The Inevitable Evidence

9.

PDV Tobias,

1 month later.

I am currently on the field, and I run like the rest of the team. We're doing laps because of Jackson who didn't go well to keep Eidan from scoring a point. For more than an hour, coach Willie has made us do 10 laps of the field for each foul. All in all, we'rein the 30th round of the field, the first ten were because of me because I couldn't make a tackle on Driss during a defensive exercise and the other ten it was Emilio who mis-sent the ball to Damian to score. The coach keeps yelling at us, insulting us with all the names, keep telling us that we suck and losers. I think I'll end up making him swallow his whistle if he keeps going.  In other words, even we do not have the strength to retaliate and grumble at what he said. Willie is stressed because the first game of the season comes this week. So, for the past month, he hasn't spared us, especially Damian, who’s the captain. Not a single scramble has occurred, and even when my friend orders such an action or other, no one disputes it. The team spirit has finally formed between us but nothing prevents us from making remarks at the end of training and this allows us to strengthen the team and say loud and clear the weaknesses of each. At first it was rather complicated especially between Jaison, Pierce, Emilio and me but finally everything is going for the best on the field.

There is one hour left before the end of training and when the coach whistles, we all collapse on the floor, only Kwan who has good stamina stays upright. We can't take it anymore, both physically and mentally. Willie is asking us to get up and get in circles so we can strategist for Saturday's game. We share our ideas and take into account each other's strengths to establish the best plan against the opposing team. Despite the intensive training, we can't wait to show the whole university and the recruiters that we're worth it and above all we want to make our coach proud of us.

The first game of the season is against the Ohio Cleveland Browns and we're playing at home and Willie is asking to get us right into the head that if we lose, we'll probably be disqualified from the start and that’s absolutely not what we want. He releases us but asks Damian to stay with him for a few moments and my friend tells me to go home without him, his father coming to pick him up anyway. In the locker room, we have the right to jokes of Adam and Oscar, they know how to bring down the pressure and Driss starts to make the i***t in the showers with Emilio, I smile discreetly and hurry to get ready to get home. I'm totally washed out.

I'm about to go out when I feel someone behind me, Jaison. He is focused on his phone, smiling and waiting patiently for me to deign to go out without even looking at me finding his phone more interesting, so I quickly pass the door and hallway.

Arriving in front of my car, Maddison is leaning against since she has finished training her cheerleaders for 30 minutes. The cheerleaders always finish their training 30 minutes before ours like this, the players' girlfriends can wait for their boyfriend and go home with them. I put a kiss over her mouth and she goes up to the passenger side. Bypassing the car, I see Jaison waiting in front of the stadium entrance before seeing Melora's car arrive, he rushes into it and passes me as I turn my eyes sharply and enter mine, a bitter taste in my mouth.

During the ride, Maddie tells me about their training and I do the same. She asks me about the opposing team and tells me that anyway, given how the coach overwhelms us, we have to succeed in this game and that we are full of talent. When she got to her house, she got out of the car, I too, I got into the habit of escorting her to the door. She turns around and places her lips against mine, I answer this sweet kiss by putting my hands on her hips, she smiles at me and goes home. When I get back in my car, I have a smug smile on my face, which makes me frown when I realize it, why am I happy like that?

I'm back on the road and when I get to my house, I take the beep from the garage to get the car inside. Once my garage is opened, I get in and out of the car, taking my bag on the back beach. I go out and go upstairs where a good smell of Bolognese paste emanates. Indeed, when I put my bag on the stairs to my left, I see my father heating the minced meat in tomato sauce. Turning around, he smiles at me and asks me how my day went. I tell him that overall, everything went well but that the coach exhausted us again this time by stalling on the island. He laughs and tells me that I'm a little nature and I take the towel next to me to throw at him, which amplifies his laughter.

He then announces to me that the meal is ready and asks to pick up my brothers. I go up and pick up my bag and head first to my room to put it down and put-on shorts with a tank top since I washed in the locker room and to be more comfortable for tonight. Once I’m ready, I knock on Ryan's door and see him playing the console, he takes off his helmet and looks at me and I tell him we're eating. I then knock-on Austin's, repeat the same action as for Ryan and my little brother who is playing cars, turns around with his little hazel eyes but quickly stops wondering why I'm here. I tell him that Dad has finished making food and he gets up quickly down the stairs, he reminds me of Jaison...

