Helping my crush

Chapter two - My crush

Chris's POV:

Hi, my name is Christopher Walker. My friends and family call me Chris. I have a little sister named Jasmin. She is eight years younger than me. I am 18 years old and the captain of the football team at school. Dad and I used to play a lot when I was little, and he told me to try for the team at school. Luckily, the coach liked me. I got chosen as the captain. It's not like I mind, but my teammates are talented too. I mean that everyone deserved to be a captain. In school, I am the most popular boy. Well, that's what girls say. I accept myself as an ordinary boy. When the captain of the cheerleaders says that, it becomes a thing. I don't know why so many people listen to her. She is not always right. The worst thing of all is that she thinks she can date me. Just because she is popular, it doesn't mean that I will date her. Also, I already like a girl. One day I might even talk to her. If I am brave enough, I will do it. Her name is Bella. The thing is that she is a bit antisocial. I mean that she doesn't talk much with people, or at least, I haven't seen her. I don't know how to talk to her. I am afraid that she might run away or will reject me. I have no problem with rejection, but I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable. I'm sure that she has a reason for everything. Maybe she is afraid that people won't accept her, and that's why she is not talking with anyone. I hope that I can help her with that.

It's Sunday. The last day before school. I kind of missed it, but not that much. I mean seeing all your friends is good, but not all the homework you have. I got up and went to change my clothes. Later, I walked downstairs for breakfast. I don't have plans for the day so I might go out. Most of the time during the summer vacation, I was with my teammates. Not all of them are my friends, but I am close with some. Mostly with Daniel. He is the only one who takes things seriously and doesn't think that everything is a joke. I can't say the same for Riven.

I was eating and thinking. Yesterday, I saw Bella in the mall. She was dressed casually but was still looking beautiful. I started liking her last year. One day she came to school dressed as usual. I don't know what happened, but something made me look at her. Somehow, she was different. I can't describe how, but she was. At least for me. It's like I saw her in different lightning. The only visible difference was her hair. She had a ponytail that day. I have to say that no one knows about this. Bella is not the most liked girl in school. Also, I don't want to make things worse for her. One thing is sure. I can't stop thinking about her. I hope this year we'll have some classes together.

- Chris, are you ok? - mom asked

- What?

- You stopped eating. Don't you like my breakfast?

- No, I do. I just started thinking. I'm sorry. Where is Jasmin?

- You forgot, didn't you?

- What?

- She spent the last week before school with your grandparents. Jasmin is coming back today.

- Oh, yeah. I forgot about that.

- It's not the only thing you forget.

- What do you mean?

- Your mom says that lately, your head is somewhere else. Is a girl involved?

- I wish, but no. That is my last year, and I still don't know what to do.

- Well, if you are good at football, why don't you make it a career? - dad suggested

- It's not bad, but sport is about age. After around forty, you stop playing because you are old.

- It's not about age, but about what you like.

- I know. I won't lie that I was thinking about it, but I need plan B. If my football career doesn't work, I have to work something else.

I talked with my parents for a while and later walked out. I don't know where I will go, but some fresh air is good. I decided to go to one store. I wanted chocolate. While I was searching for a dark one, I saw Bella. I quickly hid. I don't want her to think that I am stalking her or anything like that. She was in sweatpants with a hoodie, and her hair was in a bun. A bit messy. Maybe that was the idea. I don't know much about hairstyles. Even dressed like that, she looks good. When she walked away, I took my chocolate. I went to pay for it when I saw her in front of me. Before she walked away, she smiled at me. She has a pretty smile. I wish that she was showing it more often. In school, I have never seen her doing it.

I went to one park to eat my chocolate. Soon someone sat next to me. I thought that it was Bella, but no. It was Daniel. I smiled at him and offered him my chocolate. Well, he denied it. I guess that he wants to stay in shape. It's not like I don't, but sometimes I want to eat something sweet.

- It's interesting to see you here. - Dani said

- Well, I want to eat my chocolate.

- You look like a little kid. - he said, chuckling

- What's wrong with me? It's only chocolate.

- Sharing is caring. - he said and took a piece

- You said that you didn't want.

- I changed my mind.

Dani and I talked for a while. In front of us, a little girl was swinging. She looks as old as my sister. Soon I turned around and saw Bella. Maybe this is her sister. Yesterday, this girl was with her in the mall.

- Hey, isn't this Bella?

- Yes, she is.

- Poor girl.

- Why?

