21 - Offside

ADRIEN’S POV

The locker room smelled like sweat, deodorant and anticipation. Everyone was excited for tonight, it was not just any game.

It was our chance to go top of the league table, even if we would be just three points clear.

Theo was yelling at someone for some reason and Elliot, the goalkeeper, looked like he was about to have a cardiac arrest.

“Alright guys, listen up.” Coach spoke.

“Dad’s talking guys.” Theo said.

“Theodore.” Coach said glaringly.

“Love you too coach.” He responded.

Coach threw a towel straight at his face and that got a laugh out of everyone.

“Today, we have two options.” He started and everyone listened seriously.

“It’s either we win, or we win.” He said intensely.

The atmosphere was suddenly tense.

“You all go out there.” He paused. “And give it all you’ve got.” He added.

“Don’t embarrass me.” He said lightly.

I sat down at my locker and started wrapping the tape around my wrist carefully. I felt my shoulder hurt.

I rubbed it till the pain felt faint.

Big games made me nervous. I reached for comfort in my mind yet couldn’t find it.

My phone buzzed beside me.

DAD : Give it your all, or you fail.

Really encouraging.

MUM : Lucas said to tell you goodluck.

She didn’t even know.

I closed my eyes.

Then I remembered June.

She was coming for me.

The thought settled somewhere in my chest. It was comforting.

“LETS GO!” The captain encouraged all of us and we stepped out of the tunnel.

I took in the atmosphere and let it energize me.

I looked up and caught sight of a white and gold cardigan, arms folded with a distant expression.

She was here.

I played my heart out.

“You’re brilliant today. Keep it going!” Theo yelled towards me before he ran for the ball.

In one moment, I tapped the ball in to win us the game but one of the opposition defenders tackled my leg.

“Is it bad?” The captain asked me as I got subbed off.

“Nah.” I responded.

I watched the rest of the game on the bench but jubilated when Theo got another goal, making a brace.

In the locker room, the celebrations were insane.

“Yo man. That was a crazy performance!” Max came into the locker room.

“Light work innit?” I joked.

“Your girlfriend’s here by the way.” Theo said, smirking.

I turned and there she was, looking unbothered by all the nudity around her.

“Oh, wrong timing?” She said as I walked up to her, suddenly aware of my own nudity.

She noticed I was shirtless and I could see the blush on her face but she was ignoring it.

“I’ll be back!” I told her as she moved out of the locker room.

“I wanted to tell you that…” she paused, as if she wanted to restart her sentence.

“You put on quite a show today.” She said.

That didn’t seem like what she wanted to say but I let it go.

“Just the show?” I teased.

“Don’t let it get to your head.” She said almost instantly.

Theo walked past us with a towel over his shoulder.

“While you were there? Of course he had to impress you.” He said.

“Nobody asked you.” I said.

“Actually, your girlfriend did. She looked very impressed.”

June blinked slowly, “I’m leaving.”

I caught her wrist before she could walk off completely.

“You came.” I mentioned.

Her expression turned soft for half a second before the walls came back up.

“I said I would.” She said softly.

“We do have an image to maintain.” She added carefully.

Something about the sentence landed strangely in my chest. Like she was reminding me of what this actually was.

“Yeah.” I said simply.

Silence stretched between us for a moment, like we both understood the weight her words carried.

“Is Jules around?” I asked, changing the topic.

“Yeah, she tagged along.” She responded.

“There’s going to be a party tonight. Won’t be long though, you should come.” I said.

She thought for a while.

“You people and parties.” She grumbled.

“You’re a teenager too, you know.” I told her. “You’re allowed to have fun.” I added.

She looked at me with an unreadable expression before saying, “Maybe. I’ll try to be there, not for long though.”

“Does not for long nean thirty minutes?” I teased, referencing to the party at Max’s place.

She glared at me.

“I didn’t stay for thirty minutes! I was there for an hour.” She defended.

“Same thing.” I replied.

“Anyways, I’ll be going now. See you tomorrow or tonight.” She teased and walked away.

I didn’t notice my jersey on her.

I went back into the locker room.

“May we also have girlfriends one day!” Elliot said loudly like a prayer. Everyone laughed.

“Amen!” I yelled in response.

“You’re enjoying it all aren’t you. Perfect game, perfect girlfriend too.” Max commented as he sat beside me.

“Are you allowed to be in here?” I rolled my eyes.

“Lovers tend to pick up habits from each other.” He said, hinting at my eye roll.

“I saw them in a corner, looking too near for my innocent eyes.” Theo spoke.

“No you didn’t.” I replied.

“Woah, that correction was quite fast, wasn’t it?” Max told Theo.

“I agree.” He said in response.

“I keep telling you guys, we are fake. Nothing but performances.” I said, sounding like I was trying to convince myself instead.

They looked at each other then started laughing.

“Yeah, sure. The truth will set you free Hayes.” Theo muttered.

“Veritas vos liberabit.” Max said in a language I didn’t understand.

The truth she tried to remind me of. That was the only truth in all of this.

Somehow, I was leaning closer than I should be.

And I was stil texting her.

YOU : You’re coming tonight right?

JUNE : do I have a choice?

YOU : no.

JUNE : that sounded slightly threatening.

YOU : good.