I WAS CURLING the last section of my hair when Alex called my name. I set the hot curling rod down and paused the music playing from my speaker before I went to his room. My baby brother was wrapped up in three blankets, resembling a cocooned caterpillar as he laid in bed. He had been in this exact position for the last two hours now.
"Can you get me more apple juice?" he croaked.
I sat down beside him and felt his forehead, my lips pulling into a frown from seeing him look so weak. "I think you have a fever, kid. Are you sure you don't want me to stay?"
He shook his head. "Someone has to go for Brent."
Alex was right. Niko had midterm exams this week and Alex was sick, so if I didn't go then no one would be there for Brenton. As tough as my twin acted, I knew behind the façade was an insecure boy who just wanted to be loved and supported.
Anyone who kept up with our mother's track record knew she was going to bail somehow, but I needed her to be home with Alex. Surely her sick child was more important than a measly campaign.
I brought Alex more juice, and I finished getting ready. I changed into a fitted full-sleeved dark grey shirt and put one of Brenton's old lacrosse jerseys on top - what can I say? I was a supportive sister. I didn't want to take the chance of getting sick, so I slipped on a pair of my warmest black leggings. I brushed out my freshly done curls and applied some concealer and mascara to complete my look. I tilted my head to the side as I glanced at my reflection.
Good enough.
I decided to check up on Alex once more before I left to make sure he had everything he needed. After making sure my little brother was good to go, I slipped on my shoes, ready to leave. My cell phone rang as I was walking to my car, and I answered it without a second thought.
"Daniella." It was Mom. Damn, maybe I should check my caller ID next time. "I have so much paperwork to go through before tomorrow morning andâ"
"You're not coming."
"It's impolite to interrupt," she chastised.
"Will you at least be home to take care of Alex? He's sick," I said.
"He's a grown boy," she dismissed.
I stared at my phone in disbelief. "He's only ten!"
"I don't appreciate the attitude."
"Bye, Mom."
I hung up the phone, unwilling to hear her pointless excuses. She valued her stupid job over everything else. She had never once attended any of Brenton's games, she couldn't even take care of her sick son, what could she do right?
~*~
I waited outside the locker rooms for Brenton to come out. Some other members of the team exited, giving me a smile or a wave. Although I tried to minimize public interactions with my twin, our similar faces were a dead giveaway we were related. As another player came out I caught sight of a mass of floppy brown hair and a huge grin.
"Is everyone sitting in the bleachers?" Brenton asked as he came over. He was so giddy and bouncing all over the place, I couldn't tell if it was pre-game jitters or drugs.
I bit back the grimace threatening to show. "Niko has exams and Alex is sick."
He fiddled with his lacrosse stick, energy radiating off of him. "Is Mom here?"
I looked down to avoid his eyes. "She said she couldn't make it."
"Oh."
Hearing his deflated voice made me feel even worse. He had really hoped she would come. It wouldn't have killed her to miss one evening of work to come out and support her son.
"I'm sorry," I said.
He put on a smile though we both knew it wasn't genuine. "Don't sweat it. Are you ready to see me win?"
I smiled back with the same questionable genuineness, hoping it looked convincing enough. "Don't let me down."
He patted my back. "Go get a good seat. I think Amber's here now."
"Good luck." I shot him one last smile before heading outside.
I didn't even know Amber was here, she never texted me. I pushed open the doors and walked toward the field. The loud sounds of chatter and cheering filled the air. I went to the bleachers and took a seat. There was a cool breeze out, and I rubbed my palms against my upper arms to keep myself warm.
"Cold, isn't it?"
"I wish lacrosse was an indoor sport," I grumbled.
Amber sat down beside me. "Where's the rest of the Parker gang?"
"Not showing up."
Thankfully she didn't press further. "How's your mysterious hottie?"
I shrugged, focusing my attention on the field. "We aren't really talking."
"What's wrong with you?"
Normally I would have taken offence, but the concern in her voice stopped me because I knew her harshness came from a place of care.
"I'm fine."
She gave me a flat look. "Really?"
I nodded. "Positive."
She sighed. "Dani..."
"I promise I'm fine," I assured her.
Amber looked like she wanted to say something more, but thankfully the cheering got louder and she stopped herself. The host stepped onto the middle of the field, a microphone in his hand.
"Good evening, ladies and gents," he said enthusiastically. "Are you ready for tonight's game?"
Usually, I liked nothing more than to knock the teeth out of excessively perky people, but when it came to lacrosse I let it slide. Someone had to make up for the absence of my family tonight.
The crowd let out roaring cheers in reply.
"As you all know tonight is the semifinals for this year's lacrosse champions! Playing for Stone Creek we have the Stone Creek Rangers!"
