Page 55 of Matched Up

‘No, not like in a bad way.She was being nice.She felt bad because it was your first game with the team.’Niall stopped playing and looked at me, his shaggy blonde hair half over his eyes.

‘She said I played shit in agoodway?’I dared him to clarify.

He sighed.‘She didn’t say you played shit.Jesus, Lexie.’

‘Actually, everybody played terribly; it wasn’t just me.’My words were running together and getting mixed up.Tears welled in my eyes.

‘OK,’ Niall said, going back to his game.

Megan knew something was wrong as soon as she came back.Because it was written all over my face, and I was too angry to even try to change my expression.

‘What?What’s wrong?’

‘Ask your boyfriend,’ I said, standing up.

‘Niall?’Megan looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

‘What?’he said.‘We were just talking about the match last night and Lexie turned into a psychopath.’

‘Are you serious?’I was shouting now.‘Niall told me what you said.That I had a shit game.’And then I was crying, hot angry tears that I couldn’t wipe away fast enough.

‘I did not say you had a shit game.Niall!’Megan slapped him on the shoulder.

‘Meg, I didn’t say that.I said that you said she didn’t havethe best game and by the sounds of things she didn’t, so why am I getting yelled at?’

‘Fuck sake, Niall!’Megan looked at him, then back at me.‘I was just telling him about the game in general, that the team we were playing were really good,’ she said, trying to backtrack.‘And I told him you had a great first half!’She sounded desperate.

‘You think I’m rubbish.You know what?Good luck for your trials.See you whenever.’I ran into my bedroom and lay down on the bed.If I’d been thinking straight, I would have stopped the tears before they made my face red and puffy.But I couldn’t.It hurt too much.And it wasn’t just the fact that Megan had said it, but that she’d said it to Niall.Deep down I knew she thought that.Of course she did.How could she not?

But Niall?It was so pathetic that when I thought back to when we were kids, the times I remember feeling the happiest were the times when I did something, and Niall thought it was great.There was this time I did a trick on my skateboard and Niall said it was ‘amazing’ and made me show all his mates.I was on cloud nine for days.

I didn’t even say goodbye to Megan and Niall before they left for the trials.I didn’t wish her good luck and ignored her knock on my door.I’d also been ignoring Zoe’s messages; she was asking if I was coming to Amina’s because they were meeting there and getting a car together.

I spent hours getting ready: make-up, hair, fake tan, nails, everything.I needed to look perfect for Shane.I wanted to blow him away and surprise the whole school when I showed up with the hottest guy ever.

I put my dress on, sprayed perfume and slid on my heels.I looked at myself in the mirror.Satisfied.Almost.

I was meeting Shane there.Usually if I wasn’t seeing him until later, like at practice or something, he would send me messages during the day.But I hadn’t heard from him all afternoon.I guess it was better that way, then I could surprise him properly.We were going to meet under the flower arch outside the assembly hall.

I was driving myself there.But before I left, Mum and Dad made me stand in the kitchen to get photos taken.

‘So beautiful, Lexie.’Mum looked like she was about to cry.

‘Gorgeous,’ Dad agreed.‘And you’re meeting Zoe there?’He looked concerned.

‘Yep, she’s waiting for me already.’I smiled the way I knew made him relax.

‘OK.Well, have an amazing time, Lexie, and no drinking.’

I reached over and hugged him.‘Dad, I’m driving.And thanks.’I cringed at the memory of Dad watching the game last night, like some horror movie stuck on repeat in my head.

I shook it off.Soon I’d be with Shane.He’d see me looking amazing, and everything would be perfect.

‘Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you?’Dad asked as I picked up my keys and walked towards the door.

‘And show up to V-Ball with myDad?’I teased.

He held up his hands in surrender, and I laughed before going over to give them both a quick hug, excitement building and hard to hide.

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