The three of us are at the table, waiting for my father to put the pot in the middle. He does it in a minute and squeezes us. My little brother is the most playful tonight, he tells us all day while I see Ryan writing messages under the table. I don't pick up and refocus on Austin and his story with a friend who tried to steal his snack. My father is pretty quiet, too. I ask him a few questions about the job, he always tells me happy to tell me about his work but asks Ryan to put away his phone.

A certain awkward atmosphere appears when Austin asks:

"Dad, can I have a chocolate mousse with whipped cream?

-      You can have a chocolate mousse but you can't have whipped cream.

-      What for?

-      Because it's too much for one night, Austin.

-      But it's Wednesday! He insists.

-      And? That is not a reason. Tobias's going to get him a chocolate mousse. My father asks me categorically, I can not understand my little brother's request but I do what I am asked.

-      I want my chocolate mousse with whipped cream!!! Start whining Austin.

-      I said no AUSTIN GOLDSMITH! Retort my angry father, who pulls Ryan off his phone.

-      Take whipped cream to Austin, Tob'. Makes the voice of my other brother defying my father's authority.

But what the hell is going on? Why does Austin insist so much it's not his style... My father is exasperated especially after the replicate of my other brother and I feel a war has happened ... I look like a jerk with my hand on the fridge on the other hand ...

-      You're not going to get into it, too, Ryan? annoys our sire.

-      This is what Melora used to take when she came home to make a Viennese chocolate and we all know that it was Wednesday that she came most often. Then give Austin that f*****g whipped cream. Responds coolly Ryan by standing up to my father, who immediately softens up while Austin cries.

-      F-do what Ryan Tobias says... My father says softly, his anger soared."

He gets up to my little brother and takes him in his arms apologizing but my little brother has already forgotten what just happened when he sees the whipped cream and chocolate mousse that I bring him, he is too happy to do like Melora.

I, for my part, can't believe I forgot a moment like that, when she took it in our fridge the first time. Back at the table, Austin doesn't give me a single look and I quickly understand why...

Flashback

We just finished eating and while Jaison and I are talking about drawing, my father asks what we want for dessert. Melora tells her that she does it by exchanging an accomplice look with my brothers. We look at each other Jaison, my father and I without knowing what she is up to. It is only when she comes back next to Austin, with jars of my grandmother's chocolate mousses and whipped cream that we begin to understand.  Melora loves chocolate so there was no doubt when she announced that her favorite dessert was Viennese chocolate.

She opens every foam by looking at us to see if it suits us and we answer it all favorably, amused with her features and not at all amazed since we all know how greedy Melora is.

She then covers the top with whipped cream and hands them to us. She does not sit down and bypasses the table pretending to fetch sopalin*. I start eating my chocolate mousse quietly when I see her coming up behind Austin and putting her head in his pot.

At the age of five, he laughs and goes after my best friend who laughs like crazy when he sees his work on my little brother's face.

We all laugh out loud and she ends up catching Austin who asks for a hug and naive as she is, she doesn't understand the ploy of my smart brother. He has the wonderful idea of rubbing his face against his own and here they are covered in whipped cream both.

I glance at my father, he laughs as hard as Ryan, I myself scoff when Melora tells us that it's not funny with his cute little pout. Jaison gets up to take off the excess foam and we resume the meal.

Flashback end

As I get out of my thoughts, I leave immediately in my room. When I enter this one, I cross the portrait I drew of Wheeler with his smile that gives the impression of being taunted, the desire to rip it out comes to mind but I would feel too bad after because it is one of the most beautiful drawings I could make.

Lately, Jaison’s eyes on me showed me that he was still thinking about me and it comforted me but they stopped, like training. He even addresses me a minimum of the word as if we had never been anything. I'm starting to get out of his thoughts and it's eating me up but I'm responsible for it, I wanted it. And as far as Melora, she no longer has her face closed. He finally stopped looking at me in colorimetry and looking at me at the coffee, seeing her so fragile for a while, I now know that In broke her heart.

