EMILY POV:

I was actually excited to just watch the game and not worry about anything except Luke scoring touchdowns and Charlie not being dropped. Although he was trying to hide it, I could tell how excited Dale was as well. I don't know if it was to see the school or even to have friends to support and hang out with. Either way, I loved how happy something as simple as a football game made Dale.

He had parked his car in an available spot relatively close to the field and all but jumped out excitedly making me laugh. It was a little colder tonight than it was on Tuesday so I had worn a plain pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a plain grey shirt that probably wouldn't even be seen and Luke's varsity jumper that both he and Charlie had begged me to wear. I still had Aiden's jacket at home and i'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted to wear it. I had every intention to give it back, but with him ignoring me it made it really hard. I guess wearing his jacket in some ways still made it seem like we were friends. Dale had just worn an off white long shirt with jeans and still managed to look good.

I was wearing Luke's jumper whilst he had begged Charlie to wear his jacket, obviously, she wasn't opposed to the idea and was extremely excited when she told me. She would wear her uniform when actually performing her routine, and Luke's jacket over it when she was running out and sitting on the bench.

Dale was also extremely excited to see Charlie again, and even attempt to make a good impression on Luke. It made my heart swell how much Dale loved being a part of our little group, he even wanted our other best friend to like him.

Dale and I fall into conversation as we walk towards the field. Before we find seats, we make sure to see Charlie who broke away from conversation with Jordan to come and see us.

"Dale!!" Charlie yells as she jumps into Dale's awaiting arms, he laughs happily. I notice Luke watching the exchange and my excitement grows at the thought that he may have been jealous because of Charlie.

After a while, Charlie is called back to the squad because cheer is about to start, she quickly shows Dale and I the seats she reserved for us and goes back to an annoyed Tiffany.

Almost as soon as Dale and I get comfortable, the music starts and the cheer squad, lead by Tiffany run out to do their cheer routine.

The first part of the routine is just them dancing, Charlie and another girl I recognize as Lindsey do some kind of flip and then they go back to dancing. The cheer squad then separate into pairs, Charlie with Jordan and they do some fancy lifts, my heart pounds erratically hoping that Jordan wouldn't drop my cousin, but also feeling exhilarated. The cheer squad then moves to groups of 3, Tiffany in the middle group, Charlie on the left, and Lindsey on the right. While Tiffany's group does some kind of pyramid thing with Tiffany on the top, Charlie and Lindsey get thrown so high into the air that I'm actually afraid for the birds as well as the girls. While in the air, Charlie and Lindsey do some fancy flips and other moves, I can't help but hold my breath. I hear Dale's intake of breath as well and I find comfort in knowing I wasn't the only one afraid for Charlie.

Although Dale and I were obviously worried, Charlie looked completely at ease. She was even smiling. After a few seconds that feel like hours, Charlie falls back down and the guys at the bottom catch her effortlessly. After one final maneuver, Lindsey and Charlie end up doing the splits in front of the pyramid and the guys that were throwing the girls, pose beside the pyramid.

The crowd goes wild and I can't help but join in. That was amazing. Dale and I stand with the rest of the school cheering loudly. Charlie gets Dale and my eye and winks at us cheekily.

Not too long after, the game begins. I had been told that we had a really good football team, but I had never experienced it myself as this was the first game of the season. Charlie had raved about how Luke was but I just thought she was being a good friend, she wasn't. Luke was amazing and it didn't surprise me at all that he managed to get captain.

***

The game had just ended, we had done really well with the score being 44 - 26. Luke had scored a good number of the goals and I was actually looking forward to the next game. Dale was also really excited for it. We were now just waiting for Charlie and Luke to get changed.

Luke comes out first and spots me, a smile lights up his face and he walks over to me. "You came Emilia," the happiness in his voice makes me smile and I can't help but breathe in his comfortable and familiar scent. It feels like forever since I had hung out with him.

I reluctantly release my best friend and seconds later Charlie walks out with a huge smile on her face. "That was great Luke!!'

Luke grins and opens his arms for Charlie. I smile, they really would be great together.

"Hey," Luke says to Dale, he didn't seem very friendly but at least he was polite.

"Hey," Dale replies, subconsciously taking a step away from Charlie and I. Luke notices this also and I can see he's pleased.

"Hungry anyone?" Charlie asks cheerily, probably trying to make Dale and Luke get along.

"Sure, ma's diner is 24 hour?" Dale offers sweetly. I smile brightly, excited to see Val again. Luke nods hesitantly but follows us towards the car park.

"I'll go with Dale so he's not alone, you guys follow us," I instantly suggest, this would give Luke and Charlie more one on one time.

Everyone nods in agreement, I wink at Charlie on the shy but Dale sees and sticks his thumbs up.

Charlie blushes crimson and follows Luke to his expensive car.

"Man, how rich is he?" Dale asks once we get into his car.

"Rich." I laugh, he was my best friend but no one could ignore how rich he was. It made me feel a little guilty because I knew that Dale lived with his grandmother in the poorer side of town. I guess I lived in the upper class/average area, Luke and Charlie lived in the richer area, and Dale lived in the average/poorer area.

We quickly get to Vals and instantly go inside the cute diner. I see Val behind the counter and as soon as she sees Dale and I, she waves us over excitedly. I only remember now that she hadn't yet met either Charlie or Luke.

Smiling at how adorable she was, I quickly make my way over to her, Dale behind me.

"Hey Val," I smile.

"Hey Ma," Dale also greets.

"How was the game?" she asks us.

"Really good, we won." I smile enthusiastically.

"Good, good." Val replies smiling, "Dale, would you go and clear that booth please?"

Dale nods and instantly makes his way over to the table that Val was referring to.

