Soccer Camp

Visiting Opponents

Today was another group activity day. It was mainly an assembly where plans regarding the upcoming soccer tournament would be explained and brutally beaten into your head about how fantastic it all was.

Our camp was also hosting a banquet for the opposing team. I was so caught up with Jesse and all my other issues that I had no idea what was happening until Matt insisted that I wore a special dress.

"This is an important event. If you want to look presentable on Jesse's arm, then you have to start today." He lectured.

"I don't think Jesse and I are going anywhere."

"What are you talking about? He's crazy about you."

"He only wants me because Nicole only wants his possessions." I explained.

"She been a gold-digging ahem since she was pushed from her mother's vaggingin. Regardless, I've never seen Jesse this caught up before."

I shook my head, not accepting what he gave me.

"Alright, I get it. You have your doubts and I support your decisions. At any rate, you still have to wear the dress. There are hot soccer players visiting today and if you're done with the ones at this camp, maybe the next will wet your growing appetite." He winked.

"I don't want anyone else." I grumbled, falling into the bed. "I just don't want to be a leftover"

"I would beat his ass if I ever thought he considered you in that light. But since you are convinced, then play the jealousy game. Find other guys to flirt with and let's see how he reacts. If you are a leftover, he will brush it off and move on, but if not, be prepared Bambi. Today might just get messy."

---

We headed to the assembly hall dressed to impress - as Matt puts it. I struggled to walk in the heels he forced my feet in and I could feel my pores suffocating under the layer of makeup.

We entered and Matt immediately began talking to people I've never seen before. I sat, bored out of my mind, until Jesse and another tall guy entered onto the stage and took a seat beside each other. They looked very uncomfortable as they sat together, obvious tension present between them.

"That's Rory; the captain of the other team. I'll introduce you to him later" Matt promised before turning back to his friends. Why wasn't I surprised he knew him. I sat mindlessly as I scanned the hall, waiting for the assembly to start. Jesse's eyes meet mine as I glanced at the stage again. His lips were pressed into a straight line and his face was passive; emotionless. I stared back timidly, waiting for anger or hate to flash across it, but it never happened.

After the staring contest between us, where I forfeited and resorted to lowering my body in the chair and holding my head down, Mr. Rosen finally began to speak.

"Welcome campers and visitors. It's that time of the year again where we all participate in a friendly competition, where the Rosefield Senior Elite soccer team faces the Sunreed Star Senior players or the SSS."

A group of the visiting team shouted a loud chant as our home team responded in a hearty response. I tried to focus on what was happening around me and not the tension Jesse's eyes still brought. It was like he was unaware of the battle cries as they occured.

"I can't wait for this" Matt enthused. Of course, he loved the drama.

"Boys," Mr. Rosen gestured to Jesse and Rory, who stood and both grabbed microphones.

"On behave of my home team, welcome" Jesse shook Rory's hand, but they didn't let go. It was like they were sizing each other up.

"Thanks. We might have given you the trophy last year, but this year we are taking it back" Rory smiled. A loud outburst of cheers and noise burst out into the room, some people even getting to their feet.

"I look forward to the challenge, or lack thereof. A win is a win. Just try not to play dirty this year." Jesse retorted.

"Like you said, a win is a win, no matter how it was obtained. Good luck" Rory released Jesse's hand and dropped the microphone to the floor, causing a loud thump to echo throughout the room.

"We won't need it, but you will." Jesse spat, giving the microphone back to his father, and exiting the hall through the opposite doors. A number of guys followed him out, just as the visiting team exited the opposite direction, following Rory.

This was all new to me so I had no idea what was happening.

"s**t just got real" Matt announced loudly, earning an eruption of laughter and cheers from those who remained in the hall. "C'mon Bambi, I don't want to miss a thing" He pulled me out of the hall and onto the yard where both soccer teams resided on opposite sides.

To my surprise, Matt pulled me towards the visiting team or the SSS. Matt introduced me to a few of the team members, who were actually really kind people. When we got to Rory, he stood to his feet and embraced Matt.

"I don't like you like that" Matt joked as he pulled away. "This is Amber."

