The football player and his teacher

Chapter thirty-one - Getting closer

Ashley's POV:

I don't know what is going on between Avery and Blake. These two seem like they will kill each other. The worst thing is that their problems affect the practices. Their coach noticed it, but it looked like the boys won't do anything about it. I think Avery should let him go. It's not worth it to waste time with this boy. I know who the best of both of them is, but if I defend him, I will get in trouble. Now I realize how perfect his previous team was. The boys never had problems, and they were all the time together. They talk almost every day, but it's not the same. That's why I don't know how to help Avery. We are on good terms, and I don't want to ruin that. It took us a long time to stop arguing. Let's say that both of us are busy with our things. We have been in New York for a month. The thing is that we didn't do anything. I would love to walk around the town and feel like a tourist. I went home last week to take most of my things. My parents wanted to come, but I didn't let them. I will use every chance to go home, even if it's for two days. I love being with mom and dad, no matter that I am a big girl. After all, they will always be my best friends. I feel bad for the kids who can't have that. To have supportive and understanding parents is a pure blessing. I don't want to say it, but I have to. The only person close to me is Avery. Everyone else is miles away from here. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to move here. The thing is that I don't know what to do. Well, I have to deal on my own. I can talk with my parents, but they can't help me. It's not that bad. One day, I had to move out of their house. I hope that when I grow up, I won't have any problems. I want to have a peaceful life.

It's the weekend. Honestly, there is no difference for me. I still have a couple of weeks of my summer vacation. The boys are not training because the coach uses these two days to be with his family. After all, family always comes first. You can find another job, but not another family. I appreciate parents who spend time with their kids. Now I wonder if Avery's parents spent enough time with him when he was a kid. He doesn't talk much about his past. Maybe it's better if I don't ask anything. I don't want him to get mad at me for that. We argued enough.

I woke up and checked my phone. It was only 8:30 am. I don't know why I woke up so early. There were no new messages or missed calls. It's not like someone will miss me. Well, except for my parents. I got up and went to get ready. Also, I sent Avery a message. I want to go for a walk while it's still warm. After around 10 am, it gets hot. There was no answer. I guess he is still sleeping. After my walk, I will go to the coffee shop near the university. Maybe Avery will want to come, so I told him where I would be.

- It's so quiet in the morning. Maybe it's louder when the university gets full of students.

I walked for about an hour. I wanted to walk more, but the thing was that I had already started sweating. That is another hot day in New York. Honestly, I thought that it would be warm or even cold. Later, I walked to the coffee shop. Avery was already there, eating. I ordered my food and sat in front of him.

- Good morning.

- To you too. I read your messages and decided to come here.

- Good. I thought you might want to go for a walk with me.

- It was too early. I will use every chance to sleep late.

- When did you go to bed last night?

- Around 1 am. I was texting the boys.

- It's good to have someone to talk to whenever you want.

- What about your friends?

- I never made permanent ones.

- Why? Not everyone is that bad.

- I know, but I never met anyone I could let get close to me.

- What about me?

- You were only a student. Avery, we were never friends, and you know it.

- Yeah, yeah. I know.

- What are your plans for the day?

- I don't have any. All I want is to rest.

- Oh, ok.

- Why? Do you have something in mind?

- Well, I want to walk around the town. I was here for a month but have never been far away. I have wondered if you want to come with me.

- Where will we go?

- I would like to see the famous Central Park. Maybe the Statue of Liberty as well.

- As long as I am away from the boys, I'll be fine.

- Great. Can we go to the university before that? I want to take some things.

- Sure, no problem.

After our breakfast, we walked back to our dorms. I took my mini backpack and put some things inside. One of them was a bottle of water. It's hot outside, and I will need it. The question is if it will be enough. Well, I have the money to buy more. I waited for Avery, and when he was ready, we walked out. We tried to walk under the trees. Their shadows will keep us from the sun.

Our first stop was Central Park. Of course, I used a map. I had no idea how to get there. It's not like this helped me much. In the end, I asked one man how to get there. I should've done it from the beginning. There was an ice cream shop nearby, and I went to take some. Since I had breakfast an hour ago, I took only one ball of vanilla ice cream.

- Don't you want ice cream?

- Thanks, but I'm good. Can we go somewhere where it's not that sunny?

- Yeah, sure. Let's go.

Both of us sat on a bench. It was under a tree, which was good. I can't stay under the sun for long. Honestly, I don't know if I can walk for so long. The sun is taking all my energy.

- Ashley, are you ok?

- Yes, I'm fine.

- You look a bit pale.

- The sun took all my energy.

- Hey, this walk was your idea. I won't carry you.

- Don't worry. You don't have to do it.

- I hear there are restaurants near the Statue of Liberty. We can have lunch there.

- True, but some of them are expensive. I don't want to spend much money on food.

- We'll check the prices and if we don't like them, we'll leave. Is that ok for you?

- Yes, it's perfect.

- If you are ready, we can go.

- I was born ready. - I said, and Avery laughed

Avery and I walked to the Statue of Liberty. In reality, it looks so big. I have seen it only in pictures and on television. Both of us started climbing the stairs. Finally, we reached the top. The view is so pretty. I took a picture and sent it to my parents. Honestly, I am happy that Avery decided to come with me. Walking alone is not fun. I wish I have been here earlier. I looked at Avery, who was checking everything. After good thirty minutes, we decided to go for lunch. The third restaurant was our lucky one. Let's say that the other two were a bit expensive for us.

- Thanks for going out with me today.

- No problem. I had nothing else to do.

- Maybe, but you could've found something more interesting to do.

- Hey, it's ok. What do you want us to do next?

- I don't know.

