The football player and his teacher

Chapter twenty-six - Summer vacation

Avery's POV:

I officially graduated from high school. The grades on my diploma got higher. All of this is thanks to Ashley. I have said many things to her, but I will always be thankful for her help. She did a lot and took off her time for me. We had many ups and downs, but in the end, everything was good. I don't know her grades, but she probably got her perfect diploma. After all, that was her goal. If she doesn't have all A's, I have no idea who else can have them. Ashley is the cleverest girl in school that I know. I'm surprised at how she managed to deal with me. I played on her nerves a lot. Honestly, she did it too. We'll never be able to understand each other completely, but I don't want to spend my summer vacation arguing with her. That's why I will be in town for only one week. Then I have to go to New York. I wish that I could spend more time with my friends. The bad news is that none of them will be in the same town as me. Maybe that way is better. I have to get used to my new life. On the positive side, Ashley will be there. It's not like I care about her. Even if she wants, she can't help me. The poor girl doesn't understand anything about football. Also, I don't plan to share my problems with her. All I needed was her help. Since I got it, I didn't need her anymore. It's visible we can't be friends. I won't lie that it will be good if we stop arguing forever. At least I can dream about it. Honestly, I don't know why we do it. I won't think about this. I have to think about the new team. The thing is that I have never seen these people. I have no idea if they will like me. I'm sure the coach has shown them videos of me. As long as we are on good terms, I am ok. I hope they will treat me as their teammate, not like a competitor.

Today is my first day of summer vacation. Also, it's the first day of my only week in town. On Sunday, I have to fly to New York. I am excited but, at the same time, sad. I wanted to spend more time with my friends. Who knows when I will be able to see them again? If I can come home during the vacation, I will use it. Honestly, I think I will miss my friends more than my parents. No offense to them, but my friends were always with me. Let's say that I had some differences with mom and dad. Luckily, we sorted things out.

Currently, I am in my room. I am getting ready to have lunch with my friends. They wanted us to hang out before I went out of town. I appreciate that they care about me. I don't know what I was going to do without them. When I was ready, I walked out. The restaurant is thirty minutes walk from here. I walked inside and saw all the boys waiting for me. Let's hope I'm not late. I don't want them to stay on an empty table. I saw there was one place for me between Jason and Ben. Honestly, I will miss all of them. It's not like I will say it. After all, I am a boy.

- Hey, guys.

- Look who decided to come. - Jason said

- Beauty takes time.

- Since when did you become a girl? - Ben asked, chuckling

- Blame Ashley.

- Have you seen her?

- No, but that way is better.

- One day, you two will understand each other. The question is when.

- That is something I can't tell you.

- I think the university will help you. - Adam said

- How will this help him with Ashley? - Rayan asked

- Avery will meet new people there. Maybe they can help him.

- Guys, you know I am here too.

- Sorry, mate. - Adam said

- Can I know what the plan for the day is? I don't want to stay at home. - Peter said

- Since our friend will go to a new team, we better give him good training. - Jason said

- What?

- What you hear, my friend. You will train for the new team, and we'll help you.

- Really? You will do this for me.

- Look, from all of us, you are the only one who takes football seriously. As your friends, we have to help you get better. Also, it will be a good end for this team. - Ben said

- Thank you, guys. I appreciate it.

- Can we eat now? I am hungry. - Evan said

- Yes, sure. - I said

We ordered food, and after half an hour, it came. Everything was so delicious. Later, we walked to school. I assume that the coach knew about this. Good plan, boys. All of us played the whole afternoon. In total, the boys and I played six games. I have to say that of all the teams, the best opponent I had was my team. These boys know how to play and know all the tricks. Let's say that when we play against other teams, we use some tricks which we learned from professional football teams. Thanks to our coach, I don't know what I would've done without him. My new coach seemed fine. I hope that it wasn't something like a mask so he could make a good impression. I want to play with people who want to win, not people who want to get famous.

- Boys, come here. I need to tell you something.

- Is there a problem, sir? - I asked

- Avery, I don't know what your new team will be like, but I can guarantee you that it won't be like this. I heard the rumor about you forming a team. I suggest all of you think about it. Yes, all of you will go to university. You have to do it, but don't throw the football away. I know only one of you takes it seriously, but there is something in all of you called talent. That is the talent to connect with other people and play to win. None of you cares about popularity, and it's one of the most important things in football. Play because you like it, not because someone is making you. All I want to say is that all of you have a future together. You might not be in a team, but your friendship shouldn't change. Not many people can have what you do. Use this to help yourselves. We have talked about this many times, and I have said it many times. You are the best team I have ever trained, and I was proud to be your coach.

-Thank you, sir. - Adam said

- You can stop calling me a sir. I am not your coach anymore.

- Well, when we form a team, we will be happy if you are our coach again.

- Really?

- Yes. I can't guarantee that we'll have success, but we'll give our best.

- Thank you, boys. I will get the place with honor.

