A Heart Still

11 The game

I woke up the next morning, feeling as if my head was being crushed by a truck.

Getting out of bed, I realized it was Tuesday and groaned. How much I didn’t want to go to school. And why the hell was my head hurting so much?

As I was walking to my closet, I tripped over something and my eyes got wide when I saw the helmet. I suddenly realized what had happened yesterday and groaned, wiping my face with my hands.

What the hell have I done? I remembered the kiss and blushed just thinking about it. I didn’t just kiss him, we made out. Why did I do that?

I was never one to do these kinds of things, I didn’t usually drink nor hang out at night and I was definitely not interested in kissing strangers. Well, up until last night.

I sat back on the bed and took a minute to process. “f**k” I cursed out loud, looking at the ceiling, wishing there was some hint written there. It wasn’t.

Realizing it was late I started to get dressed and found out I was alone in the house.

I slept in a bit and I had to hurry if I planned on getting to school on time.

After I packed my things and gulped down some orange juice and two Aspirins, I headed out of the house.

I needed to walk fast if I didn’t want to be late. As I was strolling through the street, I could hear the sound of an engine behind me and I prayed it wasn’t him.

I turned my head and rolled my eyes. Of course, it was his bike. Ethan stopped the bike by the sidewalk a little further from me and took off his helmet.

“Hey Grayson, you’re late. Wanna take a ride with me?” he asked but I shook my head, ready to walk past him.

“Nah, I’m good.” I didn’t want to even look at him because I made it weird. I thought we were becoming friends, I was really starting to get comfortable around him, but I just had to ruin it.

He caught my hand before I passed him, forcing me to stop.

“Hey, why are you acting like this?” He asked and I turned to him. He looked confused. Didn’t he know?

“Is it because of yesterday?” he raised an eyebrow and I blushed a little, nodding.

“Come on Grayson, don’t be like that. I get it, you were drunk, probably horny and I was there. Nothing really happened so don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.”

I glared at him and snatched my hand back. “I wasn’t horny!”

He threw me a smirk and raised an eyebrow. “You sure? Your lips said something else.”

I punched him in the shoulder but he just laughed so I turned to walk away, but he grasped my wrist again.

Get the hint and leave me alone.

“Hey, sorry ok? I was just joking. Now come on and hop on because otherwise, we’ll both be late.”

I huffed but he was right and I didn’t want to get detention, so I snatched the helmet from his hand and sat on the bike behind him.

He just had to turn his head to look at me and open that mouth one more time. “I wouldn’t guess you were such a good kisser though.”

I wanted to hit him again, but he hit the gas so I grabbed him because I didn't want to fall off the bike. Asshole…

I couldn’t help but think about the kiss though, was I really just drunk and lonely or did I like Ethan?

We got to the school parking lot about five minutes before the class would start and I quickly got off the bike and took off the helmet. I wasn’t one to get here just a few minutes before class but apparently, a lot of people were.

I could see them staring at me and it made me uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. I didn’t have time for this. I gave Ethan the helmet back, murmuring a quick thanks and turned to hurry up so I could get my things out of my locker.

The bell rang just as I was sitting down in the class and I sighed in relief. What happened to my boring and uneventful mornings? I missed them. Hell, I missed my boring and uneventful life.

I was relieved when my morning classes passed by and I headed to the canteen to grab some lunch. I sat down ats an empty table but I couldn’t be left alone.

Molly and Rachael sat their trays on the table, making me sag my shoulders.

“Hi Becca, I heard you arrived with the new guy today?” Molly said before she even sat down properly.

“Yeah, I was late so he gave me a ride,” I said and she smirked at me. Why was she smirking like that?

“Really? Is that all?” she pried, but I just nodded, turning to Rachael. I was desperate to change the topic.

“Hey Rachael, how is Denis doing?” I asked and she looked at me with a weird expression. “What do you mean?”

“Well with the game today and all…” I specified. I didn’t really care but I needed to distract them from talking about Ethan.

“Oh, right. He’s a little nervous but they have a good chance at winning. “

She smiled and I smiled back, now being more comfortable that the topic wasn’t on Ethan and me.

“Are you going to the game?” Rachael asked and I sighed. “Yeah, I have to. Mom wants me to go in case Jake will play.” I said, playing with my food.

“Are you going to the party afterwards?” Molly chirped in and I shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”

“Oh come on, Rachael isn’t going and I need someone to talk to.” She begged.

“Why aren’t you going?” I asked Rachael. I was sure she would like to be with Denis after the game and he would surely be going.

“I don’t like going to the woods, I’d rather go home.” She said, looking down at her lap.

“Come on Becca, maybe the new guy will be there. You can introduce me.” She smirked and I frowned. I don’t know why but I didn’t want to introduce her to Ethan.

“What’s his name anyway?” Rachael asked.

“Ethan,” I mumbled, thinking about what my heart was thinking it was doing. I surely couldn’t like Ethan like that.

He was handsome, for sure, and he was nice to me, most of the time, but I didn’t want to like him that way. I didn’t know anything about him and from what I knew he wasn’t a good influence.

“Come on Becca, you need to come.” I sighed and took my things to leave. “I’ll think about it,” I said, getting up from my seat.

As I turned from the table I saw Gina coming to me. She passed me and sat in my place, but not before throwing me a glare, which I gladly threw right back at her.

It was time to go.

