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[sub]A collab with [@Grim327][/sub][/center][hr]
[color=darkred]“We are finally FREE! Can you [i]believe[/i] that, baby?”[/color]
 
It was officially the first day of winter break. School was out, and things would stay that way until the first week of January. A celebration was in order, and Westworth’s secret couple were doing so in their favorite way: cuddling in the back of Aiden’s truck with a thermos of hot chocolate at their secret meet-up spot. The Clearing -as Aiden liked to call it- was a place he had found by accident during one of his random drives around town. The lovebirds’ safe haven was at the top of a cliff with no guardrail, and the view stretched out before them was their hometown. Westworth was bordered by a forest on one side and mountains stretched out in the distance, the surface of everything covered in pure white snow. 
 
Sierra Jameson and Aiden Pierce were dating. Even now, a month and a half after they had first begun their relationship, the raven-haired woman still couldn’t really explain how they had come to be. Sierra and Aiden were as different from each other as the night and day were, and yet the simple decision of their English and Chemistry teachers to pair them together for a project and the lab respectively had snowballed into this relationship.
 
At the beginning of the school year, Sierra had been mourning the loss of her first love Jason Singh, and had sworn to never fall in love again. Meanwhile, Aiden had been patiently waiting for her, dropping some hints here and there but keeping the way he felt about her as a secret. From the moment he’d laid eyes on her on the first day of their freshman year of high school, Aiden had developed an unrequited crush on her that he’d kept secret throughout the years. There was something about her rebelliousness that attracted the more conservative Aiden. While he knew from the start that getting together with her was going to be almost, if not, impossible; Aiden still found himself drawn to Sierra. Lost in her break-up grief as she was, Sierra failed to notice the signs or catch the hints, but her best friend Sami did not. It was him who planted the seed in Sierra’s mind that ‘the southern gentleman’ was interested in her, which she immediately dismissed as a joke. Aiden Pierce, the mechanic/football jock that thought they were still living in the fifties? It was a laughable remark in Sierra’s eyes. Of course, as the time went by, she began to pay attention, notice the signs and confirm Sami's suspicions: Aiden Pierce indeed had a crush on her. 
 
Completely shocked at the realization, Sierra began her efforts to find out why in the world this well-mannered, quiet, shy jock could possibly harbor a crush on her of all people. During her ‘research’, their time together became less limited to the classroom. They began to go out after school: simple things at first, but eventually turning to official dates. The more moments she spent with Aiden, the more Sierra found herself attracted to him, trusting him, and wanting to open up to him more. Before she knew it, the one keeping the secret crush was her.
 
It was during one of their dates that Sierra finally came clean, heart pounding hard in her chest at putting herself in such a vulnerable position once again. From his part, the young man knew most people, including his parents, would probably look down on the relationship if it ever came to fruition. And yet, he stayed the course and waited for the moment that was possibly on the horizon... Which had finally arrived. Aiden, ever the gentleman, had waited until her confession to openly make his own and ask her to be his girlfriend. A teary-eyed Sierra had accepted, even if deep down she was scared shitless of what this would mean. A long, deep kiss was shared at The Clearing under the stars of a chilly October night, officializing the start of Sierra and Aiden’s relationship. Aiden was in total bliss immediately afterwards. After the kiss, he’d simply wrapped his arms around Sierra and pulled her in closer. The moment had finally come, and he hadn't wanted it to end. Yet, even as great as the feeling was, there was a part in the back of Aiden’s mind nagged at him. He knew that while the two of them were finally together, the real battle started now: the fight to stay a couple and see just how far the pair could go together.
  
Over a month into their relationship, and Aiden still felt amazement at the whole thing. He couldn’t be any happier than how it turned out. He’ll find himself wondering, however, how exactly Sierra had fallen for him. But one look at her, and those thoughts immediately vanish. A part of him wished their relationship wasn’t so secret, though he knew the last thing he should do was push her into anything she didn’t want to do. So he simply waited patiently for her to be ready before doing anything. At least with the onset of winter break, he didn’t have to think so much on the subject. They could simply enjoy their time together without having to worry about school. After the football game later that night, the final pillar standing in the way of those two will finally be knocked over. . . Well, his mom wouldn’t approve, to put it mildly, but Aiden didn’t care. They would cross that bridge when they got there, and right now, Aiden was happy with simply enjoying the time he now had with his girlfriend.
 
