Offside Love

Chapter5

Chapter 5

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” the girls roared, circling around us.

My soul left my body as Samantha slapped me hard on the face.

Everything went muffled, like a broken TV signal.

She clutched my neck, her fingers piercing through my skin.

“ How dare you!” She gnashed her teeth.

My throat tightened, as I yanked her hair, hoping she would stop.

“Get off me—,” I struggled with the last strength in me.

I could not stand the embarrassment, the wild laughter on their faces when I was pinned to the ground.

I would be the talk of school, how Samantha beat me up and I lay helpless.

Suddenly ,the door flung open with Emily and Coach Harper, moving rapidly.

“ There she is!” Emily glared.

“ Stop this instant!” Coach Harper yelled and dragged Samantha off.

The girl's voice died down and some of them ran away.

Samantha’s breathing was fast, almost exploding.

I didn’t want to get up, with all their eyes perching on me , but Emily stood beside me and stretched her arms out.

“ Thank you.” I whispered, getting up.

“ Amy, Are you okay?” Coach Harper’s eyes scanned my whole body.

My legs shook and I nodded responsively. I didn't want to look weak like I already was.

“ Take a look at what you’ve done to her!” She snapped at Samantha.

Samantha didn’t look , she hissed and rolled her eyes, not saying a word.

I bowed my head down, the pain still lingered, but I remained calm.

“ Samantha, you've left me with no choice than to suspend you from cheer practice.” She shook her head in disappointment.

“ No you can’t! I’m still the captain,” Samantha stomped her feet.

“ You’ve been temporarily suspended as captain.

I’m really disappointed,” she said, frowning.

My heart fell, the same way their jaw fell. Who would believe that Samantha Jones could be suspended from anything in school?

The team started with their murmuring and Samantha glared at me, her nose flaring.

The times we fought during practice, she always got away with it because she’s Samantha Jones.

But today, Coach Harper was probably fed up. She must have reported these issues to the principal and urged him to take action.

” I know you can’t suspend me!" Samantha scoffed.

“ Really? Amy is the captain now! Coach Harper stepped forward, raising her chin.

The words dropped like a bomb, and I was lost for words. I rubbed my eyelid to be sure I wasn’t dreaming.

Did she stutter? Did she mean to say Emily? All eyes were on me, their mouths slightly open.

“ This isn’t over!” Samantha yelled and stormed out.

“Alright! Practice has been dismissed today,” Coach Harper said after she blew her whistle.

I sat in the bleachers and pulled a bottle from my bag.

I still can’t believe all that happened today.

I caught a glimpse of Lucas as he leaned on the door.

“ What a coincidence,” he smiled, then sat beside me.

“ Amy, are you avoiding me?” His voice was low.

“ No I’m not.” I laughed awkwardly and glanced away.

I felt bad for lying. At the same time, I did not know Lucas and couldn't tell him anything about me.

Lucas' expression softened as he looked at me . His eyes were calm, yet something about the way he leaned to me made my heart thump.

“ I want to know you Amy,” he said quietly.

A shiver ran through my skin, but I held still . No one had ever said that to me. It was always about what I could do for them. They either used me or judged me.

“ Amy, I just want to know you better. Can we be friends?” Lucas rubbed the back of his neck.

My heart sank even more and I froze. I wanted to speak, but the words would not come out. The fan hummed slowly, filling the silence I could not break.

Lucas nodded, like my silence was the answer.

I shifted in my seat, watching him walk out the door.

Was this real? That one would talk to me this way?

“ I knew you didn’t love me!” a voice snapped from behind.

I blinked twice, unsure if I heard right.

“ I knew it! Amy. I knew you would run to him.”

My heart stumbled, and the air felt heavy.