It's been over a month since Harmony followed me into the gym and since then I don't know how to act with her and I think everything would be easier if she hadn't seen me in this state. So, I avoided him since, seeing his looks when we meet ... I'm f*****g pathetic. But I don’t need anyone, I deserve what I feel, it's all my fault. I can't confide in her and let someone know everything that's going on, it's unthinkable. I don't need anyone; I can handle all this on my own.

Damian sends me a message at the same time and I am unable to answer his stupid "Are you okay?" No, it's not okay! Nothing's right! I don't know what to do to get me out of this, I'm sick and tired of everything that's happening to me. And I know I could have avoided all this but I can't go back. In addition, this adds to that the relationship or what I don't know what between Damian and Melora and that, it makes me freak out! I don't even know why, but just thinking that she was at home, that he could touch him or even hold her in his arms could make me go into a spin. He didn't want to tell me anything about it, he hides something from me and I can't stand it, he can't sideline me when it comes to her and he knows it so he tortures me with... Or am I torturing myself?

I swing my phone behind me, which falls on my bed and blows out of my bay window to lean myself against the balcony of the first floor, burying my head in my arms. I can't take it anymore...

When I raise my head, I see Ryan next to me looking in front of him.

"So, you   finally forgot. He said to me, full of reproaches for leaning against the railing. 

-      I have no excuse to give you, and you'd be nice to leave me Ryan alone. I say I don't look at him.

-      I'm going to leave you alone, I'm just here to see the facts.

-      Stop it. I don't need you to come and remind me that I'm a jerk.

-      But you're not a jerk Tob let's see why you think that? He tells me with all the irony he can put. I'm surprised you're not called Maddison... Slice, turning back to his room.

-      Why would I call him?

-      Because every time the Melora subject comes on the table or Austin talks about it you take refuge in Maddie's arms and it's disgusting. I understood a lot of things Sasha, you're my brother and I'd wait for you to talk to me because you know I'm here and I wouldn’t judge you. But I'm starting to think you're making the wrong choices. 

-      I am sorry...

-      I know, you're still sorry.

-      Ryan… 

-      No, Tobias, I don't want to hear anything. I've heard enough when you were arguing with Melora or Jaison. I've had enough, I'll leave you alone but you disappoint me... »

He walks into his room with his head down. I blame myself. I used to tell him everything, or at least my brother was the one who knew me the most outside of Jaison. He always knew my arguments with my best friends and I blame myself for being closed to him too. Despite my efforts to make sure that the stories   don’t impact my family, they still succeeded. I find myself lamentable, I have always used Maddie her to remove Melora from my head and even though now it has taken a place in my life and I love her in a certain way, I can't deny that what my brother told me is true.

I, in turn, return to my room, my heart filled with bitterness.

**

PDV Melora,

8 a.m, The next day.

This morning I wake up in a good mood. It's finally the end of the week! I had so many homework, I can't take it anymore, I even wondered if I was going to keep up with the pace but finally, I'm doing not too bad, my program likes me and then the positive is that I get along really well with Anastatia, I'm even lucky to have it with me in class! And then, this intensive week allowed me to completely clear my head.

I turn off my alarm clock and grab my phone to see if I have any messages but apart from a message from Damian.

Since the evening at Niall, a lot has changed between us and I have thought carefully about all the actions that have occurred between us and even though I am always on my guard and I remain suspicious, I think I can let myself go, that I can trust him. Of course, it's not because we're closer and he's confided in me some things don’t mean he's still impenetrable, but I'm getting used to it and it's something I like. As they say, you always end up loving what you don't like at first.

He called me last night, and we talked for 3 hours, so I fell asleep and I hope I didn't snore! I look at his message and I am unable to silence the beating of my heart until his second message makes me laugh and feel ashamed because I was right:  

Dam: You're driving me crazy pretty heart.

Dam: Except when you're snoring.

I get up and proceed with my morning routine, which has not changed. I make up my eyes in brown tones since I intend to put my suede dress of the same color. Once my makeup is done, my teeth washed and my lip balm put, I head to my dressing room or I put on tights since it is still a little cold in this month of October and put on my dress. I take my simple black coat and heeled ankle boots that I hold in my hand. Back in my room, I land on my bed to put on my shoes and pick up my phone which I drop into my bag that I have already prepared yesterday. I take it all and get out of my room.