Aiden looked towards Sierra before responding, [color=burlywood]“It’s hard to believe, babe. Time seems like it’s flying by now. Once the game tonight is finished, there’ll be nothing holding me back from seeing you. . . Well, there’s the job, but we’ll manage.”[/color] Aiden kissed Sierra on the forehead before pulling her in close.[color=burlywood] “So baby, I know it’s not your thing, but do you think you’ll be coming to the game tonight?”[/color]
 
Sierra, who had been busy nuzzling her face against Aiden’s neck for warmth, looked up at him with the expression of someone who had been asked a dumb question. [color=darkred]“Well, [i]obviously[/i],”[/color] she replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. [color=darkred]“Just because you don’t see me it doesn’t mean I don’t go. You of all people know just how far I go to make sure I make it to all your damn games.”[/color]
 
And it was true. Ever since her and Aiden had started dating, she’d attended every single one of his football games. She knew that it would seem out of place to her classmates to see her there, so she’d taken huge -and even ridiculous- measures to not be recognized. Firstly, she’d used some of her sister’s old clothes: cute little pastel-colored things with lace and flower patterns that made her feel like a cupcake. Next, she’d bought a real blond, straight-haired wig and some big, hipster-looking fake glasses. And when she was at the field, she made a point to always sit on the corner of the bottom bench of the bleachers, where she knew no one really paid attention to her. In all honesty, it was a nuisance to go through, but she’d wanted to show support to her boyfriend even when she truly disliked the sport he played (and all sports, for that matter).
 
Aiden couldn’t help but chuckle when he’d found out of the various ways Sierra used to try to hide her identity when she attended his games. He knew Sierra meant well, and he really appreciated the effort she was putting into their relationship. However, Aiden was really hoping she would get comfortable enough to be open about their relationship soon. Aiden didn’t want to have to keep the two of them a secret forever, but he understood this would be a huge obstacle for Sierra to get over. Aiden had been thinking of a way to go public with the relationship for a few days now, and for the most part, his thoughts had been fruitless until he settled on one big idea… What if they went to the coming up dance together? 
 
Aiden knew Sierra and dances didn’t mix well at all, but when would a better opportunity present itself? All Aiden needed now was a good time to ask her. Now seemed to be as good a time as any to ask. [color=burlywood]“Heh, I guess you have a point…”[/color] He trailed off, getting nervous knowing the answer he was going to ask next. [color=burlywood]“Hey babe, what do you think of this dance coming up?”[/color] Aiden already knew the answer she would give, but at least this was a good place to start.
 
Sierra looked at him as if he had turned into a particularly nasty booger. [color=darkred]“Aiden, you of all people should know [i]exactly[/i] how I feel about the dance.”[/color] she told him, sliding off the back of the truck and standing up in front of him. She crossed her arms in front of him. [color=darkred]“I think dances are stupid. Their music sucks, they’re nothing but a waste of my time and money, and I’m NOT going. Why are you asking me this again?”[/color] 
 
Aiden frowned when Sierra jumped up. He was nice and comfortable, and now that was gone. He smirked however, when she described her thoughts on dances. [i]Yep, knew it.[/i] Aiden leaned up and slid to the end of the truck so he was sitting on the tailgate, [color=burlywood]“Well babe, I was thinking: what if you and I decided to go this dance. . . you know . . . together. You know, show everyone that we’re a couple.”[/color] Aidan braced himself for what would probably be one of her infamous “Hell No” moments.
 
