Soccer Camp

Competition

Today was activity day. They had games, prizes, and pointless competitions. Matt and I headed towards the field where the picnic was held. He took my hand in his and turned to look at me. When he held my hand, I didn't feel a spark or the burning fire I usually felt with Jesse. It was like holding the hand of a brother, or my mom.

"Today, you are my girl friend. I have given you the whole week to do as you please, but today is mine." He smiled.

I nodded in understanding. He has done more than enough and it was only fair that he cashed in on his part of the deal. I was wearing nothing that originally belonged to me when I first arrived here; he even bought me make up. I was wearing a very very short shorts and a crop top that barely covered my torso. I was beyond uncomfortable, but this was what he wanted from me.

We sat down on a bench and he grasped both my hands in his. "David is here and we are going to make him jealous..." he informed as he leaned closer, his face inches away from mine. "No running off to Jesse" this was the millionth time he was telling me this.

"I won't" that was the millionth time I said that.

"I'll get you something to eat" he smiled, getting up from the bench. I looked around the field watching people eat their lunch from the BBQ the camp provided. People were sitting on the grass talking and laughing with their friends while others were heading towards the games.

Jesse's frame passed my sight and I investigated immediately. He was seated with a wide variety of girls surrounding him, none of his friends he was usually with. This was the first time I got a glimpse of how fame could make him desirable, adding on to his good looks. They swarmed him like he was something sweet, which to me, he was.

"Hey" I was pulled out of my gaze and into the direction of Alex and Justin.

"Hi" I mumbled with hesitation after I looked behind me to see if there was someone else there.

"Are you joining us?" Alex asked

"Umm, no. Maybe later." I lied. I wasn't used to being asked to join any group, especially by boys who looked like they did. They both had dark hair, but Alex has brown eyes and Justin's eyes appeared olive coloured. They were way out of my league; I was at peace with this fact.

"Alright, later then" Justin smiled as he touched my shoulder before walking off. I stared after them as they made their way over to Jesse.

Matt placed a plate of food on the table in front of me. "No running off to Jesse" he installed one more time, turning my head back around.

--

The games seemed a bit unsafe. I watched as Matt bounced around in a balloon house, unaware that it could probably fall down and smother him to death. I wasn't about to risk my life on one of those. Besides, I looked ridiculous on a normal basic, especially today, no need to try and look worse.

I heard someone whistle behind me so I turned to see who it was.

"Hermosa muchacha" Beautiful girl.Jesse's smile lit up the whole park, in my eyes at least. He wore a white cargo shorts and a dark blue t-shirt with a basic silver chain around his neck.

"Did you just call me beautiful?" I asked as I peered up into his eyes nervous, hoping my assumptions were right. As he wrapped an arm around me, his eyes widen in surprise and his smile grew.

"You're learning Spanish." He was pleased. I breathed. I liked to please him. Matt found out that my roommate actually knew basic Spanish. We all stayed up last night running through a few phrases.

"A bit," I smiled timidly as I rested my hands on him. Remember to touch him, Matt's voice rang in my head. My heart was going a hundred mile a minute. "I might need a new tutor though."

"It would be my pleasure" he smiled softly.

"Flirt with him, look into his eyes, and bit your lip. "

"Why?" I asked as I scratched my head.

"Because men like that. Trust me"

I snapped out of my flashback of last night and bit my lip awkwardly. Jesse's eyes suddenly became darker, his arm around my waist tightened and he pulled me closer to his body. "quiero besarte" he whispered.

"What?" I breathed, captivated by his eyes.

"I want to kiss you" his eyes became filled with desire. Something deep within my stomach tightened and I couldn't stop looking into his eyes.

"Oh" I swallowed.

I heard someone clear their throat behind us and Jesse released his arm from around me. "Matt" he muttered coolly, his gaze hardened.

"Jesse" Matt returned in the same tone. Inside I knew Matt was dying of laughter, but on the surface, there was no humour. I felt Matt's grip around my hand as he pulled me towards the balloon house, and away from Jesse.

"What did I say?" he questioned as he placed his hands on his hip.

"I didn't. He found me." I looked down in embarrassment and shame. I forgot we were in a public setting. Jesse's grasped around me did not go unnoticed. There were eyes that were glued to the situation that was now unfolding.

Matt held my cheek and without warning, he was kissing me. At first I was taken aback and my eyes were open, but then I closed them, remembering what he told me yesterday. Move with his lips, follow his lead. The kiss was cool and friendly, no tongue was involved.

When he pulled away he smiled at me before kissing my forehead. "Good timing" he whispered into my ear, pulling me to his chest "David is watching"

I giggled playfully like he instructed me to do as I wrapped my arms around him. I felt tired as I smiled up at him, his smile as genuine as ever. If you had told me a few weeks ago that I would have a best friend who was bisexual and attractive, who would kiss me whenever he felt like it, and who would guide me in romance and all things normal, I would have called you a liar.

"Pretend you love me" he whispered "He's heading over to us."

"I do love you" I said honestly. This was the weirdest and best relationship I have ever had with anyone.

"Really, Bambi?" he smiled warmly as he moved my hair from my face. I nodded as I smiled up at him. "You're actually getting better at kissing." He announced, making my self esteem rise a little higher.

"Hey, Matt" David was tall and lean. He had sandy hair and deep and intense grey eyes that seemed to suck you in when you looked in them. No wonder Matt was crazy about him, he was hot!

