Love, Offline — The Victory Signal

Nolan reached for my face. I pulled away. First real game. I'm just nervous. Nolan brushed a strand of hair away from my glasses. I stopped him. Nolan, I have a boyfriend.

So maybe stop doing things that give people the wrong idea. Growing up with Nolan, of course I'd liked him once. At first, it hurt. Later, I got it. He always made me feel special.

Then told everyone we were just friends. A nerd like me and guys like them, that was never going to happen. Which was exactly why. Even if Adrian really was Vesper, I couldn't let him know.

I turned the corner. Adrian. How much had he heard? I gripped my tablet, watching him nervously.

Besides the middle, where else were they weak? Thank God. He hadn't heard a thing. They're secondary soft.

Short now, deep in the fourth. Adrian headed for the field. Watch me win, nerd. The second half became the Adrian Bale show.

He followed the plan exactly. Faked deep. Pulled a safety away. Hit the middle.

Then came the final drive. Pressure's closing in. Bale lets it fly deep. Stadium's low.

Caught! Touchdown! Adrian Bale wins it! In the middle of the crowd, Adrian pulled off his helmet.

He lifted his chin and pointed straight at. Like our own little signal, across the field, he found my heart skip. That night, the team threw a bonfire party. Everyone was celebrating, except Adrian.

He sat alone, checking his phone every few seconds.