CHAPTER THREE: NOT PRACTICING 

CHAPTER THREE: NOT PRACTICING 

SERAPHINA'S POV

I crept back into the apartment, certain Mika would be gone by now. How could she do this to me?

The bottle of beer I was holding almost fell from my shaking hands. I stumbled into my room, making sure my door was shut.

I put my phone on, the bright light almost blinding me. Louise had sent me a series of texts, from some memes she saw to concerns about me not being in practice.

I took a swig of the beer, dropping the phone back to the floor. I had a test today, but I knew I wouldn't go there. Mika and I shared that class together.

I did not want to see her face, or Dylan's either. They should rot, I thought as I finished the beer.

This is why my mom always told me not to get close to anyone. "You're too trusting, Sera," Mama scolded. "Your heart would get shattered a million times."

I flung the beer bottle against the wall, satisfied with the bottle breaking and scattering into tiny bits. "You were fucking right," I screamed at myself. She somehow knew that I would get betrayed by two people I thought loved me.

"Okay, Sera," I dragged myself up from the floor. "Time to search for alternatives."

Luckily, I had maintained a perfect CGPA, above the 3.5 mandated for athletes. "Schools with a game program," I whispered, typing it into my search engine.

All I had to do was transfer to another school with a gaming program like Blackwood. Hopefully, they would see how far I had come and not require I start from the bottom. Even if they did, it would set me back, but I would rather start again than see the faces of those swines.

The doorbell rang, interrupting my train of thoughts.

"They'll go away," I said, continuing my search. The person knocked again and again.

"fuck it," I cursed and sighed, getting out of bed, walking to the front door. I would grab water from the kitchen, I thought to myself.

When I opened the door, the last person I expected was standing there.

"Coach," I said, staring at Marcus Cross.

He wore a blue coat and trousers, his hands in his pockets. Snowflakes were on his shoulders and in his brown hair, a scarf wrapped around his neck.

"Sera," he said with relief. "May I come in, please?"

I moved slightly, allowing him to come in. The smell of his cologne lingered as he passed, and suddenly, I was aware of my stink and the fact that I had not showered since yesterday.

"Sorry, Coach, you came in at the wrong time," I said, closing the door and making sure it was locked behind me.

He unwrapped the scarf and took off his coat. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt underneath it. "Sorry, I tracked in snow," he apologized.

"It's fine," I took the clothes from him and hanged them by the door.

"This is the first time I am coming to your dorm," Marcus said, taking a seat on the couch. "I can see why you skipped practice today," he grinned.

Right.

I sat as far away from him as possible. "I'm sorry, Coach."

"Just call me Marcus," he interrupted.

I looked at him again. "I am sorry, Marcus. I had a fever," I lied.

He nods his head. "A fever, you say?"

"Yes. It's probably the weather." I waved my hands around like I was trying to chase imaginary flies. "I should be fine soon."

Marcus looked at me. "So, tell me Sera," he adjusts himself, resting his head on his knees. "Does this fever have to do with my son?"

"Oh," I said, staring at my hands in my lap, "he told you something?"

Marcus nods. "Yes, he told me what he did."

I sniffed. "What do you think?"

"I think you are a fool."

What?

I raised my head, meeting his hard gaze. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me right, Sera. I think you are a fool."

How dare he?

"Get out," I gritted my teeth. "Your son cheats on me, and somehow I am the fool? I need you to get out of my apartment, Marcus."

"I am not. I don't think you are a fool for being with Dylan," he moved closer to me. "I think you are a fool for the decision you are about to make."

"And what might that be?" I raised my voice. "Since you already think I am a fool, why shouldn't I make the decision?"

Marcus looked at me with pity. "You might be so many things, but not a coward. Are you really going to throw away the last three years of your life for Dylan?"

I crumbled. "It hurts, watching them. Hearing the words they said about me. Mika hates me and he thinks my mother is a whore."

Marcus flinched. "I certainly did not train him to call people whores, not even his girlfriend's mom."

He grabbed my hands. "Sera," Marcus lifted my face, wiping the tears that were falling on my cheeks.

"Don't cry for Dylan," he said calmly. "Do not throw your life away for him."

"You don't understand," I said. "I can't face them. I can't look at them."

I stared into my coach's blue eyes.

"I don't want to participate in the championship anymore."

Marcus sighed. "So you would rather give up your scholarship? Your hard work? You're the star of the school."

"Yeah, and whenever I walk into practice, everyone will whisper about me. They would say, 'Oh look, Sera was so focused her boyfriend fucked her best friend.'"

Marcus shook his head. "You young adults are worried about the wrong reasons. So what if they do that? Would you still be the champion?"

I looked away. "Yes."

"That should be all that matters. Look at me, Sera."

As Marcus touched my face, sparks went down my spine. "Don't lose yourself because of my son. I say this as his father, as your coach and friend."

"Okay," I swallowed. He was so close to me, I could almost feel his breath on mine.

I jerked out of his touch.

Marcus moved backwards too. "So, I expect to see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, Marcus."

He stood up. "Next year is your last year in school, right?"

It was. "Yes."

"Good. Imagine becoming champion before you leave. People have wished for the opportunity you have now, Sera."

"Thank you, Marcus."

He walked to where I hung his coat and I got up, standing behind him. "Anytime, Sera." He wore them and I stared at his hands, how big they were compared to the cloth.

"I think it's time we discussed your future in the team, don't you think?" he asked.

My future here?

"Yes, coach."

Marcus adjusted his coat. "Meet me at the main hall, the training facility. You know which I am speaking of?"

"Yes, I do," I answered.

He opened the door and stepped out, turning back to look at me.

"You're a good student, Sera. I admire you."

Marcus left and I watched him go, still aware of his touch and the feeling he invited in me.

"He admires me," I whispered to myself, fantasizing as I shut the door.