Chapter - 4 |The Game

Soon the classes were over and the five of us excluding Noah, Alec and Hayden went to the football ground. Our university was well known for its sports activities and has created a few well-known sports champions.

We had an exclusive football stadium built a few years ago. It was the first time for me and Riley, going to a football game. I was glad I had company.

I sat at a safe distance from the field while Sana and Riley went to buy snacks and soft drinks for us. The stadium was filling up with students and lecturers just as eager as us to see their students win this match.

Jennifer informed me this match was important for the trio sportsmen, who are our best friends. The university would select the best players and will be sending them to the mega football tournament which starts next quarter.

I've heard about the mega football tournament between the well-known universities in the United States. I have never realized how important this was to Noah before–all he ever dreamed of was becoming a star player.

When it was time, the teams marched into the field as the cheerleaders did their best stunt. I should admit it was good.

Sandra was among the crowd in a sexy cheerleading outfit, shaking her glorious assets with Talia, Anla and a few others I didn't recognize. Sandra, Talia, and Anla were the top queen bees. Though they were similar to the mean girls, Talia and Anla were nothing like the mean girls. It was just Sandra.

I turned my attention towards the teams. Noah's expectant eyes were scanning the crowd, probably looking for me. When the referee whistled, his expression fell and with a last look at the crowd he marched into the ground with his team.

I felt bad for a while, if I wasn't too busy ogling the cheerleaders, I could've waved at him and he would've seen me. Jen seemed to notice my dilemma as she clapped my shoulder and gave me a bag of chips.

After a first few minutes of the game, I seemed to enjoy it. I could grasp the basic idea of the game. I cheered for our team whenever they came close to the goal, only for the goalkeeper to deflate the ball.

Gosh... these guys were damn good.

Ten minutes into the game, none of the team had gained any points. They ran chasing the ball around the field, which sometimes looked like an exotic dance. The crowd cheered once again getting my attention. I looked on the field to see Noah, Alec, and Hayden chasing the ball.

They kind of formed a sequence around the opposite team members. When the other team got too close to the ball, our team would pass the balls to the other. At the end of the cat and mouse chase, Noah shot the first goal and the crowd went crazy as his name was on everyone's lips.

Noah's eyes were once again at the crowd. I stood up waving at him, the sounds of the people around me swallowed my voice and I was sure that I am invisible to him among thousand people and all those banners they carried.

He turned his attention to the game when Hayden clapped on his shoulder and I sank into my chair with a forlorn look.

"Don't worry, we'll meet them later," Tracy yelled.

I nodded, knowing I could do nothing for now.

Riley and I were watching the game, occasionally munching on the goodies and taking a sip from the slushy. The opposite team has scored a point and another twenty minutes go with no points.

Though a beginner, I could tell that the teams were tied and they needed one more point to gain an upper hand before the time runs out. When the games started again after the break, someone tripped Noah, whose face scrunched with pain, my heart thumped loudly and all I wanted to do was to run towards him.

As I knew that was impossible, I stay put with my heart feeling like it will explode any moment as I watched the medic racing toward Noah, checking out this injury. The player who tripped him was sent out of the field and someone has taken his place.

My body relaxed when I notice Noah standing up with a determined look, his right shin wrapped in thick gauze. "Noah is the star player in our team, our chances of winning is less without him," Sana turned to explain and I nodded in understanding.

I get he was an important person in the team, but was it necessary for him to play when he was hurt. Sadly, I knew the answer to that question too. Noah never gives up. If he had his aim set on one thing, he would give his life and everything he got until he achieved that.

Noah was walking fine according to the others, but I could see past the facade he was putting for others to see. He was in pain, his jaws were clenched and his ears were red, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the crowd once again.

After a few painful last minutes, Noah kicked the ball once again with his injured leg, sending it successfully to the goal before he fell down catching his leg. The crowd cheered as the final bell goes off indicating the end of the game.

The medic could be seen racing towards him in the field as the officers in charge of security chased away few fans who tried to enter the field. Jennifer was dragging me into the throng of the crowd, weaving in and out, taking us to the secluded area meant for the players.

Our football coach smiled at our group and motioned for us to follow, which we did gladly. Did I mention that Jennifer's father is our football coach? Things were a lot less complicated with him being there–else we wouldn't have got past the tight security.