"Hey, David. Oh, this is Amber" Matt placed an arm around my waist lightly and I touched it, just like instructed.

"Nice to meet you, Amber. I'm the head councillor here. I plan the big game at the end of the summer" He informed me kindly. He was actually a friendly guy. I was expecting knives to be hurled at me. "Maybe you would like to help out?" he offered.

"You're kidding! We're In" Matt said without hesitation.

"Great, it was nice to see you again Matt. Nice meeting you Amber" then he left.

"He's nice. How did you guys break up?" I asked as Matt removed his hand from my waist and threw it over my shoulder.

"I wanted to try new things" Matt laughed. "It's a better story if he's the one that broke up with me though, so go with that."

I shook my head at how crazy he truly was.

"Don't look" he instructed as we reached the lake.

"What? Why not?" I asked as I peered over at the docks. I regretted it right away. A few feet away from me, a group of people gathered privately, dancing and drinking. At the edge of the docks, I watched as Jesse and one of the girls I saw with him earlier making out.

My heart sunk to my feet and my hand clamped over my mouth. Before I knew it, tears were falling from my eyes and rolled down my cheek. I was so pathetic! I have convinced myself that a guy like him could actually be interested in a girl like me. I caused this!

As Justin's eyes met mine, my head fell in shame. I was caught crying at the scene in front of me, adding to my embarrassment.

"I don't feel good" I mumbled as I turned to head back to the cabin.

"Bambi..." Matt sighed before I interrupted him.

"Not right now" I just wanted to head to the room and forget all of this. I felt stupid. I felt wrecked.

---

I was lying in my cabin staring at the ceiling with six small containers of ice cream surrounding me. This wasn't my choice. I could barely finish one container, but Matt insisted I needed an unlimited about. He had gotten David to lend him the key the camps supply.

But it wasn't making me feel better. I felt like I had been embarrassing myself the entire time around him. He was famous to an extent and I didn't even have two friends. We were on completely different platforms and I should have recognized that.

I had asked Matt to be alone; well I had begged him to be alone. I didn't want anyone to watch me be rejected.

Monday morning, my eyes were swollen and I had a stomach ache from all the ice cream. I had to eat them all, we couldn't return them. I had Matt and my roommate help me, the p*****t for wasting her time to teach me Spanish. Spanish, my heart contracted painfully.

When I got out of the shower, I pulled on spandex shorts, a t-shirt, running shoes, and pulled my hair into a ponytail.

ARUGH! I was not ready to face him.

"Look at that! Yes, make him want you back" Matt nodded in approval as he entered into my room. Well, he did buy everything I was forced to wear.

"I look basic, and he doesn't even want me." I sighed as I tilted my head.

"You can't be upset, Bambi. He wasn't doing anything wrong. You are suppose to be dating me, he's not dating anyone." Matt said for the hundredth time. I knew he was right, but he still didn't want me. I understood that now. "You look dead. Sit, I'll do your makeup"

I entered onto the field with my glasses over my eyes. No matter how hard Matt tried, he couldn't cover the bags under them.

I took a deep breath before I hurried to the field, slipping my glasses to the top of my head.

"Good morning" Jesse smiled at me. I nodded towards him without making eye contact, rejection was truly painful.

"Who needs a partner?" I asked as I hurried towards the kids, not wanting to standby him any longer. Knowing that I was not good enough made me feel uneasy in his presence.

"I do" Katie slouched. I joined her and tried to be as active as possible; a first.

When the day was over, I was successful at maintaining distance. I picked up the soccer balls, cleaned up the cups, and grabbed the water cooler.

"Here" Jesse took the water cooler from my hands, lightening my load. I kept my eyes trained on the floor as we made our way to the supply room. "Justin told me you saw Ellena and I making out yesterday."

Why was he telling me this? This was none of my business. My body heated at the thought of getting caught crying by Justin. I must have looked completely pitiful.

When I didn't say anything, he held my arm and stopped me. "You can't possibly be mad about that." Mad? Why the hell would I be mad?

I continued to look anywhere but into his eyes, my self esteem not able to take another hit like yesterday.

"So Matt can kiss you whenever he wants, but I can't try and get you out of my head? That's not fair, Chica."

I had no idea what he was saying so I remained quiet. I wasn't use to this must attention or confrontation. This was much more than I can handle.

"Look at me, Amber" I can't.

His fingers touched my skin and the fire he lit in me every time we touched came to life, burning bright. Our eyes met for the first time today and I was reminded of what I couldn't have. He was so handsome, so gorgeous. His messy curls laid across his forehead, tempting you to run your fingers through them. His eyes were as bright as ever.

"Lo siento. I didn't mean to make you upset, but watching him kiss you was not an easy sight." He breathed quietly.

"There you are" the girl he was making out with last night appeared in the doorway of the room. She folded her arms over her chest and tapped her feet on the pavement. "Am I interrupting something?" she asked with venom in her voice.

"Yes, Ellena?" he asked without taken his attention away from me.

"Lunch. Us. Date" she pronounced.

"Right" he sighed as he dropped my chin. He dropped the soccer balls and kissed my cheek lightly before heading passed Ellena and out the door.

"Who knew that a girl like you could interest a guy like him? Jesse is way too good for you," she hissed as she turned to walk away "and so is Matt."

I stared at her and rolled my eyes. Who was she telling? I was already well aware of this, it wasn't news to me.