*****

The school was finally over and I was ready to head home. The plan was to leave my stuff at home and change so I could go right back here to see the game I didn’t want to see.

I closed my locker, leaving most of my stuff inside and saw Ethan coming over.

“Hey, Grayson. You coming?” I wanted to say no, but I also didn’t want to walk so I smiled at him gratefully.

“Yeah, thanks,” I said and we headed outside. He gave me his helmet but pointed a finger at me. “Next time bring the one I gave you.”

“Sure thing, dad,” I said with a wink and he rolled his eyes getting on the bike first.

He hit the gas and stopped in front of my house in no time. I hopped off the bike and smiled at him gratefully again before my brain forced me to ask one more time.

“Ethan, so are we cool? I mean with the kiss and all.” I said while hugging myself awkwardly.

“You don’t kiss guys very often do you?” he asked and his green eyes sparkled a little. No, come on Becca, don’t think like that. I scolded myself.

I could have drowned in his eyes, but I gave him an indifferent look.... or at least tried. I didn’t want to make him feel like he had some effect on me.

“We are cool, Grayson. So, I’ll see you at the party.” He winked at me and I waved before going to the house.

I even managed to take a quick shower before grabbing some food. I wore a nice pair of jeans with a black top. The top was cute but I never wore it.

Claire always said it made my boobs look great. I looked at the drawer with her diary and sighed. I had no time right now.

“Becca, we need to go!” My mom shouted from downstairs and I turned to leave. I plastered a smile on my face, trying to seem excited about the game.

“There you are, get to the car or there won’t be any seats left.”

We drove back to the school parking lot, but there was a lot of cars here. Jake was already in the gym and me and my mom made our way inside.

There was a lot of people around and the bleachers were out, so we could all watch the game.

Our school played against Robinson high today. They were quite good, but we usually beat them.

“I have told you we should come early, now we are not going to see Jake playing.” Mom whined.

What was wrong? Only the first two lines were full and there was plenty of space left.

I didn’t say anything as she led me to the third line. We waited some time and the gym was starting to get stuffed before it was time for the game to begin.

Our team walked in and I could see Jake going for the bench immediately. As I scanned the people in the centre, I saw Todd giving me a smile and he winked when he saw me.

Rolling my eyes, I focused on the game which was about to start. It didn’t take long and the players started to run around with the ball, but the score stayed zero for quite some time. This was so boring.

I didn’t get what people saw in basketball. The people around me were cheering and booing from time to time, but I didn’t.

I kept looking at my little brother who was patiently waiting on the bench to be put in the game.

He was at the end of the bench, but I could see he had a hopeful look in his eyes.

The cheers around me got wild as our team scored. They were so thrilled about the ball going through the hoop.

There was a little incident in the last part of the game. Two boys started shoving each other to get the ball and one hit the other, making him fall to the ground.

The crowd groaned. That had to hurt. The guy stood up but headed for the bench immediately. He was limping a little but it didn’t look serious.

They sent the second guy to the bench and our coach headed towards the bench on our side to send in another player. I could see Jake perk up in his seat. He was shaking his leg a bit.

The coach walked in his direction but instead sent in the guy sitting next to him and I saw him sigh and his shoulders sagged.

Oh no, Jake. “Is he kidding?” I heard my mom say, but stared at Jake. He looked so sad.

The game was almost over and we were winning. The cheers on the bleachers could be heard every time one of our players scored and I was glad it was finally over when the clock ran out.

My head felt like exploding when the whole room cheered for the last time. Yeah, yeah I know, we won.

I stood up with the rest of the people to leave the room, but Todd ran to me and threw me a charming smile in all his sweaty glory.

“Hey, Rebecca. So…are we going to the party?” Why was he so dead set on going on a date with me? I didn’t know why a thought of Ethan popped out in my head again and it made me angry.

“Sure.” Was what came out of my mouth and I wanted to take it back the second it left my mouth.

Wait, maybe it’s a good thing. I could party a little and it would turn out I’m just horny and lonely just like Ethan said and then I will stop thinking about him.

“Alright babe, I’ll just shower and we’ll meet outside, what do you say?” Todd said, his eyes fixed on my cleavage.

I nodded, ignoring that he called me babe again and he left to the locker room.

Heading out, I met my mom by the car. “Hey mom, so... you can head home alone. I’ll hang out with some friends for some time.”

She eyed me and sighed. “Are you going to that party, too?” she asked and I frowned at her.

“Too?”

“Jake said he was going. Ok, you know what? Go and keep an eye on him, he looked quite sad earlier.” I nodded. I would take care of him.

“Stay safe, ok?”

“Of course,” I said and waved her goodbye.

Standing by the exit I waited for Todd to come out but Jake came out first.

“Hey, Jake,” I said and hugged him immediately. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to play. Maybe next time?” I smiled up at him and he smiled back but the smile didn’t really reach his eyes.

“Are you waiting for me? You shouldn’t have. I told mom I was going to the party.”

“Actually, I’m going too. “

He frowned at me, giving me a weird look. “You are not going to babysit me, are you?”

“No.  But you have to promise to stay with your friends and not to get too drunk.” I said in a commanding voice and he chuckled.

“Of course, mom.” He mocked.

Suddenly I felt an arm snake around my waist and turned to look at the person.

“There’s my girl,” Todd said, pulling me to him a bit.

“Not your girl,” I murmured and rolled my eyes, making Jake chuckle a bit.

“Not yet,” Todd replied and led us towards the party.

Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.