Where it all began

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Ricky

"I'm just not happy with your performance, Axel, and there was no need to bring Rick along with you. If I wanted you here, I would have asked you to be."

"I am the captain of the football team. If there are any problems with my players, I need to know about it as well!"

"Yes, and I would have spoken to you about it after Ricky."

"Well, I am here now, so I can listen and give you my thoughts when you are finished, coach."

"Ugh, fine! Axel, you have been very sloppy this season. Your passes were terrible yesterday. You scored in the wrong goal as well! What is going on?" I know Axel is having a hard time right now, I think things at home are getting too much for him to handle, which is pulling him down. His head isn't in the game, not that I blame him for that.

"I am just having a hard time at the minute, I will not let it affect my game again."

"Good! Now, what is going on? Do you need any help? I can always set up student support for you if you need someone to talk to."

"Steady there, coach. I'm good, just stressed out from home life. I will not let it get in the way again."

"Ok, you sure?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ricky! Keep a better eye on your team and make sure no one else is struggling in silence. We are a family here, and we take care of each other."

"Yes, coach, I will make sure everyone is fighting fit for our next match."

"Good because it is in two weeks and we need to win this one! Two losses in a row do not sit right with me!"

"Yes, coach."

"Good, you can leave now. Let me just write you both a note so you do not get into trouble for being late."

Axel takes the note, and we head for the door, I can already feel this is going to be a long day!

Axel has not said a word to me since we left the coaches office ten minutes ago, I want to ask him if he is okay, but’s I know that is a stupid question.

"I'm going to f**k this whole season up!"

"No you are not, you have had a couple of bad practices which is fine! We are allowed to have bad days as well."

"I never have bad days let alone three in a row!"

"Axel, you have a lot going on off at home right now, I would be shocked to see you in great form."

"I need to be in top form because Chase needs me! If I f**k up he will end up in care and I cannot let that happen."

"And neither will my family. You know if the worst case ever happens my parents will take him in."

"I know, f**k! Can we just talk about something else, or just not talk!?" I hate seeing my best friend go through all this alone, I want to help both Axel and Chase but there is nothing I can do apart from support him the best I can!

The day flies by with no other complications, my dad didn't text me back after I told him Beth and Chase have plans tonight which is going to cause more upset! Beth adores our parents and so do I but they do make our lives very hard sometimes. Most of the time we see them in the mornings and later in the evening, just before Beth goes to bed. Even though it isn't much time we make it work. But we very rarely see our dad at home after school. I have not told Beth about him cooking for us, which means I have to do it now, and she will more than likely get pissed with me again!

Axel and I reach the front office, Beth and Chase are standing by the glass doors outside waiting for us, Beth looks to be in a mood already which is just fantastic! As we move closer, Chase moves closer to my sister giving her a tight hug. He would be perfect for her, but Beth is still far too young to date!

"They look cosy" Axel says and I clench my jaw. She is twelve no one and I mean no one is dating my twelve year old sister! Not even Chase and I have watched him grow up!

"Yeah, they do, but my sister is too young to be dating and hugging boys!"

"I wouldn't say too young."

"Well, I am!" Axel laughs loud, which makes Beth and Chase jump apart as they hear him through the closed doors! Her face is bright red, and I can see Chase seem on edge, too.

"You two look cosy."

"Don't start, Ricky!"

"Sorry!"

"Can we just go, Chase and I have a study session set up, remember."

"Yeah, about that."

"What! Don't tell me you don't want me alone with Chase yet again! You need to grow up and stop treating me like a baby!"

"Well, I'm sorry, but I am not the one stopping you two today!"

"What!?"

"Dad felt really bad for shouting at you this morning, so he took the day off work and would like us to come home alone tonight. He is cooking us dinner and would like to spend some time with us alone."

"Not happening, me and Chase have had this set up for weeks! I am not going to cancel my plans because he feels bad!"

"It's alright, Beth. we can study tomorrow night instead?"

"It is not alright, Chase! We have brought snacks and set everything up for today!" If you have not noticed yet, Beth loves studying and reading and well anything to do with work. And she hates it when people mess up her plans. She has around five diaries at home with her schedules. Beth is a tutor for school, which means she helps a lot of the children who need a little push. When she isn't doing that, she is either reading, hanging out with us guys, or doing extra work for school. She is very smart for her age, which scares me sometimes. She seems to think being smart is great, but it can also get her into trouble for thinking she knows better than anyone else!

"The snacks will last until tomorrow, it's okay."

"I have a study group tomorrow with a bunch of year elevens!"

"Oh, erm, when are you free next?"

"Not until next month."

"Let's go, guys. we can work something out on the way home." Axel says, trying to get us moving from outside the office. Beth isn't annoyed she is upset. I know I make it hard for her and Chase to spend time together, but that is only because I can see they like each other. If they date and it goes wrong, our whole friendship group will fall apart, and I know that sounds selfish, but it has always been the four of us. I do not want to have to pick and choose between whom I see and spend time with. I can not be expected to stop seeing Chase if anything does go wrong!