Bittersweet Affection[COMPLETED]

Sprained ankle

REY

Leaping out of bed at the first sound of the alarm, I shuffled into the bathroom, rinsed my face and brushed my teeth. I rustled through my closet and took out a pair of track pants and a jersey. I inhaled the detergent scented smell on it which was courtesy of my mom doing the laundry often.

Slipping into it I got down to the floor to begin stretching. A routine which I did every day since my feet came in contact with the football. Knowing how important it was to warm up before my daily run, makes it easier. Even as Coach drummed it into our head every day, I wasn't bothered like the rest of my teammates since it was part of me already.

I had pulled through pretty well, my mom, being my number one supporter and the only one motivating me to chase my dream propelled me forward to grasp it.

Making her proud was the least I could do as I had seen her on several occasions leaving work to come to see me play. Her smile alone kept me going and made me try harder to reach my goals which I was almost at the end.

I had applied for a scholarship in one of the best colleges in Sunny Wealth, a neighbouring town two hours from here. The best thing was Cadence college football scouts approached me first and they had seen me play as well as gave me a chance to try out.

I walked out of my room, taking the eleven staircases two at a time and leapt over the last one.

My foot dashed on the paved floor as I jogged out to the park close by where the football team and cheerleaders meet during weekends.

Ten minutes into my run, I heard another footstep slapping the pavement. I halted whilst glancing back panting.

Winter.

Her ponytail swished around her face as she jogged closer. Her scent, a delicious mix of vanilla and citrus filled my nostril and I breathed in deeply. She is Lee's best friend, I mumbled to myself.

The fact was, I had wanted Lee, however, I didn't ask her to be my girl. Someone had taken our pictures and made it headline on the school website, tagging us the 'it' couple. She didn't quench the rumour, I didn't bother too since she was fine with it. We were more like friends hanging out yet to others, we were like an item.

One of the reasons I didn't ask her out was because of Kellen. Even before he followed me to the pretend date, I sensed he had something for her which he only denied. Also, I didn't because of Winter, something kept propelling me towards her.

Anytime it seemed I had succeeded in avoiding her, she always appeared out of yanking at my heartstring.

Until yesterday, I never thought Lee had anything for me. The kisses we had shared was only a ruse which she often initiated to make people believe we were together. Again, If I had known she would eventually fall, I wouldn't have conceded to her plan of having her pretend to be my girl.

I didn't and never wished to hurt her, any girl. One of the reasons I never entered into something so serious is because I tend to hurt them in the end by discarding them after only a night but Winter seemed different.

"Rey." Winter panted as she halted in front of me. "I told you I would like to burn some calories today. You should ping me whenever you are ready to go out. Plus, I'm even late for cheering because I overslept." She scowled.

"You didn't," I said.

"I did."

"Didn't."

"I did it!" She scowled.

I often found her cute whenever she was riled up. Her button nose usually scrunched up in a cute babyish way whilst her brown eyes burst with fury.

"It slipped my mind," I admitted. Though I remembered, I didn't notify her as there was nothing she needed to burn in her body.

"Still you are already fit, except you wish to look like a plank." I chuckled, dodging as she attempted swatting my hand whilst standing on the ball of her feet.

I shrugged as she went on glaring. My eyes roved around her face, visualizing her legs wrapped around me. The joggers she sported on was a tight fit and she had her sweatshirt around her waist. She topped it with a sports bra leaving her midriff bare. My mouth went dry as my eyes drifted to the soft mould of her flesh above her breast.

"Stop staring at me that way. " She mumbled, showing her back to me.

"You look hot despite how hung up you sounded yesterday during our conversation." As if that wasn't enough, my stupid mouth opened further to ask if she had a boyfriend.

I knew she didn't. No guy in school dares approach her as I had secretly been sending death glares their way ever since she joined our squad.

I didn't believe in love at first sight which was only portrayed in the movies, on the other hand, I believe in attraction at first sight which had been happening to me since I set my eyes on her.

Winter's attraction was different to me, she wasn't trying all too hard to impress me as other girls do, nor was she vying for my attention.

She was the replica of Venus and if I must say, prettier than her.

