It Can Happen (3rd Place)

Word Count: 999

Candice watched the football practice from the splintered weathered bleachers that bordered the schoolyard. A gentle breeze wafted through the air, blowing lifeless tendrils of mousy brown hair around her head.

No one could ever claim Candice was attractive. However, her delicate oval face, usually obscured by either her laptop screen or hidden in between pages of books was rarely looked at twice.

Candice turned her attention back to her homework. She then found herself lying on the ground several feet below from where she was originally sitting. Her head ached and her sea-foam colored eyes swam with black dots. A voice sounded in her ears, but it was as if she was listening underwater.

“Are you okay?”

Candice blinked and started to sit up.

“Whoa, there. You landed pretty hard.”

Staring at the moving lips that spoke these words, Candice saw Kris, the star quarterback, looking down at her. Pale and frightened, his azure eyes filled with concern.

“What … happened?” Candice mumbled, trying to focus and sit up all at the same time.

“My fault,” Kris confessed, offering her an apologetic smile.

“I’m all right,” Candice said, speaking a little stronger this time. She felt Kris’ arms helping her up and she recoiled, but he held her fast.

“I’m really sorry … Candice, isn’t it?” he asked with a worried frown.

Shocked that Kris even knew her name, Candice was sure he could hear the manic beating of her heart. Kris was what the girls in school called a dreamboat jock. He was different from the other athletes; so quiet and reserved. This was the first time he had said anything to her, however. Candice’s slender fingers strayed to the lump just below her right eye.

“It might be a shiner. Gees, I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay,” Candice mumbled, her face blossoming with color. Then she panicked. “My laptop--” She stumbled back up the wooden bleachers and to her relief, she found it unscathed on the bench below. She pressed 'save', heaving a sigh of relief.

Kris watched Candice’s slender body move with sinuous grace up the stands to retrieve her laptop. Her eyes were like waving strands of seaweed caught in a gentle current. Natural gold highlights shone like fireflies in her hair. Her flawless milky complexion was amazing and he found himself breathless. Candice was a natural beauty. He had always admired her from afar, but she kept so much to herself that he was never given an opportunity to talk to her. Moreover, she was smart – like him.

Feeling the heat of his gaze, Candice turned and looked down. What she saw snagged the very breath from her lungs. She had read love stories purporting love at first sight, though she never believed such nonsense. Things like that did not happen to girls like her. So why is he staring at me like I’ve grown another head? she wondered.

“I’m fine … really,” she insisted, trying her best not to fidget under his relentless stare.

Kris watched her hands fumble with the laptop. “Look,” he offered, running a hand through the tangled mop of flaxen curls that covered his head. “Let me give you a ride home. The football hit you hard and … well … I just want to make sure you get home all right. Can I give you lift?” he asked with a hopeful glint in his eye.

“No … thank you … Kris,” Candice stuttered.

“I just want to make sure you don’t have a concussion or something. I’ve knocked myself out enough times to know better,” he pressed. “Wait for me here and I’ll let the coach know I’m taking you home – Okay?” Without waiting for an answer, he ran off the field.

Candice stood there, chewing the inside of her cheek. She packed up her laptop and left the field.

***

“Hey, you were supposed to wait.”

Candice stopped in her tracks. She turned to see Kris calling out through the open window of his black 1962 Mustang. Her heart began beating like a wild drum; she felt winded and a little lightheaded, and it had nothing to do with the blow to her head.

“I won’t bite,” Kris urged.

Sighing, Candice stepped into his car.

“You live in the corner house on Maple and Dover, don’t you?” Kris asked.

Candice turned, shocked. “How … how do you know that?’ she whispered.

“I’ve seen you walking home before and--” He stopped, trying to cover his embarrassment.

Awkward silence then filled the car. Kris pulled to the curb at Maple and Dover.

Candice fumbled with the car door, but before she could pry it open, Kris jumped out of the car and opened it for her. She stepped out, praying her knees would hold her.

As she walked past him, Kris fought to catch his breath. He could smell the freshness of her hair and the subtle scent of baby soap. Will you just look at me, he cried to himself.

As if hearing his thought, Candice stopped and turned. She felt like she was drowning in the pools of his eyes.

“I … I hear you’re trying to get into Princeton,” he said, attempting to make conversation so this moment could last longer.

“Yes,” she murmured, casting down her eyes.

“So am I,” he answered. “Hey, would you like to get together tonight to study?” His face was a serious mask of contention as he waited with abated breath.

“Um, sure,” she replied. The heat in her face washed over her body.

He leaned closer and the hushed tenor of his voice sent further chills down her spine.

“I believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship." He jumped into his car and was gone.

Candice’s fingers strayed to her cheek where his tender kiss goodbye still lingered upon her skin.