Soccer Camp

Round Three

I never really appreciated how good our team was... or how well of a coach Jesse was. We breezed our way through to the finals, and we won first overall.

It was the first athletic thing I've ever won! And yes, I know I didn't really do anything but sit on the bench and try to look supportive, but this was an accomplishment. They even gave me an assistant trophy.

I was admiring the foot long trophy in my palms when I noticed Jesse smiling at my facial expression.

"What?" I blushed happily.

"Is that your first plaque?" he asked as he placed the four foot overall trophy on the ground. It was very attractive, but I was happy with the small award I was given. I had no idea where I would but that huge thing.

"Would it be sad if I said yes?" I pouted as I stared down at the golden plate.

"You should send it away to get you name engraved on it." He suggested as he came to stand beside me. My body felt weak with excitement. We were finally talking again after the whole Matt thing. After the restaurant, I weirdly felt calmer around him.

It's been a week and a half since we went out for lunch. I stared up at his face and smiled. It felt like it use to between us, and even though he was completely taken aback by someone else, I still had feeling for him. Just now I didn't feel like I had anything to lose.

I was use to unrequited love. It felt comfortable and less intense. I would sit by myself at lunch and watch the person I liked while he hung with his friends. High school was not entirely painless but I got through it and I felt like I could get through anything.

My chest felt heavy as he smiled down at me, my feeling consuming my body, my every thought. "Will you do it for me?" I asked quietly "I really don't know how to do it and I don't want to mess it up. I'll pay for the shipping and cost!" I added quickly, making it clear that I wasn't using him.

"I'll take care of it, don't worry." He chuckled as he took the trophy from my hand. I held onto it just a while longer, closing my eyes and revelling in the feel of the solid wood with a golden soccer ball on top.

"Okay, take it" I pushed as I turned away dramatically.

"Wait," he called as he held onto my hand before I walked away. "I'm throwing a celebratory party tonight at the county club. It's kind of a send off for the senior soccer team."

"Send off?" I asked

"Yeah. This year the game will be hosted at the opponent's camp. There will be busses to take everyone down there on the day of, but the team members and a few others will be headed down a few days early."

"Oh," I mumbled. "Alright. I would like to see you before you leave, I guess" I said honestly. His eyes suddenly became brighter and a wide smile appeared across his face.

"Seven," he nodded happily before he touched my chin and jogged off into the crowd of kids.

"Physical contact so soon?" Matt laughed as he held me. "Congrats, Bambi. Who knew you could coach a team into victory?"

"Not me, that's for sure, but thanks" I smiled as I collected praises.

"You and Jesse still going slow?" He asked as we made our way to the cabin.

"I told you, he likes someone else. Ever since I overheard you guys talking about her, he's been different." I mumbled

Matt smiled down at me as if he was enjoying a private joke and nodded. "You are really naive and un-self-involved. It's refreshing, but I wonder, can one person really be this innocent."

"As usual Matt, I have no idea what you are talking about." I shook my head "He's having a party tonight."

"I know, it's for us." He said.

"What do you mean us? When did we join the soccer team?" I panicked. I know the soccer team was for boys but I wouldn't put it passed him to find a way to get me on it. One thing I've learned, Matt knew no bounds. He was relentless and resourceful. If you couldn't get something done, he could.

He began to laugh hysterically. "You are a breath of fresh air" he chuckled.

"Matt I'm serious!" I began to hyperventilate.

"No, Bambi, breathe. Remember when I asked my ex if we could help out with the tournament?" he asked and I nodded. "Well that's what we are doing. We are headed out to the game with the soccer team early. We get cabin rooms and everything... it's also co-ed." He winked.

I shook my head and followed him into my room to get ready.

---

When we arrived, the party was in full swing. The lobby of the country club was crowded with councillors and soccer members. I walked around the entire floor twice and there was still no sign of Jesse anywhere. I only got dressed up to see him and tell him the news about heading out early with him.

After about an hour of sitting and watching everyone drink and have a good time, I decided to check his room. As I headed up to his room floor, I suddenly got excited to see him. Why didn't I check here first?

When I got to his room, I knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

"Yes" he called from behind the door

Hearing his voice made me feel happy and giddy.

"Hey, it's me" I smiled at the wooden frame.

"I didn't think you were really coming. What's up?" He asked, the door still closed. He obviously didn't want to let me in.

"Nothing, I just wanted to tell you... that I really like you and I'm sorry about everything." I breathed. I had practiced this all afternoon in the mirror, hoping it wouldn't come put pathetic and embarrassing. Even though the door was between us, I couldn't leave without getting what I wanted to say out. Maybe it was even better this way. He didn't have to fake happiness and I wouldn't have to hear the speech I heard one too many time about not having the same feelings.

"I guess I'll see you" I mumbled to the door after a minute passed with no reply. I heard a girl giggling behind the door and the embarrassment I didn't want to face came to reality. I cover my face with my hand harshly as I cursed myself.

Now they were probably going to laugh at my confession. "You're busy, I'm sorry" I grumbled as I hurried to the elevator. I pressed the button repeated as I willed the elevator to appear at that moment. I didn't mention my name, so I could deny ever showing up here...

Maybe it was the girl he liked so much. I cursed myself for not making sure he was alone. The last thing I needed was public humiliation at this camp.

"Amber!" Jesse called from the room. Dammit!

I began to hyperventilate as I pressed the button even faster. I stared at the unopened door as my anxiety peeked. I panicked when I saw the door opened and I bolted for the stairs. If he never saw me, I could still deny my words!

Maybe I could claim I was drunk...

I hurried down the steps, pausing a few times to catch my breath. I hurried through the lobby and pushed passed the crowd to the exit. It had begun to rain and it looked to be raining quite hard. I looked back at the crowd and felt humiliated even though no one knew what just happened.

