The football player and his teacher

Chapter twenty-one - Set up

Ashley's POV:

I haven't talked with Avery for almost a week. It's not like I care. Honestly, for the first time, I focused on myself. When he is around me, I don't have that much time. Maybe it's better if we don't see each other. I would love to have my old life back. I mean, before being a teacher. I have to say that before Avery, I didn't do anything. Well, we don't do many things, but we go out. That is something new for me. Usually, I am at home all the time. It's better if I stop complaining. My mission at university will be to find friends. I want to start my social life from the beginning. That's why the chances of me failing are huge. Well, I don't care. I have to try. The problem is that I don't know how to find a good friend. I mean, someone who is like me. I'm not saying that we must like the same things. For some reason, I think a boy as a friend will be better. I have talked with Nicole, but we didn't have many things in common. I would love to test this theory with Avery, but I already know how this will end. We can't be friends or something else. Both of us are arguing way too much. That only will make our relations worse. It's not like they are perfect. I don't want to ruin them. Also, I would prefer as a friend a person who doesn't make fun of me. I am not a fan of jokers. No matter what happens, I won't give up. Friends come and go, but opportunities don't come back. If I want them to be mine, I have to fight for them. That won't be easy. I know how hard it is for some people. That's why I will do everything possible to get what I want. The one who makes decisions will be me and only me. I hope when the time comes, I will make the right decision. That will be life-changing.

Three days have left until my spring vacation is over. I didn't do anything for the past week. Well, except for reading. I always do that, so it's not something new. Maybe I can spend the last days of the vacation outside. The question is what I will do. I don't have friends with who to go out. No one said that I had to go out with someone. I can enjoy my own company. It's better than nothing. Also, that way, I can go wherever I want.

I woke up from a message. Who is texting me so early? I need to turn off my notifications. These things are so annoying. I don't know how people deal with them. I turned them on only to see how many people cared enough to send me a message. Mostly they were from my parents. That one was from Jason. He wants me to go to his house this afternoon. I don't even know where he lives. I answered him, and he sent me the address. I have a bad feeling about this.

- I have to get up.

I got out of bed and went to get ready. I won't go anywhere, and I will dress comfortably. I might change my clothes later. When I got dressed, I went for food. I wish my parents were here. Well, I will see them for dinner. It's still something. Soon, I finished with my food. I was about to go to my room when there was a knock on the door. I opened it and saw Ben. Why is everybody coming to my house? I expect the whole team to come soon.

- What?

- Hello to you too.

- Hi. Will you tell me what you want?

- I thought you could help me.

- Help you with what?

- Can I come inside?

- Yeah, sure.

- Thank you.

- For what do you need me?

- I want to do something, but I don't know if it's right.

- What is that something?

- I have a cousin, and she likes a boy. The problem is that she is scared to tell him. Let's say that she doesn't know if he likes her too.

- Ok, and how am I supposed to help?

- I was thinking about setting them up on something like a date. Should I do it?

- It's not my business, but isn't she supposed to do it? After all, your cousin likes the boy, not you.

- I know, but I want to help her. If you have a better idea, I will gladly hear it.

- Honestly, you have to let her do it on her own. Otherwise, she will never learn how to express her feelings.

- Yeah, but what if she never does it? By the time she gets confident, it might be too late. Don't you think?

- That's true too. Go to talk with your cousin and convince her to tell the boy how she feels.

- Ok, thank you. Will you mind if I keep you company?

- No, but I was planning to watch something.

- Cool. Marvel movies are great.

- You won't go home, will you?

- Nope.

- Fine, but in the afternoon, I have to see Jason.

- I know. My friend said he wanted to talk with you, but I don't know for what. I told him he was playing with fire.

- If it's about Avery again, I will go home.

- I don't know. According to Jason, it's better if no one knows. Otherwise, we'll stop him. I mean, it's not a lie. Sometimes he has crazy ideas.

- Why is he trying so much? Who cares if Avery and I will understand each other?

- Except for Jason, no one. We have asked Avery, but he doesn't know. All he said was that you two wouldn't understand each other.

- It's obvious.

- You don't like him, do you?

- Not the way you think. He is not that bad, but we always argue about something. I don't want to be around people like him. I want a good friendship.

- Good luck with that.

- Thanks.

Ben and I watched a movie. Honestly, his company is not that bad. Mostly we stayed in silence. I don't know what to tell him. Usually, I don't talk with any of the boys from the team. After the movie, he wanted to take me for lunch. Probably this is part of a plan, and Jason is the leader. Both with Ben went to a diner. We ordered the food and sat down.

- Can I ask you something? Don't get offended.

- Sure.

- Did Jason tell you to come home?

- What?

- Be honest. If this is part of a plan, I don't like it.

- Ok, he told me to go and check on you.

- Check on me? Why?

- To make sure you were in a good mood. That's it. I asked why all of this was, but Jason didn't want to tell me. Please, trust me. That is everything I know.

- Hey, it's ok. I believe you.

- Thanks.

- Do you know if Avery will be there?

- No, he told me only about you.

- Ok, thank you.

After my lunch, I walked to Jason's house. Ben told me to call him if there was a problem. I hope there won't be a need for that. Soon, I arrived and knocked on the door. Jason opened it and let me in.

- Can I know why I am here?

