Chapter Twenty Nine : No I, In Team

"Quitting the team?"

Gemma only shrugged as I was unable to come to terms with what she'd just told me. I didn't understand, just last night Dakota mentioned that the scout had offered him a spot and now he was ready to throw it all away? It was his dream just as much as it was mine.

As much as I wanted to confront Dakota about it, I couldn't, more so I didn't know what to say to him. It was at the back of my mind all morning but I couldn't bring myself to do it, part of me felt embarrassed to talk to him, I was the one who pushed him away, and the other part couldn't be bothered with him.

"I just can't believe it." Gemma said for what felt like the millionth time as we sat on the bleachers during lunch. Unlike every other day, it wasn't sunny out. Instead it was dark and cloudy, no sign of the sun what so ever. I decided to buy today's canteen special, sloppy joes but regretted my decision. It looked like it would run away if I tried to pick it up, so I left it untouched.

"Believe it." Jane said, picking up her book as she wriggled her brows.

"Luka, you have to do something." Gemma said as she turned to me, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Why me?"

"He'll listen to you."

"No, he won't." I scoffed. Dakota would never listen to me, not even when we were friends. He'd do the complete opposite to whatever it is I'd say.

"He still likes you, idiot. So push aside your pride and just talk to him already." Jane said, rolling her eyes from behind the book she was reading.

That afternoon was a blur. I couldn't focus on anything during class because I had been mulling over the thought of having to talk to Dakota and what it was that I should say to him. Dakota, don't quit because the team sucks without you? No.

I sighed, slumping my shoulders as I shoved my text books into my locker, I slammed it shut before grabbing my black duffel bag, silently wanting to repeatedly slam my hand into it as well.

"Listen up, ladies. Next game, we're going out of town and into the big city. But that don't mean you can run wild like a buncha' headless chickens, alright? Now get to practice." Coach blew his whistle. It wasn't long after that he motioned for me to come to him. What is he going to say this time? It had been awhile since coach mentioned his conspiracy theories to the team.

"I heard you been scouted." He said in whisper.

"Yes, coach."

"Did anything seem.. off about him?" He said, his eyes darting back and forth behind me as if on the look out for something.

"N-no, coach." I said with an arched brow.

"Alright." He said and patted my back, sending me off. I walked onto the field, feeling like I had just taken a trip into crazy town. Coach always surprised me with the words that came out of his mouth.

"What was that all about?" Michael asked, walking up to me.

"You don't want to know." I chuckled before starting the assigned drills. Practice went by slow and I was finding myself stealing glances at Dakota for almost the entire duration. Sometimes it looked like he was too but I think that was only what I wanted to imagine. I sat down on the bleachers, sore and tired from today's drills as I tried to catch my breath.

"Want to come over?" Michael asked me as we finished up practice. I downed a mouthful of water before answering, quenching my thirst.

"Sorry, I have something to do today." I said as I stared across the field at Dakota, who was putting in extra practice.

"Alright, see you." Michael said before walking to the parking lot.

I took in a deep breath, letting it out before I stood up with my fists clenched together. With each heavy step I took my heart pounded against my chest, so loud I was afraid he might hear. I had no idea what to say to him. He stopped mid practice when he noticed me, taking off his helmet before staring straight at me. We stood in front of each other silent, with just the two of us on the empty field.

"Are you quitting the team?" I asked, barely audible as the words nearly caught in my throat.

"Yeah." He mumbled as he nodded.

"Why?"

"I'm not cut out for it."

"Are you kidding me? We've been playing together for years."

"I can't do it."

"You can't or you won't?"

"Both."

"You have to play. You and football, it makes sense." I said with a half smile.

"You don't understand." He paused.

"I'm just like my mom, ruining every chance for myself." He kicked at the grass beneath his feet, averting his gaze from me. I knew what he meant by that and as long as he kept on the path he was choosing, he wouldn't make it past high school.

"You can get help.. I-I can help you."

"You've been trying and I treat you like crap. I completely lose myself and it's like there's this dark cloud over me all the time that won't leave. But when I'm wasted of out my mind, it's gone." I could tell by the sound of his voice, he was choking back tears.

"It's a temporary fix but I can't help it." His voice cracked, making me feel sorry.

"We can work through it, together. However long it takes, just don't throw this away. It's a once in a lifetime chance, Dakota. Everything we've always dreamed of, right in front of us. Tell me you'll stay on the team." I moved closer to him and with a shaky hand I reached for his, cupping the side of his face with the other, lifting his head to match my gaze.

His eyes were welled with tears that were begging to fall as he stared at me. I could see the hurt, the anger in them that I never see before, making me wonder what kind of friend have I been not to notice. But he was good at that, hiding the way he felt from me and everyone else around him, trying hard to live up to the standard that was held against him.

