One of the Boys

Chapter 8

One word popped into my head this morning and it was awkward. Like how awkward it's going to be between Cole and I, or Ashley, or anyone that reminds me of Cole. Well shit. I spent all night thinking of why Cole would almost kiss me when he has a perfect girlfriend and I was his best friend. Why would he almost kiss me? Maybe because him and Ashley have been fighting for a while and he was missing some affection. Or he cannot control his hormones and I am a girl after all. Or maybe it's like this late puberty thing which has got him acting so weird lately. Then again I could be making this whole scenario up and misinterpreted his actions. I could have had something on my face and he was trying to take it off without letting my hands go in fear of losing our match. Ugh!

I dragged myself out of bed and looked in the mirror and as expected I looked like horse shit. The bags under my eyes were so outrageous that I could be hiding a family in there and illegally transporting them into the country. My hair looked like I had fought with hairdresser while she was doing my hair. Again, horse shit. Why couldn't I wake up and be beautiful? I can always fix myself up. Fix... Myself... Up... That's it! I was going to start dressing and acting like a girl and then crush Dean's heart. The only problem is that I did not know where to start. Moments like these is where I needed a girlfriend, or just my best friend. That ass, I was going to fix things with him today... or as soon as the tension seizes.

I rummaged through my closet to find something decent to wear, too baggy, too stained, too masculine, too ripped. This is harder than it looks. I think I need to go shopping. Cole had practice today, usually he'd have one of his brothers drop me off since my dad had to go early to work, but today was one of the few days when my dad could drop me off so I was taking advantage of it. Since I couldn't sleep all night I might as well go watch the rest of soccer practice and maybe catch Cole at the end.

I hoped in the drivers seat hoping my dad won't kick me out but luckily he didn't.

"Don't you think it's about time I got my own car?" I asked him. "I feel like I got my drivers licence for no reason."

"You always take the car when I'm home," he said.

"Dad, you practically live at the station, you come home late and you gave me a curfew," I gave him a look. "Plus I have a job now I just need a little help..."

"Okay fine kiddo, I'll have to think about it," he said.

That basically meant no.

I parked the car outside of school before giving my dad his seat back. I picked up a coffee for coach since he was literally obsessed with it, like he could drink ten cups a day, and I got myself a chocolate milk carton.

Coach Reynolds smiled at me as I gave him his coffee.

"How's practice going? Newbies giving you a hard time?" I asked.

A few of the boys noticed me and waved.

"Focus!" yelled coach as they scurried in fear. He turned back to me, "they're really good this year. I see good things this season."

"It would be even better if I played right?" I asked.

"If every player on the field was a Caroline Wright then we'd be going World Cup," he winked.

I looked a Cole with hopes of him looking at me but he was too focused. He took his role as captain too seriously, which I admired. At first I thought it would be awkward talking to him but now I just want him to look at me.

The coach blew the whistle and ordered two juniors to clean up. All the boys had already started making their way to the change room. I started walking towards Cole but the two juniors stopped me.