The football player and his teacher

Chapter twenty- seven - Going early

Ashley's POV:

My summer vacation started. I don't have any plans for it, so I will do whatever I want. Most of the time, I probably will be inside. Usually, summer is hot. That is why I prefer to stay at home. I have no idea what I will do at home for so long, but I will figure it out. Also, I am waiting for an email from my university. I received one three days ago, and after my response, I will receive another one. Let's hope I can go. I mean, I want to be in their university. The only thing I will miss in this town is my parents. That's why I haven't made good friendships, so I don't have the same problem as Avery. I feel bad for him. The boys mean a lot to him, but he has to leave them to chase his dream. Maybe one day, they can be together again. I wonder who has told the coach about my idea. It wasn't me, for sure. The boys have been talking about it, and he might have heard it from them. I don't see another explanation. Honestly, I will be happy if the boys form a team. That way, Avery won't complain about missing the boys. I'm sure that at least once we'll meet in New York. I don't want to listen to his drama. After all, I have other things in my head. The worst thing possible will be if we end up at the same university. Let's hope that this won't happen. It was enough that I had to see him every day in school. I would want rest from him. Avery is not that annoying. The thing is that if we are together, we'll start arguing again. Lately, he has been with his friends. That's why we haven't been arguing when we see each other. Honestly, I like it when we talk calmly. I'm sure we can make a normal conversation, but most of the time, it wasn't working for us. Maybe that way is better. I hope when I move to New York, things will be different.

Another day of my summer vacation is passing by. I have no plans for it. The thing is that I don't know what I want to do. I can learn something new or try to find a hobby. Well, the internet has an answer for everything. Maybe I can help my parents with something. That will be during the weekend. I can't help them with their work. I rarely cook. That's why I can make my parents a nice dinner. If I don't burn the house, everything will be ok. I have to think about this.

I woke up and checked my phone. I had an email from the university. They have sent me a link for a meeting. It is after thirty minutes. I have to get ready. Like that, I quickly jumped off my bed and walked into the bathroom. When I was ready, I made my bed and took my laptop. I will do the meeting at the kitchen table. I won't lie that I am nervous. The email had no information about the meeting. Maybe the people want to get to know me. I have no idea. Waiting makes me even more nervous. I waited ten minutes and clicked on the link. Soon, one woman appeared. She looked the age as my mom.

- Hello. I read your email, and I'm happy that I can talk with you.

- Hello. I'm glad that I can talk with you. Before we start, I want to tell you that this is not an official interview. We would like to have a conversation with you in person next week.

- We?

- I will be there with one of our teachers. Tell me what career you choose.

- Well, I am debating between two careers.

- Ok, what are they?

- One of them is literature and creative writing. The other one is psychology.

- Both of them are good and interesting. I will offer you something. I can check which of our teachers are free. When you come for the interview, I will ask one teacher from each career to talk with you. That way you can decide what you want to study. Is this good for you?

- It's perfect. Thank you.

- Ok, now tell me something about yourself.

- What do you want to know?

- For example, like hobbies and what you do in your free time.

- Ok, then. I like reading books. It's not technically a hobby, but this is what I do. I don't have a hobby. This year I had to help one student with his studies.

- That is great. The student probably had good grades.

- Yes, I managed to help him. It was hard in the beginning, but later, everything was ok.

- Good. Ok, I will stop you here because I don't have much time. This meeting was so I could tell you about the interview and to see you. We'll talk more when you come.

- Sure, no problem. I have a quick question.

- Yes, you can ask anything.

- When will the interview be?

- How about next Friday? This week we are busy, and we won't have much time for you.

- It's ok. I understand.

- Can you bring your diploma? I hope that you have received it.

- Yes, I did. I will take it, no problem.

- Ok, good. I have to go now. If you have more questions, write an email. You will find the address of the university on our web page. Goodbye for now, and have a nice day.

- Thanks, you too. Bye. - I said, and the woman ended the meeting

I can't believe that I will go to New York. I wanted this for so long. Mom and dad will be happy. I wonder if I can take them with me. It would be great if they could come. The woman said she wanted to talk with me. Maybe they won't let my parents at the meeting. Then there won't be a point if they come here.

Today I will eat lunch at home. Sometimes I go out. I don't feel like spending money today. I made myself a salad and went to watch something on the TV. It's not like I found a good show or a movie. Avery told me that he and the boys train every day. Maybe I can get them a little visitation. I have nothing to do, and I can waste some time. When I finished with my food, I went to get ready.

Before I walked out, I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. It's too hot outside. After long forty minutes of slow walking, I arrived at school. It's too hot, and I can't walk faster. I saw the coach in the hall.

- Moore? What are you doing here?

- One bird told me that you are training a whole team. Can I watch their games? I will be quiet.

- If the boys don't mind, yes, you can stay.

- Thank you. It's too hot today.

- At least you have short pants. What do I have to say?

- We better ask the boys in their sports uniforms.

- Let's go now. They are waiting for me.