She was also fun as she had engaged in everything we do happily and probably smart which I would get to know later when she comes for the project later.

Winter whipped her head back, a peal of laughter slipped out of her mouth at my assertion. Even her voice sounded like music to my ears. I went further to fantasize her shapely long legs wrapped around me once again, her hair free from the ribbon holding it and her perky boobs directly pointing to my mouth.

"Ouch."

I jerked out of my thoughts as her pained filled voice penetrated my brain. Winter, hunched on the floor cradling her right foot whilst a large stone that anyone could clearly detect stood in front of her.

"You are very clumsy, you know that." It wasn't the first time I noticed her falling and hurting herself. squatting, I took a glimpse of the foot. It seemed worse than I had assumed, as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as I lifted it.

"It hurts." She moaned.

My training with the boys was ruined, even our meeting was ruined too as I need to take her for treatment before it gets any worse.

I brought out my phone, texted Kellen to proceed without me.

I searched in my sweatpant's pocket, bringing out the gauze I often carried with me. I encircled it around her leg with care.

Winter rose, using me as an anchor as I set her foot on the ground. She placed her right foot first, then tested the other one. She wobbled and I caught her before she struck the floor.

"Looks like someone will be getting a piggyback ride today," I chuckled, squatting in front of her.

Without objection, she hopped on my back. Her arms went around my neck and her legs around my waist. She wasn't weighty, presumably fifty kilograms compared to my seventy-five kilogram.

I walked down to my house which was twenty minutes from here. Also, the best option.

Once inside, I placed her on the sofa, stepped into the kitchen to get an ice pack from the fridge. Moving to the storeroom, I took the spare first aid box there.

Walking back in, I saw my mom and Nora fussing over her. My mom had a cold compress already. I watched as she placed it on the now swelling leg. Winter whimpered, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Nora sang 'twinkle twinkle little stars' hoping it would calm her down as it does to her.

Chuckling, I made my presence known. Winter sob was now a full-blown wail as pressure was added to the leg.

Nora created a room for me on the sofa. After I made myself comfortable on it, Winter's hand found mine and she clenched it. I didn't pull away.

I let her assault it the way she wanted, also with each grip, I felt how her pain increased as my mom Increased the pressure. Her eyes stayed on mine throughout as the tears kept pouring out.

"Done." My mom said breaking our eye contact.

Staring down, the swollen leg was wrapped in an elastic bandage which would enable her to limp, yet, not advisable for her to walk on a sprain.

"Take her home dear." She then turned to Winter, "It should heal in a week time depending on how you care for it. What you need is rest, adding ice compress on it and a lot of rest again." She said.

"Mind you, it can also last as long as several months, depending on how you cared for it too."

Winter nodded, wiping at her tear-stained face with the sleeve of her sweatshirt.

Shaking my head, I grabbed the box of Kleenex on the table, handing it to her. She took one, then blew her nose noisily on it.

My mom's eyebrow rose whilst Nora giggled.

I shrugged because I wasn't stunned. I had seen her talk with a mouthful of food during recess whereas others ate with all the etiquette necessary. She didn't act ladylike nor did she pretend to be one.

I nudged her back to the seat gently as she prepared to stand. Instead, I hoisted her on my shoulder, her butt just below my elbow. My hands itched to s***k it as she wriggled like a worm and grumbled to let her down.

My mom chuckled, scurried to help me with the door.

"Take care of yourself, dear. " My mom said as we got out.

Winter bobbed her head hitting my shoulder in the process.

"You can put me down, Rey."

I didn't answer her. I unlocked the door, opened it with my free hand and set her in carefully. I moved the chair backwards so she won't feel cramped. Also, she could lie down too when motion sickness hits her.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

"Thank you, Rey," Winter said, her eyes shining with gratitude.

Then, I had another way she could thank me in my mind. I tugged her close, careful not to hurt her in the process. Taking her right hand, I rested it on my leg whilst dipping my head down to her lips.

She stilled for a second not expecting it. I bit on her lips and she opened up allowing me an entrance. She kissed with the same ferocity as I did. My hands roved her body, from her face to her ass then to her breast in a frenzy. She gasped as my hand went in to touch a pesky bud. it responded, going taut in my hand as I twirled it.

