Learning Curve

Saturday, October 5th

Finn

The afternoon sun bounces off the gold helmets of the Dickson Dragons football team, and the crowd goes from ear-bending volume to silent as they line up on the five yard line.

“Mark my words, we’re converting on this down, and we’re doing it on the ground,” Ace states confidently, his eyes fixated on the field. “Blakey Boy is going to score this TD.”

“You think Boden’s running it in?” I question incredulously. With Blake’s arm and more than a couple yards to go, I’m expecting them to throw it.

“Hell yeah.” Ace flashes a smirk in my direction. “All those orange defensive fuckers are clearly preparing for the pass just like the rest of you chumps.” He points to me and Julia and three of his other friends who surround us.

The Pennington Tigers are our biggest opponents in our division, and following their last possession and touchdown, the game is tied. I glance at the scoreboard—24 to 24, fourth quarter, two minutes left on the clock, third down.

Blake better make this one count.

He calls for the snap, and both teams jump into action. He fakes a handoff to Reggie Banks, our top running back, and his O line holds their position against the Tigers’ defense. Boden cradles the ball to his chest, jumping over their strong safety as he dives for his ankles, and runs it straight into the end zone.

“Touchdown, Blake Boden!” the announcer shouts, his voice so loud, the stadium shakes. The crowd goes nuts with cheers and applause.

Ace fist-pumps the air and gives me a high five before free-falling into the people behind us, who catch him and laugh. The band dives into Dickson University’s fight song, and we all sing along—Ace at the top of his lungs, of course.

“By Dragon’s fire, you’re dust to us! Dickson U, in Dragons we trust!”

“I fucking told you he was going to run it in!” Ace bellows, and we high-five again.

Tommy Slate hits the extra point with ease, and Ace wraps his arm around Julia’s shoulder and playfully swings her back and forth while the instrumental crescendo builds once again. “Jules, tell our defense they better fucking hold the line!”

Julia laughs and punches him away with gentle hands while the cheerleaders run on the field, gold pom-poms in the air during the TV broadcast timeout. I watch unabashedly—because everyone else is too, and somewhere in my delusion of the last couple of weeks, that excuse makes sense.

Since the confrontation in Brower Center, Scottie has kept her distance from me. She hasn’t texted or called or even looked in my direction in class, for that matter. She’s done exactly as I suggested and moved on from me completely.

I’m such a fucking idiot.

Scottie smiles and claps her hands along with her fellow cheerleaders as they all shout something about the Dragons’ defense in synchronicity. The crowd follows their enthusiastic lead, as they climb into some sort of stunt formation that sends Scottie shooting into the air like a freaking rocket.

“Holy shit!” Ace remarks, watching her as she flips in the air and lands in the arms of the girls below her.

They catch her with ease, and Scottie is back on the ground, clapping and cheering along with her team.

“Woo!” Julia cheers, throwing both hands above her head enthusiastically. “Go, Scottie! Badass bitchhhh!”

I had zero plans of coming to this game—rather, my strategy was to avoid it just like I have with all the others. Then I wouldn’t be here staring at a girl I have no business staring at like some kind of sap.

And yet, because I’m Ace Kelly’s roommate, I find myself here anyway.

You also find yourself having fun.

I don’t know how or why, but wherever Ace Kelly is, a good-ass time isn’t far behind. Though, the CIA would have to waterboard me to get me to admit that to him out loud.

As the cheerleaders leave the field and the game starts up again, I pull my phone out of my pocket to check to see if I have any missed texts from my siblings—at least, that’s what I tell myself. But I end up scrolling through the one-sided conversation from Scottie from before our encounter at the breakfast buffet. Before I basically told her to stay the fuck away from me.

I sigh. I should have deleted these, but I didn’t.

I’m so sorry for everything I’ve gotten you involved in. Please let me know if I can help with anything.

I have notes from class if you need them. I can’t believe you’re in trouble because of me.

Dane told Nadine, who told everyone here, that you guys are just on probation for now. I’m so sorry, but I guess it’s good for once that Dane is a nepo baby.

I know you probably need some time. Reach out when you’re ready.

I hope you’re okay, Finn. I’ll always be sorry.

Fuck, I’m such a dick.

My fingers hover over the keys for a brief moment before I start to type out a message.

I’m so bad for you, but maybe we could try anyway.

Delete.

I’m sorry I’m such an asshole. Maybe I took things too far. Let’s be friends.

Delete.

I know it’s my fault, but I miss you.

Delete.

This fucking sucks, but it’s for the best. She’s way better off without me.

“Yo, Finn, by the way, you already have plans tonight,” Ace declares, pulling my focus away from my phone. I shove it back into my pocket.

“Huh?”

“Two words. Computare Caterva,” he says quietly and then waggles his brows at me like I should know what he’s talking about.

“Are those words English?”

“You haven’t heard about Double C?”

“Ohhh. Double C. Yeah! I totally know.”

“Really?” he asks excitedly.

I frown and shake my head. “I have zero fucking clue what you’re on about right now.”

“Ah, man. You are in for a treat. I can’t wait for you to thank me later.”

I roll my eyes. “Somehow I don’t think that’s how it’ll go.”

“Believe me, it will. I got you an invite into the most exclusive, top-secret thing on campus.” He winks. “Be ready to go by eleven tonight.”

No room for excuses. It’s not a choice. And just like that, Ace Kelly, roommate extraordinaire, strikes again.