The football player and his teacher

Chapter fifteen - The talk

Ashley's POV:

Avery has two A's already. Yesterday he got his second one. I don't know how he did it, but I'm happy. At least I was useful for something. I'm sure he will have good grades on the upcoming tests. What I am worried about is mister Fitz. He doesn't like Avery at all. Let's hope he won't fail him. He studies hard, and it won't be fair if he fails. I'll make sure that this won't happen. This boy will have good grades. Also, I owe it to him. He helped me a lot in PE. Soon the truth will come out. I want to get something different than D. Whatever it is. If you ask my coach, I mean the best player on the team, I will have an A. Probably only in my dreams. I would love it if this happens, but I don't want to have high hopes. I did get better, but far from the goal for such a high grade. At least I can dream about it. That is better than nothing. Apart from the joke, I have to worry about other things. I can't believe that Avery has a chance to go to university. That is incredible. Let's not forget two months ago, Avery didn't want to hear about books. Well, his football skills are brilliant. All I have to do is talk with his parents and convince them to go to the game. That will be hard. It looks like they don't like football. Maybe I can say all the positives of it. Also, he is their only child. If I had been in their place, I would do anything to support him. I don't know why they are so hard on him. I know people who had perfect grades in high school and still got rejected from universities. I will try my best to convince them. This game is Avery's chance for university, and I won't let him down. I hope that the team will win the game. Otherwise, his parents will think they are right.

Currently, I am in one of my classes. For the past two days, Avery has been in a bad mood. He was mad all the time and hadn't talked with anyone. That happened when he got his first A on a test. I don't know what happened. He refused to tell anyone. Honestly, since that day, I haven't seen him. I mean, except for school. I'm afraid that he won't tell me anything. If not to me, he can talk to his friends. I'm sure they will help him. After all, they care about him.

After my class, I walked into the hall. All of my classes are with Avery. The thing is that he always goes out before me. I have no idea where he is. I looked at his locker. There was no one except for his friends. As I see it, he won't show up. It's not a lie that I'm getting worried. Two days ago, he was happy. What happened? I want to know. I walked up to his friends.

- Hey, do you know where Avery is?

- I have no idea. I have been searching for Avery, but he is not showing up. - Jason said

- Did he tell you something? Two days ago, he was fine.

- Nothing. His grades improved, and I thought he would be happy.

- He was.

- I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I don't know anything.

- It's ok. I'll find him. Thank you, Jason.

- No problem, and good luck.

- Thanks. - I said and left

During the lunch break, I went to search for Avery again. I walked to the field, but there was no one. That was until I saw a shadow. He was there but not playing. I carefully walked up to him and sat on the ground. Avery looks mad. Let's hope I am not the reason for that. I don't want us to argue.

- Hey.

No answer. That will be hard. It's visible that something has happened, but I wonder if Avery will tell me. He can't put his mood on people. Things don't work like that.

- Will you tell me what the problem is? I want to help you. Avery, you were happy two days ago. What happened? Also, I will talk with your parents after school.

- Don't do it.

- Why?

- I don't want them to come.

- What? You wanted this.

- Not anymore. I would like it if you stayed away.

- Did they do something? You know you can tell me. Please, talk to me. I want to help you.

- I am grounded and suspended from the team.

- What? How?

- My parents were glad that I had better grades. Mom said that I had to focus on my studies and forget about football until the end of the school year. Then I said that I hated her, and she grounded me.

- They can't forbid you to play. I'm sure the coach won't permit this.

- I hope so. That's why I don't want you to talk with my parents.

- I understand.

Avery and I talked for a while. Later, we walked back inside. His parents were coming out of the principal's office. I think I know why there are here, and it's not good.

- What are you doing here? - Avery asked, looking at his parents

- What you will never do.

- Hey, I heard you wanted to talk with me. - the coach said

- Yes, I want you to suspend my son from the team.

- What? Why would I do that?

- Because he has to focus on his studies.

- Excuse me, miss, but I won't do that. We have a game tonight.

- I don't care. He needs to study, not waste time.

- I'm sorry, but no. I can't do that.

- Do you want to be jobless?

- What?

- You heard me.

Avery's parents kept talking with the coach. I walked to my next class. It's better if I don't listen. Otherwise, I might hear not-so-nice things. I need a talk with miss and mister Robinson. They can't do this to their son.

After my last class, I took my things and walked to Avery's house. He told me a couple of days ago that his parents would work from home today. These two need to listen to me. I might not be their son's friend, but I will defend him. He worked so hard to achieve these grades. Why would they take the only thing he loves? I don't understand. I knocked on the door, and mister Robinson opened it. Let's hope that I don't have to argue with them.

- Hey, Ashley. Can I help you?

- I want to talk with you and miss Robinson.

- Ok, come in. My wife is in the kitchen.

- Thank you. - I said and walked in

- Oh, hi, Ashley. Avery is not at home. I will call him.

- No need to do it. I want to talk with you.

- Oh, ok. Sit down.

- Can we know why you are here? - mister Robinson asked

- What you are doing is wrong. You can suspend your son from the team.

- Please, don't start. I had already taken the decision. - miss Robinson said

- I want you to listen to me. Playing football is Avery's dream. Why don't you want him to chase it? Why are you cutting off his wings? I don't understand.

- Ashley, football is not a career.

- Yes, it is. Avery might get a big chance if he wins the game tonight. More than anything, he wants you to be there for him. Don't you want to be good parents?

- I suggest you be careful what you say. I can always find my son another teacher.

