Bloodstock Island

Chapter 3

“Everything okay Max?” mister Vavenski ask.

He looked worried as he saw the boy staring blankly into the fields. The seventy-year-old man had a stern face while crossing arms.

It took a few seconds before he finally noticed his trainer.

“Yeah coach,” He smiles as if nothing happened.

Removing all his doubts and worries, he focuses his attention on doing his usual after practice warm-ups.

“Your mind seems to be somewhere else. Is there a problem?”

The man scoffs when he didn’t answer. He was now walking in front of him, hands behind, as if like some general, testing his soldier.

“I’m good, coach.”

Max straightens up, giving his widest smile to assure him that everything was all right.

Yet his trainer knew him better than that. When he moved towards him, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

The old instructor’s face grew darker as he closed in on him. “Kid, is there someone bothering you at school again?”

Though of age, he could feel his grip was still like that of a bear when he held his shoulder.

All he could do was give out a shaky grin before saying. “No coach, I’m fine, I swear.”

He didn’t want to lie, but he did not need to drag anyone else with his problems. Especially mister Vavenski.

“You don’t have to be scared, you can tell me.” The old man shakes him.

Though Max felt guilty, he remained silent, keeping his smile to assure his trainer that he was okay.

Being the only person who seems to understand him, coach Vavenski was like an uncle he never had. So, he did not want to drag him into the issues in his life, not wanting to cause trouble for one of the closest people he had.

“If this is about what happened to my work, it’s not your fault, it just so happens that I’m really too old for this.”

Mister Vavenski laughs, as if the incident last year was only a joke for him.

But Max knew it was his mistake. If he hadn’t told him about that problem, the man would still teach at that school. He doesn’t know what exactly transpired within the meeting room, yet after that, his coach, who worked at St. Michael for almost all his career, suddenly left.

There were talks about him getting fired for attacking another teacher, but some also said that he had a heart attack during the confrontation. And since he was in the same trouble as he was, he didn’t want any of that to happen again, fearing that it could cause his trainer’s life.

“That’s not true, you’re as strong as a horse.” he says with a smug look.

The happiness in his smile was authentic, as he felt how much the man worried and cared about him.

Coach Vavenski burst out in laughter, messing the boy’s hair as he grab him in cheery fatherly hold.

“There is a thing as retirement now, isn’t there.”

“Then why do you still come here? It’s not like they pay you or anything.”

Max again frowned, remorse written all over his face. He knew his trainer loved working at the school, so he could not believe why he would suddenly leave.

But the old man’s jolly composure did not falter. “Well, let’s just call it passion. I can’t let the only player in my team down now, can I?”

As the man continued to laugh with amusement. He gave the boy a loud smack on the back, forcing him to lighten up a bit.

“Thanks, mister Vavenski.”

It was as if Max felt his spirit lifted; it gave him even more strength and courage to face things head on.

Nodding, the trainer taps his shoulder. “Why don’t you go shower, and after that, will get some burger, fries and a nice mug of soda, hows that sound?”

“Awesome, though I’d have to take a rain check on that.” He bows in apology.

The old man could not help but furrow in disbelief. “Why is that?”

He knew his student never turned down a good meal before, so was confuse for the reason now.

“I have a project due next week, and I really don’t want to lose any more credits.” Max says.

He lied with a full, wide smile. With his newfound bravery, he pulled it off neatly in front of his teacher.

“Can’t argue with that one.” Mister Vavenski chuckles after letting him go.

“Thanks coach. And I’m sorry.”

He just needed to say that out to ease the weight on his chest after tricking the person who believed in him. He knew he had to do it. After lying to the closest man besides his dad, he wanted to at least remove a bit of that nagging guilt that kept clawing at him like a cat.

Mister Vavenski’s though with a smile, glance at him seriously. “Look here, champ, it was never your fault. You understand me, none of it was. So I don’t want you sulking about it, okay.” He messes the kid’s hair once more. “Just always remember, kid, whatever happens, as long as you’re not doing anything wrong and not hurting anyone, then there is no need to explain your actions. Never let other people put you down, no matter what.”

Having finally removed that from his chest, Max nods at the man. “Yes, coach!”

“Now, go on ahead, don’t want you staying too late in that library just to study.” The old trainer playfully pushes him.

He lets out a cheerful laugh as he runs off. “Thanks, mister Vavenski. I’ll see you next week.” He shouts, turning his head as he said goodbye, without stopping.

He gave him one of those quick salutes, looking at him in contents as he disappeared into the large entrance under the bleachers.

Max still had that wide smile as he entered the shower room. He was already taking off his shirt when he noticed the man sitting on the bench. He immediately stiffens upon seeing Jefferson, who was smiling at him.

“How was practice, mister Dullahan?” “You seemed much more relaxed now rather than this morning.” he grins.