Rory pulled me into a hug, squeezing tight. "Any friend of Matt is a friend of mine. I haven't seen you here before though." He acknowledged with one arm still around my waist.

"I'm new here" I muttered quietly.

"You have a lovely voice" he flirted, staring down at me. He was a good looking guy, but I felt uncomfortable under his penetrating gaze.

"Thank you?" I asked, not sure if that was a normal everyday social interactive compliment.

"Amber, come here" Jesse demanded. He now stood two feet away, his hand outstretched for mine.

I tried to walk out of Rory's grasp when he held me tighter, refusing to let me leave. "She's not really your taste Rosen. Where's the brunette... Nicola..."

"Nicole" I corrected, looking at the ground.

"I don't give a rat's ass what you think my taste is. Get your f*****g hands off of her" Jesse spat.

"Or what, Amigo?" Rory pushed. I could hear the laughter in his voice.

"Or I'll re-arrange your damn face." Jesse's eyes narrowed and his fist tightened.

"This isn't your new toy, is it?" Rory looked down at me again with his light brown eyes and I squirmed away from him. I didn't walk towards Jesse either; I went into Matt's arms. This whole thing was really giving me anxiety. People already begun to stare and all eyes were on us.

"Say something like that again and I'll force those words back down your throat."

"You're usually a calm guy. You can't be serious right now, all this anger for some piece of ass?" Rory snarled towards me. Matt pushed me behind him as he walked up to Rory. But before he could fully reach him, Jesse had already clocked Rory in the jaw, sending him to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, both teams were on their feet and rushing towards each other, arms swinging. "Get her out of here" Jesse grumbled to Matt as he moved just in time to avoid someone who aimed to smash into him.

"Come," Matt said urgently, pulling me from the chaos.

"I can't believe Jesse did that." I mumbled in disbelief.

"I was about the do the same exact thing." Matt mumbled as we hurried to the cabin.

"We can't just leave him there." I refused as I turned back to the pile of people jumping on each other.

"Bambi, it's dangerous. Drinking is one thing, but physical violence is never okay. Except, for when it's for your own benefit, of course."

"Matt, I'm serious." I pulled away from him and hurried back the group of guys. "Are you crazy?" someone shouted at me as I ran by them. They wouldn't understand. The thought of this happening because of me was not okay.

"Stop" I shouted repeatedly, trying to pull people apart. I lost my balance a few time, hurting myself. I pulled off my heels and held them in my hand as I continued to part them.

When a few of them saw me running towards them with heels in hand, they pulled apart quickly, running away from me. It looked like I was running to hit them with my shoes this way, and even though it was crazy, it was working. So I continued to charge full force, even swinging them for effects. After a while, people got the idea and stopped what they were doing, staring at me running around the field like I turned mad.

Someone took the heels from my hand. "I thought I told you to leave."Jesse sighed, annoyance and humour present in his facial feature.

"Give me back my shoes." I replied, placing my hands on my hips.

"Get your ass home." He ordered as he handed me back my shoes.

"Or what?" I challenged, sticking my ground.

He stared down at me, a range of emotions on his face. I was caught off guard when he placed his lips to mine; it was slow, yet rough and passionate. "Home, now." He whispered demandingly.

"You're so bossy" I pouted, wrapping my arm around his neck, putting my lips back to his. "No more fighting" I pleaded when I pulled away again.

He stared down at me in his arms and sighed. He took my hand and guided me over to the other side of the field. The rest of his teammates followed suit, joining us. He pulled me down onto his lap and I turned to face him. His right cheek seemed a little swollen than normal. I kissed it soothingly, then down his jaw, and then finally down his neck.

I had completely forgotten the others that surrounded us until I heard someone make s****l noises. I placed my head against Jesse chest in embarrassment.

"Awh, she's shy" someone teased.

"And you're not helping" Jesse mumbled as he rubbed my back and kissed my hair.

"I guess I should thank you for defending me."

"Don't worry about that" he dismissed.

I looked into his eyes again, pecking his lips. "Why do you like me?" I whispered so only he could hear.

"Would you like a list?" he asked seriously.

I laughed and nodded.

"Alright. I will deliver it to you tomorrow at lunch." He promised with a smirk.