Bells rang loudly as the cheers from the students crowded the stadium. The football flew in the air and then landed in the protective arms of the quarterback. Another touchdown for the Riverhawks and another angry protest of the Mustangs. The Homecoming game between rivals had brought even the strongest haters to it’s stadium. RiverRidge High School gathered in their protective home that was enclosed with a fence and watched anxiously as the game continued on. It was in the fourth quarter and the score looked promising. 24 to 14. A tight game but still interesting to watch.

Yasmin tapped on her phone as the cheers around her subsided. Her blond hair hung in her face as she sighed in exasperation. Football was so not her sport.

“Come on,” her best friend Hazel said tapping her head. “It’s a football game. You’re suppose to cheer.” Yasmin flashed her friend a glare before standing up.

“I’d rather not,” she fired back. “I hate football and I always will.” She turned her heel to go, sensing that her place didn’t belong on the bleachers of the stadium. She’d rather be at home, sitting on the couch, filming another video, but instead ended up coming to the dreadful event.

She pushed her way past all herd of bodies and finally was able to get to the parking lot, where only a few students sat talking amongst themselves. It wasn’t new that such a strong rivalry had formed between the two schools. When it was first built, rumors had spread saying that there would be a strong rival, nobody thought it would go this crazy.

“Well well,” a deep voice said behind her, stopping Yasmin in her tracks. “Look who decided to join us. Miss I-hate-football.” She clenched her fists and resisted the urge to strangle whoever was taunting her. Turning around, the person she saw didn’t surprise her. Ben Bowler. The jock at the other school. He was a strong built, with wide shoulders and a wide face. His bright eyes was a mix of blue and green. His dark hair hung over his forehead, and he had that classic smirk plastered on his face that said he was better than everyone else. She shook her head and crossed her arms.

“What do you want Bowler?” she snapped feeling her nerves spike. He walks to her, making her even more irritated.

“What are you doing here? You aren’t a sporty type.” he stated like it was a new fact. Yasmin rolled her eyes and stuck a hip out. She may not like sports, but she knew how to defend herself.

“I came to support my school,” she answered. “But you wouldn’t know how to do that, would you?” Ben flashed a cold glare, making Yasmin chuckle. “Thought so.”

She turned and headed to her car on the other side of the parking lot. The sooner she got home, the better she’d feel. As she made it to her car and was about to open the door, Ben grabbed her hand.

“Stop ignoring me!” He shouted. Yasmin pulled away. The tension was so intense that people around them was starting to gather around. “You really are a brat, aren’t ya?” Yasmin rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“At least I’m not a stuck up jock whose ego is taller than the empire state building,” she insulted back. Ben seemed taken back but recovered quickly.

“Take that back!”

“Oh, why? So your self esteem doesn’t take a crashing?” Yasmin shook her head and opened the driver side door when her friend motioned her into the car. Hazel knew the lines Yasmin would cross to defend herself. It wasn’t worth another detention. “Do what’s best for you, Bowler,” she turned to get in. “and leave me alone.”

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On the drive home, Yasmin could feel her friends gaze on her, prying into her soul as if she just committed a murder. She turned and looked at her when they pulled into the driveway of Hazel’s home. Yasmin could see the urge to yell at her in Hazel’s eyes. She sighed.

“Hazel, listen-” she got cut off by her friend shaking her head.

“No, you listen!” she said without taking a breath. “You need to chill! Being rude like that is going to backfire!” Yasmin rolled her eyes and leaned against her seat. “I’m serious Yas!”

“I know you are,” she said. “But have you ever thought that maybe it’s my personality?” Hazel scoffed.

“Nobody is naturally cold to everyone,” she stated quietly. Yasmin shrugged.

“Well, nobody has a high ego naturally,” she shot back. Hazel looked at yasmin for a second, trying to contemplate what to do. “Look, Hazel. Until Bowler learns some charity and humanity, I’m not going to be very nice.” Hazel chuckled.  

“Only you would make that promise.”

-----

The sun shone brightly giving the parking lot of RiverRidge a bright glow. It’s smiling rays beamed brightly on the red bricks as the buses pulled up, carrying the anxious students to another day of learning. It was like the game had left an imprint on the students, seeing their victory against the Mountain Valley. The game had gone on for another hour since no matter what they did, it was a tie. They had caught up and instantly, the score was tied. Each students from each school yelled insults and threats as they watched their teams clobber each other.

“You have to admit,” Hazel said walking with Yasmin down the hall. “That was an intense game.” Yasmin shrugged and moved her blond hair out of her face as she stood behind her friend who fumbled with her locker.

“I didn’t notice,” she said coldly. Hazel rolled her copper colored eyes and turned to Yasmin who was looking at a poster that was posted beside the group of lockers.

Musical: Aladdin

Time: 7:00pm

Cost: 5 for adults 1 for students

Come see the story of Aladdin unfold in this romantic, comedy!!! Hope to see you there!!

Hazel sighed and moved closer to her friend who stared at the poster.

“I know you wished you would’ve made it,” she soothed. Yasmin gave her friend an encouraging smile before following her down the hall. “Honestly, you would’ve made a great Jasmin. I mean, your name is as close as ever to the princess.”

It was true, but that wasn’t the reason she wanted in. She wanted to get in to spend time with the one person she missed. Adam. Adam was her best friend since her sophomore year. He had gotten the lead as Aladdin and she had tried to get in, but instead didn’t. She didn’t want to admit it, but she missed Adam and she wanted to see him again.

“So are you going to see it?” Hazel asked breaking her train of thoughts. Yasmin tapped her chin.

“Probably not,” she answered casually. “I have a book signing tonight.” Hazel nodded and then chuckled lightly.

“I can’t believe your book got published and is the most wanted book in the nation!” she exclaimed. “Is there anything you can’t do?” Yasmin laughed at her friends statement.

“Yeah, get the lead of the play.”

She was about to say something but they both got inturrupted by the floor beneath them shake. The books in yasmin’s arms dropped as they both grabbed onto the lockers to steady themselves. The rumbling echoed through the building as the doors, windows and lockers rattled. Her legs felt like jelly as the shaking slowed. Yasmin flashed Hazel a shocked expression before they followed the rest of the school outside.

“Please remain in a ordered manner,” the principle said over the intercom. Hazel looked around and saw the parking lot with a few cracks and the driver ed cars smothered under the hood that stood above them.

“What was that?” she questioned. Yasmin looked around.

“That was an earthquake.”