- Wasn't Madison Square Garden here?

- Yes, but no one will let you in. Usually, it gets used for concerts and events.

- Fine. Where else can we go?

- We can walk around the town. No direction.

- Ok, why not?

Avery and I ate our lunch peacefully. I think today I have spent the most time with him. We haven't argued at all, which is good. After lunch, we continued walking. I saw a man wearing a shirt that said I love NY. We found a place where people make homemade chocolate. Tell me that this is not the dream of every person. Homemade chocolate always tasted better than the one from the store. Both with Avery bought a bar of chocolate. One man offered us homemade cookies. Like that, we bought a lot of things. Maybe too much. Well, it looks like we won't eat dinner.

- That is a lot of food. - Avery said

- I know. The man was so kind. How could I say no?

- Like that. No!

- It's easy for you. I can't be rude.

- I'm not rude. If I don't want something, I say no. That's it.

- Ok, ok. Let's go now.

- Where?

- I have no idea.

- It's hot outside. We can go back to our dorms and go out later. Maybe after 9 pm. What do you think?

- It sounds like a plan to me.

Avery and I walked back to his dorm. In the next thirty minutes, all the homemade food was gone. I should eat less sugar, but all of this was delicious. Avery said he would go for a shower. I wanted to go, but he told me he would change in the bathroom. That means I can stay here. After twenty minutes, he came out of the shower with wet hair. The problem is not mine, but he might get cold.

- What?

- Won't you dry it? You might get cold.

- Thanks, mom, but I know what I am doing.

- Whatever.

- So?

- What? I know you have something in your mind.

- Usually, yes. Now it's empty.

- Then, take a nap. It might help you to get ideas for your thing.

- Only if you take it with me.

- What!?

- I'm kidding.

- If you want, I can help you train. Do you have a ball?

- Yes, I carry my ball.

- I'm just asking, chill.

- I know where they are, but I don't have the keys.

- Then, I will challenge you.

- What now?

- Both of us will do some exercises. Whoever finishes faster is the winner.

- What will the person win?

- The loser takes the winner for dinner.

- To understand that the loser will pay for it.

- Yes, that's correct.

- I like this. Ok, let's do it.

Avery and I walked to the field. Let's hope the boys from the team are not around. I don't want them to be here. Both with Avery made a small list of exercises. We included ten push-ups, two laps around the field, ten squads, a two-minute plank, and a hundred meters run. I was good, but of course, Avery was faster. Honestly, I made this challenge to make him feel better. I know the captain of the team is irritating him. Sadly, I lost. It wasn't a surprise.

- It looks like you will take me for dinner.

- Yes, I will.

- What time is it?

- Don't tell me you are hungry.

- Tell me.

- It's 6:30 pm.

- I'm going to get ready. See you in an hour. - Avery said and left

You have to be kidding me. I walked back into my room and waited for Avery. Since I have a whole hour, I can take a shower. Later, I dried my hair and changed my clothes. At exactly 7:30 pm, there was a knock on my door.

- Hey.

- Are you ready to pay for my dinner? I hope you have money because I don't.

- Yes, I do. Let's get over it.

- I will choose the restaurant.

- What? I don't have that much money.

- I don't care.

Both of us walked to one restaurant. The food here was cheap. In some restaurants, a salad is fifteen dollars. It's less than five hundred grams. I don't know what I want to eat. After so much food today, I'm not even that hungry. Maybe I can eat French fries. That seems ok. Well, I will add a bottle of water to them.

- What will you eat? You can order anything.

- I know. I want to share a pizza with you.

- Why? I was planning to eat something else.

- Because I won the challenge. You will eat the same as me.

- No, no. The loser gets the winner for dinner. I didn't say that we have to eat the same food.

- True, but I want to share my food with you.

- Fine. What will you eat? I mean, what type of pizza?

- I want this one.

- Ok, no problem.

The pizza was good. Honestly, I'm glad that we are here. It feels good to eat and not argue with someone. We have to do it more often. Well, as long as we can do that. When I finished with my food, I went to the bathroom. Later, I walked to our waiter and told him I wanted to pay for our dinner.

- Can you tell me how much is our dinner?

- Ok, it is zero dollars.

- What? How?

- It's paid.

- By who?

- The boy over there came and paid it. You don't owe anything.

- Ok, thank you.

- No problem.

- Can I know why you paid for the dinner? - I asked, walking back to our table

- I don't know what you mean.

- Yes, you do.

- Look, I might have won, but I will never let a girl pay for me. No matter how much money it costs.

- Then, what was the point of the challenge?

- To have fun with you. Let's go now.

- Where?

- On a walk. I don't want to go inside yet.

- Ok, sure.

Avery and I walked around for a while. I'm glad that the sun went down. Today was a hot day. Maybe I have to go out during the night. The thing is that I don't want to stay inside for a whole day. Around 10 pm, we walked back to our dorms. Is it that bad that I wish this day never ended? I liked that Avery spent some time with me today.

- Hey, um, thank you for hanging out with me today.

- No problem. If you want, we can go out tomorrow.

- We'll see. I will go to sleep now.

- Not only you.

- Good night, and see you tomorrow.

- Yeah, sure. Bye, Ashley.

- Bye.

I walked straight into bed. I found Avery on social media and sent him a good night message. We haven't swapped numbers because we thought, after high school, everything would be over. Soon he answered me with a smiley face. I wonder where this Avery was all the time. Well, I'm glad that he is nice to me. I don't think he has ever done it before. No matter what happens, I will be by his side. After all, he deserves it. I might not understand football, but I will help him to achieve his goals. I hope that he will let me do it. I want his old team to be back. They were the best.