2 YEARS AGO

•~Chapter 13~•

(LOUIS)

Niall is as stubborn as it gets and that's the reason it's kick off time and he's on the field, waiting for the game to start. Despite his injury that's actually worse than it sounds, he still insists on playing. The black stripes that hurt him should probably be charged with assault, but Niall refused because he had a part to play in the fight too, along with half of the team. When i tried to get him to back out of the match, its like i was asking for the impossible. Its just a game, i didn't understand why he was being so difficult.

Harry tried to convince him on several occassions to withdraw but gave up in the end. He had his own problems to worry about since he was playing left winger today. He seemed nervous. He should be, he sucks at football.

At nine the game started. People who supported the black stripes were all cheering on their team and hoping for the absolute best. We didn't have anyone there to support us because its an away game. That just makes everything worse, especially with all the boo's that were directed towards us.

Twenty minutes into the game and both teams hadn't scored a single goal. I could feel the frustration coming off of my teamates and we weren't even close to the second half yet. Nothing was made easier when the opposing team took possession of the ball. Our midfielders and defenders worked tirelessly to gain it back but before we knew it, the black stripes had scored. The goal itself wasn't even that good, it barely went into the post. My guess was that Niall was still in pain (obviously) and that's why he couldn't block it. The team was so disappointed and i could literally feel Coach's yells burning my skin. At this point, our morale was on 0. It didn't help that a third of the team were subs.

I've always witnessed players get overly relaxed when they score a goal. Its worse when its the first goal of the game and that's exactly what happened to the black stripes. Forty minutes into the game and we had ball advantage. Sanchez assisted in passing me the ball pretty well, i aimed at the post glad that there was noone able to block me and i scored.

By half time the odds were looking fair with a 1-1 score for us. If we could defend the ball long enough to score a second goal and keep the black stripes from possession then we could win. Then we won't be shamed in the newspapers and Coach might not make us run fifty fucking laps, like he had promised.

--

Second half is in and as i had predicted, we had an advantage. We've possessed the ball way more than the competition. All we need now is a goal.

We haven't had any shots on targets but the stats are good enough. We're all tired and out-worked but a little longer and i know for sure we could score a goal and win.

As if on queue, the ball gets passed to Harry and he's running with it. Im clear and all he needs to do is pass me the ball so i can shoot. A black stripe is on him but he's slow, Harry's fast. I can hear Coach yelling for Harry to dribble, pass me the damn ball! But he doesn't. He tries a heart breaking dribble and then a heart breaking pass. What in the hell! I had noone blocking me, noone was there to attack, the blackstripe goalkeeper was far from his post. I could have scored if Harry had just passed the ball!

Seconds later and we've lost possession. Defense is past weak and the black stripes have scored their second goal. Before we know it, its full time and we've lost the game 2-1. The crowd literally ran into the field to celebrate their team's win. Despite our loss and disappointment, i could understand why they were so happy. A team as weak as the black stripes just managed to literally destroy the so called state champions.

--

"What in the name of the bloody heavens was that! Niall, how could you miss those goals. Even my grandmother could have blocked the ball and she's in a fucking wheelchair. And Styles! You had noone keeping you from passing the ball, why the hell didn't you?!"

If embarasement isn't enough then getting yelled at by your Coach is definately something. Not including the fact that he called me aside privately to scold me for not carrying the team while Liam was benched. This would have been your time to shine Tomlinson. You've got a scolarship to defend and trust me, it will be taken away if you don't hold up your end of the line. I'll admit, Coach is right, i haven't done anything to prove to the team that im a good player, one of the best actually. That can all be blamed on the fact that i've been preoccupied, with Harry and everything.

Speak of the devil.

After apologising to Coach and promising that i will help carry the team, Harry happened to still be in the lockerooms doing God knows what. All that anger that i felt when he threw out our one opportunity of winning came right back. I wasn't just going to let this slide.

"You suck at football. You're absolute shit, always were and yet you still play it," i approached him. He glared at me from the bench he sat on but i didn't care.

"I dont need you to rub it in," he replied.

"If you had just passed the ball we could have won!"

"I dont wanna hear it okay! Go fuck yourself!"

"No Harry! I've had enough of you acting and pretending and running away from things. You're gonna sit there and listen to every word i have to fucking say," by now i was fuming to say the least and this was finally my chance to confront Harry about everything, "you left me in the middle of a damn street, i show up again and you act like nothing happened. Then you ruin my game and still, you're as cocky and shitty as it gets!"

"So this is my fault? Lets talk about the game yeah? Was i the only one that played shit? Half of the team was benched. And as for you and i, you brought back memories that i tried to bury-"

"You left me alone with all those memories!" I screamed.

"He died Louis!" He was standing and pacing towards me now. The anger in his expressions weakened me a bit, i had to take a step away from him. It didn't help though because he's so damn tall. He's literally towering over me.

"He died because of you and me and you just want me to pretend like nothing happened. You say im the one who pretends. Fuck that! How can you look at me without thinking of him?!"

I stared at the ground, unable to look at Harry because he was right. All i kept thinking of was him but how could i possibly just ignore the fact that Zayn died because of what happened two years ago. We caused that and here i was, mad at the world because Harry wouldn't talk to me when i should be making amends for the damage i caused.

I was about to reply Harry who definately wanted an explanation but Kevin interrupted. He looked very distressed as he frantically burst through the dresser. I couldn't really read his expression but i knew something was up. He panted, bending down and dropping his hands to his knees. A few seconds later he compiled himself and spoke.

"Niall's injuries have become worse. I finally convinced him to tell Coach. They're going straight to the hospital."

___°-°