The football player and his teacher

Chapter twenty - Dream team

Avery's POV:

I wonder what the point of being with someone is when all you two do is argue. That is what I ask myself whenever I go to see Ashley. She is not a bad girl. For some reason, we can't understand each other. Maybe the problem is in me. I am a bit hard to understand. I never planned to make her feel bad or guilty. The thing is that I don't like her being with my friends. Of course, I talked with Jason. Let's say that I told him some things. Mostly I wanted to know what he wanted from her. I tried to ask Ashley, but she didn't tell me. She said it would be better if I had talked with my best friend. That's what I did. I don't know why he thought I liked her. I mean, we spend a lot of time together. That doesn't mean I like her. I only need her. Well, I don't need her anymore. The tests have passed, and she can be free. I won't lie that I miss part of this. Well, mostly when we were on good terms. It was a short period, but we had it. I wish that I could say the same now. I don't know why I keep getting mad at her. She is not doing anything wrong, but sometimes her actions annoy me. I need to be more patient with her. The problem is that patience and I don't belong in one sentence. Luckily, soon we'll graduate, and I don't have to see her again. No offense to her, but sometimes she plays on my nerves. Some rest from her won't be that bad. After all, I don't want to be all the time with her. Ashley and I will be in the same town, but it's better if our paths don't cross. Otherwise, I don't want to know what will happen. It will be better if we keep our distance. I hope that things will go in the right direction for me. I want to make my dream come true.

Another day of my vacation. I don't have plans. That's why I will call the boys. Let's hope they are not busy. I would love it if we could train together. I feel like they won't do it. Sadly, I am the only one who takes football seriously. It's not bad, but one person doesn't make a whole team. I need more players. I wonder what my friends will study at university. We have never talked about this. Whatever it is, I will be happy for them. I won't lie. I would love it if we could be together again. One day, it might happen.

Currently, I am in my bed. I woke up an hour ago but didn't want to get up. I texted in the group chat, but no one answered me. It looks like the boys are busy, or no one wants us to go out. I won't call Ashley for sure. We spend too much time together. Also, I don't want to argue with her. I'm not in the mood for that. Finally, I got up and made my bed. Later, I went for food. In that moment, there was a knock on the door. I opened it and saw Jason.

- Hey, what are you doing here?

- Good morning to you too.

- I'm sorry. Now answer me.

- I came to see you. I read your message in the group chat. Also, I brought some friends. Can they come inside?

- Who is with you? - I asked, and Jason walked in

- Hey, man. - Adam said

- Hello. - Rayan said

- Good morning. - Ben said

Like that, the whole team walked into my house. I don't understand. None of them answered in the group chat, but they were here. I won't lie. I am happy about it. I will miss these boys when I leave. I guess some friendships don't last long. Everyone walked into the kitchen and looked at me. I didn't do anything. Well, this time.

- What?

- Spill the tea. - Jason said

- I don't understand.

- The whole time, he was talking about you and Ashley. - Ben said

- What about us?

- That's what I want to know. What happened between you two? You got mad at her. Again.

- So? It's not my fault she is annoying.

- Ok, no joke here. Why can't you two understand each other? Of all the people with who you have talked, Ashley is the only one with who you argue all the time. - Jason said

- I don't know. Ashley always messes up.

- As if you don't. Don't forget that you wouldn't be on the team if this girl hadn't helped you.

- Thanks for being on her side. You are a great friend.

- All I say is the truth. Find a way to understand each other. After all, both of you will be in the same place.

- What!?

- Won't both of you go to New York?

- Don't give me a heart attack.

- Jason is right. Ashley might not be perfect, but she can't be that bad. - Adam said

- Why is everyone on her side?

- Man, no one is taking a side. It's better if we change the topic. - Ben said

- What will we do today? I don't want to stay the whole day inside. - Rayan said

- We can play some games. I know this will make Avery feel better. - Peter said

- For the first time, you said something right. - I said, chuckling

- Where will we play? His backyard is not big enough.

- We can go to school. During the vacation, it's still open. - Evan said

- I never thought you two would be bad boys. - Jason said, laughing

- We aren't. - Peter said

All of us walked to school. Luckily, the coach was there. Otherwise, I don't think someone would have let us in. It's not like we'll do something that bad. The coach even offered to train us. I won't lie that I will miss this. Our practices are where I have fun. Also, when the coach is yelling at us. That was in the beginning. We didn't get trained that well. With time, we got better.

- Ok, boys. It's game time!

- Yes, sir.

All of us played for two hours. Later, we had a small break. I thought the boys might want to leave, but no. They were here with me. I appreciate it. I wish this would never end. I don't know about the others, but this team means something. That is where I started growing up. Let's hope that my new team will be like this one. I want to be part of them, not only as a player. Having teammates who are your friends is the best thing ever.

- Hey, are you ok? - Adam asked

- Yes, I'm fine.

- You look upset. Don't you want to play?