We broke apart when breathing became necessary. Her mouth went wide as she exhaled, her lips were rosy yet swollen. I felt like taking her in the car right now, then thought otherwise as my head lolled back.

My teeth scraped the edge of my lower lip drawing out blood as the blow landed on my cheek. She clasped her right hand in the left one kneading it.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean... to... to hit you." She stuttered.

"No, no it's okay." I chuckled.

She clutched the door about to go out but I halted her, remembering her sprained ankle.

I wished I hadn't kissed her considering the current state she was in. Also, at the same time, I was glad I did. Her lips were as sweet as I had imagined. I wondered how she would be if I had gone furth... I wiped out the thought as soon as it emerged.

Getting down, I jogged over to the other side of the car. My right hand went under her legs, then the left settled at her leg as I lifted her out.

The door swung open immediately as if I was being expected.

An elegant young woman stepped out. Too old to be her sister and no facial resemblance to be her mom.

Her curly red hair bobbed as she moved forward. Green eyes flickered with worry as she hurried to my side. She scrunched up her face whilst glimpsing at my arms.

"Goodness, Winty!" She slapped a hand to her mouth whilst using the other to access her bandaged leg. "What happened?"

"Geez." Winter shut her eyes, tucking her face in my chest.

The woman ignored her, gawking at me.

"What happened? She only told me she was going for a run and only to return home in a bandage." Her eyes swept Winter's injured foot once again.

"She has a sprain," I stated simply.

"When will you stop ever being clumsy?" Hailey asked.

"Maybe, never." Winter retorted, making Hailey tsked.

"Rey, you can put me down now. I'm inside already." She twitched, her butt grating my hand. I groaned inwardly as my libido rose again.

"Stay still," I murmured, enjoying the feel of her butt despite it doing me more harm than good.

"Put me down!" She poked my chest with her index finger but I held on tightly.

"No. Remember the doctor's order? You need to rest. "

"Doctor?"

"My mom," I affirmed.

Her jaw slackened as she gazed with admiration I was sure, wasn't directed at me.

"Didn't know that." She mumbled.

"Now you know," I said. "Your room?"

"Her room is up." Hailey pointed to the stairs at my back.

I walked the short distance to the old staircase.

Two rooms were situated up but I opened the one with her name, which was written boldly on it. This was my second time in her house but my first time being in her room.

Her room was the size of my bathroom. That was where the comparison ended. Though it was small, it was neat. Pink flowering wallpapers coated the walls. Also, posters of several artists donned the wall making it look less girly. A narrow passage was to the left as I crossed the short distance to the bed. Perhaps, that was her bathroom.

I settled her on the bed with care, bracing two pillows under her leg to elevate the injured foot.

"Thank you." She said, going red.

I turned, smirking at her and she yawned, waving me off. I stayed until she dozed off before stepping out.

"s**t," I muttered while taking the last step on the staircase.

I had waited behind me like a stalker, watching her sleep. Likewise, I promised to come to see her. I wondered what I would tell her next.

Probably get her a diamond ring.

I have never lost my cool on any girl. Now, comes in a girl that had been existing four years ago, a girl I had barely noticed before. Just a trip to history class, I was behaving like a dumbhead.

I had even f*cking sent death glares some guys way staring at her seductively.

Perhaps, I needed a break from this shithole called a town to come back to my senses.

Moaning, my eyes drifted to the b***r still evident on my pants. Even the slap didn't make me want her less.

Hailey appeared from a room with a Kitchen written above, bearing a cup filled with water. "Thank you..." She lifted a brow, smiling.

"Rey." I offered. "It's nothing, I'm glad I was there to help her," I said.

She nodded, smiling in return. Then turned to the direction of the staircase, taking it one at a time. Likewise, I moved out as soon as she left.

I chilled out in my car for several minutes, attempting to calm my raging libido. I snatched my buzzing phone sitting on the backseat, I unlocked it to see a message notification from Kellen.

We just started. Hopefully, you'll meet us in the middle.

With a b***r?

Absolutely not!

I let out a groan as I studied my pants. The b***r was gone and the tightness I felt before was not evident anymore. Sighing, I kick start the engine driving back to practice.