Meet The Coach

Lesson 5: Spend Time With The Player

Lesson 5: Spend Time With The Player

The school was buzzing with fundraising ideas, everyone wanted to go to Hawaii. Often the teachers complained because they weren't allowed to participate, they cursed how lucky we were and hoped an ungrateful jerk didn't win. I didn't blame them, it would suck if someone who didn't appreciate it won but I doubt that they'll try hard enough in the first place. Problem solved.

I left the school building and walked to the car park, everyone was saying their goodbyes for the evening or carpooling with one another. I reached my mom's car, she picked me up since Sandy had plans with Hudson.

"Hey mom," I greeted, I swiftly got in shotgun.

"Hello sweetie, how was school?" Mom started the car and pulled away from the sidewalk.

"It was good - there isn't a lot of work to do because it's reaching the end of the year but at the same time we're being prepped for senior year," I told her.

"That's good. How's Sandy?"

"Sandy is good. You'd think at the end of the academic year people would be half dead but she's in high spirits."

"And Carter? You two are friends, right? I did see him outside the house talking to you and Sandy." I paused, wondering if my mom had an ulterior motive.

"Erm... well I don't know I haven't spent enough time with him to say we're friends but from the looks of it he seems alright."

"Well, that's good to hear because tonight we're going to have dinner over at the Cohen's." And she rips the bandage right off. Ouch.

"That's alright." My pocket vibrated, I slipped out my phone and read the message.

Sandy: Lesson 5: spend time with the player ;) have fun at dinner I won't be too late

I scowled at Sandy's impeccable timing and then scowled at the text. Well, this surely would be eventful.

*

My mom set out an outfit on my bed. My protests against it were that they've already seen me so why do I have to look my absolute best? I decided not to kick up a fuss. I slipped on the pale blue dress, the dress which was my mom's favourite for me because it matched the colour of my eyes. I liked it because it wasn't fancy and can be accepted at a casual dinner party without gaining any unnecessary attention. I decided to keep my legs bare then I brushed my hair back but ruffled it to make it feel more natural and I placed on a necklace which had a pretty pendant at the end of it. I didn't bother with makeup because if I was following Sandy's steps correctly that would be me not being me. If that made any sense.

I quickly put on ballet flats and slipped my little pouch so I could carry my phone and I swiftly made my way downstairs. Mom and Dad were ready and were at the bottom at the stairs. My Dad crossed his arms and shook his head in disapproval. "You better not be trying to please that young lad next door," He warned. I rolled my eyes at his overprotectiveness.

"Well hello to you too Dad. First of all, Mom chose this outfit and second of all if you're trying to imply that this dress is skimpy just know that Cinderella didn't have to strip to find her Prince Charming so neither do I."

"Well, she is definitely your daughter," Mom remarked.

Soon enough we were outside the Cohen's property. My mom rang the doorbell and within 30 seconds was open by a very excited Kylee.

"Good afternoon Holly and Michael. And Bree, don't you look beautiful! Come on in!" She announced excitedly. I can now clearly see where Sandy's giddiness came from. My mom quickly embraced Kylee, and my Dad swapped pleasantries with her. I went to embrace her as my mom did but instead Kylee pinched my cheeks.

"Well don't you look like a fine young woman! I bet my son will have a hard time trying to keep his eyes off of you!" She squealed. I felt my cheeks fire ablaze. Damn my mom's choice in clothing!

"Uh. Hello Kylee. It's great to see you again," I said after she let go of my cheeks.

"Remember what I said call me Ky or Lee!" She reminded.

"Right. Sorry Lee," I apologized awkwardly. She gave me a super excited smile before leading the way into her house. In some aspects it was very similar to ours, however, on the ground floor, we had one extra room.

I sat amongst everyone else in the family room, both Carter and Sandy were absent. However the Dad of the family soon came in too, I quickly noted where Carter got his looks from but stayed silent as the parents socialized. I just hope the mothers' conversation didn't result in me as the subject.

