Kehlani

The whistle pierced the air and the game started. Trevor was like lightning on Ice. Elliot too. They were both the new spotlights of each team.

Bodies collided, skates sliding and sticks clashed. I raised my camera just to capture every moment of him.

“Yo. Trevor's insane.” someone beside me whispered.

“Elliot's pissed!” Another voice.

I saw it. The glare on Elliot's face when Trevor made a perfect save, catching the puck midair. My camera caught Trevor's gaze. I dropped it and he smirked at me. I waved at him and he did the same.

“Let's go Jackson!” The announcer roared and the stands did the same. Trevor was fast, blocking an impossible shot and sent the puck hurtling down the ice.

“Whoa!” Olive and I screamed, Cheerios at Trevor.

“Elliot's literally going insane.” Olive laughed hard and I watched the veins formed on his hands whenever he's mad.

“That's good.” I smiled.

Everyone loves how Trevor played. The new goalie with the criminal record was becoming a legend. My boyfriend. Hold up, fake.

I sighed. “I'm I falling for Trevor already? But it isn't real.” I whispered to myself.

“Are you talking to me?” Olive cuts my thoughts.

“Uh. It's nothing.” I focused back on my lens. What if I was slowly generating real feelings for him.

Elliot charged towards Trevor, moving with speed and passed two defenders.

“Watch this!” He yelled.

Trevor didn't flinch and Elliot lifted his stick, launched the puck like a bullet.

But clack!

Trevor caught it with his glove. Effortless. The crowd roared. They both crashed into each other at the side board with sticks tangled. Saying some things we can't hear. The ref blew his whistle and the game continued with Trevor making the final save.

Trevor's team won. 5-3. The crowd applauded, hailing Trevor. Screams from girls.

He skated forward and Olive screamed.

“He's coming to you. He's coming to you!”

The rest of my club members giggled too as Trevor pulled off his helmet.

“Omg. He's so perfect!”

Yes, I was starting to get a little bit jealous as they screamed in my ears. Without warning, he points his stick to the air, pointing towards me. Like a quiet dedication. The crowd went wild;

“That's his girl”

“Awwwn!”

“She's so lucky!”

I blushed and snapped him immediately. This was better. Better than the heartbreak from Elliot. I watched Elliot shoving past a teammate. He was mad and yes, I was satisfied to watch him lose.

°°°°°°°°°°°°

After the game and olive and went home, I waited for Trevor till we held our hands walking out of school together.

“You promised to get on my good side.” He points to my camera.

“I got all your good sides, Trevor. As many as possible. Our club is working on giving you the spotlight.”

“Luckily I got a supportive girlfriend.”

“Yup. You should.” I smiled.

“Let's go to my house.” He opened the car door for me and I blushed.

“Thank you, FB.”

“What's FB?”

“Fake boyfriend.” I leaned to sit and he closed the door, walked to the other side and hopped in.

“Wow. What a name.” The engine roars to life and he zooms off of school premises.

A few minutes later, we arrived at his sleek black gate I recognized too well and went in.

“Damn. I'm dehydrated.” He sighs as we walk upstairs.

“Where are your parents?” I asked.

“Work. Maybe? I don't know.”

“You're such a bad fake girlfriend.” He complains.

“What?” I raised my eyebrows and he opened the door of his room, and collapsed on the bed.

“You don't care about me, do you?”

I nod my head. “Need I remind you, we are fake dating. I should only care, smile, touch and be chalant towards you in school and in front of your parents. I mean that was our deal right?”

He sits upright, looking at me.

“What?” I blinked.

“You're right. Definitely right.” He paused for a few seconds. “Yeah. Forgive me if I tried to overstep my boundaries which I didn't.”

“You're one to deal with.” I stifled a laugh.

“Anyways. Come sit.” He taps on the space of the bed, close to him and I tilt my head.

“What? We aren't doing anything bad.”

“Who says we're doing something bad?” I narrowed my eyes.

“You're acting scared or…nervous.” He shrugged. “I don't bite. I just wanna check the pictures on your cam.”

“Of course. We ain't doing nothing.” I pulled myself from leaning on the wall and sat beside him.

“Let's review your talent.”

“Sure.”

“So, how'd it feel?” His voice was deep and low.

“How did that feel?”

“Watching me out there. Watching Elliot lose.”

I rolled my eyes. “You already know the answer.”

