The football player and his teacher

Chapter twenty-two - Back to school

Avery's POV:

My spring vacation almost ended. I should be mad about what Jason did, but I'm not. I know he didn't have bad intentions. The thing is that his plan failed. I don't know what he expected to happen. Most of the time, Ashley and I spent in silence. It was visible that she was annoyed. The girl came to talk with him, not to be locked by him. I'll agree with her that she is not a prisoner. I am used to my friend's crazy ideas, but she isn't. At least it's over. Let's hope he won't do it again. Right now, I don't have much time to waste. After around one month, we'll have school tests again. They will be the last ones for the year. I want to do as well as on my previous ones. This time, I have to do it alone. Ashley won't be with me. Well, I can still call her if there is a problem or if I don't understand something. I'll try to do everything on my own. At least I don't have to worry about my university. The coach of their team sent me an email. A week after I finish school, I have to go there. It's too early, but I have no choice. After all, I wanted to be a professional player. That is my price. Honestly, it's not that bad. I wish I could go a bit later. That way, I can be with my friends for a while. The good thing is that I can call them wherever I want. I mean during the summer vacation. When the university starts, everyone will have a different schedule. I want to keep our friendship, but more and more, it looks impossible. I need to look at it from the bright side. Well, if there is one. All I want is for my new team to accept me. I'm not the best player, but I don't play terribly. I hope that I don't have to fight with anyone on this team. That is the last thing I want to do.

Sadly, my spring vacation ended. Well, everything good has a start and an end. It's good to go back to school. Who knows what has happened? Of course, there will be gossiping again. Some people try to change their appearance and get ready for summer. Luckily, I don't have this problem. The way I look has nothing to do with my skills. We have two more games until the end of the year. I want to win them and show which school is the best. That won't happen without practice. Maybe I have to focus on football again. Lately, I haven't trained much.

I woke up and went to get ready for school. I wish that I didn't have to wake up so early. That is the life of a high school student. I should've gotten used to this. When I was ready, I went for breakfast. Only dad was at the table. Maybe mom is getting ready. I took some food and sat next to him. I don't think he noticed me. The man is busy with other things. My parents work too much. I took his phone, and he looked at me.

- Can you give it back?

- Umm, no.

- Why?

- Because you work too much. Where is mom?

- She is getting ready. Now, will you give me my phone?

- When I finish my breakfast, I will give it to you.

- I have work to do.

- No, you have life to live.

- Since when did you become like that?

- Like what?

- Taking care. I have never seen you do it.

- Some people change.

- Good morning. I see that Avery is already eating. - mom said

- Well, I won't wait for you. By the way, why are you dressed like that?

- What is wrong with my clothes?

- Nothing, but usually, you dress comfier.

- I have lunch with my boss today. If it goes well, I might have a higher salary.

- You won't seduce him, will you?

- What!? Of course not. Why are you talking like that?

- Because I don't think he should give you a higher salary based on your look.

- Ok, I will change.

- No, don't do it. You look beautiful. I want to say that he should be focused on your work, not on your clothes.

- Since when do you care about this?

- Once, I am trying to be good, and both of you will jump on me. Fine. I will be myself.

- No, no. I like this version of you. - mom said, smiling

- If you say so.

After breakfast, I gave dad his phone. I don't need it. All I wanted was for him to stop working for a while. When I arrived at school, there weren't many people in the hall. Where is everyone? At least Jason was here. I walked to my locker and saw him on his phone. Why am I not surprised? I took what I needed and looked at him.

- Hey, man.

- Oh, hey.

- Where is everyone?

- The prom date came out. There is a poster in every classroom. People went there to see it.

- But there is more than a month.

- I know.

- Why does this thing exist?

- Don't you like it?

- Before, I was more excited. Now I don't care.

- Won't you go? You can take Ashley as your date. - he said, chuckling

- Don't play with fire, or you will get burned.

- I already understood that.

- What do you mean?

- After my idea with the closet, Ashley doesn't want to talk with me.

- Can I know how did you think of this?

- Well, I wanted to help you to resolve your problems.

- And you thought that locking us was a good idea.

- In my head, yes. Did you two at least talk?

- No. Most of the time, there was silence. Ashley didn't want to talk with me.

- That girl is stubborn.

- I didn't want to talk with her either.

- Why?

- I don't have anything to tell her.

- At least you will study together.

- No, we won't. The tests passed, and I don't need her.

- Sometimes, bad things happen.

- Let's go to class now.

On the lunch break, I went to the field. To my surprise, Ashley was there, reading a book. Well, she can't be more boring. I took a ball and started playing by myself. It's not the same as playing with the boys, but they eat. I threw the ball and accidentally hit Ashley. Remind me next time to be careful. She looked at me, devastated. I think that I woke up the devil.

- I'm sorry. Can you give me the ball?

- Come and take it by yourself. If you hit me one more time, I will pop it. Understood?

- Yes, and thank you.

- For what?

- For not being mad at me.

- Oh, I am mad. I don't want to waste my time with you. By the way, there is a whole field. You can play on the other end.

- I have always played on this half. If it bothers you, move.

- No chance. I was here first.

- I am the star of the team.

- A team that will split.

- What did you say?

- Nothing. I'm sorry.

- You better be.

