The football player and his teacher

Chapter nine - Dodgeball

Ashley's POV:

I think I am starting to get better at physical activities. Well, I have to thank Avery for that. He did me good with the bet. I'm glad that there was no kiss. No offense to him, but I don't want to kiss him. We are not even friends. I mean, he can be nice if he wants to. Also, I am wasting enough time with him. I don't want to do it all the time. After all, I have to study. I won't lie that helping Avery is helping me. We study together. Maybe I can take a rest. Sometimes, I need it, but I never have time for it. That's why I always occupy myself. The same is for Avery. I want to be the best. If that is even possible, I would be happy. There are many smart kids. Honestly, I don't even know what I want to do with my life. All I want is to go to New York. If I do it, I don't know what I will do. I don't have any life goals. Maybe to be successful, but everyone wants it. I can ask my student, but he already has a plan. Being a professional football player is a great career. At least he knows what he wants to do. It's kind of sad that his parents don't support him. He puts a lot of effort into his dream. For them, it might be useless, but football players make a lot of money. I'm sure he will be successful. They need to appreciate that he does something. Some teenagers only go to parties. Honestly, I have never seen someone so dedicated to something. It's great to see that Avery takes this seriously. That's why I am not judging him. I know this feeling. To want something so much, so you are ready to do everything possible to have it. I do the same every day. To be passionate is not a bad thing. I know parents can't understand it sometimes, but they have to try. At least mine are on my side. I hope Avery can have his too.

It's Monday, which means that I have to go to school. Sometimes I like it, but not always. It depends on my mood. I have nothing against the school, but sometimes, it's too much. I can't deal with all of this. Soon our tests will start. I would like to see how Avery will do them. I can help him, but we probably won't sit together. I think teachers know that I am helping him. As long as he does them good, I am ok. I want to know that my effort has paid off.

I woke up and went to get ready for school. When I was ready, I walked downstairs for breakfast. There was no one in the kitchen. Usually, I am the last one. I checked my phone and saw that it was only 6:30 am. I didn't realize it was so early. I am already up, so I won't go back to bed. I can make my parents breakfast. I'm sure that they will like it in bed. I made pancakes and toast. I put the food on a tray. Well, I left some for myself. I covered the tray so the food won't get cold. When I finished my breakfast, I walked to my parent's room. I knocked, and they let me in.

- Good morning. Breakfast is ready.

- Hey, honey. What is that? - mom asked

- As I said, breakfast is ready.

- Did you make us breakfast? - dad asked

- Yes, I did. It's not something special, but I hope you like it.

- You could've woken me up. - mom said

- Thanks, but no need to do it. For some reason, I woke up early.

- Will you eat with us?

- I already had my breakfast. That is only for you.

- I appreciate it, but next time, wake me up.

- Fine, I will do it. I will go to school now.

- But it's too early. - dad said

- I know, but I want to walk around.

- Ok, have a nice day.

- Thanks, dad, you too. - I said and left

It's too early for me to go to school. I want to walk around for a while. Maybe I can go to the field. No one will be there so early. All I want is to clear my head. I walked to school and went to the football field. As I was sitting, a ball hit me. You have to be kidding me. I looked up to see Avery. What is he doing here so early? Well, the ball explains it. I'm surprised to see him here. It looks like he didn't see me.

- Are you looking for this?

- Ashley? What are you doing here?

- I thought I would be alone, but no. Your ball hit me.

- I'm sorry for that. My parents annoyed me, and I came to train.

- So you don't have to be angry?

- Something like that.

- You know this is a temporary solution. You can't keep ignoring them.

- I know, but for now, this works for me.

- Avery, you need to talk with them. If you want, I can try.

- Thanks, but this is my problem, not yours.

- Don't you want a happy ending?

- I don't even know what that is.

- Whatever. Forget that I said something.

- I have practice today. Will you stay with me?

- Why?

- We can study here. I'll use the field to train you.

- Oh, god. Can't we go home?

- Nope. You are stuck with me. I can ask the boys for help.

- Why?

- We'll play dodgeball.

- You have to be kidding me. This game is not for me.

- Because you are terrible at it. I want to help you.

- Now, I regret asking for help.

- It's too late, single lady.

- You won't stop, will you?

- I will use every chance to annoy you.

- Can I know why you do it?

- Because it's funny. I like when you are mad.

- Really?

- Yes, I do.

- Let's say that I believe you.

Both of us walked to class. Well, we didn't do it together. People are quick to make conclusions. We might get together now, but we still don't sit together. Avery doesn't pay attention as usual. I want to concentrate. That is why I am always in the front row. There won't be any distractions for me.

On the lunch break, I went for food. Avery was with his friends. Honestly, I don't want them to help me. It's enough that he is making fun of me. I don't need the whole football team to do it. I ate my food peacefully. Honestly, I haven't talked with Nicole for a while. As I have said, we see each other only in school. I don't have closer friends. Until the end of the break, I was reading a book. Later, I walked for the rest of my classes. For good or bad, Avery is in all of them. Now I don't mind it that much. We found a way to understand each other without fighting.

- Let's go. I don't want to be late.

- Avery, I want to go home.

- You will do it later.

- Fine.

Both of us walked to the field. The boys were already there with the coach. I sat on the benches and pulled out my book. Avery came and took it away from me.

