Peter Soccer

Chapter 2

The next few weeks flew by. The air around the Adams home was filled with anticipation.

It felt like everyone was counting down. Dad had gone to work, so it was just the boys and their mom these days.

It was a blissful Monday afternoon. Mom was at work, so the boys were home alone playing video games.

“That’s the fifth defeat already. Just give up, dude,” Dudley taunted.

“One more round,” Peter said, eyes glued to the screen.

“Okay then. It’s your funeral.”

After a bit of silence, Peter spoke.

“Dudley, I’ve been thinking.”

“Yeah, about what?”

“Hosting a party. Like a kind of send-off.”

“Yeah… that’s a great idea, you know. I’ll make sure to tell everybody at school.”

“So you’ll tell Mom?” Peter asked.

“Why do I have to tell her? You’re the one who brought up the idea.”

“True, but you’re older. She’ll listen to you.”

“You’ve got a point.”

“Sooo… you’ll tell her?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Thanks. You’re the best.” Dudley scoffed.

“Something we can agree on.”

Later that evening, Dudley informed their mom, who approved without any issues.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” she had said.

So the boys got to work. Over the next two days, they made preparations, inviting almost everyone who could come.

“Hey, uh… Peter,” Dudley asked on their way to the mall to get supplies.

“Yeah?”

“You invited Nyla, right?” Peter turned to him with a smile before saying,

“Yeah, yeah, of course I did.”

“Why are you smiling? It’s just a question.” Peter tried to hide his scoff as he said,

“We both know it’s not about Nyla. You just want to know if Angela is coming with Nyla. So yes, they’re both coming.”

“Nobody said anything about Angela, so I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dudley said, trying to avoid Peter’s gaze.

“Well, I know you’ve had a crush on Angela for like a year now, so…”

“That’s not true.” Peter turned to him with a look of sarcasm.

“So yeah, it’s true. I like Angela. So what?” Dudley said as they entered the mall.

“So have you tried talking to her? ‘Cause every time you see her, you just stare like some dumbass,” Peter laughed.

“Well, it’s not that I haven’t talked to her, it’s just…” Dudley said, scratching the back of his neck.

“Just nothing. I mean, she’s a really nice girl. In fact, you know what I think, Dudley?”

“Nope.”

“I think you’re shy. And at first I thought maybe just a little, but I think you’re actually _very_ shy.”

“No I’m not.”

“Prove it. Tomorrow at the party, ask her to dance or something. Just talk to her. Should be easy.”

“Yeah, right,” Dudley replied.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dudley mimicked.

“Like hell you don’t know what that’s supposed to mean.”

“This is about Nyla, right?” Peter asked.

“You like her but hide under this facade of friendship you both have.” Peter laughed so hard he had to stop, remembering he was in public.

“You know, you surprise me sometimes with the way you think. Of all people, Nyla? Man, are you really my twin?” he asked rhetorically.

“Well, you keep telling yourself that. Until someone else makes a move, I’ll make sure you don’t hear the end of it.”

“You are so out of your pants,” Peter replied.

“If I liked Nyla, I would have made a move a long time ago. See, Nyla and I are just friends, however else you want to see it. That’s your business. And besides, she has a boyfriend.”

“Wow, I didn’t know about that. Is it that Mexican guy she started talking to?” Dudley asked.

“Yeah, Diego. And he’s chill. The other day we went gaming at this arcade. It was sick!”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Dudley said.

“Hey, don’t worry. I’m gonna find a girl soon enough,” Peter replied before adding, “And you — talk to Angela.”

“Back to supplies, please,” Dudley said as he pulled Peter’s hair lightly as they both laughed.

On the evening of the party, Mom made sure to take the night off, claiming she didn’t want to seem like a burden.

At around 7 PM, everyone began trooping into the house. Hugs were shared as Dudley and Peter hadn’t seen most of them in a long time.

“Heyyy, it’s my favorite twin!” Peter turned, almost immediately recognizing the voice amidst all the chaos. He could recognize that voice anywhere.

“Nyla!!” he yelled back as they shared a hug.

“Haven’t seen you in a long time,” she remarked.

“Yeah, right. So where’s my man, Diego?”

“Oh, he’s around. I mean, it’s a big house.”

“And a big party!” Peter exclaimed.

“You guys do know how to throw one,” she said.

“Our pleasure,” he said as he led her to the bar and got drinks.

“So how was New Mexico?” he asked.

“Oh, it was great. I mean, I never knew being Mexican was so cool.”

“Wow, looks like you had a blast.”

“You bet. Oh hey, I almost forgot — congratulations!”

“Oh, don’t bother.”

“So have you made your choice yet?”

“Yeah… yeah, I chose Belvert,” he said.

“Do you have any particular reason why?”

“Yes, actually. You know, I thought about it a lot. I need somewhere I can thrive and be seen, not just be another kid in training, you know? And Belvert might just be the best.” He seemed relieved to have said it out loud for the first time.

“Oh, well, that’s fine.” She was about to go when he suddenly remembered.

“Hey, erm… did Angela come with you?”

“Yeah…” she said, giving him a weird look.

“Oh, okay then.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna go catch up with Diego.”

“See you later.”

“You too.”

