Passion is a Game

Chapter 12: Caged Animals

It felt like an out of body experience. Like I was somebody else; watching the chaos unfold in front of me. It was the sound of punching that brought me from my daze and allowed me to adjust to the fact that there was a group of guys having it out in Mia's hotel room.

I rushed over and grabbed Jackson's arm, trying to get him off Chad who was pinned to the floor. He was about to swing for me when he realised who it was and lowered his arm. He still gave Chad another punch and finally got off him. I then ran over to another guy who had Finley pinned up against the wall who was trying to help Jackson but Chad's ass licker Jace got to Fin before he could help.

"Hey that's enough" I gently touched Jace's arm in the hope he'd stop considering everyone else had; he did. Mia and Cassie stood in the middle of the room; eyes wide open and just before anyone could say another word, the coach barged in through the door.

"What in god's name is going on here?!" He screamed and scanned around the room, attempting to piece together what happened. Jackson stepped forward, ready to explain. Before he could speak, the coach held out his hand.

"Don't, I do not want to hear it. You guys are seriously drinking and fighting THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR FIRST GAME! I thought this was important to you I thought-" Jackson cut him off.

"Coach just listen-" He got cut off again.

"No Jackson, I do not want to hear it. If it was only one or two of you, I'd bench you for the whole game for being so irresponsible but unfortunately I can't bench the whole team. Oh but boy when I tell you when we get back to school, you will be running laps until you beg me to stop, or you faint or throw up or all of the above. Just wait until Headmaster Brooks hears about this. Now boys get back to your rooms NOW! Girls, you aren't being let off either, you will be running laps like the rest of them."

Ruby cries out "but coach I-"

"BED. NOW." And with that the boys left the room with their heads bowed low and it was killing me to not talk to Jackson or Finley, to make sure they were okay, to thank them. Ruby and her minions left without a second glance, the coach following not too far behind. I look at Cassie and Mia who both burst out laughing, I join in, trying to grasp what on god's green earth just happened.

"I best go before the coach comes back and makes me run laps around the hotel!" I laugh even more.

"Yeah me too. Me and exercise do not get along." Cassie explains.

"Oh, before I go, do either of you have Jackson and Fin's number? I want to text them and make sure they're okay and to thank them." They both exchange weird looks.

"What?" I question, confused.

"Fin? You're a nickname basis with him now? And I do and I'll give it to you but be careful A, you're playing a dangerous game." Mia states.

"It's not like that, they both keep defending me and I just want to thank them, that's all." Mia passes me her phone so I can copy both their numbers into mine.

I arrived back in my hotel room feeling extremely run down and got myself tucked up in bed. I grab my phone from the bedside table and begin writing my messages; Finley first I thought.

Me: Hey, it's April, I got your number from Mia I hope that's okay. I just wanted to say thanks again for defending me, I feel like that's all you're doing at the minute! I hope you're okay :)

Sent.

I sat and waited for a reply which came almost instantaneously.

Finley: Of course that's fine and it's not your fault that Chad's an ass, he needs to be put in his place. And don't think I don't know you can defend yourself, I know you can but I can't just stand there and do nothing. And yes I'm fine, I should be thanking you for getting Jace to back off.

I smiled at his response, I'm glad he doesn't think I'm this weak person.

Me: It's fine, it's not your fault Jace is an ass ;)

Sent.

Finley: Get some sleep before the coach strangles us both! Goodnight beautiful :)

My heart squeezed at his response, I tried not to read into his message too much but it proved to be harder than expected. I clicked on Jackson's name and began typing.

Me: Hey, it's April, Mia gave me your number I hope that's okay. Just checking in to see if you're okay and to say thanks again for what you did in there.

Sent.

A few minutes passed

Jackson: You don't have to thank me, he's a dick and he needed it. Are you okay?

Me: Yeah he is and I'm okay, just a little grossed out.

Jackson: After tomorrow's game, I'm talking to the coach to get him kicked off the team.

Me: You don't have to do that, I don't want it to affect your team.

Jackson: The team is important to me. But I won't let him carry on.

A few seconds pass

Jackson: Talk more tomorrow? Don't forget your pom-poms...

I grinned like a 12 year old girl at my phone for what felt like a very long time until sleep soon found me. The next morning, my eyes adjusted to the morning sun as I glanced over to the clock and realised if I don't hurry; I am going to be late to the first game of the season...