“Say it.” He smirked.

I looked into his eyes. Like close enough. His rough hair made him dangerously sexy.

“I'm not saying it. You have an ego the size of Hartford.”

He laughs, falling back on the bed, then sits back, this time, he was closer. His face inches from mine.

“Just admit I look hot out there.”

I huffed. “Oh, please. You were…. capable.”

“Fair enough.”

I picked the hem of my sweater. “So, about the scholarship stuff.”

“Oh. Yes. Before I forget. Send me your best shots so far. Aesthetic, moody, emotional. Blah blah.”

“Alright.” I unlocked my phone by swiping through.

“Like I said, you failed to include your portfolio. If we do now, I could work it out and get you approved before tomorrow.”

“Ooooh. Lucky me.”

“That's why you're here. Our deal is the main reason.” He took my phone.

“I hope you have good shots. Kel….Damn. This is…amazing.

“Really?”

“Yes.” He stood up to get his laptop. “I'll help you build a portfolio and then, pick your best shots. Make them clean. I know exactly what should be done.”

“How?”

He plugged the flash drive. “Just send the photos to my email.”

“Okay.” I obliged. “Do you think I'll be close to winning?”

“You won't be close to….you will win. I'll do everything it takes because of our deal. Unless you decide to leave our fake relationship. Then I'll make sure you fail.” He smirked.

“Well, not bad at all.”

“I'll handle the rest tonight. Keep an eye on your email. You might get approved.”

“What can I say? Thank you.” I glanced at the time. “Well, I better be going home.”

“Alright.” He grabbed his hoodie from his chair and wore it over his shoulder. “Before we go, I have something to give you.”

“What's that?”

“It's downstairs. Let's go.”

He led me out of his room and then, cascaded the stairs. Rushed to the velvet chair and handed me a gift basket.

“Is that…..?”

“Yup. I decided to get some goodies and chocolates for you.” He smiled.

“Oh wow. This is…” I took the basket for him which weighed heavy in my hands. “This is a lot. You didn't have to.”

“Come on. You're my girlfriend. This is absolutely nothing.”

“Thanks Trevor. I really appreciate it.” I smiled happily.

“You're welcome. Well, let's go.”

The drive was quiet and calm and he pulled up in front of my house. I unbuckled my seatbelt.

“Thanks for today and the ride.”

“You're welcome.”

I opened the door and he did the same while I walked towards the direction of our door.

“So. Um, goodnight?” I blushed.

“Hold on.” He suddenly moved closer and wrapped his arm over my waist. I gulped, staring into his eyes nervously.

“You're starving me for a kiss.” His hot breath kissed my neck. “FG.”

“What about the kiss in the hallway?”

“Nah. That's no way near a kiss. More like peck.”

“Why should there be a kiss if it's fake.”

He shrugged causally, raising his shoulder. “Then, let's make it a fake kiss.” This time, his smile was dangerous.

I hated that I had no more Comebacks. Hated that he was right and always had the last word. As he leaned in, with hands grazing my cheeks and lips inches from mine, the click of the door snapped my senses and I jerked, putting some distance between us.

We'd almost been caught–by my dad.

Trevor didn't flinch. He just slowly turned.

“Hey, big man.” My dad waved at him.

“Evening sir.” Trevor nodded. He was smooth and cool. Zero panic at his side.

“Welcome back kids. Wanna join us for dinner. My wife's cooking.”

I took a deep breath.

“Uh. No, it's fine, I was already leaving.” Trevor stated, staring at me.

“Bye, FG.” He whispered.

“Good night.” I said out loud and ran to my Dad.

“Okay. Goodnight son. Extend my greetings to your father and be safe.

“Definitely.” He opened the door without taking his eyes off me. I waved once before turning to go inside.

“Young lady.”

I froze as Dad came in.

“Yes, sir?”

“Your mom told me you're dating Trevor. Is that true?”

“Uh, yeah. I wanted to tell you…”

“That's great news. He's a good kid. I know.”

But you don't know he's a criminal goalie.

“Yeah. He is.” I nod before rushing upstairs.

***************

I've had dinner and I was laying on bed, resounding to messages and other important stuff when an unread email message popped on my screen. I tapped on it.

Congratulations. Kehlani Cole. Your portfolio has been approved! You've been selected for the Golden lens youth award scholarship program. You will now move into the next steps…….

I screamed, happily.