The football player and his teacher

Chapter fourteen - Results

Avery's POV:

During the past week, I did three more tests. I'm glad that Ashley and I are studying together again. I feel bad for talking to her like that. At least she is not mad at me. I can't afford to make her go away from me again. I was thinking about the plan that she offered me. I can play with the boys while studying with her. The problem is that this will never work. I can't get focused on two things at the same time. It's not like I have tried. Maybe I can do it. Ashley is a good runner now, but I don't see her running with her questions around the field with me. What I have to worry about is the game. Two men from one of the best universities in New York will come to watch me play. I should be excited, but I'm not. I'm nervous. That's why I want to play well so they can like me. That won't be easy. Honestly, I would love it if my parents finally had come to one of my games. I have never seen them. In the beginning, I invited them all the time. As always, they had too much work to pay attention to me. All the time, I used to look at the crowd. There was no one. Now I don't even invite them anymore. There is no point. I know they won't come. For them, football is a waste of time. Well, not for me. I don't know how these men found me, but I'm happy I have this chance. The question is if I will use it the right way. All I want is to impress these people. To show them how good I am. Honestly, I'm far from the best, but I will give everything possible to win this game. At least Ashley will be there. It's not like I care. She can't help me with anything. Well, she already did enough for me. I hope that she will be able to convince my parents. I want them to come.

Sometimes I wonder why the school exists. On the positive side, I will get my result on the first test today. Let's hope that I will have a good grade. Otherwise, I might miss the game. No, this can't happen. I can skip any other game, but not that one. It's too important for me. I want to keep my position, and I have to be a good boy. I don't see this happening. I studied for more than a month. That should be enough. I made too many sacrifices.

Currently, I am in my English class. After an hour and a half, I will know the results of my first test. Honestly, I am nervous. I have studied enough for this test, but you never know what might happen. As long as it's not another D, I am good. I can't afford to have low grades. I hope that mister Fitz will let me pass. I still haven't made his test, but I feel he will fail me. When the class finished, I walked to my locker. Ashley was there, waiting for me.

- Hey, what are you doing here?

- The result will come soon. Are you nervous?

- A little bit. If my grades don't go up, football will go down. I can't afford that. The upcoming game is the most important for me. I have to be there.

- Don't worry. You will be there. I promise. I'll do everything possible so you can play.

- Thank you, Ashley.

- You're welcome. Let's go to class now.

This class was fine. I had my break and later went for the next one. It's the moment of truth. Sadly, the teacher said she would give us the results at the end of the class. According to her, we'll lose a lot of time if she gives them now. It's true. The thing is that I couldn't concentrate at all. I was thinking about this test. What if I didn't pass? No, I must have done it. Ashley spent a lot of time with me. I know she won't fail. Somehow, I made it until the end of the class. I was the last one to get my test.

- Before I give it to you, Avery, I have to say that I am impressed. I want to say that you cheated, but you didn't. I was watching everyone. I don't know how you did it, but good job. As you can see, it's not that hard. - the teacher said and gave me the test

- I got an A!?

- Yes, you do.

- Is that a joke?

- No, it's not. Ashley has the same answers except for that little mistake of yours. - she said, pointing to one of the questions

- I can't believe it. Does this mean I can continue playing football?

- Well, I won't fail you. If you keep the good results, you might graduate with a good grade. We have one more test at the end of the year. If you have another A, you can rest in peace without studying.

- Thank you.

- You can go now.

- Thanks. - I said and left

I have an A. Can you believe this? I still think there is a mistake. Did I improve that much? Well, all of this is thanks to Ashley. Today I will train with her. She deserves it. I walked into the hall, looking for her. She was in front of her locker as usual. I carefully walked up to her. It took her some time, but she noticed me.

- For what is that smile?

- You.

- Me? Why?

- Check this out. - I said and gave her my test

- You have an A!? How?

- Ask yourself. You are the teacher.

- Well, I did a pretty good job. - she said, chuckling

- Yes, you did. Thank you so much.

- No problem. That's my job as your teacher.

- Do you have plans today?

- No, why?

- Now you have.

- Can I know what we'll do?

- We'll train. I ignored you the last week, and I want to make it up to you.

- Thanks, but I don't want to train anymore. I got tired.

- Oh, no. I didn't quit, so I won't let you do it.

- You won't give up, will you?

- No. I will make sure you have an A in PE.

- That is impossible.

- No, it's not. I'll prove it to you today.

- Ok, ok.

During the lunch break, I went to eat with the boys. I finally let Ashley sit with them and me. Let's say that up to now, it was weird. We weren't that close. Again, we are not friends. All of this is temporary. Honestly, I don't know why I hated her so much. Teachers used to compare me with her all the time. At least this stopped.

- Finally, the teacher sat with us. - Jason said

- Well, I got invited.

- Who should we thank for this?

- Your best player.

- Thank you, man.

I was half-listening. Mostly, I was thinking about the game. I have to train a lot if I want them to like me. The thing is that I have so many things to do and less time. I don't know if I will be able to do everything. Soon I felt a hand on mine. It was Ashley.

- Are you ok?

- Yeah, why?

- Everyone was calling you.

- I'm sorry. I was thinking about something.