Then people ask why we are not friends. I think it's obvious. We can't stand each other. None of us moved to the other part of the field. I tried to be more careful and not hit her again. Otherwise, she will get furious. As I see it, Ashley is not in a good mood. Well, that wasn't my problem. I haven't talked with her since the closet story. It's better if we keep a distance.

After my last class, I walked to my locker. I waited for the boys. We don't have practice today, but I won't deny playing a game with them. They will probably say no. Soon, someone appeared in front of me. It was a girl.

- What?

- I'm sorry about the lunch break. I was in a bad mood.

- Ok, you can go now.

- I wanted you to know that it wasn't on purpose.

- I don't care. Go.

- Don't worry. I won't bother you anymore.

The boys came, but none of them wanted to play. It means I am solo again. I walked home to leave my backpack. Later, I took some money and walked out. Since no one wants to be with me, I can go for a drink. I walked into a coffee shop and ordered a milkshake. When I was looking for a table, I saw her. I feel like she is chasing me. As usual, the nerd was reading. Honestly, I feel bad for treating her like that. It's not intentional, but I can't stop myself. I sat next to her, and she looked at me. I didn't say anything and pulled out my phone.

- Excuse me. Can you move?

- What?

- I asked if you could move. There is not enough space for both of us. It's tight.

- You can move if you want to.

- I can't. You are squeezing me.

- Sorry then.

Ashley didn't say anything and continued reading. What is so interesting in this book? I was about to ask her but didn't do it. I don't want her to think that I am interested. She spent a whole hour reading without looking at me. I think she is doing it on purpose. I will gladly take her book, but I don't want another argument.

- Can you move?

- Why? It's not that tight.

- I have to use the bathroom.

- The problem is not mine.

- Move!

- No!

- Why?

- Because you hate me.

- What? That doesn't make sense. Please, let me go. After a couple of minutes, it might be too late.

- I don't care. Find a way to get out. I won't move.

What Ashley did was unexpected. She grabbed her things and went under the table. How did this girl fit there? Well, she is skinny enough. While she was gone, I went to pay for our drinks. I probably shouldn't do it, but I wanted to be good. It's not like she will appreciate it. This girl is stubborn. Soon she came out of the bathroom. Ashley went to pay for her drink. Let's hope she won't get mad at me.

- Can I pay?

- What was your order?

- I had a vanilla milkshake.

- Oh, this is paid.

- What? I haven't paid anything. Are you sure?

- Yes, it says the order got paid.

- The boy over there paid it. - a younger boy said

- He did what?

- He paid for your drink.

- Thank you.

Ashley gave me the same look as during the lunch break. That won't end well for me. She didn't say anything, left five dollars on my table, and left. If she thinks I will take her money, she is wrong. I ran after her, but she was far away. I made a mistake training her. Somehow, I managed to catch her. I grabbed her hand and made her look at me.

- Let me go.

- I don't want your money.

- And I don't want someone to pay for me. I am good.

- I only tried to be nice to you.

- Thanks, but no need to do it. Now let me go.

- Why are you mad at me? We haven't talked since the closet accident.

- I'm not mad at you.

- Your actions say the opposite.

- I have a bad day, ok? Now leave me alone. I want to go home.

- What did I do wrong?

- Nothing.

- That's a lie. I did something since you hate me so much.

- I don't hate you.

- Yes, you do. Am I that bad?

- No comment.

- You are impossible.

- No one told you to stay with me. Go away.

- No!

- Ok, then. I will go home.

- Not so fast.

- What do you want from me? I want to have a good afternoon. Please, let me go. I don't want to stay with you.

- What if I do?

- The problem is not mine. Find another girl to occupy you. I helped you, so now you don't need me.

- I need your help.

- I won't study with you.

- Why do you think I want to study?

- Whatever you want, I won't do it.

- I want to stop arguing. Don't you get tired of it?

- You started it. You could've minded your business without bothering me.

- I apologize for that!

- So what? It doesn't change anything.

- Why are you so stubborn?

- Because otherwise, you will get bored.

- What?

- Can I go home?

- Only if I come.

- That won't happen. You, sir, won't go to my house anymore. Everything was business. I am not your friend, and I don't plan to be. Please leave me alone.

- I can do that, but I don't want to.

- Why do you have to be like that?

- Look at me.

- No.

- Do it.

- Why?

- If you look me in the eyes and say that you hate me, I won't bother you anymore.

- I don't trust you.

- You have my word.

- No, you are lying.

- So you like me?

- Ew, no.

- Then say it.

- Ok, I'll do it. I hate you! - Ashley said, looking straight into my eyes

- I never thought you would do it.

- Will you let me go?

- Yes, sure. You can go.

- Thanks.

- No problem.

- Are you ok?

- Yes, I'm fine.

- Ok, then. Bye. - Ashley said and left

I can't believe that she said it. I told her to do it as a joke. It looks like Ashley hates me. Well, I deserve it. I treated her horribly. I won't lie that it hurt me. I don't like her, but I don't hate her either. Let's say that we have some problems. None of us knows what they are. Honestly, I never thought our relations could get worse. I was wrong. What she said was like a bomb. I don't know why I care so much about it, but I do. No one has ever told me this. I am not everyone's favorite, but no one has said they hate me. At least the boys are on my side. It's not like this helps. I hope that at university, I won't have the same problem. It's too much for me.