Veiled Affections

Chapter 3

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © 2023 Cassey9

Her eyes had a mind of their own, wandering and fixating on Piper Sutherland from her spot on the bleachers. Piper was perched atop one of the stands on the right side, engaged in lively conversation with one of her friends. Even from a distance, Piper's beauty was undeniable. Her chestnut hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, accentuating her angular face and fair skin.

"Mitch! Mitch! Mitch!"

The loud calls snapped Mitch back to reality. She shifted her focus back to the football field, where the practice match was ongoing, her teammate frantically maneuvering to avoid the opposing player guarding her. Hope, as agile as a cheetah, expertly evaded her opponent and, with a final dribble, passed the ball to her. Mitch halted just in time, dodging the swipe aimed at the ball and kicked it hard. The ball swished through the goalpost effortlessly.

"Yes! Finally we are tied now!" Hope yelled jumping at Mitch to celebrate the goal.

As the game continued, Mitch couldn't help but steal more and more glances at Piper. Her attention divided her football practice and thoughts of Piper.

The coach whistle signaled the end of the match and a call for the players to gather for their cool-down exercises.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow, and remember, keep your grades up!" Coach Trevin advised the players. "Wilder! A word."

Mitch clenched her jaw, anticipating the impending conversation. She knew her mind had been wandering during practice, and it was time to face the consequences. "Sorry, Coach. I know," Mitch admitted, barely meeting the coach's stern gaze.

"Get your head out of the clouds and stay in the game, Wilder," the coach admonished. He recognized Mitch's potential but wanted her to focus if she aimed to excel. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir. I'll do better."

"Collect all the balls and equipments and then you're free to go."

"Thank you, sir."

Mitch rushed about, glad the coach hadn't asked for fifteen laps or something more strenuous like 100 pushups as punishment. Sh swiftly gathered the footballs and wheeled them into the team's storage room, by the bleachers.

Mitch scanned the area but couldn't spot Piper. Frustration welled up within her as she clenched her fists and let out an exasperated sigh. Mitch decided to head out fast from the locker room in hopes of catching up with Piper before she left. The memory of Piper's tears lingered heavily on her mind. Piper rarely shed tears so openly, and witnessing her vulnerability had left Mitch deeply worried and her determined to reach out to Piper and offer her support.

Laughter and boisterous chatter filled the changing room, as the sound of running showers and a medley of scents from different soaps and shampoos lingered in the air.

Turning toward the sound Keilah's voice, Mitch walked over to her friends and took a seat on the bench with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Hope questioned wrapping her arms around Mitch's shoulder and drawing her in, "You were out of it today."

"I'm just exhausted," Mitch uttered.

"Ready for a shower?" Hope inquired as she watched the rest of their friend leave them to go shower.

"I'll shower at home today. Just came to grab my things," Mitch replied moving stand up but Hope pulling her back down.

"Is everything really okay?" Hope pressed her friend.

"I've got a lot on my mind, Hope," Mitch admitted. Her thoughts were consumed by one person—Piper. They hadn't spoken since their last dinner outing, which was four days ago. Calls and texts hadn't bridged the growing gap between them. Mitch missed her friend and longed to talk to Piper, perhaps to apologize if she had done something wrong.

"Is it chemistry? Did you pass the test?"

"Chemistry is tough," Mitch confessed, rising to her feet to retrieve her belongings from her locker. "That's why I need to hit the books. I'll catch up with you tomorrow."

"Study hard and see you tomorrow, then."

The parking lot was nearly deserted as Mitch walked toward her car, a quick glance around confirmed that Piper's red Kia was parked a few cars down. It was nearly 6:30 pm, and Mitch knew that Piper would soon be arriving soon.

Mitch tossed her bags into her Jeep Renegade's backseat and leaned against it, waiting for Piper. She kept glancing at her watch, hoping that Piper would show up soon. She needed to be home before her father and start on dinner. Kurt's own soccer practice usually extended till seven, but even then, her brother was unreliable when it came to their meals. Kurt couldn't even boil an egg to save his life.

Mitch's attention perked up at the sound of Piper's melodic laughter. Piper was heading her way with Jason, a classmate. "Hey, Piper. Jason, what's up?"

Upon hearing her name, Piper tensed and met Mitchell's gaze with a wary expression.

"Hi, Mitch, we are already done with practice too," Jason commented, giving Mitchell a high-five. "Kurt should be heading out soon."

"Thanks Jason," Mitch replied uninterested in Jason's report on her brother.