The house is empty this morning because my parents always leave earlier than me except when I start at 8:00. I put my coat and bag on the island and prepare my thermos by taking a bag of madeleine for lunch during my poetry workshop. While waiting for my cappuccino to heat up, I send a message to Anastatia telling her that I am leaving home in 10 minutes and that I am picking her up, her answer is not long and she tells me that she is ready. My drink finally finished; I pour it into the thermos that I drop in my bag with my madeleines afterwards. I put on my coat by turning off the lights and going through the garage while activating the alarm in passing.

In the garage, I open the door and pick up my keys and get into my Audi. I start by sending a message to my friend to say that I am leaving by pressing the beep to close the garage and the portal. Anastatia lives 15 minutes from my house, so it's pretty fast. When I arrive in front of her house, I honk and she immediately goes out, her mother gives me a sign that I give her back with a smile and starts when she kisses me and she has attached herself. During the journey, we talk about the partials that are coming soon, the theme we chose for our poem and the Spanish course this afternoon because our teacher asked us to look for information about Chile, which was easy for me I admit.

We finally arrived at the university and we rush to our building because we only have 10 minutes before the start of the course. This one happens quickly besides; I am totally absorbed by the writing of my poem and my debate around it with my teacher who seems proud of me. It must also be said that my poem speaks of love, not to change. My teacher asked me to increase the dose of betrayal I wrote so that my poem would be more tragic since I am talking about non-reciprocal love. She helps me with the formulation of sentences and rhymes that she found excellent. Anastatia makes a wink and whispers that I'm the one who's l*****g the boot there.

**

I just said goodbye to Anastatia who does not eat coffee but asks me to say hello to everyone and that anyway she sees us this after seeing that we all have language classes on Fridays. I join my friends in front of our lockers, as always, jump on Emilio's back while arriving while giving my bag to Laurie so she can put it in the locker and who laughs. Emilio asks me to come down, which I expressly do being afraid of reprisals if I don't listen to him. We're going to the dining hall to join Jaison, who was supposed to keep our table. I sit next to him having already filled my tray and he places a kiss on my head when I sit down.

During the meal, they talk about tomorrow's game, they are all quite stressed and I know that Jaison to bite this week with the coach, he came every night after training to tell me this one or else it was me who came to pick him up because I knew he was coming after but our discussions were never long; He fell asleep with fatigue most of the time.  Emilio even takes the opportunity to cook Laurie who is spending a lot of time with Eidan right now.

I suddenly start thinking about Tobias. I've had a hard time moving forward since our last discussion or argument depending on where we stand. But what happened is entirely his fault, it's what he wanted: to ruin me and ruin his friendship with Jaison. He tried to get us away from him, to make us suffer, and it kills me to know that he did it. It kills me to have understood too late that it was a bastard when everyone told me, that I did not hide the many signs when we were arguing. I should have let go of him a long time ago to preserve myself but I didn't do it because I was weak, I was this naive girl who hid behind the one I thought he would like or that he would eventually love. But it's over, he no longer has the right to have any power over my life and my behavior. I forged my character, knew that I no longer had to let myself be done and asserted. From now on, it is nothing more than a bitter vulgar memory.

Besides, when we talk about the wolf, he arrives with his usual clique, his leech hanging from his arm. I have the right to a black look of it when they pass but gets a slight touch in the back by Damian who went behind to tell the boys that it was necessary to be at the stadium after the Spanish class. I ask him with my eyes, knowing that Harmony and Eidan only start this afternoon, he makes me the big eyes while Jaison replies that there is no problem and Emilio with a nod. I'll ask him later. He finally goes away and we resume our meal.

"What was that about? Ask Emilio coldly when looking at me, looking hard. 

-      What 'does that' do? Ask Laurie.

-      What are you talking about? I answered, frowning.

-      The game of looks between you and Brett, don't think I'm a jerk.

-      What looks game? I retorted, looking at Laurie, and felt Jaison stretching in the face of Lio’s sentence.

-      Would you stop staring at him, Emilio, please? Asks Laurie, to support me.

-      Lio, you're heavy. Libra Jaison laughing but being a little perceptive.

-      But, I'm not the only moron who saw it anyway?! He exclaims, triggering a general laugh. Stop messing with me! He adds, since Jaison ends up laughing, too.