I felt uneasy and embarrassed. Deciding to take my chances in the rain, I hugged my body tightly and walked out into the cold showers. My red cocktail dress got darker in shade, drop after drop.

"Wait, where are you going?" Justin called after me.

"Home" I mumbled, hurrying across the grass.

"Hold on, I'll grab you an umbrella" he offered.

"Don't worry" I waved as I wiped my hair from my face. "It's only about... ten minutes away" I grumped, walking faster.

The wet grass felt gross as it brushed against my feet and as it tickled me. It was hard to see where I was going with water running into my eyes and my hair blocking my vision. I begun to daydream to help get my mind off the fact that my clothing was sticking to my body and how nasty it felt.

I felt a hand touch my shoulder and I spun around quickly. I was getting ready to scream before I realized who it was. It was dark, and I was cold and anxious to get home.

"You scared me" I shivered as I turned to continue walking.

"Here" he placed a jacket over my head and tightened it around my shoulder.

"I'm fine" I shrugged, trying to remove his jacket. "You should wear it, you could get sick." I warned

"So could you." He muttered.

"You have a game to play in a few days. I'll be fine." I trembled as I walked a bit faster.

He held my hand and turned me to face him. His hair was flat against his forehead, his clothes soaked.

"Why are you even in the rain?" I wondered curiously. I was headed home, he was already in bed. He had no reason to be out here.

"I was looking for you." Jesse muttered as he pushed his hair back. His shirt was pressed against his chest, emphasising his great physique.

"Why?" I asked, my body shaking violently.

"c'mon" he pulled me back to the country club. I began to resist but the wind picked up and I stopped caring about which direction I was headed in, but that I was headed to warmth.

He stopped before we entered into the building, my feet hitting a stone. I grasped it in pain and stayed clamped to the ground.

"Let me see" He moved my hand away from my feet. "You scraped it." I watched as blood appeared from the womb and then washed away by the rain. It stung as the cold drops hit my open wound.

I squinted in the rain, water entered my eye. Jesse moved my hair from my face, and then he leaned in and kissed me. It was sweet, yet wayward; quick, yet slow. I bit my lip as I blushed, turning to stare back at my feet.

He helped me to my feet and then scooped me into his arms. I began to protest but then decided it was pointless. When we entered into the building, I heard whistles and cheers until we entered the elevator. I began to protest again, but won this time. He placed me on my feet as I dripped on the elevator floor. I turned away from him, no one saying anything.

I felt his cold body press against mine as we rode the elevator in silence. When we finally got to his room, I quickly stripped to my underwear and bra. It didn't feel uncomfortable being naked around him; we did this and much more before.

"Can I borrow a shirt?" I asked quietly.

He pulled open his draw and retrieved a shirt and boxers. I stripped my underwear and replaced it with the boxers and then removed my bra and pulled the shirt over my head. I was completely unaware that Jesse was still in the room until I looked up. His eyes were glued to my body as if there was an unbelievable sight.

I spun once, trying to follow his gaze, but failed. My body was still wet when I pulled on the shirt so my n*****s were apparent though the fabric. "We should dry these. I'll need them for when the rain eases up." I held up my wet clothes and placed them in the plastic bag he kept his own in.

"Spend the night" he muttered as he sat on the bed. He was shirtless, with sweats on his lower half. He rubbed his hair with a towel as he stared up at me.

"What about that girl...?" I asked nervously

"Like I said, I never thought you would actually come. She asked to use my washroom; we started watching a movie, nothing serious." He mumbled. He pulled me down to the bed, using the towel to dry my wet hair.

I closed my eyes as I felt his hand message my scalp. "Why didn't you want to let me in?" I wondered

"And have you thinking things?" he snorted. "I knew how it looked, but we were just chilling, talking about the junior win today. I really wasn't expecting you to say what you did though... caught me off guard."

"Well, I know you have feelings for someone else so I just wanted to say what I felt and move on." I mumbled.

"Someone else?"

"I kind of overheard you and Matt talking about her at lunch last week."

He was silent for a few seconds. "And what did Matt say about that... I'm sure you told him."

"He didn't say anything." I admitted as I ran through the conversations Matt and I had about this.

"That bastard" Jesse sighed. "We were talking about you Amber, but I'm sure Matt wanted me to tell you myself."

I shook my head, his words not registering through my head. "That's impossible... She has dimples" I remembered.

He chuckled behind me as he turned my face to him. "Smile" he instructed. And I did as he said. He took my finger and guided it over my skin, until it sunk and then levelled out again. I had dimples? What the hell?

He laughed as my eyes opened in realization. I watched as he slowly brought his lips to mine again, kissing them slowly, passionately. I opened them, allowing access. His tongue lightly brushed against mine and I wrapped my arms around his neck, crawling on top of him as he rolled over.

We made out for a good hour like this, him on top of me, me on top of him. His fingers exploring my body and mine his. We began to cuddled, sleep taking over me. My eyes slowly began to close as I heard a knock at the door.

Jesse rose to answer it.

"Hey" I heard a girl's voice at the door but I couldn't see her face.

"Hey, what's up?" he greeted.

"I thought we could continue to hang out. The party is really dull downstairs." She muttered, a slight plead in her voice.

"I can't" he shook his head.

"Why?" her voice sounded hurt, as if she demanded an explanation.

"My... umm..." he sighed. "My girl friend is sleeping" he muttered. Girl friend. Did he really just call me his girl friend?

"That didn't sound so convincing." The girl dismissed.

"It's complicated. She just got out of a relationship... and I don't want to force another on her so soon." He explained.

"Whatever, Jesse. Just call me when you're free." The girl snapped before she walked away.

He closed the door and walked back over to the bed, pulling me into his body.