"Anytime Mitch."

Piper secretly rolled her eyes. She didn't like it when Mitchell's name was shortened. It didn't feel right. Mitchell was a beautiful name, and it suited her friend perfectly.

"Hi, Wilder," Piper greeted, using Mitchell's last name, which was her way of expressing irritation and avoiding further engagement with her. She grabbed her belongings, which Jason had been carrying for her.

Mitch's hand suddenly clamped down on Piper's wrist, causing her to audibly gasp at the electric jolt that raced up her arm. "I'll see you around," Mitch said, eager to get rid of Jason's lingering company. "So, Piper, can we talk?"

Piper waited for Jason to move a distance away before acknowledging Mitchell's question. "Talk about what, Wilder?"

"It's Mitch," Mitch requested softly. "Why are you mad at me again?"

"I can use whatever name I want, or do you also want to dictate what name I can address you with? If I prefer Wilder, I'll use Wilder. So sue..."

"Hey... Hey, calm down," Mitch said, slightly overwhelmed by Piper's quick outburst. "Can we talk, then? You can call me anything you want."

"About what?" Piper asked, avoiding Mitchell's searching gaze. Looking into those brown eyes would only make her soften her stance and give in to Mitchell. "My mom's waiting," Piper lied.

She had only stayed late in school to catch up on some extra assignments and covertly watch Mitchell while she played football. Mitchell was a sight to behold whenever she played, moving with grace and elegance on the field, like a true embodiment of athletic prowess.

"Is this about the other night?"

"I've already forgotten about it."

"Okay, then. Do you want to come over sometime... um... tonight, maybe?" Mitch asked hopefully. "We could catch a movie?"

The question made Piper's heart race, and she gazed into Mitchell's eyes, though their height difference made her look up. "Is this your invitation, or is Kurt extending it via you?" Piper had noticed that lately, Mitchell had taken on the role of messenger and matchmaker by continuously setting her up with Kurt. It infuriated Piper how Mitchell could be so persistent and blind to what she really wanted.

"It's me, of course," Mitch said, but then added, "Kurt can join us if you want, or... or maybe it could be just the two of you." The last part pained her, but Mitch still suggested it. Who was she to stand in the way of her brother and Piper?

"Huh," Piper hummed in disbelief. "You know what, you can be unbelievable at times."

"Wait!" Mitch called out in panic when Piper began walking away. "I'm sorry."

"You're mad at me for some reason," Mitch said, struggling to pinpoint the source of the tension between them. "So, I'm sorry. Forgive me, please."

Piper turned but didn't approach her friend. "How can you apologize when you're still unaware of what wrong you've committed? You haven't done anything wrong."

Mitch swallowed hard and took a tentative step closer. "I'd apologize a billion times over if that assured me we'll always be alright," she whispered. "I'm never fine when... when you're mad at me, Piper. So please."

Piper nodded, touched by Mitchell's words. "I'm not mad." She was just frustrated, with herself and Kurt and Mitch. With her feeling and with everything.

The softly spoken statement lifted the weight off Mitch's shoulders. "Thank you, Piper. Can I get a hug then?"

Dropping her belongings without a care, Piper bounded toward Mitchell. She threw herself at her friend, fully trusting that Mitch would always be there to catch her, to hold her tight in their embrace.

"I missed you," Piper murmured as she nuzzled into Mitchell's neck, her legs wrapping snugly around Mitchell's waist as she clung on. Avoid, Mitchell had proved to be far taxing than she had anticipated. "And by the way, you stink."

"Sorry," Mitch chuckled, holding Piper up by her thighs. "I rushed out looking for you... and I missed you too. I always do." Mitch wanted to add on more, but she held back.

"So, movie?"

Piper looked into Mitchell's eyes, captivated by their warmth. "Maybe tomorrow?" she suggested softly, knowing they were both drawn to each other. It was tempting to lean in and kiss Mitchell.

"Tomorrow, then," Mitch replied hoarsely, ending the moment. She gently set Piper on the ground, leaned down, and kissed Piper on the cheek. The spark was undeniable, leaving Mitch craving for more. "I'll text you later."

"Okay."

Piper nodded and watched Mitchell quickly and oddly walk back to her car and get in. She, too, turned, picked up her things, and headed to her own car. Life was unfair, Piper thought, as she drove out of the high school's parking lot. She knew and deeply believed that Mitchell could never do anything to hurt Kurt even if it hurt her in the process.