- Watch and learn.

- I won't be a football player.

- We train as well.

- Ok, I will watch you.

I said it only so he could go away. The boys started the practice, and I did my homework. Also, that way, I will have more time for him. I mean, I can't do my homework and study with Avery at the same time. I can make him do it, but we are not that far away with all the lessons. As I was writing, a ball hit me. Seriously? He is doing it on purpose.

- It's not funny.

- I'm sorry.

- No, you're not.

- True. Will you give me the ball?

- Come and take it by yourself. I won't move.

- Fine, single lady.

The boys finished their practice after an hour. I hope they will go away. I don't want to do anything in front of them. It's more than enough that Avery is here. I was sitting when he came up to me. He took all my things and put them in the backpack.

- Get up.

- Why?

- Do it. You have to train.

- Only if your friends go away.

- They will stay with me.

- Then I am going home.

- You won't go anywhere, single lady. - he said and grabbed my hand

- Why do you have to be like that?

- Come on. Run five laps.

- What?

- Do it!

- Ok, ok. Don't get mad.

- I will count them. Start!

- I can't believe that she can do that. - Jason said

- She can do way more than that. - Avery said

- Didn't you say she was terrible?

- She is. The fact that she is not giving up is helping her.

- It looks like that.

- I made a bet with her.

- Really?

- If you tell somebody about it, I will t*****e you. - I said

- Keep running!

- What was the bet?

- I put her into my routine.

- Did she survive?

- I had no choice. - I said and stopped running

- Why?

- If I lost, I had to kiss him. I prefer to lick the toilet than kiss you.

- You two have good relations.

- Ok, guys. It's dodgeball time. Be gentle. Otherwise, I'll suffer later. - Avery said, chuckling

- What do I have to do?

- Learn to catch the ball.

- I can do that.

- Not when it's thrown with force. Two teams. Ashley, you are not in mine.

- Please, don't kill me.

- Relax. That is not PE.

We started playing the game. I have to say it's not that bad. The boys are careful. I still feel embarrassed that they are here, but I can't do anything. Honestly, I'm glad that they are here to help me. No one else would've done this for me. We played for an hour. I understood what I had to do. What I mean is how to protect myself. Usually, I am the first one out.

- Ok, thank you, boys. You can go home.

- What about me?

- Five laps and twenty push-ups.

- What? I am not doing that.

- Ashley! - he said and came closer

- Ok, ok. Chill. - I said and started running

- I don't know what you are doing to her, but it's working. - Ben said

- It's called training. - Avery said

- I didn't know she could do push-ups. - Adam said

- Well, I can do many things. - I said

- My friend taught you well.

- He did. Can we go home now? Please. - I said and made puppy eyes

- Yes, we can. I tortured you enough for today.

- Thank you.

Both with Avery went home. Mom was there cooking. I have the feeling we'll have guests. Usually, she never cooks too much. I carefully walked up to her and gave her a back hug.

- Hey, mom.

- Oh, hi. When did you come home?

- It was like five minutes ago. For who are you cooking?

- Us.

- Will we have guests?

- No.

- You never cook so much.

- Well, I thought you could invite your friend for dinner.

- He is not my friend. Why would I do that?

- Because he deserves it. This boy needs someone to listen to him.

- Mom, I won't do anything that he doesn't want.

- I won't deny staying.

I turned around to see Avery. Maybe it won't be that bad. My parents pay attention to everyone. No matter if they are interested in what the person is saying. I'm sure he will feel good at home. I don't want us to go deeper. After we are ready with work, that will be the end.

- Great. Do you have a favorite food? - mom asked

- No, I like everything.

- That's even better. Go and study now. I'll call you when I am ready.

- Ok, mom.

Avery and I walked into the living room. I saw a change in his mood. Something has happened, and I want to know what. On the field, he was in a good mood.

- Avery, are you ok?

- I'm fine.

- Can I know what happened?

- I decided to listen to your advice and talk with my parents.

- How did it go?

- Horrible. My parents said I am wasting my time with this. Football won't pay bills or buy me a house. If I don't focus on studying and make it a priority, my parents will forbid me to play. That means I won't be on the team anymore.

- What? Why would they do that? Avery, the boys need you.

- I can't do anything. I tried to explain to mom and dad, but they wanted to listen. That's why I accepted the dinner. Maybe your parents can tell me what to do. I don't want to study. I want to play. To get better and be in one of the best teams in the country.

- Look, I understand. I think your parents will believe it when they see it. Please don't listen to them and chase your dream. When success comes, they will see how wrong they were.

- I hope you are right.

- I am. You will see.

- Why are you doing it?

- Doing what?

- All of this. I am mean to you, but you are still helping me.

- Because I'm not you. I like helping people.

- You are a good girl.

- That's my job. Let's study now.

Avery and I studied for two hours. Later, we had dinner. My parents told him the same thing as me. Miss and mister Robinson will believe that football is a great career only when they see it. I am sure that Avery can do it. He trains a lot and gives everything possible to be the best. What he has to do is prove it to his parents. Honestly, I never thought that unsupportive parents existed. No matter what I do, my parents are always behind my back. That's why I love them so much. I hope Avery can have the same parents. They need to open their eyes and understand that football is their son's passion, not sitting in a chair the whole day.