Chapter 83: Chapter 83

In the school hallway that led to the auditorium. Students were filing out of the auditorium with shock on their faces.

They discussed what they had just heard in twos, threes, groups... Even people that had never talked to each other in their whole lives talked to each other!

"I can't believe Amelia would do something like that."

"I know right? It's really confusing. She didn't seem to hate Navaeh. She greeted her once in a while."

"Exactly. Those you never think would do something are the ones that stab you in the back."

"Those that chose to believe Navaeh are really wise."

"I know right? The poor girl had to work to cater her siblings need and someone used that against her? How horrible."

"But I have to give kudos to Navaeh. I have trouble babysitting my junior brother that is even 10! But she has to take care of her two siblings that are half his age! And they're two!"

"Me too! She's really trying."

"I pity her. How could a hardworking student be called a slut just like that? I wonder how she must have felt."

"Did you not see her the day the article was posted? She was crying!"

"She was?"

"Of course! I saw it with two of my own eyes."

"Ah! I'm so bad. I should go and ask for her forgiveness!"

"I'll go with you!"

"I should have stood and fought for her!"

"I agree!"

...Some months later...

"Geez! I'm beat!"

"No more late night reading!"

"Yay!!!"

"Let's go and celebrate!"

"I'm just going to go home and sleep."

"Party at my house tonight!"

"Yes!"

On the bleachers, two girls eating sharing a bag of carrots sat sighing occasionally.

"I'm so glad we're done with our exams." Navaeh mumbled and Ashley nodded her head almost immediately.

"I know right? It was so stressful!" Ashley agreed.

"Stressful? You read with Jake most of the time, and you guys simply played most of the time, sorry what kind of stress is that?" Navaeh mocked and Ashley rolled her eyes.

"Don't say it like Zaire even allows me to close the door fully. That guy has more possessiveness over me than my own father."

"And what exactly do you want to do behind closed doors?" Navaeh teased and Ashley's face flamed at once.

"Just read! God, get your mind out of the gutter!" Ashley replied bashfully.

Navaeh giggled at her before munching on another carrot.

"You know he's just looking out for you. Doesn't want you to get knocked up before your state exams." Navaeh pointed out and Ashely nodded.

"I know. I also don't plan on doing it until after marriage."

"You're coming to the match tonight right?" Ashley asked again and Navaeh nodded.

"If the twins wants to."

"Of course they would. Caspian is going to be there."

"Would you stop shipping Quin's brother with my sister? They're just 5 you know?"

"So? It's never too early to date. And you have even given Quinnel a response. Dude, it's been months."

Navaeh sighed and said nothing.

Ashley was referring to the time when Quinnel confessed his love by yelling at Amelia.

Talking of Amelia, after being expelled from the school... She and her Mother had gone to Bahamas or so. Apparently, her father had died when she was young so it's only been them.

"He didn't ask me out, you know? And more so, he didn't tell me directly. He was talking to Amelia at the time." Navaeh muttered.

Ashley sighed. Seems Quinnel had a job to do since this girl wanted the proper courting.

She and Jake had been dating for Six Months now. Turns out she was Bi as well.

"But who would have thought I was Bi?"

"I know right?" Navaeh asked and both chuckled.

"Where are the boys? I'm tired! Ugh!" Ashley groaned resting her head on Navaeh's shoulder and Navaeh patted her friend back lightly.

"They're coming." She said nudging her chin towards the field.

"Oh! They are! There is my baby." Ashley mumbled with a grin.

"Oh God! Is there going to be face sucking again?" She mumbled to herself since Ashley had jumped up to go to Jake instead.

Navaeh sighed and grabbed the rest of the carrot, her bag and Ashley's and walked down the stairs in the middle of the bleachers.

She got there just in time for Zaire to groan with a scrunched up face.

"Do you guys mind? You really don't have to suck faces all the time at every chance you get." Quinnel mumbled.

"Aw! Are you jealous?" Ashley teased.

"You know no one is stopping you and Neve from sucking faces, right?" Jake continued agreeing with his girlfriend.

Navaeh looked to Quinnel to see him already staring at her. She immediately diverted her eyes and passed Ashley's bag to her.

Jake smoothly collected it and smiled at his Girlfriend.