He turned to go find Dudley, and he did. But to his surprise, Dudley was with Angela. When their eyes met, Peter just smiled at them. Dudley rolled his.

He went back to the bar. He noticed a girl staring at him from across the room. He thought about asking her to dance but decided against it.

Nyla O’Neil had been Peter’s best friend since the 9th grade, when she and her family first moved to Lincoln, Nebraska.

It was an instant connection. They had the same hobbies — except soccer, which Nyla liked to pretend she liked. So it was only a matter of time before their friendship grew so strong that they knew each other inside and out.

She was a bit short, just over 5 feet. She had incredible black hair, so long she could make ponytails out of it. Peter always thought Nyla was pretty, but he never felt anything for her. And they both liked it that way.

He was snapped back to reality when a girl bumped into him.

“Hey, careful.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry.”

He remembered the girl who’d been staring at him. He turned to see her still staring. It was getting weird at this point. He thought about it just when a voice distracted him again.

“Hey, Peter,” it was Nyla. She was with Diego, who said,

“Hey.”

“Heyyy, Diego! Long time, dude!”

“Yeah, been busy this holiday.”

“Yeah, I know, I know. Having a great time.”

“Wonderful, wonderful time. Umm, Nyla, I’ll leave you two for a bit. Have to make a call.”

He turned and left for the corridor.

“Hey, you don’t seem to be enjoying your own party,” Nyla said, reading his face.

“Okay, don’t look, no matter what I say…”

“Okay…” Nyla said, a little surprised.

“There’s this girl across the table. She’s been staring at me for like the past ten minutes, and I don’t even know her.” Nyla took a quick glance in that direction before saying,

“Oh, it’s Nova. She transferred this year. That’s why you don’t know her.” Peter looked relieved.

“But I bet that’s not why she’s staring…” Peter could hear the giggle in her voice.

“Whatever,” he replied, almost laughing.

“Why… don’t you ask her to dance?” Nyla said.

“Why would I? I don’t even know her.”

Just as he was finishing the sentence, Nova had stood up from her seat and was walking toward them.

“Wait, is she walking toward us?” Peter asked, a bit nervous.

“Oh my God, she is!” Nyla sounded excited.

“She can’t—”

“Oh, hey Nova,” Nyla interrupted.

“Hi,” she replied in the most feminine voice ever. Peter would have sworn she faked it.

Nyla didn’t want any dry moment, so she started the introductions.

“Nova, this is—”

“Peter! Well, you’re the host,” she smiled a little. Peter looked at Nyla. She was clearly enjoying this.

“Okay, in that case, Peter, this is Nova.”

“Nice to meet you, Nova,” he said, extending a handshake to which she accepted. Nyla turned to both of them and said,

“I need to excuse myself.” Peter already knew what was next. He winced a little.

“Why don’t you guys… get to know each other? Be back in a jiffy.” She disappeared into the crowd.

Peter looked disappointed, but he turned to her and couldn’t believe what he said next.

“Do you wanna dance?” To which she gracefully accepted.

They danced together for a while before she asked him,

“So… you and Nyla are friends?”

“Yeah… we’re close, but just friends. Why?” he asked. She laughed a little.

“Ummm, nothing though, just… never mind.”

“I’m not seeing anybody at the moment. I know that’s why you’re asking,” she laughed again.

“Okay, yes, kinda true. But I could tell.”

“Because you were spying on me?”

“I wouldn’t call it spying. I think I stared… just a little,” she said as she put her hands on his neck. His hands were already holding her waist.

“Uh, okay, if you call it that,” he said, unfazed by her change in movement. Soon she had her hand in his hair. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable, so the moment the music slowed a little, he claimed to be tired.

They both went outside for a rest on the balcony, talking about a lot of things.

Soon the party started to wind down.

“I might have to go, it’s almost midnight.”

“Yeah, okay. I would love to accompany you, but we have to start cleaning.”

“Yeah, okay, it’s fine.” She turned to go.

“Bye,” he said to her. She turned back to him and, almost without warning, she kissed him. Before saying,

“Bye, Peter,” and disappearing into the night.

Peter kind of expected it. It had become almost normal for him at parties that girls he danced with kissed him.

So, feeling numb as ever, he turned to go inside. It was almost empty. Just a few friends and Nyla were still around. Diego was gone.

Just by looking at Nyla’s face, he could tell what was on her mind.

“Sooooo…” she said in a childish kind of way.

“So what, Nyla?”

“What do you think? Are you guys going on a date? Oh wait, did you guys kiss?” she said, trying to read an expression from his face.

“Okay, one at a time. I think she’s great, but I’d say the same for like eight other girls I’ve talked to. We are not going on a date. Don’t ask me why. And yesss, we kissed.” Nyla almost danced at the last statement. They both laughed.

“What did you expect? No one can resist this pretty face,” he said, gaslighting himself.

“Yeah, except me,” Nyla said.

“Well, you should have asked her on a date. At least, do you have her number?”

“Yeah.”

“Then it’s settled. You’ll just ask her on a date. See how you feel about it.”

“I’ll think about it.” Nyla turned sharply to him and said,

“You know, I try so hard for you, I’m beginning to think you might be gay.” They both laughed.

“Maybe I am gay,” he joked back.

By the first week of August, both boys headed off to their academies.

Life was good