"Noah!"

I ran towards him when he was brought in by the medic. His head whipped around and for a moment, a wide grin replaces his pained expression.

"You came," he said between the painful breaths he was taking.

"I did. You were very good at the field."

"Thank you," his chest was going up and down as his face scrunched in pain.

"You should rest now. I'll wait for them to finish, okay." I told him softly before moving out of the way and soon he was wheeled towards the infirmary.

"He'll be fine. Hayden and Alec are going to be with him and dad is also going to be there," Jennifer told me with an assuring smile and I nodded.

Taking my phone out, I called Noah's parents informing them about their son and then, messaged my mom I would be reaching home later than usual.

------

It was well past nine p.m. when I reached Uncle Mac's home. Trixie jumped at me and gave me extra kisses as I was never this late before.

"Sorry girl. Noah got hurt during the game and I couldn't leave sooner," I cooed as she continued to whine.

"Hmm... started going to the game, huh." Uncle Mac teased and I gave him a small smile. "That boy is good for you. I totally ship you guys."

"Have you had your dinner, Uncle Mac?" I asked changing the subject as letting it on would cause me in blushing and Uncle Mac will be gossiping about it like an old lady.

"Yes and before you ask, I've taken my medicine too," he replied.

"Okay then, mom will be looking for me. Have a good night Uncle Mac." I kissed his cheek and was soon out of his door.

Mom offered to pick me up when I messaged, but I refused. Noah's parents had come soon and together they took him to the nearby hospital after the first aid.

They suspected a hairline fracture and I prayed that he recovered sooner. My heart clenched seeing him on the stretcher. It was hard to see his pain and I just wanted him to be back on his legs soon.

Trixie ran inside our mansion, wanting to greet my mom before me and I stopped in my tracks when my beloved father's voice boomed from across the hall.

"Where have you been?" He asked angrily. When was he not angry? That man rarely smiled, at least at us.

"At my college game," I answered in a clipped tone, not wanting to prolong this conversation.

"There is a party this Saturday and I want you to be there. Here, take my card and buy the latest designer dress. I want you to look best."

"I am not interested in your party," I said silently.

"I didn't ask you, did I? If I say that you are to be there, then better be there." His voice raised an octave and I knew to keep quiet.

If I didn't he would call my mom a slut and speak disrespectfully about her whole family.

"At what time is the party?" I asked as Noah's request flashed in my mind.

"Seven p.m. Make sure you go to the spa and get cleaned up," he said this like he was not satisfied with the way I looked now and to be honest it did hurt.

I nodded without looking at him and went to see my mom, whose face was grim as ever.

"Mom," my voice broke at the sight of her and she hugged me into her.

"It's okay, baby. Everything is going to be fine," Mom said, rubbing my back.

"I promised Noah that I would come," I sniffled.

"And you can keep that promise," she grinned.

"How?"

"Well, we will finish the shopping and spa on Friday. Then, we will go to Noah's home on Saturday morning. The party starts only at seven p.m. which still gives us a lot of time," she said and I nodded happily.

------

Later that night, I was lying on my bed with Trixie.

"I hate this party, Trixie. You know, he is going to be there and I hate him so much," I mumbled into her fur and she licked my hand.

This he meant the infamous Bachelor Irwin Pierce. Did I tell you he was the one I caught fucking in my bed with a girl? If that was not the reason enough for me to hate him, he was there at every other party my dad hosted and he had the nerve to make a pass at me.

Last time we met, I slapped him so hard that his head turned to his side. He should've thought before pinching my ass. I don't take kindly to the praise if it meant to degrade me as a woman. I am not just a bag of meat. I have a beating heart and emotions more than any man out there.

What man touched a woman who was not his to touch in the first place? Irwin did. He thinks too high of himself and was arrogant enough to believe that a woman would just do anything on his command.

Well, I am not most women. I am, well just me with my own principles and one principle was to never bow before a man like him.

Irwin had the looks of a Hollywood star and I can understand why women swooned over him. However, his looks were just deceiving. He was a scumbag and by the time my eyes drooped, I had at least thought about a hundred ways to kill him.

I am not usually violent. But, dreaming of hurting him gave me a satisfaction. That night once again mom slept with me and I made a note to talk to her soon.