The joys of fall

 This wasn't Jared's kind of football. But there was a crowd, and there was food, and there was Nori.

He thought he might pass out when he first heard the news that she was coming. It was the four of them, and it was something Jared had never done at the University. Go to a game. It felt like something college kids would do, but these were Midwest fans, and the stadium was packed. A part of him thought he might get lost, but of course, he had Kevin to help him get the drinks. 

Honestly, it was a bad idea to get food here. It was so expensive.

"Well, it's going to be expensive anywhere, these days," Kevin told him, who paid for everything, which put Jared off. He didn't like it, yet he didn't really want to spend much either. It made him a little tense thinking he should reach for a spirited refreshment.

"Don't you dare," Kevin told him that Nori liked him.

This gave Jared a nervous laugh. As if he might be in shock, or was it just his accent she was interested in?

"Come on, you are old enough to go out and enjoy meeting someone new," Kevin said as they were carrying boxes of nachos and chili dogs back to where the girls were seated. Of course, it was a slow go.

"I know, its just what if she's expecting someone else?" Jared tensed as if he wasn't sure he could fill the bill.

"All you have to be is yourself. The rest will come naturally.  She has been Mel's friend since high school." Kevin told him.

"You seem to know a lot about Mel." Jared looked at him blankly as if that was supposed to mean something else. A smile gave way to Kevin.

"We are good friends. Good neighbors. I do like her. I do. It's just I don't know if she'd ever date me. So..so I thought I'd take my chances. Let her feel this was her idea. I'd help her." Kevin led the way, even if it felt like a maze of people to get through.

"Oh, you are so scheming." Jared laughed as he bit his bottom lip, thinking fall might bring better things than he ever imagined. He'd take his cue from Kevin. Although the roar of the crowd was stifling. Hopefully, Nori would help him get through it.

He handed her the popcorn and diet drink like she'd asked. He smiled and sat down next to her.

"I am not certain I know the rules of the game," he looked at her as she sipped her drink. He drank a diet drink, as well.

"Neither do I," she smiled back. 

Jared sighed. He supposed they shared the same team spirit.