17

HUDSON

I SAT ON THE SIDELINES of the cheerleading practice. I watched them practice the routines with a faint smile.

Sun broke through clouds, casting a warm glow on the field, but the brisk wind persisted. Despite the chill, I relished in the rare sunshine.

My cigarette dangled between my fingers, long forgotten as the festivities distracted me. I followed their movements, but my gaze was on a particular person. She moved with a grace that captivated me. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

"Did you know Luna hates smokers?"

Maya interrupted my moment of solitude. She plopped down beside me with a grin. I chuckled. A puff of smoke escaped my lips as I shrugged.

"Guess I have to quit." I said, flicking the cigarette butt onto the ground, stamping it out with the heel of my boot.

"I know about your deal, by the way." She said. "The fake dating thing."

"Are you going to lecture me about what a bad idea it is?"

She shook her head before tilting it back to soak in the sun's rays.

"No," she said. "You're already an upgrade compared to the last guy."

I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud, happy that someone else harbored a hatred for Jockstrap.

Stacy interrupted our conversation. She sidled up to us; her smile was bright as she turned her attention to me.

"Hey, Hudson." She said, her voice tinged with flirtation.

My discomfort was palpable as I shifted in my seat. I offered her a polite but guarded smile. This dance between us was too familiar - she flirted, I deflected. My mind was racing for an excuse to escape her advances, until Luna appeared, her arms laden with her bags. I shot to my feet, relieved to escape the situation.

"Let me get that for you." I said, moving to help her with the bags.

Her eyes met mine in confusion until she noticed Stacy standing there.

"Thanks."

I draped an arm over her shoulder, hoping Stacy would get the hint. Her face fell, but before she could comment, Cynthia beckoned her over. We watched as she marched to the cheer captain.

"This is better than television." Maya said.

I bit my lip with a grin.

As we made our way off the field, I couldn't help but notice Jockstrap watching us from the middle of the field with a dark scowl. His eyes bore into mine with an expression mixed with anger and jealousy. My smirk widened as I lifted my hand in a condescending wave. Luna shot me a warning glance. Her hand smacked my chest.

"Stop it, Hudson." She said, but her laughter betrayed her attempt at seriousness.

I grinned; the adrenaline of the moment coursed through me. This was all part of the fun, getting under his skin.But it was never my main motivation. I suggested the fake dating proposal under the pretense of revenge and getting Stacy off my back. But the real reason was that I wanted to win Luna back and show her that Austin Chambers was never the guy for her. The best guy for her was in front of her all along.

?

Leaning against the row of lockers, I watched as Luna fumbled with the books inside, her expression troubled. The hallway buzzed. Banners and posters announcing the upcoming homecoming dance adorn the surrounding walls.

"What's going through your head, Snow? " I asked, my voice low and tinged with curiosity.

She sighed, closing her locker door with unnecessary force.

"Look around, Hudson," she replied, gesturing to the festively decorated hallway. "It's Homecoming week."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"So?"

A pained expression flickered across her features.

"It's the first homecoming dance I'll be going to without Austin." She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

As if on cue, a couple nearby caught our attention. With a wide grin, the boy extended a bouquet and asked the girl to accompany him to the dance. Luna's eyes lingered on the scene before she turned away, a wistful expression crossing her features.

"That seems way too cheesy for me."

Her gaze returns to the happy couple, strolling down the hallways with interlocked hands.

"I wouldn't know." She said. "No one has ever asked me."

Confusion dawned on me.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "Did Jockstrap never ask you?"

Luna shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.

"No," she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness. "He always assumed that since we were dating, he didn't need to ask."

I fell silent for a moment, digesting her words. Hurt was clear in her eyes. She shook her head as if she'd risen from a deep sleep.

"We better get to class."

I watched her forlorn trudge to class and felt a pang of sympathy spike through my heart. My mind battled between pretending I didn't care about her homecoming aspirations, but my heart was overpowering it. I'm going to look like a fool, but it would be worth it. For Luna.

?