Jaison looks at me as he puts her hand on my thigh, questioning me with my gaze, but I reassure him by placing a hand on his cheek with a smile. At the same time, my phone vibrates but I also see puree flying and landed on Emilio's cheek.

-      Oh no Lau, you didn't dare!!! I said to him, dead laughing at Emilio's head. 

-      Why did you do that? Ask Jaison following my amused exclamation.

-      He kept bothering me with Eidan, he only gets what he deserves! She's defending herself.

-      You, run, I'm telling you! Announce Emilio by taking mashed potatoes from his plate. »

As Laurie begins to move away, Emilio throws his mash that falls on Niall's face because Laurie has fallen down, the latter immediately retaliates mischievously and sends   mashed potatoes to Jaison. My laughter redoubles but I know he's going to throw it at me... I narrowly avoid the mashed potatoes, but it ends up on Tobias' face.  Well done. The dining room was suddenly for a few seconds, given that almost the entire college knew about their different, before it faced Adam's laughter at his side by putting his head on his plate.

From that moment on, as if it were the signal, everyone sends mashed potatoes on it, my laughter mixes with that of Laurie who is proud to have started a general food battle. I decide to take mashed potatoes that cover my whole hand, I aim well, and under Laurie's gaze, my mash falls exactly where I wanted: on Maddison who is horrified to have received it since she had moved far from the table at Goldsmith and already plagues himself suspicious of each person present around her.

Jaison and Laurie burst out laughing and Jaison takes the opportunity to give me a big bang. Not wanting to let me do it and despite my stomach ache by dint of laughing, I decide to reply but my mash falls on Damian and I have no idea what he will do to me since he can not do anything but his look means everything: I have to expect everything.

Jaison diverts his attention from me when he receives mash from Kwan and I notice that Laurie is taken from all sides by Jackson and Oscar. I report my attention to Damian... which is no longer there, I look around and everyone throws mashed laugh, which makes me smile besides, but no Brett on the horizon. I start making a dumpling by having removed a little puree on my face when someone lifts me off the ground and quickly takes me out of the cafeteria. I giggle by tapping on the back of the stranger to ask me because he carries me in a potato bag but nothing helps. I don't even know where he takes me and when my feet touch the ground, I don't have time to understand anything that lips grab mine, I open my eyes and see the face of a beautiful blond. My beautiful blond. I do not wait another second before putting my hands behind his neck, full of puree besides what makes us laugh, to attract him closer to me.

Out of breath, he takes his hands off my waist and lays his forehead against mine. I catch my breath looking at him, I put a hand on his cheek to remove the puree by giggling gently. He starts to walk away from me, hearing Laurie call me and I notice that we are just behind lockers in the main aisle. He leans towards me, placing a chaste kiss on my lips before blowing my ear: "Seeing him put his hand on your thigh bristled my hair. » A satisfied smile adorns my lips when he turns around, who would have thought that one day he would be jealous? Who would have thought that one day the one who hurt my friends and that I should hate would kiss me in the corridors?

Laurie arrives, gives Damian a brief look and I always have my stupid smile on my lips, she smiles at me before shaking my head laughing with me knowing full well what happened since she saw him. I throw a leftover puree on my hand before she takes me by the shoulders to go back into the cafeteria.

**

Damian finally explained to me what had happened between Harmony, Emilio and him.

I admit I wanted to slap him; how could he have done that to my friend?? I really felt bad that I got close to him without knowing all that. Harmony was always there for me, our friendship is based on sincerity and already I felt bad to hide from him what was going on between the two of us while I knew what he had already done, I felt like a piece of. A that plays on his friend who suffered from the guy with whom she has a relationship more than ambiguous. So, I pushed Damian away with all my strength and ignored him for over a week... But, all in all, I couldn't continue to reject it...

I discovered another Damian and that’s that one. The one he really is, whom I know unlike of everyone... I know it’s going to make a lot of trouble and I don't know what we're doing or what's going to happen, but I want to believe that he's not manipulating me and that he really cares about me. Watching him walk away, with Laurie against me, I hope not to be wrong about him.

**

But what Damian and Melora had not seen was that Tobias was hidden behind a door and had just followed the little hug between them, clenched fists and black eyes.