Sierra rolled her ice-blue eyes again, becoming visibly irritated. [color=darkred]“You know, I will never understand why you keep insisting we make our relationship public. I think it’s fine the way it is now. People don’t need to know what goes on in our private lives.”[/color]
 
Aiden slouched his shoulders at her response. He quickly regained his composure before replying, [color=burlywood]“ I mean. . . It’s not like everyone would know what’s going on with our lives. They would just know that we’re in a relationship. I don’t know about you, babe, but I’d rather not keep our relationship a total secret forever. I don’t see any reason why we should hide it. If anything, letting everyone know now would show them we’re both off the market. Besides, folks are bound to find out sooner or later. Might as well tell them ourselves with a bang.”[/color]
 
[color=darkred]“Aiden, just quit it.”[/color] Sierra said in a defeated voice, rubbing her right temple. [color=darkred]“Folks, as you call them, are bound to make this a big deal and talk shit. I don’t like to call attention to myself, and you know that in this fucking town me going to the dance with you is bound to be the gossip of the week.”[/color]
 
Aidan was beginning to be discouraged at this point. However, he resolved himself to win this argument, or at least, make the ending more interesting. [color=burlywood]”First of all,”[/color] Aiden began, [color=burlywood] “if anyone talks shit about you or us being together, I’ll knock their damn teeth out. Secondly, I have a proposal.[/color] A smile formed itself on Aiden’s face as he paused for dramatic effect, [color=burlywood] “If we win the game tonight, we’ll go to the dance together. But if we [i]don’t win[/i], we won’t go to the dance, and I won’t bring up outing our relationship again. Deal? [/color]
 
At Aiden’s declaration of knocking people’s teeth out if they spoke ill about them, Sierra let out a snort. Her boyfriend was the nicest, most polite person she had ever come across, so she knew that this was an empty threat. In any case, the one doing the teeth-knocking would be her. 
 
She was about to open her mouth to mock him when he said he had a proposal. At this, Sierra raised a suspicious eyebrow, but upon hearing it she smirked. The Westworth High Wolves were going against Valor Christian that night: their biggest competition yet. It was a school that was not only a ridiculously popular favorite in the 5A bracket, but they were also undefeated. And even though Sierra knew that Aiden’s team was strong and capable, she also knew that the basket was leaning more against their home team. This was bound to be an easy win for her.
 
[color=darkred]“Well, looks like we have ourselves a little deal here.”[/color] Sierra declared, walking back to her boyfriend to wrap her arms behind his neck. [color=darkred]“You are on, Aiden Pierce.”[/color] 
 
Aiden and his team were gonna have to play their asses off if Aiden was to win this bet, but he believed it was possible. Right now, though, she’d agreed, and the game wasn’t until later. Aiden wrapped his own arms around Sierra’s waist before looking up at her and replying, [color=burlywood] May the best man -or woman- win.”[/color] Aiden then leaned up to embrace Sierra in a deep, long kiss.
 
The kiss, like every one she’d had with Aiden, made Sierra’s heart soar. Her boyfriend had the ability of making her feel like she was being taken to heaven, light-headed with happiness. Whenever she was with him, everything else in the world seemed to melt away, and what truly mattered was the two of them. She only broke the kiss when she felt breathless.
 
[color=darkred]“So, um, how’s about we go somewhere else and do something to keep us warm in this weather?”[/color] Sierra suggested, locking her eyes with his before bestowing a peck on his lips. [color=darkred]“My mother and Shawn will be away for a while, so we’ll have the house to ourselves for a few hours.”[/color]
 
Aiden didn’t want the kiss to end, but Sierra pulled back long enough to suggest moving the scene somewhere else. A smile spread from ear to ear on Aiden’s face. [color=burlywood] “Trying to tire me out before the game, aren’t you?”[/color] he said with a laugh. [color=burlywood]“That’s a nice strategy you got there, Si.”[/color]
 
[color=darkred]“Well, I mean, I hadn’t really thought of that. But it’s a nice idea, so thanks for that!”[/color] Sierra replied with a smile of her own. She gave the young man another kiss before unwrapping her arms around him and walking in the direction of the truck’s passenger seat. [color=darkred]“Now let’s get going. Premeditated strategy to win the bet against you or not, I’m actually freezing my ass off.”[/color]