- The only time I will say no is when I turn 70. Even then, I might say yes. - I said, chuckling

- If I live so much, I will be happy.

- No one knows what will happen.

- Are you sure you are ok?

- I will come back. - I said and left

- Where are you going?

I walked inside and sat on one of the benches in the hall. I started counting the days backward. Not many days have left until the team falls apart. As much as I don't want it to happen, I have no choice. I can't force anyone to come with me. Also, I don't think any of the boys want the same as me. Soon, someone sat next to me. I looked up to see the coach.

- Boy, are you ok?

- No, sir.

- You can tell me if there is a problem.

- I don't want to talk about this.

- Then I can't help you.

- I wish this could last forever.

- Last what?

- Everything. The games, the meetings. Even practices were fun.

- I understand. Breaking up the team doesn't mean losing your friends.

- After some time, this will happen as well.

- I won't be so sure. Of all the teams I trained since I started working here, you were the only one having perfect relations. On the other teams, there were always some personal problems that affected the games. You never had these problems. All the boys understand each other perfectly. That is all I have ever wanted. To have a good team that could beat the other schools. Thanks to you and your friends, this came true. I know the changes aren't easy for some people, but we must accept them. Also, if you want to be a professional player, you will change many teams. After you graduate from university, you won't play in the same team. All I am trying to say is when you get successful many teams will want you. It will be your choice where you will play. With that comes the money and deals. The life of a football player is not easy, but under the spotlight, you find who your real friends are. If you play your cards well, you can keep your current friends.

- It's not easy.

- True, but it's not impossible either.

- It won't be the same.

- Life is what you make it and the way you live it.

- I know.

- Let's play some games. Do you want?

- Yes.

The boys and I played for another two hours. I know the coach is not wrong, but it's hard for me to accept all this. Things are changing too quickly. I don't know if I will be able to adjust. Maybe it won't be that bad. All of us have dreams, and we have to chase them. As my coach said, life is what you make it. I will make sure that my life is good. I want to be successful. That's why I will do everything possible to achieve it.

- Ok, boys. I think that is enough. If you want to play again, the doors are always open. All you have to do is call me.

- I still have energy. - Ben said

- You might have, but I passed the 40s two years ago.

- Well, that was fun. I will miss it when I move out of here. - Adam said

- Boys, I want to tell you something. I came to this school when I was only 26. I love watching football and have memorized many strategies. Then, I had an idea. To teach boys these strategies. That's why I became a coach. All these strategies I have taught you are from professional teams. The problem is of all the teams I have trained, that team was the only one that successfully played every strategy. Also, you were the only team that made the school proud and didn't have problems. You were the best team I have ever trained. Thank you for all the games. We win, and we lose together. Don't forget that. Everyone will go to a different place, but I hope your paths will cross again. Your friendship is something many people want but can't have, so don't lose it. Do you promise?

- Yes, sir. - all of us said

- Let's be honest. We won thanks to our star. - Ben said, chuckling

- That is where you are wrong, Ben. I won't lie that Avery is a great player, but one person doesn't do a team. One person is just one person. The games we won were thanks to all of you. There is something called a teammate. That is a person who you can rely on, a person who thinks about the game and the team. Good teammates are key. No matter the sport. If I have to say it shortly, all of this is thanks to you as a team, not only one person. Understood?

- Yes, and I'm sorry.

- It's ok. Now, go home. If you want, you can come tomorrow. I have to go out for dinner with my wife.

- Ohh, where are you taking her? - Jason asked

- Home, where else?

- Seriously? Take her out. The woman is not a prisoner.

- We always have dinner at home.

- So? Every woman loves to get attention from her man. Leave the kids to the neighbors and go out.

- Can I know why you are still single?

- I don't know. - Jason said, and both with the coach laughed

- I want to go for drinks. Who will come with me? - Rayan asked

- Well, I will come for sure. - I said

- Good. Whoever wants to come, follow me.

- Since when are you the captain?

- Since I became thirsty. - Rayan said, laughing

- Remind me, why is he on our team? - Ben asked

- The i***t can play, that's why. - Jason said

- Ok, no more arguments. I want a peaceful walk. - Peter said

- He rarely talks, so we better listen to him. - I said

- True. Most of the time, I have nothing to say.

- Hey, um. Thanks for hanging out with me. I needed that. - I said

- No worries, man. Whenever you call us, we'll come. - Jason said

- That's why we are friends. - Ben added

- Thank you. I appreciate it.

The whole day I was with the boys. Probably that was one of the best days I have ever had. We didn't do many things, but they were enough to make me feel better. No matter where I go, I will never be able to find friends like them. I haven't always been nice, but I was honest. We had ups and downs, but it was for the best. Also, we had the best coach. He was also our friend. If one of us had a problem, he always talked with us. Like he did with me today. Things won't be the same, but let's hope they won't get even worse. I don't want attention, but drama is not an option. Who knows? Maybe my next team won't be that bad. I hope I don't have to fight with someone for my position. That is the last thing I want to do.