- Everything will be fine. I will talk with your parents.

- Thanks, but it's not only that.

- Will you tell me what it is?

- I have many things to do. The time won't be enough.

- Yes, it will be. You studied a lot, so you shouldn't be worried about the tests. Focus on the game. Don't forget that you have to impress these people.

- What people? - Adam asked

- Didn't you tell them?

- Not yet.

- Can I know what is going on? - Ben asked

- Don't get excited, but two men from one of the best universities in New York will come to the game on Friday to watch me.

- Why are you telling us now? - Rayan asked

- Because it's not a big deal. Also, I didn't want you to feel bad.

- Why?

- Well, they are here only for me.

- So? You are the one who wants to be a professional player, not us.

- So, you are not mad?

- Of course not. For what are you taking us? Ungrateful people? - Jason asked

- Thank you, guys.

- Thank Ashley. She did the hard job.

- I will do it later.

- I smell relationship. - Adam said

- And I smell food in your face. - Ashley said, and we laughed

- You two spend too much time together.

- We know. - both of us said in sync

- It's scary.

- You have to train until the game. - Ashley said

- No, I will help you today.

- Thanks, but I'm fine. You trained a lot with me. Now focus on football. You left it for a while.

- I know, but I had other work to do.

- That's not an excuse.

We talked until the end of the lunch break. Later, I walked for the rest of my classes. After the last one, I went to take my things from the locker and wait for Ashley. I found her talking with Jason. I was about to walk by them when I heard my name. It's not polite to listen to other people's conversations, but I want to know what she will say about me.

- I don't know how you did it but thank you. Avery was never going to study without you.

- Let's say that I did it for myself too.

- What do you mean?

- Well, I wanted us to stop arguing. During the last two months, I understood many things about Avery. He is not that bad. All he needs is support.

- We are always by his side. I mean the team.

- True, but have you seen his parents?

- No.

- That's what I mean. Like every kid, he wants a little attention from them, even if he won't admit it.

- That is something I can't give him.

- Neither me. That's why I will talk with miss and mister Robinson. Let's hope they will listen to me.

- Good luck.

- Hey, guys. Ashley, are you ready?

- For where?

- We're going home.

- I told you that I don't want to train.

- I don't care. Come on. Let's go. I'll see you at the practice tomorrow.

- No problem. Bye, man.

- Bye, Jason. - I said and left

Both with Ashley walked to my house. We spent the whole afternoon training. Honestly, I thought she would get tired, but no. This girl has a lot of energy. Training with her helps me too. That's why I wanted to do it. Of course, we had a couple of breaks. I get tired too. We played dodgeball as well. With two people, it's not the same as with ten, but it was ok.

- Thank you for the help. - Ashley said

- I should thank you. I got my first A in ages. - I said, and she laughed

- Now you know that studying is not a bad thing.

- I do, but it's a lot of work.

- Yes, it is.

Ashley and I talked for a while. I offered her to stay for dinner, but she denied it. Maybe the next time. My parents got home from work. I waited until we sat at the table for dinner. I hope that they will be happy with my result. Mostly I did it for them. Now I can finally play without interruptions.

- I need to tell you something.

- Oh, no. What have you done this time? Failed another test? - mom asked

- Not exactly. - I said and showed mom the test

- You have an A!?

- Yes, I do.

- So it wasn't that hard.

- I won't be so sure. Now I can focus on my games.

- Oh, that won't happen.

- What do you mean?

- Since you stopped playing, your grades got better. You will focus on your studies and forget about football.

- What? I won't do that. It's important to me.

- I don't care. I want my son to graduate.

- That's not fair. Dad, won't you say something?

- I am impressed by the result. What your mom says is true. You haven't played in a while, and your grades improved. Look, we don't want you to stop playing. Only to graduate. You have the whole summer to play.

- No more football until the end of the school year. - mom said

- I can't do that. I have an important game this Friday.

- Well, you will skip it.

- I can't. My life depends on this.

- And my life depends on the food. Come on, Avery. These excuses are not good.

- I won't miss my game.

- Don't make me talk with the coach.

- Do it. I bet my coach won't let me go.

- We'll see. All I want is for you to study.

- And all I want is to play in the team. Why can't you understand how important it is to me?

- Football is not a career!

- Yes, it is! Because you don't have a good job and get paid enough, it doesn't mean I will be the same.

- What did you say?

- The truth.

- You are grounded.

- Whatever. I wanted to get out of here.

- No more football.

- You can't tell me what to do.

- I am your mom. You have to listen to me.

- No, you have to do it. Except for my grades, you never paid attention to anything else. I am like a ghost to you. I hate you.

- Avery! - dad said

- The same is for you. - I said and left

Honestly, I never thought I would say this to my mom. Well, she deserves it. I want her to understand that she can't treat me this way. I am not a little kid anymore. I know what is good for me. All I wanted was her support. Now I don't want anything. I don't want to see her or dad. Both of them are dead to me. I don't want them on my game. It's better if they don't come. I will tell Ashley not to talk with them. From now on, I will take care of myself. No one can tell me what to do. It's my life and my decision. I hope that things will go well. I don't want to argue with anyone else, especially if it's Ashley.