Goal:

The sky was dark, the moon was shining, and the stars were out – hidden by the bright flood lights highlighting the pitch with a golden glow. Each boy stood out as they got into position to take a corner, the glow highlighting their features like they were in a spotlight. They were all attractive boys, but tonight nothing felt right. The boys weren't training right. It was quiet. And I had no one to stare at.

Elliot was missing.

I had no idea where he was – I was surprised he hadn't turned up to training and I think the team were also. They were missing their voice. Their deep, gravelly reverberating voice that made my toes clench and my stomach tingle. They seemed to have no sense of purpose. And Theo, bless his heart, he kept trying. He tried so hard, but it just wasn't the same. He wasn't Elliot. He never would be.

"What's got you so zoned out?"

My head flipped to the side as Elliot slumped down into the chair next to me. His denim jacket clad shoulders brushing mine. My mouth dropped open in shock and I tried not to grin in happiness that he was here.

I failed miserably.

"What's that smile about? Someone missed me?" He asked and bumped his shoulder against mine. I laughed and shook my head, looking down at my feet.

"Something like that." I mumbled and looked back up at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't miss training." He said seriously, looking down at the boys running in circles and waving when they noticed him.

"You're late." I joked and he nodded.

"First time ever. Doctors appointment." He said glumly and I tilted my head as I stared at him curiously. He changed moods so quickly it was hard to keep up.

"What did they say?"

"They just confirmed what the physio said. Concussion, bruising and won't be able to play for a few weeks."

"Oh, at least it's nothing more serious than that." I tried and he shrugged.

"I suppose." He muttered and picked at the chairs in front of us. A silence took over us and I continued noting things down about the training, checking emails and doing as much work as I could. Elliot was tense and it made me feel on edge. He kept moving randomly – like he couldn't get comfortable. He would then open his mouth as to say something but sigh instead. Finally, after a few minutes, he broke the silence. "Has coach spoken to you about the dinner?"

"What?" I asked him. I had no idea what he was on about.

"I take that as a no."

"Most definitely." I mumbled and shut my laptop. "What dinner?"

Elliot looked around awkwardly and didn't look back at me as he spoke.

"There's this dinner. With all the big bucks of the school. I've been invited to it as I'm Captain. All the Captains of everything are going, every single club and the college council kids and stuff and we all get a plus one." He finally looked over at me and as we connected eyes, I felt like my heart was stuck in my throat. "Coach said I should take you."

I gulped. I didn't know how to feel.

"Why?" I squeaked. My voice was high pitched and laced with embarrassment. This didn't faze Elliot as he looked away and shrugged.

"A few reasons."

"Like?" I asked. I didn't understand. Why would he want to take me, of all the girls he could take, I didn't bring anything special. Elliot shifted in his chair awkwardly and continued to stare at the pitch.

"You do the match reports..." He trailed.

"I'm going to need more than that Elliot." I said and he jumped as I said his name – almost like I had shot him.

"Coach has this thing." He said and I laughed.

"C'mon Elliot, spit it out." I said and he sighed frustratedly.

"He thinks we suit." He said quickly and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"I don't understand."

"Oh for f-" Elliot stopped himself from swearing and sighed once again. "Tell you what this posh thing is like a language barrier it really is." He muttered and I rolled my eyes. "He means romantically. He thinks we look good together. And with that he thinks I should take you as it looks good if we're together. You're this top English girl and I'm captain of the football team. It shows diversity and sh*t." He rambled and my cheeks heated. I was trying to act nonchalant, but my stomach was doing flips with every word he said.

"Surely dating the captain of the cheer squad is more cliché if that's what he wants." I played my embarrassment off and Elliot laughed and shook his head.

"You really don't get it do you?" He asked and tilted his head as he watched me.

"Get what?" I asked him and turned so that we were facing each other. His eyes bore into mine with the same intensity they had when he was in my room and I felt like I was withering like a flower underneath his gaze. He licked his lips as he looked at mine before he grinned, and I nearly fainted at how beautiful he was. His hair was tousled to perfection and although he was bruised up, I still thought he was the best-looking boy I had ever seen. He shook his head at me and chuckled.

"I don't want them."

"Oi Lover birds! Get your arses down here training finished 5 minutes ago!"

Before I had a chance to respond or even processwhat Elliot had said, he was up at the loud, embarrassing command of Coach, andgone in seconds. Leaving mewith nothing but the scent of his aftershave.