The Game

Chapter 30 - Chubby Celtic

Tori

I get home from school feeling exhausted. Neal is sitting with paperwork, but it's not school related. I never asked how he knows my father, or what he studies. He's always so serious, and he never talks about himself. I go over to the table he's working at and sit down.

"Neal." I say with my hands folded.  He looks up. It's actually the first time he looks up whenever I talk to him, he always looks down and talk.

"Tori?"

"I want to thank you for your help today, I appreciate it a lot" I say very professionally trying to regain my pride after todays embarrassment.  

"You're welcome. Couldn't have you walking around the school like that."

"Yeah, so tell me about yourself." He raises an eyebrow at my question. "What do you study for example - you seem smart.. by the way" He looks down as he chuckles. I've never noticed how white his teeths are.

"I've studied economy, English and law but right now I'm an intern at your dad's law firm.  And yes I am smart. Not to brag. " Wait.. he works for my dad? What the...

"You work for my dad? Why take a shitty, I mean a terrible job like a teacher and in your spare time work as babysitter, if you work at a law firm."

"First, I am not a teacher, but a substitute teacher, which means I'm actually not qualified as a teacher, but they gave me the job because I studied English and I am going to be here till Mr. West returns. Second I am not a 'babysitter' I just look out for you because your dad asked me to."

"And why would he ask you? I mean why ask a stranger to look after his teenage daughter" He folds his arms on the table and looks at me.

"You don't remember me, do you?" I take a good look at him.  I think I would remember a face like his. I mean he's pretty good looking. So, no I don't remember him, I've never seen him before.

"Nope, not really - never met you before, I would've known if I had" He nods his head in amusement as he smiles.

"Chubby Celtic - does that ring a bell?" I take a good look at him again.. Oh my god... My eyes widen. "No way." I say in disbelief.

"Yep"

"But how did you become so.... thin!" I say, but regret saying it just as i said it. "You know what I mean, sorry."  It doesn't seem like it bothered him, he just smiles.

"Something called exercise and cutting low on the carbs."  I suddenly remember it very clearly now.

Neal Celtic. God, I used to hate him. He used to be a little chubby boy, and I would bully him, so one day while he was staying the night at our house, he stuck gum onto my long locks, and the next day my dad cut off my long hair to shoulder length. I was 6, and he was 10. Sarah at that time had just turned 3. I actually remember him losing weight. He would always be out with his friends playing. As we grew older I only saw him a few times, he was sent to a catholic  boarding school for boys, I think. He would visit us sometimes when he was back in town. Sarah had the biggest crush on him. She practically loved him. Gosh I hated him. It took me 3 years to grow my hair out. I looked past his weight loss at that time, I hated him with every bone in my body. I suddenly feel angry.

"It took me 3 years to grow my hair out" I say looking at him in awe. He just starts laughing, I have never seen him laugh before.

"For all the times you bullied me. I think you deserved it. They should have made you bald."

"You had it coming. You were always following me everywhere. I told you not to." I say in my defense.  

"You would always take my football, that's why I followed you. Your dad would buy you a trillion other things, but you just had to take mine."