Helping my crush

Chapter seventeen - First game

Bella's POV:

Two days ago, I went to Chris's first football practice for the season. I won't lie that I was feeling a little bit uncomfortable. Let's say that I wasn't the most wanted girl. Jessy wasn't happy to see me at all. She said horrible things to me, only to make me go away. That almost happened, but thanks to Chris, I watched the whole practice. Later, we walked to his house. It's not a lie that I like spending time with him. He makes me feel comfortable, and even for a little bit, I stop thinking about my problems. Soon is his first game of the season, and I promised him I would go. The cheerleaders won't be happy to see me, but I won't give up on my friend. I don't know what Jessy's problem is. Before, she had never talked with me. I know I'm not everyone's favorite, but they have to deal with it. Luckily, his parents will be there if something happens. I hope that it won't because Emily will be with me. I don't want her to know anything. By that time, dad will be in the hospital. Soon he will get out, and I believe that nothing will change. The doctors are doing everything possible to help him, but if he doesn't help himself, no one can. He was probably yelling at the nurses to give him alcohol. I won't be surprised. After all, he is my dad. I know him. I don't know what or who can help him. I have to do what my therapist said, but I don't know how to make him realize it. I didn't want to be under the spotlight, but without me, there wasn't going to be food on the table. Emily can't cook. Dad won't do it. I hope that he will get better with time.

Today is Chris's first game of the season. I won't lie that I am excited. I'm sure he will win without me, but I was happy to hear that I am his lucky charm. I never thought that I was so important to him. Maybe I am starting to like him. Before, I didn't have time for boys, but thanks to my friend, I started to go out more. It's not like now I have a lot of time, but Chris always makes sure that I am taking a rest. He is a good friend.

I woke up and changed my clothes. Later, I went to make breakfast. It's kind of weird not to go and check on dad. He might be an alcoholic, but he is still my dad, and I will take care of him. I walked downstairs and saw Emily in the kitchen. I stayed a bit far away to see what she would do. It looks like she wants to make breakfast. I would gladly leave her to do it, but I'm not sure what the result will be. It's better if I help her.

- Do you need help?

- What are you doing here?

- The usual. - I said, chuckling

- You can't be here. When I am ready, I will call you.

- I think that you need help. If you want, we can make breakfast together.

- No, I want you to rest. I will make it.

- Can I know what you will make?

- Go away. I will call you when everything is ready.

- Fine. I won't disturb you.

I was in the living room until Emily called me. She made sandwiches and prepared her lunch for the day. I don't know what she has put in the box, but this is what she will eat. After breakfast, I took her to school. She wanted to go alone, but I didn't let her. Emily might be ten already, but for me, she will always be my little sister. Later, I walked to school. I saw Chris in front of my locker. Almost every day, he is waiting for me there. I find it nice.

- Good morning.

- To you too.

- How are you? I see that you are nervous. Is it about the game tonight?

- A little bit. You will come, right?

- Yes, I promised you.

- I know, but I wanted to be sure.

- Are all the games in school?

- No. Some of the games are in other schools. I will like it if you come to all of them.

- Let's see how this one will go.

- I have one final practice today. I want you to come, but I have to concentrate. I mean that I won't pay much attention to you.

- Don't worry. I have other things to do.

Chris and I walked to our class. Riven was in this one, and he looked at me. I only smiled and sat down. I don't understand what his problem is with me. Maybe he doesn't like that I spend so much time with Chris. First of all, it's not me who is doing it. Second, I like it. For the first time, I feel like an ordinary person. I spent so much time being an adult that I don't even know what to have fun is anymore. I ignored all the thoughts in my head and focused on the class.

On the lunch break, I was alone. Chris has to be with his team. Since he can't come, I won't eat. It's not only because of him. If I have to be honest, I do it only for him. Otherwise, he will read me a lecture about eating and healthy life. Once he did it, and I was pretending that I was listening. I know he was right, but back then, I had other things in my head. Chris walked by me with the team, and I waited until they walked to the cafeteria. Then I took a book from my locker and sat in front of it. Technically, my locker is on top of this one. I have no idea whose locker this is.

I was lost in my thoughts when in front of me appeared a tangerine. That became Chris's thing. To bring me food when I don't want to eat. I smiled at him and took it.

- I'm sorry that I left you alone at lunch.