We stood there, silent as I gave him comfort through this one simple touch. Realizing just how much I missed feeling the softness of his him, seeing his cheeks that rosy pink glow and his strands of hair that stuck to his forehead from sweat.

Dakota licked his lips as his eyes gazed at mine and I found myself leaning into him, feeling the warmth of his breath against my face. I closed my eyes before our lips touched, just barely, making my body fill with nerves that spread from my fingers to my toes. He pressed his lips hard against mine as I slipped my tongue in and out of his mouth, making his breathing heavy. I wanted him to beg for me back, to make him yearn and feel sorry.

In that fleeting moment I felt nothing but bliss from the tenderness of his lips as he snaked his arm around my waist, holding me tight.

I broke the kiss, stepping away from him, wondering what the hell I was doing and if it was right.

"I'll stay." He smirked, grabbing me once more and wrapping his arms around my waist.

The week had come and gone and before I could blink, it was Friday. Dakota and I hadn't spoken since that day during practice, matter of fact I hadn't even seen him in school much either. I called once, no answer. But it gave me time to think.

Mostly about whether what would become of us and if we'd be friends again or something more. We hadn't exactly said anything that day about it but did the kiss mean Dakota and I were together again? I felt dizzy just thinking about what was going through his mind. It was a vicious cycle, our friendship.

It wasn't until after football practice that I was able to talk to him. It was quiet as we started the journey home, exchanging stares from time to time and smiling for no reason. Maybe there was a reason, I don't know. Dakota extended his hand to grab hold of mine, squeezing it tight as if I would jerk away. But as if I would.

"I've been getting help." Dakota said, breaking the silence.

"Really?" I said as my eyes lit up.

"Yeah I missed a couple of days of school because of it."

"Do your parents know?"

"No, I've been dealing with it on my own. It's not much but I've been trying to do better, really."

"That's great, Dakota." I said, taking back my hand as we neared our houses.

"Yeah. Well.. see ya." He gave me a half smile before crossing the street. I opened the door to my house, heading straight for my room, wanting nothing but to stay in the solstice if it all but sooner or later I knew I'd get invited to some party by either Gemma or Jane. I only prayed that Dakota would stay out of trouble tonight.

As I was getting comfortable on my bed, ready to game it out with the controller in one hand and a bowl of popcorn in the other, I heard the doorbell ring and for a second I thought maybe it was Dakota. I sat and waited, frozen with part of me hoping it was him. It wasn't long before my mom knocked on my bedroom door.

"Hun, there's a boy at the door, Michael." I arched my brow. Michael?

"Hey." I said, closing the front door behind me.

"I hope you don't mind me showing up like this."

"No, not at all. Wanna come in?" I asked, pointing my thumb to door. He nodded.

"Mom, this is my friend."

"Hi Mrs.De Angelis."

"Well, nice to meet you Michael. Will you be joining us for dinner?" She smiled widely, the way she used to whenever Dakota would come over and it made me nervous.

"Sure, that'd be great."

It was just the three of us, as we sat at the dinner table. My dad was absent but that wasn't anything new. I was actually thankful he wasn't here, even though we were all seemingly civil with each other, I didn't trust it to last much longer.

"So Michael, where are you from?" Mom asked, cutting into her pork chop.

"The city." Michael said after swallowing, turning to look at her.

"Oh, that's great! I've always wanted to move to the city."

"It's nothing special really, besides I like it here better."

"Well I'm glad to hear. So what does your father do Michael?"

"He's retired but he was a football coach back home."

"How exciting! I remember now, yes. I seen you both at the football game."

"Yeah, it's how I met Luka." He said before turning to me to smile, making me smile in return.

After dinner, Michael and I sat in my room playing video games on the Nintendo, getting my ass kicked as usual on Mario Kart.

"Dude, you suck." He chuckled as we finished another race.

"I know but it's fun." I said with a smile and a shrug.

"So how was it with the scout? I never had time to ask."

"It's was great. I'm really grateful for the offer and I can't thank your dad enough."

"It's fine, don't worry about it." He said as he smiled at me.

"Why are you so nice to me?" I chuckled.

"Because I like you." He shrugged. I felt suddenly embarrassed and shy at the words he'd just said, not knowing what to say to that. He stared at me, gazing into my eyes, waiting for me to say something. I wanted to but before I could there was a loud knocking at my bedroom window, making me jump up and out of bed. I walked over to it, only making out the silhouette.

"Dakota is at Queenie's, completely wasted." Gemma said between pants, obviously out of breath. What's he gotten into now?

A/N vote, comment and tell me what you think! this chapter is kind of boring and rushed,  I know I'm sorry!