The school's marching band started playing an upbeat melody as our lacrosse team, led by Brenton, ran onto the field. The audience rose to their feet as they hollered for the local team. With Stone Creek's undefeated last few seasons it was only assumed we'd claim victory today, but the crowd cheered like it was their first game.
"Playing against Stone Creek is the West Grove Falcons," the host announced with an evident lack of excitement in his voice.
Since the spectators were predominantly Stone Creek residents, the air was filled with booing as West Grove's lacrosse team stepped onto the field. I wasn't too into the whole adoring fan thing, but I loved an opportunity to hurl insults without getting dirty looks, so I cupped my hands around my mouth and booed with the crowd.
"A friendly reminder that bathrooms are on the south side of the building and food is being sold on the left side of the bleachers," the host said. "Now let's get this game started!"
Brenton and the team captain for the opposing team stood across from each other with their sticks in hand, ready for the face-off. When Brenton noticed Amber and me he winked before focusing back on the game.
Amber sighed. "How can one be so beautiful?"
"You're delusional," I murmured.
The game started and the other team got the ball. They ran as they passed the ball to each other, sprinting at full speed toward Stone Creek's net. The attackers were getting closer to the net, ready to shoot. Holden and the other defenders took their places in front of the goalie, blocking the attackers from getting closer. The attackers tossed the ball to one another before one lunged forward and shot the ball. Holden tried to catch the ball in midair, successfully doing so before running away from his net. Holden threw the ball to another defender who threw it to Brenton. Brenton handled the ball with grace as he ran in zigzags to escape the opposing team's defenders who were ganging up on him.
I often tried to film Brenton playing, but with him being a midfielder he was always on the move and I didn't have the energy to pan the camera back and forth to follow him. Brenton shot the ball to another teammate, who tossed it back to him. They did this for a few passes until the attacker had an open shot. When he found the perfect opportunity he stepped forward and threw the ball. It hurtled forward, skimming through every intervention from the opposing defenders before flying past the goalie and into the net.
The audience screamed as Stone Creek earned their first point of the evening. Brenton bumped fists with the teammate who scored before they all got back into position. I glanced at the field and caught Holden looking at me so I gave him a thumbs up.
Amber nudged me. "Did you see that?"
"He doesn't like me, okay?" I snapped. I mean, come on, why couldn't I have a platonic relationship with a boy without people assuming it was something more?
She raised her eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"
Oops.
"What are you talking about?" I countered.
She pointed at a man sitting in the front row. He was watching the game intently, a clipboard and pen in his hands. "He's been writing in that the whole game so far," she said.
"You think he's a scout?" I asked, ignoring the reddening of my cheeks from embarrassment.
"Maybe. I saw him write a lot when Brenton had the ball."
I knew Brenton was an excellent player but I started feeling quite anxious for him. This was it. Today's game could make or break him.
"Brent will do great," I said confidently.
Amber nodded. "Brenton Parker can do anything."
I had to force myself to not gag. "I'm going to get something to eat," I said, unwilling to sit around and hear Amber gush over my twin.
"Get me a drink?"
"Sure."
I got up and stumbled through the bleachers, walking as quickly as I could before someone complained that I was blocking their view. I hopped off and went to the line for food. I let out a sigh when I realized how long the line was. I reached into my pocket as I took out my wallet. I was counting how much change I had when someone called my name.
"Mr. Rollins!" I exclaimed.
He pulled me in for a bear hug. "You keep growing every time I see you, kiddo. How the hell are you?"
I beamed at him. "I'm good."
"How's your senior year been so far?"
"It's going well."
"Have you decided on any colleges yet?" he asked.
I nodded. "I've looked at a few. Cortland, North State, and some others."
"Excellent choices!" he said with a grin. "Holden's going to Birch Mount University."
"That's where you went, right?"
Mr. Rollins nodded proudly. "Me and my wife both. Birch Mount has the best lacrosse program in the country. Your brother should look into it."
"You think so?"
"Oh, of course. Brenton is a natural. You sure he doesn't have some Rollins blood in him?" Mr. Rollins burst into deep, hearty laughter. "We'll be seeing you tonight," he stated without even asking. No one ever rejected a Rollins invite so he already assumed I'd be there.
"Yes, you will," I answered politely.
"How's the election preparation going?" he asked.
I glanced down at my wrist to check the watch that wasn't there. "Would you look at that, it's almost halftime! I promised Brent I'd get his Gatorade from his gym bag inside."
Mr. Rollins pointed at the outrageously long line for food. "They sell Gatorade here. Save yourself the trip."
"He's really picky with his energy drinks," I said. "It was nice seeing you, sir. Bye!" I jogged towards the school before he could call me back.
Mr. Rollins was unbelievably nice, but that man could not shut up even if his life depended on it. Decades could have passed during our conversation and he'd still have more and more questions. His list of questions was never-ending!