- It's ok. Moreover, I go only because of you.

- What?

- Nothing.

- I'll pretend that I didn't hear that.

- Like that is better.

After school, I went to get Emily. Chris has a practice. It's not like I won't see him tonight. I know that he will win, but I will be there to support him. After all, he needs his friend.

- Do you want us to bake cookies? We can take them to the game tonight.

- We need a lot. I want to give some to Jasmine.

- Let's cook then.

Emily and I made around thirty cookies. They might be too many, but I'm sure they will finish fast. Miss Walker told me to go to their house, so all of us could go together. I went to take a quick shower before we go. When I was ready, Emily and I walked to miss Walker's house. Jasmine opened the door and let us in.

- Come with me. I want to show you something.

The girls walked away. Soon miss Walker came and told me to wait for her in the kitchen. After half an hour, everyone was ready, and we walked out. From here to our school is about twenty-five minutes so we'll be there on time. When we arrived, the field was almost full. There were a couple of free places. Chris saw us and came for a while.

- Do you want some cookies? Emily and I made them.

- Since they are from you, I will take one.

- Take as much as you want. We made thirty.

- Hey man, the coach is calling us. - Dani said

- I'm coming. I'll take one more.

- Are these cookies? Can I have one?

- Even two. - I said, chuckling

The boys took some cookies and walked away. After twenty minutes, the game started. I don't know much about football, but Chris was playing well. In the first break, our team was leading by five points. They are nothing because the other team can easily turn the game, so they are leading. I hope that our team will win. In the other half of the game, the other team was playing better. I had my fingers crossed for Chris. I know that he can win. What he has to do is believe in himself. The game ended in a tie, and that's why there were five more minutes. The ball was in Chris, who was running to make a touchdown. He quickly looked at me, and I smiled at him. I know that he can do it. I understood what he wanted to ask and nodded my head in agreement. He continued running until he scored points. Our team won by two points. Seeing the joy in his eyes makes me realize how important this is for him. Chris won because he is a good player, not because of me. Well, if he thinks that I bring him luck, I won't destroy his hopes. Soon he came up to me, and I received a hug.

- Thank you, Bella. I wasn't going to win without you.

- You didn't win because of me, but if you say so.

- As I said, you are my lucky charm.

- Let's say that I believe you. - I said, chuckling

- I want you to come to every game that I have this season.

- We'll see. I can't promise you anything.

- It doesn't matter. I'm glad that you came tonight. - he said and kissed my cheek

I am probably blushing right now, but I don't care. That felt nice. I saw that a couple of people looked at me. Mostly the cheerleaders, but I ignored them. I won't let them ruin my night. After the game, we walked home. I had to go home, but Chris pleased me to go with him.

- Thank you for going out with me.

- How could I say no? You said please ten thousand times. - I said, and he laughed

- Otherwise, you were never going to agree.

- Sometimes I wonder why I am your friend.

- Because you like me.

- Maybe, but not only this. For the first time in many years, I feel like an ordinary person. I go out without worrying about what will happen at home. Emily has a friend to play with and my dad. Well, he hasn't changed, but I hope after the two weeks in hospital, he will be ok.

- No matter what happens, I will always be by your side. You can count on me.

- I know, and I am thankful for that. You are an amazing friend.

- I'm glad to hear that. Do you want us to walk more, or do you want to go home?

- We can walk for a while. Tomorrow I have things to do, so I will use the moment as much as I can.

- Why do I like this?

- Whatever you are thinking about, it won't happen.

- This doesn't mean that I can't dream about it.

- True. Can we walk to a park? During the night, it is quieter.

- Sure. I'll do whatever you say.

- Someone is in a good mood.

- How can't I be? I won the game thanks to my lucky charm.

- Ok, I think that you need to stop saying this.

- Why?

- Because you didn't win thanks to me. You won because you are a good player.

- Leave me to believe in what I want.

- Ok, whatever. - I said, and Chris chuckled

Chris and I stayed in the park for a while, and later, he sent me home. Emily wanted to sleep with Jasmine, so tonight it will be only dad and me. I would gladly sleep with him like in the good old days, but he always smells of alcohol. It's not like I have a problem, but I prefer not to do it. At least for now. I have to do something for him, but I don't know what. I have the feeling he might get in trouble, and this is the last thing I need. Let's hope that I am not right. I already have enough problems.