The football player and his teacher

Chapter thirty-two - We need to talk

Avery's POV:

For the past month, Ashley and I were almost every day outside. She keeps me company all the time. Otherwise, I will think about how to deal with my new team. Let's be honest. The only person with who I have problems is the captain. The other boys are nice to me. I mean, they accepted me from the beginning. The star is worried I will take his spot under the spotlight. Honestly, that is the last thing in my head. I came here to become a better player. Well, not everyone thinks like that. I can prove myself to people, but I don't want to do it. If it gets necessary, I will do it. I won't let anyone make fun of my skills or me. I know my worth and will make everyone understand it. The truth is that I don't want to argue with anyone. It's not worth it, and it's a waste of time. I think we have to leave our problems out of the field. Someone needs to explain this to the captain. I don't think he understands what the word teammate is. The game is not about who scored the most points. We play to win. At least Ashley is on my side. It's not like this will help. She can't do anything to help me. Honestly, it's better if she doesn't mess with this. I don't want Blake to tell her some things. After all, even if she won't admit it, I know she is a sensitive girl. I am here with her, but I don't think she will share with me her problems. Up to now, we haven't argued much. Maybe we work out the friendship thing. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I would never make her my friend. Now, I don't mind it at all. Ashley is a great girl. I don't know why she is with me. I mean, she can have better friends. As long as we are on good terms, I am ok. I hope that we won't argue anymore. None of us likes it.

Only two weeks have left from the summer vacation. I don't know if I want to start university. At least Blake is not in my classes. Otherwise, I will freak out. The problem is that the games will begin soon. I don't want our differences to affect them. Sadly, I think it will happen. Somehow, Blake and I need to understand each other. Maybe I have to talk with him. I don't know if he will want to listen to me, but it's worth a try. I won't let my problems with someone affect the games.

I woke up and realized it was dark. What time is it? It can't be evening. I remember going to bed after midnight. I checked my phone and saw that it was only 5 am. Why did I wake up so early? I tried to fall asleep again, but I couldn't. Maybe Ashley is awake too. Sadly, it said she was active six hours ago. That means she is still sleeping. I can go out, but I don't know if anything is open that early. I mean, except for a nightclub or a bar.

- Since it's so early, I can walk around. Let's hope that I won't get lost.

I got ready and walked out. I have no idea where I am going, but I don't care. Soon, I received a call from Ashley. I realized I had been walking for three hours. I don't even know where I am. Luckily, I have a map on my phone.

- Hey.

- Good morning. Where are you? I knocked on your dorm, but no one answered me.

- I woke up early and went for a walk.

- Why didn't you call me?

- Ashley, it was 5 am. I don't think you will wake up so early.

- Why did you wake up?

- I don't know. I tried to fall asleep again, but I couldn't.

- Where are you? I want to come.

- Why don't we meet for breakfast?

- Ok, no problem. Where do you want us to meet?

- I will send you the location.

- Thanks.

I found a restaurant that is thirty a minute's walk from here. It's the same distance if you walk from our university. I walked in and waited for Ashley. Meanwhile, I ordered scrambled eggs and a bottle of water. Soon, she came with her mini backpack. Ashley never goes out without it.

- Good morning. Again. - Ashley said, chuckling

- To you too. I see you are in a good mood.

- Yes, I am. What is the plan for today?

- I don't have one. I wanted to talk with Blake.

- For what?

- We need to understand each other. You and I had problems, but they were different. Somehow, we managed to stop arguing. At least not that much.

- True. We haven't argued in a while.

- I am afraid that our problems will affect the games.

- Can I come with you?

- Where?

- When you talk with Blake.

- Thanks, but I have to do this alone.

- I understand.

- Also, I think to talk with him on the field. You can come, but make sure no one will see you.

- Don't worry about me. After all, I am a spy.

- What? That's not true.

- Maybe, but no one knows.

- Ashley, no one will believe you.

- Don't be so sure.

- Ok, we'll see, shall we?

After breakfast, we walked back to our dorms. I have no idea which is Blake's room. Luckily, there is a kind woman who can help me. I don't know how our conversation will end, but I will try. We can't keep arguing. I know what he wants, but I can't give it to him. If I want to win games, I have to score points. Let's hope that his ego won't join the conversation. Otherwise, it'll be pointless.

- Hello, can you tell me where Blake's room is? The captain of the football team.

- It's on the fourth floor, the second room to the elevator.

- Thank you. - I said and left

I found his room quickly. Let's hope he is inside. I knocked on the door, but no one answered. I wanted for about a minute and knocked on the door again. Soon, someone opened the door. It was Olivia. She is the last person I have wanted to see. After all, that is something private. I mean between Blake and me.

- What do you want?

- Is Blake here?

- I don't know. Maybe he is.

- Who is it? - Blake said and came

- Hey.

- How did you find my room?

- I asked.

- Why are you here?

- I want to talk with you. Private.

- For what?

- Our problems. Why don't we go to the field? I want some fresh air.

- Fine. Olivia, wait here. I'll come soon.

- Ok, baby.

