Into The Future

CALLBACK

Jackson said, "Hello, Angie." When he noticed her going alone along the school veranda, he immediately went to stop her. Angie came to a halt but did not return his greeting.

"Hello, how are you?" He said again.

"What do you want, Jackson?" Angie remarked. It sounded to him like a tiger's roar. Jackson was taken aback.

"Nothing. I just want to talk."

Angie sighed, dissatisfied with the situation. "Don't you understand? "I'm not interested in being your girlfriend."

"I know, I heard you. I'm just not sure why you accepted to be my girlfriend weeks ago and now you're acting like this." His arms extended into a straddle as he shrugged. "It's all strange." He went on to say.

Angie looked him in the eyes with a scowl. "I never agreed to be your girlfriend. I said we could be friends."

"However, why can't you just be my girlfriend? Did I do something wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Jackson, I can't be your girlfriend. I'm sorry, but I just can't."

"I get it, I get it. I just hope you’ll give me a chance. I promise I won’t be like that Ian guy that left you… "

"How dare you?" Angie stated in a low, angered tone. "I'm sure whoever told you that failed to mention that we are siblings. By the way, you'll never be half the guy he is. "Just get a life and leave me alone," she said as she walked away quickly. Jackson locked his gaze on her as she went. He grimaced in embarrassment, sighed, and murmured to himself, "Oh shit." "Siblings?"

***

Ian was seated on a bench in the school compound, looking through his backpack for something. A girl approached and sat with him. She stooped and tied her shoes' laces. She said, looking at Ian.

"Hello there! "

Ian remained silent, but she fixed her gaze on him. She could only see one side of his face, but it was enough to tell her he was incredibly attractive.

"Do you have any issues with your zipper?" she inquired, her smile enticing.

Ian said, "No thanks," but without looking at her.

She'd posed the question so he'd look when he wanted to respond, and she'd be able to see his face properly.

Unfortunately, he didn't even glance at her. She reasoned that he was either too busy or too afraid to look at her.

"All fine, I'll see you later." She walked away without saying anything else.

Jeremy arrived shortly after she had departed. He noticed her and inquired.

"What were you doing with Molly, bro?"

"Molly? "Who is Molly?" Ian inquired.

"The new girl with whom you were conversing. She's Adam's girl. Unless you're asking for trouble, nobody dares to approach her."

Ian raised his head and gave her a quick glimpse, but he could only see her from behind.

Angie passed the two boys as she walked past. She came to a halt and gave Ian a cold stare before continuing on her way to Lisa's car. They drove away when she got in. Ian was watching, but it was Jeremy who spoke first.

"Bro, you've got to work out your differences with her." "It bothers me to see you two like this."

"I understand. I just don't know how to go about doing it. Fighting with her is something I'm not used to."

"Why don't you take her out?" Jeremy suggested. "Take her out for dinner or whatever."

Ian agreed, "OK." He hung his backpack on his shoulder after zipping it. He said, "Whenever you're ready."

Both of them stood up and began walking. Ian inquired.

"Did you get a chance to speak with Lisa?"

Jeremy said, "No." "I was unable to make any attempt. I believe she still desires to date jerks. She's a sucker for them, don't you think?"

Ian grinned. "Trust me, my friend. She simply does not understand non-jerks. You'll see how much of a sucker she is for non-jerks if you make your move."

Jeremy said with a chuckle.

"All right, your words have moved me. I'm going to make a move. But only when it's the proper time."

Ian said, "Suit yourself."

***

In Mrs. George's office, a white cell phone began to ring. She quickly picked it and recognized her husband on the other end. She received the call and said, "Hello, honey."

"Hey! "You sound tired," her husband said on the other end of the line.

"All I am is tired," she explained. "Don't worry though, I'll be fine."

"I wish I could come over and assist you."

Margret gave a kind smile.

Her husband carried on. "Well, I had a conversation with Mr. David, and guess what he said."

"It wasn't him."

"No! He was the one."

Margret was surprised. She didn't think it was possible that it was him.

"Wait, are you sure it's him? Why didn't he inform you earlier? You can't afford to make a mistake here."

"It's him, Margret," her husband said.

She let out a sigh. "If you say so."

"I invited him to dinner. "Do you think you'll be able to get out of work early?"

"What?"

"Please."

Margret sighed once more. "I'll try."

"All right, honey, I'll see you at home." Her husband said, and then hung up.

Margret hung up the phone, still pondering the situation.

***

On the football field, the school's football team was sitting. Their coach was fidgeting with his watch and gazing down the road. He was standing before the players. His name was Steven, but the players referred to him as Coach Steve.

Coach Steve was so agitated that he couldn't keep his thoughts to himself any longer. He said, "Didn't I tell you guys to tell him he shouldn't be late?"

One of the players said, "Yes, we did coach."

"How come he hasn't shown up?" He yelled, his gaze returning to his watch.

Adam speculated, "Perhaps Coach, maybe he's changed his mind."

The coach scowled. "He can't change his mind. We'll change it back for him."

Adam smirked. In an instant, Jeremy's car arrived, and he and Ian jumped out. Both of them joined the team. Ian was in front of the entire team as well as the coach.

The coach embraced him and said, "Welcome back, Captain." How in the world did you think we were going to let you go? You should be ashamed of yourself. This is your home,

your family."

They let go of each other in the embrace.

Ian said, looking at his coach.

"I've decided to stop playing."

"Why? "How are you able to say that?" The coach inquired. "You can't give up soccer. We require your assistance. We'll need your help in the final. "Didn't anyone tell you we lost in our last final when you left?"

"Scorpions haven't lost a match since you left. They're stronger than they've ever been, and we're going to face them in the final. You should think about your decision again. This isn't about you alone. It's all about restoring the team's and school's glory. You need to return to the team."

Ian only needed a little prodding. He, too, enjoyed playing. He'd already made up his mind to return. The nudge was exactly what he required.

"OK, coach," he answered, "I'll think about it."

Coach Steve embraced him once again and whispered, "Please do." He murmured in his ear, "You are the team's backbone; please don't abandon us."