"Em, I just wanted to say thank you," Val says, it wasn't the cute and bright Val I had grown to love, but a serious and happy one.

"Why?" I ask, genuinely having no idea what I did.

"Accepting my grandson. He talks about you all the time, you and the Charlie girl. He told me that you have really accepted him, gay and all, and I just wanted to thank you." Val smiles, a tear falling from her eye.

I can't help but run behind the counter and give the cute old lady a hug. She hugs back and I can feel her shake with laughter.

"Val, you don't need to thank me. Charlie and I adore Dale. He fits in perfectly with our little group and even our extended group love him. I don't understand why people treated him any differently because he was gay, gay or straight he's still one of my best friends and Charlie and I are super lucky to have him." I reply smiling.

"You are a good girl darling. Very nice and genuine, Dale is very lucky to have you and so is Aiden, whether he knows it or not." Val smiles.

I smile at her gratefully, did she know something about Aiden cutting me off? It definitely seemed like she did.

"Val, did he say anything to you?" I ask nervously, not knowing how this conversation would go down.

"Yes, yesterday he and Toby met here and I asked where you were. He told me that to protect you he had to cut you off, he never told me why. That's between you and him but don't worry, I hit him on the head for you because the boy is being stupid." Val sighs, almost like she's disappointed in him.

I laugh at her, "I just don't understand what I did." I admit.

"What you did? Darling, you did nothing, I've seen him the way he's with you. He doesn't even like my grandson because of you and I'm certain they would have gotten along perfectly. The boy has a thick head." Val shakes her head.

I go to reply but Val beats me to it; "You are a good girl, and Aiden is a good boy. He has it difficult, I'm sure you know. Just be patient with him, he deserves someone like you in his life and I know he'll come around. I know it's hard and sometimes you just have to hit him on the head, but you both deserve each other."

I smile at her, "Val, that's so nice of you, but how can you say that when you don't know me all that well?" I ask gently.

"I don't need to know you well. I see you with my grandson, and other people and I know you are a good person because of what you have here," Val replies, tapping my heart.

I smile at her, she is the cutest lady I've ever seen. She soon begins again; "I know your heart and I know how much Aiden admires you, and I know the boy well enough to know that he wouldn't admire you and your strength the way he does without him believing you are a good person, very pure. As much as the boy frustrates me, I trust his judgment when it comes to you." Val smiles, before I can reply Dale comes back, followed by Charlie and Luke. Val winks at me but doesn't say anything else.

"Ma, this is Charlie, and this is Luke, Em and Charlie's best friend." he introduces.

Val introduces herself to both of them, giving Charlie a grateful smile.

"What would you children like to eat?" Val offers kindly.

"Burger and shake for me please Ma," Dale smiles warmly.

"I'll have the pancakes and a milkshake, please," I smile.

"I'll have the burger and milkshake as well, please," Charlie smiles.

"Me too please mam," Luke also smiles.

We all get out our money but I'm not surprised when Val refuses it, we all smile in gratitude before we sit down on the booth Dale had just cleaned.

"She is so cute!!!" Charlie gushes, Dale laughs and I nod in agreement. No sooner, a bunch of football players walk in and I recognize the leader as Ryan. I smile at him and he smiles back. A few of the football players see the small interaction and slap him on the back. I inwardly roll my eyes.

I notice Val coming out with the shakes and I quickly stand up to help her. She passes me the tray gratefully and goes to the counter to serve Ryan and his friends.

"Who's that?" Dale asks, pointing to Ryan.

"His name's Ryan, it's his party we're going to tomorrow," Charlie replies, sipping on her milkshake greedily.

Dale leans over to whisper in my ear, "Fuck babe, your school is full of hotties."

I laugh at him, neither Luke or Charlie notice because they were deep into conversation about the game and Charlie's routine she aced.

About 10 minutes or so later, one of the waitresses bring over our food. We all thank her and eat hungrily. The food was amazing, the same as last time.

After Dale and I clear our table, we sit and chat to Luke and Charlie for about 40 minutes before we decide to leave. Charlie says goodbye to Val, and her and Luke leave after saying their goodbyes. Luke didn't know Dale would be getting ready with Charlie and I, and we felt best not to tell him because Luke wasn't invited. It was supposedly just us 'girls', but Dale was kind of a part of that even if though he was male.

Dale and I say goodbye to Val, well I do. Dale just says he'll see her when she gets home. I wait patiently for Dale to finish something up with Val when Ryan approaches me.

"Hey Emily." He smiles.

"Hey Ryan," I reply.

"So you coming tomorrow? I really want you too," Ryan smiles.

"Yeah I am, Charlie is dragging me." I laugh, trying to make it obvious that I wasn't going by choice.

"Awesome, I'll see you then." he says. I smile at him, expecting him to leave but he doesn't.

"I've been wanting to talk to you alone all night but you didn't leave your friends," Ryan laughs.

"Oh, yeah." I reply laughing awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.

"So your first day I asked you out and you said no, any chance that's changed?" He asks, don't get me wrong, he was attractive and he seemed nice enough but he just wasn't really my type. And by type, I mean a bad boy who has a tendency to cut me off from himself and our friends.

"I'm just not looking, I'm really sorry," I reply. Lie.

"Just one date? I promise you won't regret it." Ryan tries again, he looks hopeful and I can't help but feel bad. I see Dale walking towards me slowly, looking at me curiously.

"Um, I'll think about it. Maybe?" I reply. He smiles brightly, obviously being happy with my answer.

"I've gotta go, but it was nice talking to you," I smile, thankful that Dale had finally gotten to me.

"It definitely was, we'll talk soon. On our date," Ryan grins cheekily. I laugh at him but don't reply as I drag Dale out of the diner.