"Okay, dummy... come on." Zaire mumbled grabbing Jake's arm pulling him away.

"How was your exam?" Quinnel asked Navaeh and she nodded pulling at her bag strap.

"It was okay. Yours?" She questioned politely.

"It was great as well."

Ashley rolled her eyes at their stupid boring conversation before she pulled out her phone and texted Zaire and Jake for them to call Navaeh.

"Hey, Neve... Get over here." Zaire yelled suddenly and Navaeh raised her brow.

"We have something to tell you. For reals!"

"Uhh. Okay then." She replied and walked faster easily catching up with them.

Ashley immediately used that opportunity to talk to Quinnel.

...The following day, 8:56pm. At Silva High Basketball court...

The court was filled to it's brim and even some people had to stand when they couldn't find a seat.

"With five seconds on the clock, will Silva High get the ball in the hoop or Seattle High take the trophy home? The tension is thick. The court is silent in anticipation. Theball is passed to Ashford, the captain, he shoots and..."

Everyone crossed their fingers while some held their breaths, some closed their eyes and prayed to God while some boldly watched the ball dance around the hoop of the net.

The basketball team players both the Seattle High and Silva High watched the ball with their heart slamming against their chest.

Just one point. And Silva High wins.

Just one point. And Seattle High wins.

The ball then decided it was time to stop playing around and fell through the net.

"HE SCORES!!!!"

Immediately, the crowd went wild. Parents that had come to cheer their sons on, siblings that had come to watch their brothers play and finally, the students of the school that had just finished their exams and came to the match to cheer their classmates on and also use it to relax from the stress of the exams.

"The Silva High is the winner of the friendly basketball match! But before we go and celebrate our team and our win, the captain would like to say a few words."

The microphone was passed to Quinnel who was dressed in deep blue tank top and Shorts just like the rest of his teammates.

He sighed and brought the microphone close to his mouth. Everyone watched in anticipation for what he and to say.

Of course, anything he said now made all sense. He was after all the reason they had won.

"Hi guys." He greeted with a grin and everyone replied.

"Hi!"

"Wow. So much response. So much crowd. So much support. Silva High Basketball team would like to thank you all for taking your time out tonight to watch us play. You guys are the best and we're grateful."

Ashley tapped her feet against the floor in anticipation while Navaeh raised a brow at her friend. What was she getting all excited about?

"And since there is so much person here... I would like for you to join me in cheering someone on." He continued and everyone blinked at him.

"Navaeh Thatcher. Would you please stand? Wherever you are?" He asked his eyes roaming the chairs until it caught her wide eyes.

"Get the fuck up, Vee." Aelin whispered pushing at her frozen sister leg.

"It's okay. Thanks El... I'll just come to her instead." Quinnel said and jumped down from the platform that he had stood on.

He made his way to Navaeh until he was standing in front of her though the seats were tight, everyone stood up to make way for him.

"Navaeh Thatcher... This past months have been hard, crazy, funny, made new friends along the way..."

"I feel you bro!" Jake yelled and everyone chuckled.

"found secrets out, reconciled, had to act detective... But it was all good and fun because it was with you. I love and cherish every moment we spent together."

"So would you, alongside with winning the match tonight, let me win your heart as well? The whole you if possible?"

"We don't understand!" Someone yelled from the crowd with a teasing voice.

"Yeah! We don't!" Zaire agreed yelling.

"Oh God... You guys just want me to say it. Fine. Navaeh Thatcher... Would you make me the happiest guy tonight by being my girlfriend? Would you be my girlfriend?"

Navaeh blinked at a tear rolled down her cheek. Quinnel frowned and dropped the microphone to clean her tears.

"Hey... It's fine. I should have asked how you feel about public display of affec–"

"Shut up, you dummy. Yes! Yes,I'll be your girlfriend!"

"Yes?"

"Yeah." She confirmed nodding her head.

Quinnel grinned and moved closer to kiss her lips when she stopped him by placing her hand on his lips.

"There are kids in here." She whispered her eyes looking around.

"Fine. If you're below 10 in here... Please close your eyes." He said his eyes never leaving her for once.

Without checking if the children had truly complied, he pressed his lips to hers.