Hey everyone! Final chapter!

Summary:

Elizabeth lives to for three things: play her flute, sing, and play soccer. James is the only one believed to be better then her at soccer. They're supposed to be rivals. But what happens when their rivalry turns into love?

Playing the Game

by: butterfly-angel-babygirl

CHAPTER TWELVE

It was Saturday. That week had been uneventful. Bonita had won all their games, and today was the Homecoming football game along with the Homecoming dance. The girls had skipped the game to get prepared for the dance.

Lily wore a red sleeveless dress that went to her knees. Her hair was curled and she put very little make-up on. Jackalyn wore a long black dress that dipped low in the back. Her hair was left down and pulled out of her face by a white ribbon. Tricia wore a light blue dress that went to her knees. Her hair was curled and pulled in a half-ponytail. Kelsey wore a simple green dress with her hair left natural. Brittany wore a knee length purple dress and her hair was straightened. Elizabeth wore the silver dress they had purchased the week before. Her hair was curled and pulled back by man small hair ties.

Originally the girls were going to go just as one large group. They still were, but James and Josh would be going as Elizabeth's and Lily's dates. Amelia had handed Elizabeth the camera and let her spend the night at Lily's house. The others were going to spend the night as well.

The door bell rang and the girls looked at each other frantically. “Girls- the boys are here!” Lily's mother called from down the stairs

Elizabeth thought she was shaking as she picked up her silver clutch purse and looked to the other girls. “Come on, lets go.” Tricia said smiling

Elizabeth nodded and they headed downstairs.

James just stared as Elizabeth walked down the large stairs with the other girls. Sure, they all looked stunning, but he was shocked at how stunning she was. His palms became sweaty as he held the container with a white lily corsage, specially made. Josh was in the same shape as him; in his hand a red rose corsage was. “Wow,” they both said

Elizabeth and Lily blushed. James wore the same thing he had worn at the party his parents had held the same way, and he still looked great. Lily looked Josh over; he wore a red dress shirt and black slacks. Lily wondered if he knew what she was going to be wearing.

“Pictures.” Lily's mother, Andrea, said, holding up two cameras

“First corsages.” Lily's father, John, said as he appeared by his wife's side, immediately noticing the containers in the boys' hands.

James kissed Elizabeth's hand before slipping the corsage on her wrist. “Its beautiful, thank you.” she said smiling

“Of course.” James said smiling

“You're Josh then.” John said after Josh put the corsage on Lily's wrist.

“Yes sir, its a pleasure to meet you.” Josh said, shaking John's hand.

“You too.” John said

“Its a pleasure to meet you as well ma'am.” Josh said, shaking Andrea's hand as well

“Call me Andrea, Josh. Lily has told us a lot about you.” Andrea said smiling

“Good things I hop.” Josh said smiling

“Girls, get together for a group photo.” Andrea said

After getting pictures of all the girls together, they got pictures with the two boys added; just the two boys; James and Elizabeth; Lily and Josh; and Lily and Elizabeth.

“Be home by midnight!” Andrea said as they left

“Hope you girls don't mind splitting into two cars.” James said as they walked to the two cars

“No, its okay.” they all said

--

Elizabeth sighed in James' arms. It was the third slow song they were dancing to, and it was 10:00 at night. James pulled Elizabeth a little closer and rubbed circles on the small of her back. Elizabeth had been having an amazing time. When she wasn't slow dancing, she was dancing crazily with her friends. Elizabeth looked up at James, only to see him looking back at her. He had stayed by her side the whole time so far, and got a drink for her whenever she wanted one. James brought his head down and kissed her lightly. She sighed contently and the song ended.

“I'm going to get a drink and a snack, do you want something?” James asked as they parted

“Brownie and punch please.” she said smiling

“Of course.” he said kissing her forehead

Elizabeth walked over to the table where the others sat. She sat down and the others looked at her. “What?” she asked

“You two are so cute together!” Tricia gushed

“Thanks.” she said blushing

“Here you are.” James said handing her a brownie and a cup of punch before sitting down beside her

“Thanks.” she said “My feet are killing me already.”

