughter. "But you know how Kevin and Marc have always had this rivalry?" She was speaking to Brielle again.

"Yeah?"

"Well it started with Thea. They both had huge crushes on her. Marc just didn't know how to express his feelings so he spent years teasing her" Mrs. Gomez laughed. "I was surprised when we all found out she asked him to the 8th grade dance and not Kevin"

"So if she liked him and he liked her, why is she wearing Kevin's number?" Brielle asked and I asked myself the same thing.

"I don't know actually. Marc didn't go to the dance with her though, he was pretty upset about it. At family dinner the night of the dance, Marc literally tackled Kevin. But I always thought Kevin stopped liking her since he sort of stopped talking about her. I know Marc never did though. I mean he spent years after he left talking about her" Marilyn continued and I couldn't help but feel annoyed at Kevin. He's the reason 13 year old me was so heartbroken. "If you ask me, Kevin's just starting up their rivalry again but I don't know. They're not as open anymore about girls"

"Well I hope she doesn't have genuine feelings for Kevin. If that's why he's trying with her" Brielle spoke again.

"Me too because if he hurts her, I'll kick his ass" Mrs. Gomez said and it felt so weird hearing a teacher say something like that.

"Ass!" A boy's voice spoke this time.

"Marilyn!" Brielle hissed. "River that's a bad word"

"Mommy can we go back now?" The little girl spoke and then I watched the group walk away.

I couldn't breathe. What the hell did I just hear? Childhood crushes? Rivalries?

I looked down at the jersey and groaned. I'm so glad I wore a tank top under this.

"Reggie!" I called after him when I saw him. "Can you give this to Kevin after the game? I just don't feel right wearing it"

"Sure! Oh by the way, Kianna, Cristine and I added you into a group chat on snapchat 'cause we def wanna hang out again" Reggie waved as he left and I smiled.

But then I was back trying to find my original group of friends. I quickly ran down the stairs of the bleachers as I spotted Charlie's red hair.

"Guys" I basically threw myself into Laurel.

"How was your time in arm candy land?" She asked and I rolled my eyes at the nickname we had for the area where the girlfriends and boyfriend of the jocks sat.

"Marc and I just made out" I whispered and watched as my friends faces dropped.

"Girl who hates Marc say whatttt" Charlie gasped and I groaned.

"We made out after he threw a fit because I was wearing Kevin's number and then we , like, made out" I explained and that changed nothing.

"You're lying. You would never willingly kiss Marc Preston. This is a prank right?" Laurel squinted at me.

"No! They almost kissed the other day!" Charlie gasped again as he realized what I was saying was true.

"And you didn't tell me?!" Laurel almost screamed and I hissed at her to be quiet.

"I was distracted, Laur!"

"By Marc's lips!" Millie chimed in and I glared at her.

"Look!" Charlie gestured to the field where Kevin was.

Kevin was glaring hard at something in the crowd and I followed his eyeline to Marc with his evil smirk on his lips. The same lips that I was attacking less than 15 minutes ago...

Stop it, Thea.

My eyes met the little girl from earlier, Marc's niece, who was waving wildly at me. Aw, how cute.

I lied, she's a demon just like Marc. I groaned as she tugged on Marc's jacket and pointed.

Marc's eyes lit up when they noticed that I wasn't wearing the jersey anymore and then he shot me his signature evil grin before turning back to Kevin. I watched as Marc subtly gestured to my direction and I looked back at Kevin. His eyes squinted at me before he shot Marc another glare.

If these boys think this is some kind of game, I hope they know that I'm playing too.

And I will be the one who wins.