- Sure. I wanted us to talk. I'm sorry about the last time.

- It's ok. As long as you don't do it again, I am good.

- Before we sit, can you help me with something? I was searching for one thing, but I couldn't find it.

- Oh, ok. Where is it?

- I know it's in my closet, but I didn't see it when I was there.

- What is that thing?

- Um, it's an old football ball. Can you check there?

- Where is your closet?

- It's right here.

- Ok, let me see. - I said and walked in

- Have fun. - Jason said and locked the door

- Hey, let me out.

- Nope.

- What the heck? Why are you doing this?

- Give up. He won't let you out.

- Avery? What are you doing here?

- The same as you. He locked me in ten minutes ago.

- I don't understand. Why are we here?

- Both of you won't go out until you don't solve your problems. - Jason said

- What? I won't stay with him in one tiny room.

- Then start talking.

- Jason, I will kill you.

- I can't hear you.

- This is unbelievable. Why would he do that?

- It's better if I don't tell you. - Avery said

- I won't talk with you.

- It's not like I will do it.

- Good. Can you call someone?

- I can't. The i***t took my phone.

- Mine is here. Tell me one of the boys' numbers.

- I don't know them. I don't memorize every phone number.

- Great. Why is there no Wi-Fi?

- He turned it off. The i***t doesn't even have a password.

- But I have mobile data. What is Ben's social media?

- Give me the phone.

I let Avery find Ben on f*******:. I quickly texted him to come here and talk with Jason. Let's hope he can convince him to let us out of here. I don't want to stay here with Avery. Soon, I received a Messenger call.

- Hey, what is going on? - Ben asked

- Jason locked Avery and me in his closet. - I said and put him on speaker

- He what?

- Please come and talk to him. I don't want to stay here.

- Man, if you don't come, I will break the door to go out. - Avery said

- Ok, chill. I'm coming. I told him not to do anything stupid.

- Do you think he will listen to you? - Avery asked

- I made a mistake trusting him. Stay there. After less than half an hour, I will come.

- Ok, thank you, Ben. - I said

- No problem.

Avery and I stayed in the closet without talking. I won't lie. It's awkward for me to be here. Usually, we talk, but now, I don't know what to tell him. Soon, Ben came, and both with Jason went somewhere. It looks like we won't get out of here anytime soon. Great. That is a perfect way how to spend my afternoon. I sat on the ground and pulled out my phone. I had only fifty percent battery life. I won't use all of them. This day can't get any worse.

- Are you ok?

- How do you think? I am locked here with you. It can't get better. - I said sarcastically

- Well, I can make it better. - Avery said and moved closer

- What are you doing?

- Relax. I won't touch you.

- I want to go home.

- Not only you.

- Maybe we can find something which can help us unlock the door.

- Look at all this junk. There is nothing we can use.

- We'll never get out of here.

- It looks like that.

Avery and I spend another hour of silence. Where the hell is Ben? He was supposed to get us out of here. Please remind me to kill Jason. He is playing on my nerves. I was about to get up when someone opened the door.

- Aggh. Avery, what are you doing in my closet? - a woman asked

- Ask your son. He locked us here.

- What?

- Wait, are you Jason's mom?

- Yes, and this is my closet.

- Thank you so much. You are a life savior. - I said and hugged her

- Ok, now get out of here. I want to get something.

Both with Avery went into the backyard. Jason was playing with Ben. How sweet. Both of them are dead. I don't know what Jason tried to do, but it didn't work. Avery and I weren't talking at all. His plan failed.

- Hey, how did you get out? - Jason asked

- If you lock someone else in our closet, I will ground you.

- Mom? Why did you let them out?

- Jason, you can't lock people in closets.

- I had to do it. These two will never understand each other.

- People's problems are not your problems. I understand you wanted to help, but that is not the way.

- What else was I supposed to do?

- Leave them alone. Your friends are not little kids.

- Fine.

- Good. Now apologize. I will go out with your dad tonight. I want the house in the same state as now.

- Ok, you can go. - Jason said, and his mom left

- Ben, you were supposed to help us.

- I know, but Jason told me his plan. I thought it might work. It's wrong what he did, but he didn't have bad intentions.

- I am not a prisoner. You can't treat me like one. - I said, looking at Jason

- Well, the plan didn't work at all. Are you happy?

- No, I'm not. That was a horrible idea. Please, never do it again.

- Now I am the bad guy.

- I didn't say that.

- Whatever. You can go home, and Avery as well.

- I will do it for sure. Not good, mate. - Avery said and left

- Hey, wait.

- What?

- Are you mad at him?

- I don't know. Jason's type of help is a bit strange.

- I know, but he only wanted to help.

- So you are on his side now?

- It's hard to explain.

- Whatever. I will go home. See you in school.

- Ok, bye.

That is not how I expected my day to go. It's not that bad what Jason did, but it wasn't the right way to do it. That is why I am not mad at him. He needs to stay away from people's problems. Otherwise, he might get involved. Maybe I should've talked with Avery. The thing is that I have no idea what ours are. We argue for everything. It's better if I don't know. I don't want to think about every single thing. I would like it if we could stop arguing. The thing is that this is impossible. Well, that is better. I don't want to spend too much time with him. I hope that things between us won't get worse. I don't want to have arguments every day.