“Yeah, this is why I prefer sneakers.” Lily said rubbing her ankle

“Hell yeah!” Jackalyn said, rubbing her own ankle

“And there's still one more hour to go.” Josh stated

“I'd ask if we could go home, but we have to find out Homecoming King and Queen.” Elizabeth said sighing

“Considering you've been nominated for Queen, yeah.” Kelsey said

Elizabeth just stared at her friend as if she had grown a second head. “What? No one told you?” Kelsey said

“No!” Elizabeth said shocked

“Oh,” Kelsey said

“I thought only Seniors could be nominated!” Elizabeth protested

“Nope. Two Juniors and two Seniors can be nominated.” Brittany stated shaking her head

“The two Seniors are Courtney Melbourne and Katrina Stirling for Queen. For King the Seniors are Kevin Saunders and Jard Godwin.” Jackalyn said

“The Juniors for Queen are you and Ella.” Lily nearly spat Ella's name. “And for King are James and Devon Carter.” Devon was on the football team. Elizabeth wasn't at all surprised that the two boys had been nominated.

The music suddenly stopped and a teacher stepped up to the microphone. “Okay everyone, I'm going to announce the nominations for King and Queen and then we'd like you all to vote over at the tables.” she said, pointing to a couple of tables. “Vote for one King and one Queen only. We'll count the votes and at 11:00 announce the winners. The nominations for King are: Kevin Saunders, Jared Godwin, Devon Carter and James Rainsford. The nominations for Queen are: Courtney Melbourne, Katrina Stirling, Ella Mansfield and Angel Anderson.”

They all looked at each other once the teacher walked off the stage. It was unspoken. They knew who they were going to vote for. They walked over and voted, migrating back to their table. The tension was thick in the whole gym, and they sat in silence. “Angel,” a high pitch voice said from behind them.

Elizabeth cringed as she heard the voice. She turned in her chair to see a tall, blonde sixteen-year-old girl wearing a short pink dress. “Ella,” Elizabeth said nodding her head

“You do know you'll lose, right?” she said

“You never know.” Elizabeth said

“Oh I do.” Ella said and walked away dramatically

“Can I kick her ass?” Jackalyn asked, cracking her knuckles

“No Jackie.” Elizabeth said “I”ll be right back, bathroom calls.”

“I'll come too.” Lily said standing and leaving. “Nervous?”

“Yes! I didn't even know I had been nominated!” Elizabeth said “And I'm going against cheerleaders! There's no real chance of me winning!”

“Angel- there's no way they'll win. You have NO idea how popular you really are.” Lily stated

Elizabeth just scoffed at her best friend and entered the bathroom.

--

The music stopped yet again and the same teacher as before stepped on the stage yet again. “Could I have the nominees on stage please?” she said

A couple minutes later all eight nominees were on the stage. “Well, good luck to all of you.” she said and someone handed her two envelopes. “The Homecoming King is...James Rainsford!”

Everyone cheered as he walked up and had the large crown placed on his head. He grinned and waved to the crowd. “And the Homecoming Queen is...”

The whole gym seemed to grow quiet. They all knew of the rivalry between Elizabeth and Ella.

“Angel Anderson!” the teacher said

Even louder cheers were heard as Elizabeth walked over and was crowned. James immediately held her hand as she walked up to stand beside him. They walked down the stairs from the stage carefully and walked to the center of the gym.

A slow song started and the two started to dance. “See? We knew you could win.” James said as they ignored the stares of others and the camera flashes.

“Everyone has their doubtful moments.” Elizabeth said smiling as she leaned her head against his chest. She never walked to leave his hold. She felt so whole, so content, so safe. She felt...in love.

They were silent the rest of the song, just content in being in each other's arms. After it was finished, James led her outside. “Where are you taking me James?” Elizabeth asked

James stopped and looked at Elizabeth. “I have something I want to tell you Angel.” he said

Elizabeth tilted her head, wondering what he wanted to tell her. “What is it James? You know you can tell me anything.” she said, taking his hand.

James brought her hand to his face and kissed her knuckles. He then wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. He kissed her gently. “What is it James?” Elizabeth asked, growing slightly worried at his actions.

James looked in her eyes, mesmerized. “Angel, I love you.” he said

Elizabeth just stared at him. Her heart and stomach were both doing flips. She was ecstatic that he loved her. “I love you too.” she said

James stared in shock for a minute before capturing her lips in his again. It was more passionate then before, and he didn't want it to end. “I love you. I love you so damn much Angel.” he said, holding her close.

“I love you too James.” she said, giggling softly

There's a quote that these two proved to be true. “It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone- but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.” It took James only a minute to like her in eighth grade, and for her in eleventh grade. It took them an hour to like each other and form a strange friendship that a few years before neither would admit was there. It took them only a day to realize that what they felt for each other was more then just a crush. It was love. And both knew, they would never forget each other.

The End

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Hey everyone! Hope you liked this story! Thank you for all the reviews! If you want to check out my other stories, I've got some out there!

-Butterfly Angel