Accidentally Yours

Chapter 5

The team swarms Dustin as he receives high-fives and slaps on the back. He grins and jogs back to his position before the whistle blows and the game resumes. Both sides battle for a while, with neither making too much progress. Another whistle blows, signaling it is time for halftime.

The teams jog off of the field and begin to strategize with their coaches and teammates. I spot Dustin hand a water bottle to Colton and they both take a few sips.

"Hey, they're doing really well against those snobs," Sydney says to me.

"Guess so, but they've got another half to go," I reply.

"Ah, you're right. I'm so nervous," she says and clutches her sleeves.

The players retake their positions again, and the second half begins. Dustin picks up speed, barreling down the field as he stares straight ahead. His gaze is narrowed on the goalkeeper as he silently challenges the much taller opponent. Height is no disadvantage for Dustin's exceptional skills which are no match for the amateur goalie. Just as Dustin reared his leg back to strike the ball in the back of the net, the goalkeeper's entire features morph and I knew that he'd come to the realization of inevitable loss.

The warning died on my lips as the goalie dove forward, not aiming for the soccer ball as he should have been. Instead, his arms snap out and smack into Dustin legs, tackling him to the ground and Dustin lands with a thud. The referee blows on his whistle and the game stops. I stand up automatically and search for signs that Dustin is okay. But he never gets up.

Colton sprints down the field from his defensive line and crouches down beside Dustin. Medics rush over and straighten Dustin's legs as he groans. Together, they slowly pull him up while they hang one arm around Colton's neck and the other around one of the medics. The crowd cheers for Dustin as he limps off of the field accompanied by Colton and the medic.

Colton is forced back onto the field, giving a reluctant look to Dustin, though I was probably the only one who noticed. Without Dustin on the field, the game slows and the intensity drops. The other team pummels forward and makes two goals in the process, putting them on the winning end. The whole thing becomes painful to watch because the loss was inevitable the second Dustin became injured. A whistle blows for the last time, signaling the end of the game.

The crowd opposite of us erupts with cheers while our side just feels defeated.

"This sucks. We were so close," Sydney says as she stands up. I stand up as well and the three of us head down the bleachers.

The teams both converse about the game and I notice Dustin off to the side. I decide to check up on him but realize Colton is already next to him. A medic places a bag of ice on Dustin's knee and his face strains. I could tell he is in a lot of pain. But as I look to the side, I notice Colton's hand over Dustin's. Colton's thumb traces the top of Dustin's hand as he watches over him.

For some reason, I decide to look away and tell the girls that it is time to leave. We head back to our dorms and I stop outside of mine before stepping in.

"Hey, do any of you girls have Colton's number?" I ask as I lean against the wall.

"He's your roommate, how do you not have it?" Faye asks and laughs. "Even I have it!"

"Guess it never came up, can you give me it real quick?"

"Oh, sure."

She tells me the number and we say our goodbyes. I step into my room and wait about twenty minutes before I pick up my phone and dial the number Faye told me.

It rings a few times before I hear, "What?"

I laugh. "Hey, it's me. Jace. What're you so aggravated about?"

"Oh, sorry. Didn't realize, just a little stressed right now."

"How's Dustin?"

"Not sure. I'm at the hospital right now."

"Well, I hope he's alright. Let me know."

"Ok."

"See you later."

"Wait."

I raise my eyebrows. "Hm?"

"Stay on the phone for a bit. Keep me distracted."

"Uh, I don't have anything to talk about."

"That's fine. Just stay on the phone."

"O-ok then."

Neither of us talk for a while. I sit back in my bed and stare at the ceiling.

"Hey, you there?" Colton asks.

"Hm? Oh, yeah. What's up?" I ask.

"Dustin fractured his knee."

"s**t. Does he need surgery?"

"Of course, and looks like he's out the rest of the season."

"Damn. Sorry this happened, man."

"Just sucks, you know. But we've gotta help him out now. Oh, s**t. Gotta go."

The line went out and I dropped my phone on the bed. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Dustin. The goalie had intentionally taken him out of the game, but now he's out for the rest of the season.

Colton returns back to the dorm a few hours and looks down.

"You okay?" I ask.

"This sucks, he doesn't deserve it," Colton says and brings his hand to his face. "In some ways, I wish it were me. I wish I was the one who was out for the rest of the season. Dustin was our lead scorer, you know. We all relied on him. But more than that, he was like my brother."

"It's alright. I understand, but just be glad that he's okay. Not okay, I mean, he does have an injury, but he's still here. And he's got such a caring friend who's concerned about him. We can do whatever we can for him and hope for a speedy recovery. The guy's strong."

Colton looks up and stares at me. Then he flashes me the biggest smile I've seen and laughs.

"Thanks, man."