Both with the coach walked to the field. No one noticed me. Maybe that is better. I don't want to disturb their training. Also, I'm not sure if Avery wants me to be here. As I was watching the boys, I started thinking. Nothing of this will be the same. The boys will go their ways and maybe will never think of football. All of them have talent. The thing is that they might be passionate about other things. Let's hope their friendship won't end. The boys don't deserve it.

After two hours of playing, the coach gave the boys a break. I think he is tired more than them. I don't know what is going on. These boys have a lot of energy. There is no wonder why they want to play.

- Ashley? What are you doing here?

- Hey, Jason. I came to watch it. I hope it's not a problem.

- Not at all. I'm surprised to see you here.

- If she had been active in all my classes, that would've been great. - the coach said

- I was active.

- Yes, at the end.

- Very funny.

- Hey, why are you here? - Avery asked

- Is there a problem?

- No, not at all.

- Good.

- Do you have any news from the university?

- Yes, I do. Today I talked with one woman. She wants to interview me, but it has to be in person.

- What does this mean?

- It means that next Friday I have to be in New York.

- That's amazing.

- Yeah, you can meet Avery. - Jason said

- Um, no, she won't. Don't you dare!

- Don't worry. I probably won't have time for you.

- What will the interview be?

- I don't know. The woman said that she would call a teacher about my career choices. That way, I can choose what to study.

- What are your options?

- The first one is literature and creative writing. My other one is psychology.

- It's a good choice.

- I don't know what else to choose.

- Choose whatever you like.

- That's what I am planning to do.

I talked with the boys for a while. Later, they went to play again. Something in them makes me calm. Maybe it's the way they play. I haven't been on many of their games. I probably should've gone to more. I stayed on the field until their practice finished. The thing is that I don't have anything to do at home.

- That was good practice, boys. You are free to go home. The school will close soon. Also, I promised my wife that I would cook dinner.

- Sir, can you cook? - Ben asked

- No, but I will try my best.

- That is a man who loves his wife. - I said

- It's true. I love my wife. Now go. I bet you are hungry.

- Yes, I am. - Avery said

- We'll see you tomorrow, sir. - Ben said

- Ok, bye, boys.

- Bye. - all of them said

I walked out and started going home. That was until someone grabbed my hand. I looked up to see Jason. I wonder what he wants from me. If he wants to talk about Avery, I am not in the mood for that.

- Can I help you?

- Avery and I are going for dinner. Do you want to come with us?

- Thanks, but I prefer to go home.

- Come on. You can always be with your parents. When was the last time you went out with a boy?

- A couple of days ago, I was with Avery.

- But not with me.

- You won't leave me in peace, will you?

- Nope, so it's better if you come.

- Ok, fine.

The three of us went to a small restaurant. Honestly, I'm not that hungry, but I will eat something. I ordered French fries with cheese and a bottle of water. The boys got a lot of food. Well, they need more energy than me. Also, they trained a lot today. I started thinking about my university. I want to go there, but I have no idea what I want to study. It took me a whole week to choose something. The good thing is that you can see what subjects you will have in every career. The choice was hard. I'm still not sure if this is what I want. Of course, if I don't like it, I can transfer to another career. Soon, someone touched me, and I snapped out.

- What?

- I was calling you. - Avery said

- I'm sorry. I was thinking about something. Where is Jason?

- In the bathroom. Are you ok?

- Yes, I'm fine.

- You can tell me if there is a problem. I won't tell anyone.

- How did you choose your career? You made it look so easy.

- Well, you know I want to focus on football. That's why I chose something that is not that hard. What I mean is that I can graduate with good grades and still have a lot of time for football.

- I understand.

- Do you have a problem with your choice?

- No, I chose two things, but I don't know if they are the right choice. I don't know what I want to do with my life.

- I can suggest you try different things, but you don't have much time. Well, since the interview is next week.

- It looks so easy. At the same time, it's so hard. What if I made the wrong choice?

- There is no such thing as a wrong choice. Everything it's based on likes and interests. If you don't like something, don't do it.

- That is easy for you to say. You know what you want to do.

- The best job is when your hobby is your job.

- I don't have a hobby. Reading books won't help me.

- I don't think the same. That helped you to be the best student in our school.

- Really?

- Yes. There is a reason why the principal chose you to be my teacher.

- W-what?

- You think that I didn't know. There is no way you could spend time with me. Then I thought someone must have told you something. My parents have talked with the principal. All I had to do was connect the dots. I have to say that the "I am terrible at PE" excuse was good.

- It wasn't an excuse. I was terrible. I thought if you helped me, we could be equal.

- Let's say that I believe you.

- Hey, it's the truth.

- Yeah, whatever. I hope you won't need me anymore.

- Don't worry. I won't deal with PE.

- It's good to know.

The rest of the day, I was with Avery and Jason. I have to say they are a good company. I wish I had friends like them. They are funny and understanding. Both of them told me not to worry about anything. I want to believe them, but I know myself. I always worry about something. Let's hope that I will have some friends at university. It's a bit boring to be always alone. I could've asked Avery, but we probably will be at different places. Also, our relations are not the best. Luckily, for the past week, we managed to understand each other. I hope that I don't have to argue with him anymore. That is tiring me.