- Do it. That doesn't mean I will stop supporting your son. All he wants is a bit of attention from you. Is it that hard? I'm sorry, but all you care about are his grades. You never paid attention to his interests. I got close to your son only two months ago. For all this time, I understood many things. One of them is that you have hurt him a lot. Avery might not realize it, but he stopped studying, so he could get your attention. It was negative, but what else has left for him to do? You never got interested in any of the things that he did. That's why I want you to come to the game. It's after three hours. My parents are at work and can't go. Please, do it for your son. If you love him even a little bit, you will be there.

- Can I ask you why you care so much?

- Because I know what it feels like to have a dream. That's why I am on Avery's side. I think you should be too. Your son has talent.

- I appreciate what you said, but it means nothing.

- Avery started studying because he wanted to be on the team.

- If you want, you can go to the game. I have more important things to do. - miss Robinson said and left

- It's better if you go home. - mister Robinson said

- You don't love him, do you?

- If you talk about Avery, yes, we do.

- It doesn't look like that. This game is the most important for Avery. Please, go.

- We'll see.

- At least I tried. - I said and left

I can't believe it. How can these two be so cold? I walked home and went to take a shower. Later I took a nap. I woke up one hour before the game. Perfect. I have time to get ready. My parents are still working, so they can't come with me. Well, in that case, I will go alone. When I arrived at the field, it was almost full of people. I saw Avery talking with the boys.

- Hey, you came.

- I told you that I would be here. Are these two men in suits from the university?

- Yes, they are.

- Good luck. Don't forget to win the game.

- I will try my best.

- You won't try. You will do it.

- Ok, boss.

- Very funny.

I sat right behind the men in suits. Let's say that I want to help Avery a bit. I presented myself and told them everything positive about him. After all, Avery needs to look good in their eyes. That was until the game started. I don't know what is going on, but he can't concentrate. If he plays like that, these people won't like him. Soon the break came. I walked up to him.

- What is going on? You have never played so terribly.

- I don't know. It's not my day.

- Man, aren't there your parents? - Jason asked

- Where?

- On the third row. Look.

Jason was right. That was miss and mister Robinson. Maybe the talk helped. Well, Avery doesn't know about it. Otherwise, he will get mad at me.

- Can I know what you did?

- Nothing. - I said, innocently

- Ashley!

- Ok, ok. I walked to your house and talked with them. I'm sorry. I know you will be mad, but I had to do something.

Avery didn't say anything and pulled me for a hug. That is weird, but I like it. It's rare when we get so close. Honestly, I wish he was like that all the time. I prefer the good boy.

- I have to go.

- Don't think about these people. Prove your parents that they were wrong. Last, do it for me, please.

- Ok, I will. Thank you, Ashley.

- You're welcome.

It looks like his parents' appearance helped a bit. Honestly, I have never seen someone playing so well. The other team was leading with ten points before the break. Now we are leading with ten, and only fifteen minutes have passed. I don't understand football, but Avery has talent. I have the feeling that we'll win the game. Well, with a player with him, we have to win. Avery was running like crazy on the field. No matter what I say, it won't be enough to say how good he is. After half an hour, the game finished. We won with a twenty-five points difference. I have to say that was insane. I walked up to Avery.

- What did you do?

- You told me to win the game.

- I did, but that was crazy. I take everything that I have said for you.

- To understand that you liked it.

- I loved it. I knew you were good, but you took this to another level. If these people don't like you, I will tell them one or two things.

- Please, don't do anything.

- I didn't know you could play like that. - miss Robinson said

- You never came to see me.

- Avery Robinson.

- Yes.

- That is for you. We hope to see you soon. - one of the men in suits said

- What is that?

- A letter. Also, the coach of our current team watched you play.

- Really?

- Yes. The coach was impressed by your skills and would like to talk with you.

- That's amazing.

- You will find all the information in the letter.

- Thank you.

- We have to go now. See you soon. - the man said and left with his friend

- Do you think that I did it?

- Open it.

Dear mister Robinson. We were impressed by your skills. The coach of our current team would like to talk with you. He thinks that you have the potential to be part of his team for the next university year. Our coach says that you have talent, and all you need is training. We enjoyed watching your game tonight and hope to see you soon. Here is our phone number if you have any questions. You can find the address of the university on our webpage.

- You are in!

- Not yet.

- What do you mean not yet? Even their coach likes you. Avery, you are going to New York.

- Do you want to study there? - miss Robinson asked

- I do. Well, if you let me.

- I had no idea that you were taking this seriously.

- Honestly, I tried to tell you.

- I'm sorry. All I wanted was for you to have a stable job.

- Mom, football is a career. What you have to do is trust me. I know what I'm doing.

- I see it, and I'm proud of you.

- Really?

- Yes. Also, you have a great teacher.

- I will agree with that.

- Why don't we go home?

- Actually, I wanted to go out with my friends. I hope you don't mind.

- Of course not. You can take Ashley with you.

- Thanks, but I will go home.

- Oh, no. You are coming with me. - Avery said and wrapped his hand around my neck

- Fine.

The rest of the night I spent with the boys. All of them were happy for Avery. Well, he deserves it. The beginning of the game was hard, but he found a way to turn things over. I'm happy that the boys won. I might not be a football fan, but these boys are the best for their age. I enjoyed watching the game. Honestly, Avery surprised me. I never thought he had such skills. He has to go to this university. It's a big chance. Also, it might help him to build a career. At least his parents are on his side. That is all he ever wanted, some support from his parents. I hope that his dream will come true. Avery deserves it.