- She doesn't talk with anyone. I wonder what is going on with her. Maybe she has problems.

- I don't know. Even if you ask her, she won't tell you.

- But she might tell you. No one says no to Chris.

- I won't be so sure about this. Moreover, what is going on with her is not my business. I don't want to mess with her.

That was a big lie. I want to help Bella and understand why she is so distant. The thing is that I don't know how people will react if I say that I like her. She is not everyone's favorite. Let's say that in school, not many people like her. For them, she is strange and weird. I see her as an ordinary girl.

- Are you sure? You are the only one who can do it.

- I won't do anything. Can you drop it?

- Ok, don't get mad. I'm only messing with you.

- I'm sorry. It's just that I don't know why people have a bad opinion of her. I mean, they never talked with her. That includes me.

- This is why you don't hate her.

- How am I supposed to do it? We have never talked. I don't know anything about her.

- You are not the only one.

- Do you like her?

- As a person. She is not bothering anyone. Technically, she is not doing anything.

I looked at Bella, who was sitting on a bench, looking in front of her. That smile which she gave me was gone. She didn't look happy. Maybe she has a problem. I wish that I could help her.

- I think of taking her on a date. - Dani said

- What? Why?

- Because she needs this. Someone to pay attention to her, to tell her that there is nothing wrong with her. Probably she has thought about this. Moreover, she is nice.

- You can't do that.

- Why? Don't worry about school. I will explain everything.

- No, it's not that.

- Then what? Do you have a problem with me inviting her on a date?

- Yes, I do.

- What is it? I don't see anything wrong with that. It's just a date. I am not proposing to her. - he said. chuckling

- Because she is mine!

- Ha! I knew it! You like Bella.

- What?

- It was about time for you to say it.

- You knew about this?

- Of course that I do.

- Then why didn't you say anything?

- Because since you didn't tell anyone, maybe you are not ready yet.

- I don't know how to talk with her.

- You better do it soon. That is our last year. After that, Bella will go to university like everyone else. You won't see her again. Maybe you will, but who knows when and in what circumstances.

- From how long do you know?

- Around five-six months. One day, I saw you looking at her in school, and I understood everything. I think that you are afraid of how people will react to this.

- Yes, and not only that. I don't know what she will think. Up to now, I have never talked with her, and now, out of nowhere, she will understand that I like her. The chance of her not believing me are high. I won't blame her. In her place, I would do the same.

- I get it, but you have to try. I don't think that she will reject you.

- I don't know. Can we talk about something else?

- Yes, sure. Moreover, Bella is gone.

I looked up and saw that Bella wasn't there. She probably took her sister home. Maybe I need to start slowly. Greeting her and making small conversations with her. Until she feels comfortable around me. Then I can try to tell her everything. I hope that it won't go in the wrong direction. I want to go out with her, and I don't want to mess up. That is my last chance.

After an hour, I walked back home. I heard Jasmine's voice, which meant she was back at home. The moment she saw me, she ran up to me. Not all siblings like each other, but we do.

- Chris!

- Hey. How was your vacation? Did you have fun?

- I did. Granny walked me around town, and we ate ice cream.

- I hope that you didn't eat much.

- It was enough. Don't worry, I wasn't sick.

- It's good to hear that.

- Where have you been? I wanted to see you.

- I was outside with a friend.

- Next time, be at home.

- Ok, I promise.

- Let's say that I believe you.

- Do you want us to play a game?

- Yes. We can play Monopoly.

- No, this one is too long.

- Please. I don't want anything else from you.

- You can't say no to her. Otherwise, she won't leave you in peace. - mom said, chuckling

- Fine. We'll play Monopoly.

- Yay! Thank you.

- No problem. Let's go now. We better finish soon.

- I will take all your money.

- Don't be so sure. I will win.

- In your dreams.

- Do you want to bet?

- I have nothing to give you.

- This is not my problem.

- But that's not fair. No bet!

- Ok, this time I will let you pass.

- Thank you. - she said with a smile

If you ask me why I do this, I will tell you. Now, everything is games, but when Jasmine grows up, games will be harder. Moreover, I like spending time with her. She has a little bit too much energy, but that's fine. I have no problem with it. All I can do is take it all so she will sleep a whole night. I need to talk with Bella. I don't know how, but I have to do it. Otherwise, it might be too late. I don't want to let her go without even trying. There is a chance that she will reject me or run away, but at least I will know that I tried. I hope that everything will go in the right direction.