"Oh dear. Bree, Sandy isn't here at the moment but Carter - you know Carter you go to the same school. He's in his room upstairs. Why don't you go talk to him?" Lee offered. Oh no. Oh hell no. Yes, I decided to be a good sport but any socializing outside school and the fundraiser planning was unnecessary. "Oh no. It's okay. I wouldn't want to interrupt anything that he must be doing.”

"Don't get shy dear! I made sure he stayed home today, you know how teenage boys are these days. He could really do with some good company."

"I wouldn't want to impose..." I tried to refuse again.

"It's okay Bree you can go. You're just going to get bored here," Mom said. Thank you, mom.

"C'mon, I'll take you to his room," Lee offered. I frowned but curved up my lips when my mom gave me a look. I followed Lee. She stopped outside a door, knocked but opened it anyway without invitation. Carter was sitting on an office chair, leaning back at a dangerous angle and was playing Call of Duty. Typical.

"Carter! You have a guest!" Lee informed him and tapped his shoulder. I guessed it was the authority in her voice that made him pause and look at us. He saw me and resumed his game. "Well, that's rude!" Lee declared. All in a swift movement she unplugged the console and snatched the controller from his grasp. "You have a guest and I expect you to treat her with respect and socialize with her. Do you understand?"

"Yes Mom," he grumbled. Gee, he makes me feel so welcome.

"Good. Now, Bree, I apologize in advance about Carter's behaviour. He can be a gentleman at times." Yeah, if he wants to get into your pants. "I'm sure he'll treat you properly."

"No problem... Lee. I'm sure he'll be good," I ensured. My gaze met Carter's for a second. Lee walked towards the door. The firmness she had with Carter was evaporating.

"We'll hope so. Bree just make yourself feel at home and don't worry you won't be bothering Carter. He loves a woman's company. Remember have fun!" At the words 'have fun' Lee winked before shutting the door. Carter and I stood silently in the silence.

"Your mom's words have an underlying meaning don't they?" I questioned. I couldn't see Carter but I knew he nodded.

"Of course they do, otherwise she wouldn't have closed the door," Carter answered. I scrunched up my nose, once again cursing my dress. There was just silence around us, I wasn't quite sure on what to say so I just looked around the room. It was basic with the light walls, rich carpet, big bed and other bedroom features. It wasn't particularly messy. I looked outside the window, my balcony is its view.

I was about to look at Carter's TV when I saw a picture taped next to the window frame. Forgetting my manners, I stepped forward to look at it.

"You went to Camp Sycamore?" I asked, disbelief fresh in my voice. The picture was of Carter as a young teen with a girl on his right and one of his friends from school on his left. They were standing right outside the Camp sign, smiling mischievously.

"As you could clearly see in the picture." I ignored Carter's tone and cast my mind back to years ago. I couldn't recall the faces of anyone in the picture, I could only remember happy, fun and unforgettable camp memories. I pursed my lips, the urge of wanting to reminisce my childhood grew bigger and bigger as the seconds past. I remembered the s’mores, campfire songs, scary stories, pranks on other cabins, the laughter, the different activities and at the end of each summer there’d be a summer camp tournament where whatever your talent was, you will compete to win.

"Did you go Camp Sycamore?" Carter asked suddenly. I jumped back into the present and felt Carter's body dangerously close to mine.

"Yes, I did. I went every summer from when I was 7 until the year I was due to start High School... It was practically my home away from home," I unveiled. I looked at Carter, he seemed to be in his deep thoughts as much as I was.

"Well isn't that funny. I went for at least three years and I don't recall you at all," he commented.

"I can say the same about you," My lips curved upwards until I was completely smiling at him. "Did you participate in the final tournament? You know, the one at the end of summer?"

"Yes for soccer. What about you?"

"I did fencing." Look at this... I'm spending time with Carter and having a civil conversation. Do I get a prize or what?

"Fencing?" Carter repeated in disbelief.

