Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Regina’s POV

I didn't care about sports. I especially didn't care about football, a game where sweaty guys fought over a ball and kissed after they hit it or caught it before a whistle was blown… or something. The only reason I agreed to watch my friend's football game was because… Well, he's my friend, obviously.

I wasn't exactly excited, but Tracie was beside me with joy, screaming.

“Do you even know what team you're screaming for?" I whispered in her ear amidst the noise of the other spectators. “Do you even know what team Warren is on?”

I watched my best friend's brows furrow as she thought about it. "The red one?”

I snorted. 

She glared. "Well, then, do you know?”

"It's the blue one,” I answered, munching on the hotdogs I bought a moment ago. “It’s pretty easy to guess when he's taken photos of it to show us. You're even less aware than I am." 

She shrugged. "Eh.”

I was bored out of my mind and getting weaker, but suddenly got the strength when the game was over. And the screams overtook the stadium.

“They won!" Tracie cheered. “They won!" 

Tracie and I rushed down to find Warren but there were too many people pushing our petite bodies around, we had to back off.

We eventually got the chance though. And got engulfed in the sweatiest hug ever.

I opened my mouth to admonish Warren when I heard the most annoying sound from behind me.

“Aaaaaaah! Lucas baby! I'm so glad you won again!”

All I could see was pink. Lots of pink, but I didn't have to know who it was that was dressed as a Barbie. It was Anita Kelly. And the bulky guy grabbing onto her like an animal was Lucas Sinclair.

“Ugh," Warren murmured after taking off his helmet. “She's so fucking annoying." 

Tracie concurred. “Tell me about it." 

I didn't say anything though, my gaze lingering on Lucas. For some reason, I was curious. I'd never seen him up close and I just wanted to catch a glimpse.

I heard words murmured to me but I wasn't paying attention, ignoring as a crowd of people pushed past me to him. He still towered over them all though.

I was finding it hard to breathe, anticipating him taking off his helmet to finally reveal his golden locks and incredibly handsome face. It was like it was carved by the gods with incredibly bright blue eyes that shone on everyone like the sun.

His smile hit me right in my chest that I subconsciously gripped Tracie’s hand hard.

I felt a pat on my shoulder, but I couldn't break away from the somewhat stronghold that cheerful smile and those bright eyes had on me. 

It was a beautiful warmth.

It all came crashing down when I realized that he was staring right at me.

My breath caught. My grip on Tracie tightened.

“Girl, your hand!" 

I couldn't look away as his eyes widened with… recognition?

His expression settled into something I could describe and once I noticed him trying to take a step forward, away from the others, I broke off eye contact, my cheeks flushed.

I hastily dragged Tracie by the arm, waving off her, “hey!" and called out to Warren, “We'll wait out for you!" 

"Okay, thanks guys!”

"What's wrong?” Tracie asked after we'd safely gotten away from the crowd of men.

I shook my head as we sat by a bench nearby. “Nothing," I answered after I'd calmed down. 

I took in a deep breath of the air and sighed, leaning back. It was all just my imagination. I was being ridiculous.

Lucas Sinclair definitely didn't see me. And he most definitely wasn't taking a step towards me.

---

Nighttime was party time, and Warren wanted us to come again. But I was very reluctant. I didn't want to see him again.

Tracie wasn't having it, unfortunately. “This could be the perfect time to have fun away from studies, and who knows, we could find someone hot to kiss." 

I made a gagging sound as I lay unmoving in the bed of our dorm room. “The guys at the football team are whores, you're likely to catch STDs from kissing them or anyone at that party. It's best to stay back.”

Tracie made a grumpy sound. "Well, I want to admire Lucas from afar, and I want to get free alcohol and food. So I'm going without you. At least, Warren will consider one of us as a supportive friend.”

I groaned loudly, hating that I wanted to be a good friend. I was the only one who never drank, so I was Tracie's safe bet home. Warren could take care of himself. I'd never been to any one of these football parties so, I knew I had to be prepared.

He was there, under the light of the room. But I was farther away. And I wanted to leave, but my eyes kept glancing at Tracie.

I looked away when our eyes finally met.

I glanced at Tracie one more time before I ran outside, regretful. Fearful, my heart hitting my ribcage hard.

I didn't know what was going on with me. Why was I feeling this way about him?

I assured myself that he wouldn't follow me, that he didn't even know who I was, and that I was only taking a break outside in the silence and cool air, until I heard his voice.

“I thought you'd left." 

I swiftly turned to see Lucas towering over me.

I reared back, surprised, my system in overdrive as I came up with different possibilities. 

“Someone could…” my words got stuck in my throat.

Being around him for some reason… it was too much. He wasn't that close to me but he didn't have to be.

“I've been looking for you," he softly said, the light not leaving his eyes as he stepped closer to me.

Now I was even more nervous and confused. “U- Um, me? But I don't-" 

He glanced at my wrist. “You don't wear it anymore." 

I frowned, my body rigid. “What?" 

He didn't answer.

He looked away from my wrist back to my eyes. "You're even more beautiful now,” he whispered, his blue eyes an ocean of unreadable emotions under the moonlight. "I've missed you so much, Regina.”