- Don't make me cry, please. - Peter said

- I'm sorry, boy. Ok, enough playing for today. You can go home. The school will close soon.

- Thank you for letting us train here. - I said

- No problem. You can come whenever you want during summer vacation.

All of us walked out of school. It was almost dinnertime. I would love to spend more time with the boys, but I don't want to take all of their time. Maybe tomorrow, we can go out again. As I see it, we'll train for the whole week. Maybe without Saturday. The school is closed. I'm glad the boys want to spend some time with me.

- Ok, boys. I have to go home. Today was a good today. You, mister, will continue to train tomorrow, even if it's only with me. - Jason said

- Oh, no. I am coming too. - Ben said

- Me too. - Adam added

- All of us will come. We won't leave you alone, mate. You are stuck with us. - Rayan said, chuckling

- I don't mind it at all. Thank you for the help.

- No problem. We'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Avery. - Jason said

- Bye, boys.

I don't know what I did to deserve friends like them. These are the best boys ever. After half an hour of walking, I went for food. To my surprise, Ashley was there, sitting alone. This time, there was no book. I wonder if she wants company. I ordered my food. When it got ready, I took it and paid. Where should I sit? I will be a good boy and sit next to Ashley. Maybe she doesn't want me with her. If that is the case, I will sit somewhere else.

- Hey, do you mind some company?

- Oh, hi. Um, no. You can sit here.

- Thank you.

- You look tired.

- I trained with boys the whole afternoon.

- What? You convinced them.

- Nope.

- I don't understand.

- It was their idea. The boys even told the coach. We were at school in the afternoon. We finished like an hour ago.

- That is a lot of training.

- It is. I'm happy that they did this for me.

- I can't believe that they agreed to this.

- Jason said they would train me until I had to go.

- That is a whole week.

- Yes, it is.

- You hit the jackpot with friends like them. - Ashley said, chuckling

- I did. Can I know why you are alone here?

- My parents went for dinner. I didn't want to stay at home, so I walked out.

- Good choice.

Ashley and I were eating peacefully. There aren't many things that I have to say. Also, we are not friends or close. I can tell her something, but I don't know what she will think about it. Maybe it's better if I keep it quiet.

- Ok, I'm done. I can't eat anymore.

- Will you mind if I pay for your food?

- Why?

- Because I am in a good mood. You have a unique chance. - I said, and she chuckled

- If you say so. I'll let you do it only this time.

- Thank you, miss.

I went to pay for her food and later went to the bathroom. When I came back, Ashley was gone. Where did she go? The girl was here a minute ago. Soon, she came out of the girl's bathroom.

- I thought you had left.

- Avery, as a girl, I have needs. It's not what you think.

- Is it red?

- No. That passed a week ago.

- I don't want to know.

- Good.

- Do you want us to go for a walk? We can walk around or go to a place. I don't want to go home yet, and I bet your parents are still outside.

- I don't mind walking with you.

- Great. If you are ready, we can go.

- I am.

Both of us walked outside. At least there is some wind. It was hot today, and not only because I was training. We passed by a park, and Ashley went there. I think she forgot I was with her. Well, it's not every day when I am nice to her. I walked after her and saw her under a tree. She was looking at something, but I don't know what. I sat next to her and tapped her shoulder.

- Oh, hey.

- I think you forgot about me.

- I'm sorry. I wanted to see something.

- What is it?

- I saw there was something shiny.

- You have a big imagination.

- Maybe I do. Is there a problem with that?

- Not at all.

- What are your plans for the vacation? You won't train with your new team all day.

- I don't know. I feel like we won't get together.

- You need to be more positive.

- I know. What will you do?

- Well, I had a call from one university. They would love to meet me so I might go early. I don't know when. One woman said someone would send me an email.

- At least you have some good news.

- I do. Honestly, I don't care about the university. All I want is to be in town.

- Why do you want to be there so much?

- Because it's one of the best towns. Also, you have many opportunities for a career. You made a great choice going there.

- We'll see about that. By the way, the coach has heard the rumor about the boys and me forming a team.

- Great. What did your coach say?

- He said we had to think about this. According to him, we have a chance to make a good team.

- I mean, he is not wrong. You and the boys play great together. I know the boys will go to different places, but it doesn't mean you can't think about it.

- We'll see. Things are not that simple.

- True, but it's not impossible.

- Thanks for believing in me.

- No problem. Also, you have something called talent.

- I wish it was true.

- It is. That's why so many people tell you this.

Ashley and I talked for a while. It's nice to be with someone who acts like an adult. We didn't like each other much, but I think we can find a way to communicate. After all, we can't argue forever. It's not healthy. Maybe the boys and I will have success. The thing is that we have other things to do. Forming a team is not an easy job. There is a lot of work you have to do. Also, I don't know if the boys will want the same. I would love to play with them, but maybe they have other plans. I hope that the new town will help me with my decisions. I want to be a professional football player, so I will do everything possible to achieve it. I won't give up.