Chapter Twenty Four

                                    

                                          
Nova's POV:
It was a long day. Valerie had came back, but they were too busy with their college test to talk about what Jerome had told her last night. By the time it was third period, I felt like my head was going to fall off. My teacher was determined to teach us the subjunctive verb mood and we had been learning it for two weeks. The worst part for this was that I had to work with Andre again. We hadn't spoken since October and November was almost over. 
"So how do you form the subjunctive mood?" He asked me. Was he serious? The teacher just went over it. "Look at your notes. It's right there." I told Andre. "I don't understand this shit man." He groaned. We worked in silence, and I could feel my teacher looking at us. "Andre why is your partner not talking to you?" He asked in front of the class. "I guess she doesn't like me." Andre answered. My face was turning red from everyone staring at us. "You don't like him Nova?" The teacher asked me. "I don't like partners who slack off." I answered truthfully. The class laughed at us then, and Andre looked mad. When the bell rang, I practically ran out of the class room. Bo wouldn't be back until next week, so I was in no hurry to get to lunch. 
                          
Valerie was talking to Ashton when I finally got to the cafeteria. "Hey girl, I waited as long as I could but I know how your third period teacher is!" She told me when I walked up. Ashton hadn't even taken his eyes off of her since I walked up, and he kept reaching for Valerie's hand when no one was looking. As we waited in line, everyone looked at them two. "Why is everyone staring?" Valerie asked. "Because we're with goldy locks and people always stare at me." I answered. Ever since last week's game and my kiss with Bo, I was ogled at like I was a science project. "Goldy locks?" Ashton asked. "Yes goldy locks." I told him. Valerie was smiling at him about as hard as he was at her. "Will you two just date already?" I asked. "When you get with my boy Bo then I'll get with your girl Valerie." Ashton said as he got his tea and walked to the team's table. Valerie looked like she was about to pass out in the middle of the cafeteria from his words. "Valerie calm down." I told her. "Nova Bethany Sparks you need to get with Bo!" She said. You could hear the urgency in her voice as clear as day. "Yes ma'am." I said as we walked out of the cafeteria.
                          
Valerie's POV:
Everyone told me I was an idiot for liking Ashton Thames. He was a star kicker for his old school's varsity team, and he was on his way to do the same here. He was best friends with Bo Smith, and every girl's crush. But today at lunch he proved everyone wrong by saying if Bo and Nova got together, he'd get with me.  I could feel him reaching for my hand in the line but I was too scared to just grab it. Nova smirked at us as she saw it. I really hoped she'd get with Bo. She deserved to be happy, especially after Jerome. My physical science teacher was going on and on about kinetic energy, but all I could think about was Ashton. I doodled his name over and over again on my notes. I looked at the clock, and there was only 20 minutes left in this dreaded class. 
                          
*****
"Hey Valerie!" Ashton called. He ran over to my car, his blonde hair flying behind him. "Don't you have practice Mr. Football Star?" I teased. "Yeah but I realized I didn't have your number and I needed it. So here I am." He told me. We were silent enough to hear the song that was playing on my radio. "Interesting song." He said. "What's it called?" "Misery Business by Paramore." I told him as I wrote down my number for him. "I've never heard of anything unless it's country darlin' but thanks for your number." Ashton said smiling. "Go to practice!" I said as he hugged me quickly. He kissed me on the cheek and headed to the practice field. I could feel my cheek flaming from the hug and the kiss. Nova, who was in the car beside me, was smirking at me. "You need to get with Bo!" I yelled as she pulled out of the lot.
                          
Nova's POV:
I sang along to my radio as Taylor Swift blasted through it. I was glad it was it was Friday even though it meant I was going to have to take care of my little siblings tonight. As I stopped at a red light, I pulled out my phone. I had messages from Bo, Danni, Valerie, and Jerome. Bo was third-wheeling with Danni and Lucas and wanted to know if I could go out, Valerie was talking about how "dreaaaaamy" Ashton was, Danni was telling me about her date with Lucas, and I didn't look at Jerome's message. 
I was planning on seeing him after I put the twins to bed but I was scared. How would Bo react if he found out I was going to see my ex boyfriend. Granted Bo and I aren't dating, but I really like him. 
-I have to baby sit the twins tonight. You wanna come over and help? I texted Bo.
His reply was almost instant. 
-I'd love to. What time do you want me to come?
-After they're asleep I'll text you. I replied. 
I texted Jerome and told him I couldn't see him. I wasn't going to ruin things with Bo. 
                          
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Bo's POV:
It was nine o'clock and Nova still hadn't texted me. We had been talking off and on throughout the day but once she told me she was home, that was it. She wanted me to go over after her baby siblings went to sleep, but who knew what time they'd go to sleep. 
Almost 30 minutes later she texted me. 
-Hey they're asleep if you want to come over. 
I grabbed my keys and texted her telling her I was on my way, and I was gone. It was a 20 minute drive between our houses, and I couldn't wait to see her.