Friday. Kickoff.
The bleachers are overfilled with supporters all with red and green spots of colour. The opposite side mirrors but with the colours of blue and black, matching our opponents.
We stand in a line, facing the bleachers with the cheerleaders in front, cheering for us. On instinct, my eyes are glued to the backside of the only golden-streaked uniform in the squad and I observe how her limbs move around, swiftly, along with the golden strands of her hair.
I can't see her face but her ass looks so good in that short skirt she's wearing. And her legs-
Stop it.
You need to focus.
I force myself to not succumb to my lust for her.
Once the chants have stopped and the players of the opposing team are out, Owen is called forth for the toss-up.
The players stand around while I make my way to the bench. Coach recommends that I preserve all my energy for the second half of the match which holds more importance. Our team's tactic is to tire the opposing team out in the first half so we can attack in the second, hence I'm not needed in the first.
The substitute bench is in front of the cheerleaders and some of our players purposefully get 'injured' just so they can sit out.
"Avery, I'm so sorry but I have to leave now." A girl says to her.
"Yeah, that's fine. You can go." She waves her hand but her face portrays the usual cold expression.
The girl, who I recognise as Clara, rambles on, "I'm so sorry, I know I only did one performance but I really have to go and you know why but I probably messed up everything-"
"Clara," she puts her hands on her shoulders and gives her a reassuring smile, "it's okay. Don't worry about it. Just, go."
"Thank you so much." Clara returns the smile and leaves.
"Clara's gone. Why can't I replace her at the front?" Julie appears. Her brown eyes catch mine and she pouts but I shoot her a disgusted face in return. She huffs and turns away.
I guess someone is not used to rejection.
"How is she even allowed to leave now?" Lizzie's scratchy voice shrieks.
Avery closes her eyes and mumbles something before sighing, "Julie, maybe if you were nicer to others, I would listen to you."
She turns to Lizzie with that same dominating look from the other day, "mind your own business and get the fuck out of my face." They both return annoyed expressions before leaving.
Then, Avery shouts some orders before leaning against the railing. Her eyes are closed before they are forced open. "Fuck!" I hear her curse and I chuckle. She makes eye contact with me and narrows her eyes at me, then waves another girl over and talks to her.
"That," she leans over and slaps my arm, "is for finding me stressed out, funny."
"I wish I recorded that. The way you take deep breaths is so weird. Your whole body just like shakes." I chuckle at her.
"That's why it's called a deep breath, dumbass." She makes an expression of obviousness as she leans her forearms on the railing.
"And you do that weird thing with your hand," I imitate the way she moved her hand she rolls her eyes at me.
"How long have you been sitting there?" She asks me.
"Long enough to see your mood change like," I click my fingers, "that."
She sighs, "struggles of managing a group of 5-year-olds."
"That's why I turned down the offer of being captain," I inform her and she makes an impressed face.
"You got offered to be captain?!" Her eyes widen but I know she's mocking me.
"Yes, I did," I state, a matter of factly.
She ruffles my hair and tilts her head to the side with a smile, "we all dream a bit too big sometimes."
Her bewitching eyes scan down my body so I decide to do the same to her. Golden locks tangle within the ribbon and drape over her chest. The crop top to her uniform hugs her figure as does the short skirt she wears. A line of her belly button is on display as are her arms and legs.
I fail to understand how someone can have this level of maximal beauty and walk this earth.
The bottom of her plump lips gets pulled into her mouth and I strain my hormonal emotions from taking her right now.
She has a boyfriend, Preston.
Fuck, her boyfriend.
He most likely doesn't even care about her.
A whistle blows and it reminds both of us that the match has already started. "I have to get back but I'll see you at half time." She grimaces and walks off. When our team scored, I watched Avery as she performed her cheer, flawlessly.
It was half time and our team huddled at the benches. They talked amongst them and I went to Owen.
"Someone's definitely in a good mood today." Owen realises when he gives me the 'bro shake'.
"Has he been looking?" My eyes dart to Joan the jerker, who has his arm on Xavier's shoulder.
"Nope. Didn't look once," he informs me.
"Damn, I hoped he did."
"So he can see what her happiness actually looks like?" Owen asks and I nod my head.
Coach gathers us for a last hustle and orders, "Joan move into left striker position as Preston is on now. Everyone, go!"
"Yes, Preston, my man. Now, we'll win for sure," the jerk pats me on the back before running onto the field.
Don't fucking touch me.
"Calm down, your girl is looking," Owen whispers before following the rest of the team.
"I can see your infatuation for Miss Avery Monroe has grown," Ruben speaks up when we go to take our position. After Owen, he's the person who I would consider my best friend.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He chuckles, "you're simping bro."
"Break a leg," Avery mouths when I take my position. I raise an eyebrow at her and she laughs.
"You can stare at her all you want out of the game but in the game, don't get too distracted," Ruben shakes with head, with humour laced in the action. He scoffs, "definitely simping."
The game went on smoothly and whenever I made a goal attempt, I looked over at Avery and she would stick her tongue out at me, mid-performance. It seemed to be extra congratulating when I scored the two winning goals, which was due to the fact she was leading it.
The whistle for full time blew and deafening screams and cheers erupted from the bleachers. We just won our first game of the season. Players from our team came and congratulated me on the win and Owen kept screaming like crazy. I went over to the bleachers and I got pats on the back on the way over.
"I don't get a smile?" I pout when she comes over. She scrunches her face up in disgust.
"How about a hug?" I tease her and open my arms.
"Er, you're sweaty." She takes a step back and squirms.
"So are you." I defend myself.
"No, I'm not." I take a step forward to her and wipe my finger along her forehead.
"There you go, sweat." I feel the substance on my finger. She flinches as I go to wipe it on her skirt. I send her a confused look but she avoids my gaze.
"A-bear, we won!" Owen cheered as he came running over and engulfed her into a bear hug which she didn't hesitate to return.
"Are you fucking serious?" I throw my hands up in an incredulous manner and I feel the butterflies from the sound of her laughter.
"Preston, honey, well done," my mother comes over and hugs me, "you were amazing tonight."
At least one woman respects the fact that I get sweaty when I've been playing sports non-stop for the past 45 minutes.
"Thanks, mom," I say and she pulls away.
"And so were you, Avery dear," she's broken out of her daydream when my mother pulls her into a hug.
"Thanks, Ariana," Avery's mother and mine work in a partnership together so our families know each other.
"No seriously, honey. You were outstanding today, I've never seen you play like that before." My mother beams at me and I place a kiss on her forehead. I sense a certain stare on me and when I look, her features twitch indicating a glimpse of a smile.
"What's wrong?" I ask growing concerned.
She shakes her head, "I just remembered something you said last night." Her eyes catch something as she searches the crowds and she waves us goodbye.
"So...you were with her last night?"
my mother asks.
"Uh huh," I don't pay much attention to her as my eyes look for her and I watch her retreating figure and how her hair brightens under the artificial lights of the pitch.
"When are two...you know, making it official?" She asks with a smirk.
"Mom we're just friends," I roll my eyes at her teenage-like behaviour. She and Layla constantly pester me about this.
"Aw honey, I saw you during the game and just now. And I can tell there's something there because friends don't look at friends like that."
Taking her words into consideration, my hazel eyes scan through the rows of crowds for her. I spot her as she stands in front of the jerker.
He leans down but she steps back, fuelling the evident anger on his face. Avery wipes her hands on her skirt and says something before he, frustratedly, follows her away from the pitch.