I peered behind my shoulder as I neared the building to ensure he hadn't followed me. I turned forward too late because just as I did, my face crashed into the brick wall. I let out a groan as I fell back, my body colliding with the pavement.
"Very elegant," a familiar voice called out.
I turned my neck from where I was laying down to spot the figure leaning against the wall a few feet away. It was none other than James who unsurprisingly had a cigarette in his mouth.
I slowly got up to my feet, unamused by his lousy remark. "Is there a reason you're talking to me now?"
He raised his eyebrows. "I'm getting this negative energy from you. I'm going to take a wild guess and say you're mad."
"Mad, annoyed, perturbed, miffed, peeved, furious, frustrated, you name it." I used my fingers to list them as I spoke.
"And," he continued. "Judging by that ice-cold glare you're giving me I'm going to assume all those negative adjectives were aimed at me."
I folded my arms across my chest. "Nice deductive reasoning skills."
"Thank you, I'm a huge Sherlock Holmes fan."
If he was trying to get on my nerves then he was definitely succeeding. "Leave me alone."
"Suit yourself."
Watching his retreating figure suddenly made my blood boil. If anyone were to broodingly walk off then it should have been me, not him. He had no reason to be mad because I did nothing to him. Without thinking I ran after him.
"Where do you think you're going?"
He turned around, an amused look on his face. "Can't get enough of me?"
"Why did you come to my house on Friday?"
The amused look drained from his face and his expression became stoic. "I thought I told you not to bring that up again."
"That didn't answer my question."
"It's none of your business."
"Considering you were at my house, I think it is my business."
"Drop it," he said.
"What if the police were after you or something and I was hiding a known fugitive in my house?" Perhaps that was a bit of a stretch, but who knew what this boy was capable of?
"You seriously think I'm a criminal?"
"Believe it or not but I know nothing about you."
"Let's keep it that way."
James was about to leave again, but I needed to know the truth. Whatever the reason was, it created some distance between us. We weren't exactly friends but I thought our relationship would change after Friday though I was clearly wrongly mistaken. Now he wouldn't even look me in the eyes.
I grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving. "Just tell me!"
As if he was suddenly possessed by an animal, James whipped around, grabbed ahold of both of my hands, and pinned my back against the wall. I gulped as his grip tightened and he stepped toward me. I stared into his grey eyes which were dark and filled with danger. I wanted nothing more than to shrivel up and have the earth swallow me whole.
"Don't ever lay a finger on me again." His voice was so low I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly. "I'm letting you off with a warning this time but you won't be so fortunate the next time."
He released me and spat out his cigarette before walking off. I panted nervously as he left, finally able to catch my breath again. Tonight I witnessed a new side of James, and needless to say, I was terrified.
~*~
"Took you long enough, the game's almost done," Amber said when I returned. She smiled when she saw the lemonade bottle in my hand. "I take back what I said."
"What are the scores?" I asked as I sat beside her.
"Does it even matter?" she scoffed. "Stone Creek scored almost double what West Grove has."
"So it's a definite win?"
"Isn't it always?"
I nodded. "Guess you're right."
I tried to pay attention to the game but I was so clouded in my own thoughts. I couldn't stop thinking about my encounter with James. What the hell was wrong with him? Perhaps it was time I asked Mrs. Frazer to change my biology partner because after what happened today I was too scared to ever face him again. The sounds of cheers and music snapped me out of my thoughts. Judging by the look on everyone's faces it seemed like we won the game.
"Ladies and gents, here we have another win! Congratulations boys because you're off to finals!" the host yelled into the microphone. The crowd boomed with excitement as they cheered on the lacrosse team. "Be sure to stop by the Rollins residence for a post-victory celebration!" the host said as he wrapped up his commentary for the game.
The team went to the locker room to go change for Holden's party, so Amber and I stood outside with the other heaps of people. We lingered around, waiting for Brenton to finish getting dressed.
"Why were you gone for so long?" Amber asked me as we waited.
"I ran into Mr. Rollins." Thankfully it wasn't a total lie this time.
She giggled in reply. "How'd you manage to escape him?"
"By going to get Brent's lucky Gatorade."
"Thank God I didn't go with you," she said with a laugh.
We spent the next few minutes talking about the game, Holden's party, and inevitably Brenton. Amber was telling me about the current girl he was with. According to Amber, this girl was a slimmer and taller version of her which apparently meant Amber had a solid chance with my brother.
"I'll just wear heels all the time," she said.
"What about the difference in physique?" I questioned, curious to see her response.
She waved it off like it was nothing. "More than three-quarters of his ex-girlfriends were curvy so I'm basically the whole package."
"How do you know so much about his exes?" I was simultaneously impressed and disturbed. I was willing to bet Amber knew more about Brenton's previous flings than he did.
The doors suddenly opened and some guys stepped out. All was good until one particular individual came out. When he started walking toward me I knew tonight was about to get messier.