"Yes, fencing. Don't act too surprised." I monitored Carter's facial expression from the way it went from confused to acceptant. Slowly Carter sat down back onto his office chair, he faced in toward me. I took this as an invitation to seat myself on his comfortable bed and for a weird reason, it felt more welcoming than my own.

"You don't seem like the type," He mumbled, eyeing my body. I rolled my eyes at him.

"I blame the dress - I can't be taken seriously. I look like a girl who wouldn't even dream of camp. I mean, first my Dad thinks wore this to seduce you, second I think your mom is hoping for some jiggy." Carter's lips curved into a smirk, the same smirk that I was first greeted with over a week ago. Oh, how I disliked it. His head is probably getting bigger as each and every second passes.

"Well if you wanted me, all you have to do is ask." You sell yourself that easily? Damn. There's me thinking it's the girls at a low price. Well, if you exclude Clara.

"No chase?" I teased lightheartedly. He arched an eyebrow, pursing his lips, I could see clearly that he wanted to smile but didn't want to betray himself. Carter seemed to struggle with a comeback so I decided to drive the conversation back to Camp Sycamore. "Did Sandy go to the Camp?"

"Uh, no. She and nature aren't a complimentary pair. If you get want I mean."

There was silence. Carter studied my face, almost as if he was trying to remember something and from the looks of it. He was failing terribly. "Have you always had strawberry blonde hair?" He asked curiously. My eyes widened slightly and my heartbeat increased. Thud. Thud. Thud. How could he tell?

"Uh - "

"And the fun has arrived! What did I miss?" Sandy exclaimed as she barged in. She flung her arms out, possible so she could feel like a superstar and she stroke a pose. Carter ignored her. I greeted her with a smile.

"So did you end up winning any of the fencing tournaments?" Carter asked me. I looked back at him and for some reason, he did seem curious.

"I won the last time I stayed for summer. Every year I'd lose to this girl. I can't remember her name or what she looked like. But she was really good at it. What about you? Did you win anything?"

"No solo. It's soccer. I won once in a team."

"Remember Sergeant Kelly?" I asked. This time Carter didn't hesitate to smile.

"How would I be able to forget? That woman is crazier than Sandy here. And that says something," He replied. I bit my lip so I didn't laugh. The look on Sandy's face was priceless.

"I second that," I agreed.

"Hello! I am here you know. So stop acting as if I'm not. I'm getting insulted," Sandy proclaimed. I rolled my eyes at her but smiled.

"We don't care. Actually, I definitely do not care, I'm not sure if Bree does," Carter told her. Sandy scowled. I shrugged. Both of them diverted their face towards me. The eerie thing was they have identical eyes. Sandy's eyes resulted in slits and Carter smirked again.

"The interaction in between you two - as twins - is amazing," I commented. Sandy was the one who spoke.

"That's because I'm the older twin. It wouldn't have worked if Carter was the older one. It would have meant that I would have to listen to him."

*

Shortly we were called for dinner. I sat next to Sandy and opposite Carter. Sandy and Carter had first been interrogated about future life by my parents. I had just been in that situation too. Fortunately, Sandy averted the conversation to school.

"That sounds like a wonderful opportunity. The chance to go to Hawaii. My, you kids are luckier than we were," My mom replied, right after Sandy informed both sets of parents about the fundraiser.

"Well, I guess it pushes the kids harder to try and raise the most amount of money. It'll be very competitive. Teenagers can be very lazy but when it's something they want. That's it. They'll kill to win," Sandy's Dad, Roger said.

"That's the scary thing I suppose," I input.

"Not really," Carter countered. "Not if you have the right activities."

My eyes met Carter's. Before I saw the little boy who loved summer camp now I see the player who wants to go to Hawaii.

"What do you have planned? Are you all doing it together?" Lee asked.

I let Sandy explained this. They liked the cake sale idea and the book cover one and with my ideas... they really wanted us to do the Carter splat. Lee especially.