Crushing On The Enemy (Crushing on You 1)

br /> “What's that?” Jake asked.

“I sent off my application for Georgia U today,” she laughed.

“What?” Jake asked.

At first he thought he misheard her, because just a few days ago she had been firmly against going to an out of state college.

“I just thought it would make things easier,” she shrugged.

“I don't even know if I'll be going there yet,” Jake said, trying not to show his confusion.

“You will!” she smiled, “because you're going to win at state!

Jake wasn't sure what to think about any of it. He didn't want Alyssa to feel like she had to follow him around while he tried to fulfill his dreams. It wasn't even like he wanted to play football forever.

“I don't want you to feel like you have to come with me if I do go,” he said.

“I don't,” she frowned, “I want to go with you and after today I know for sure I don't have any reason to stay.”

“What do you mean?” Jake asked.

Alyssa sighed and told him about her fight with Mattie.

“I thought she was up to no good,” Jake frowned.

“I never thought she'd act like that,” Alyssa shook her head.

“I'm sure you two will work it out,” Jake said, trying to sound reassuring.

“I don't know if I want to, Jake,” Alyssa sighed.

“She's just upset because she feels left out,” Jake said leaning back against the car.

“Well, a relationship is two people, not two people and the best friend,” Alyssa said.

“Truth,” Jake sighed.

Jake and Alyssa went out for pizza, but Alyssa was unusually quiet. Jake knew she was more upset about the fight with Mattie than she was letting on, but he didn't bring it up again.

After he dropped Alyssa off at her car Jake drove to the park and walked the trail alone. He should be happy that Alyssa wanted to come with him, but he couldn't help but to wonder if she'd hate him for it later.

Chapter 19: Alyssa

For the next month Alyssa avoided Mattie. She arrived to school early and left late to avoid running into her in the parking lot. Mattie had tried to call her a couple of times, but Alyssa refused to answer. Mattie had crossed a line from which Alyssa felt there was no return.

She fought with her mother about all the nights she was out late watching Jake play at the state championship. There was only one game left and if they won the title would be his. She ignored her mom's pleas that she come home earlier, because she wasn't going to miss his last game for anything. The ring on her finger symbolized a promise made between them. A promise of a bright future together, a future Alyssa couldn't wait to start.

Her mother didn't know about the Georgia U application yet, but Alyssa knew it was only a matter of time before she found out. If she received an acceptance letter her mom would just have to learn to cope without her, because come fall she would be gone, if not sooner.

She and Jake had discussed their summer plans. If he was accepted to the team he'd have to leave earlier than she did, for summer practice and training. Alyssa wasn't sure whether she was going to make the drive down with him or if she would wait for the start of the semester.

Alyssa was unsure of what she was going to do, because she was nervous about moving to a new state where they would know no one. She knew that Jake would make friends easily because of being on the team, but where would that leave her?

She spun Jake's ring around her finger. It was too lose and didn't fit properly, but she kept forgetting to pick up a chain to wear it on.

“I could do that now,” she thought to herself as she finished her dinner of leftover meatloaf, “Nah, I don't really want to go anywhere.”

Her thoughts turned to what she would wear tomorrow. Jake's team was done with practices, meaning they would have most of tomorrow to spend together before Jake's last game.