Like that, both with Blake went to the field. I'm not sure what I want to tell him, but I want our fight to stop. Soon, the season will start, and I don't have time to deal with him. I want to focus on the team and the games. I sat on one of the benches, and he did the same. It's time to put an end to this.

- What do you want?

- To end this fight. I know why you don't like me, but I can't do anything about it. If you train more, you will be a better player.

- I told you to stay away. Be a good boy, and don't mess with me.

- Why don't you want me to help you? We can win more games if we play together.

- Look, I am the star of this team, and people will recognize me.

- Why are you playing football? I mean, why did you join the team? To practice or to get famous?

- I have skills, so I decided to help.

- Let me tell you something. With or without you, there won't be a difference. If this team doesn't start training and taking this seriously, you can say bye to the wins.

- Be careful what you are saying.

- It's the truth. I don't want to argue with you. Why can't we understand each other?

- Because I don't like you!

- Me either. That doesn't mean we can't find a way to play together. Look, we don't have to be friends.

- If you don't have anything to say, I'll leave.

- So you will give up?

- I didn't say that.

- No one on this team puts effort. I came here to become a better player, but maybe I made a mistake.

- It doesn't matter if we'll win. Nobody will look at you. - Blake said, chuckling

- Unlike you, I don't care about that. I train because I want to get better. I want to be a professional football player. Thanks to that, I will do everything possible to achieve it. I have motivation. I suggest you something. Instead of checking girls and going to parties, think about what you want from life. I have four years until I graduate. You have only one. I don't care if you will listen to me or not. Think about the coach. The man wants a winning team, but none of you is helping him.

- Keep talking like that, and your head will be on the ground with my leg on top.

- I made a mistake coming here.

- Yes, you did. Now I will go. Good talk, loser. - Blake said and left

I stayed on the field for a while. Honestly, I don't know why I thought Blake would talk with me. It was visible that he would never listen to me. At least I tried. It's still something. I only hope that he won't let the arguments affect the games. Otherwise, the coach will be mad. I don't want to go out of the team. I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a hand on mine. It was Ashley.

- I'm sorry. I called you, but you didn't answer.

- I was thinking about something.

- How was the talk with Blake?

- Terrible. I tried to be nice to him, but it didn't work.

- If you want, I can try.

- Thanks, but I want you to stay out of this. Also, this is between us. I have no problem with the other boys.

- Even we didn't argue that much.

- True, but we argued about other things. Not who will get the place under the spotlight.

- Honestly, that is ridiculous.

- I know. What do I have to do about it? He doesn't want to listen to me.

- Why don't you talk with the coach? After all, he knows Blake. Maybe he can give you advice.

- I never thought of that. Maybe I have to do it.

- Ok, enough talking. Let's go.

- Where?

- I will take you for lunch. Later, we'll go to the cinema. I liked one movie. That's why I need company. You can't say no.

- Ok, no problem. Some distractions won't be that bad.

- Good.

Both with Ashley went for food. She found a nice restaurant. I ordered nuggets with French fries. Ashley wanted a pizza. This time, we won't share it. I appreciate her effort and the fact that she wants to help me, but I have to deal with this. I don't want her to get involved in this. It's better if she stays away.

After lunch, we walked to the cinema. Ashley bought everything. The girl didn't let me pay. When I said she was stubborn, I wasn't lying. Let's say that I didn't want to argue with her. The move was two hours. I have to admit that it was interesting. Later, we went for a walk. It feels good to have a peaceful walk.

- Did you like the movie?

- Actually, I did. It was good.

- I'm glad that you liked it.

- What do you want us to do now? As I see, you have planned the whole day.

- No, I didn't. That was the only thing I wanted.

- I heard there are magical fountains.

- Really?

- No. - I said, laughing

- That was mean. If you want to be my friend, never lie to me. Otherwise, you are out.

- Ok, fine. Let's go back. I don't want to stay under the sun.

- No problem.

Ashley and I walked back to the university. This time we were at her dorm. For good or not, we are next to each other. Ashley was talking the whole time. The difference between her and the other girls is that she doesn't talk about fashion or herself. She talks about things that matter.

- To understand that you still don't know what to do.

- Yes. I signed in psychology so I can help people. The thing is that I don't know if I made the right choice.

- That is something only you can tell.

- I know. Thanks for listening to me. I appreciate it.

- Once in a while, everybody needs a good listener.

- Can I ask where was this Avery before?

- Somewhere deep down. You don't need to know.

- Well, I like this version. For the first time, he is nice to me.

- Don't worry. My old self is gone. I have to focus on more important things. Arguments take too much time.

- At least you realized it.

- Yes, I did.

The rest of the day I spent with Ashley. I was complaining about her, but she is not that bad. I think we can understand each other. Well, I wish I could say the same about Blake and me. He doesn't want to listen to me at all. Maybe I have to talk with the coach about him. After all, he knows Blake. Honestly, I don't know how he became the captain. My friends play better than him. I don't want that position because he will make me regret taking it. All I want is to help them win more games. It's not hard, but I don't know if Blake will let me do it. I will look at it from the positive side. Helping them will help me. I will get more experience. I hope that when I graduate, I will be in one of the best teams in the country.