~Reality~

Chapter 25 My realisation

One year later (Age 15) (Also moves to the 9th grade, school remains same)

I set my headband and kick the ball. I pass it to Justin. He passes the half way line but an opponent blocks his way. He looks for an opening, his eyes lock on mine, but Mark comes right in front of me. He kicks the ball from in front of me and runs like the wind. Another opponent tries snatching it away.
I call his name. He looks my way, but doesn't pass me the ball, I grit my teeth in frustration. In that moment of indecisiveness, the other opponent snatches the ball away.
The other team scores.
I hear the referees whistle and coach calls for a time out. I immediately know what's coming.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING MARK? SHE WAS OPEN FOR GODS SAKE!" coach yells at Mark.
He mumbles something incoherent.
"You guys are supposed to be a TEAM! Not a bunch of random good players just asked to play together!! So listen up. I want you to put your differences aside, and WORK TOGETHER! Just one game okay guys? It's the FINALS. We can't screw it up." He looks all in the eye once and pushes us back to the field.
We were losing by 2 points.

For the remaining part of the game we buck up and somehow manage to bring the score even. Till now, there hadn't been anymore opportunities for Mark to consider passing the ball to me but with only five minutes left, me being near their goal and open, I could see him contemplating his choices.
The opponent was gaining fast, I yell at him to pass me the ball, and faintly year coach yelling at him too. "Just pass me the ball for Gods sake!" I yell.
He moves a bit forward and I lose hope when suddenly he kicks the ball to me. I almost sigh in relief but realize the ticking timer.
I surge forward while kicking the ball between people's legs. I aim for goal. I trick the goal keeper through the positioning of my foot but change it's direction at the last second.

Suddenly the crowd erupts. I scored. There's no way they'll be able to score another goal in less than two minutes. We've.......won. I see the whole team looking at me with triumphant looks. The give me huge grins. I grin back.

We play the remaining two minutes successfully defending and the referee finally blows the final whistle. Suddenly I'm hoisted into the air. They've grabbed me and Justin, who's our captain, onto their shoulders. The only person I see with a small trace of unhappiness is Mark...
I enjoy the moment for a while, everyone patting our backs, boys from the other team looking at me in respect, all my friends and family cheering me from the stands. It's a dream come true.

Justin hugs me, "you did awesome Ava". He's become one of my greatest friends, who always helps me out.
"You too," I say and break the hug. Justin steps back and glances at Cody in the stands. He gives him a small sly smile and an almost unnoticeable nod.
He then looks at me, with what seems a hint of sadness for some reason behind his eyes, and says, "where do you wanna go to celebrate?" .
I grin, "Taco Bell" .
He rolls his eyes grinning, "of course, I should've known"
"Yup, now gimme a moment, k?" I say and run to the stands.
I give my mom a hug first.
"I'm so proud of you Ava" she says. I smile so hard my cheeks hurt.
"Thanks mom. Love you." I say.
I proceed to hug dad then ruffle Lucas's hair.
"I'll see you guys in a while" I say to them. I make my way to my friends. Sarah and Kate jump on me hugging me, I squeeze back harder.
"Congratulations Ava!!!" Sarah says with her ever cheery attitude, still audible over the noise from the stands and field.
"Thanks Sar!" I reply unable to stop smiling.
"We always told you, you could do it" Katie says loudly.
"Yeah, yeah you did...thanks Kate, thanks guys." I say sincerity dripping from my voice, "I love you guys so much"
I untangle myself from them and take in all my loud surroundings. I turn to Cody.

"I thought you'd be one of the first to congratulate me" I say teasingly.
"Nope, you should always save best for last." he says with a smirk.
"Oh really? Is that so?" I say.
His hand rubs the back of his neck like he does whenever he's nervous. "Yup..." He replies.
"Come on here" I say and pull him into a hug. He hugs me back.
"Congratulations Ava" He says close to my ear so that I could hear him over the noise.
"Thanks Cody. Thank you so much." I say smiling squeezing him tighter.

For some reason, something's changed between us ever since I've ranted about Pranav just two days back....

Flashback

I sit on the bean bag smiling. The three of them look at me.
"What happened to you?"
"Just hung out with Pranav." I reply.
Sarah and Kate look at Cody who has a somewhat nonchalant look on his face.
"That's nice. What did you guys do?"
"Nothing really, but you know what? he's like.....the big brother I never had! I can do anything with him, like rant and whatnot and I know he won't judge me.." I say smiling.
Cody's head snaps up and the other two have the biggest grins on their faces.
"What?" Cody asks.
"I can easily rant to him...?" I say confused.
"No, what you said before that." Cody says impatiently.
"He's...like the big brother I never had part?" I ask.
Sarah and Kate high five. What's up with them? Cody has an enormous smile on his face. "Oh, that's great...." He says and continues to scroll through his phone what seems like him trying to hide his smile. Sarah and Kate keep grinning at me like madmen.
"Okay.... can you guys spill?" I say. They just shrug and Cody shakes his head. I fall back into my bean bag. These guys are so annoying.

Flashback ends

I look at him closely. I think of all the knowing looks and glares thrown his way. I think about his green eyes and messy black hair. I think about the times he's helped me out. I think about how he acts with me. Wait.....is it possible that..? WAIT, is it possible that I....oh god......

——————————————

We have a small get together with the team to celebrate. I invite Cody to come with, since he's the only one who Justin allowed, being twins and all...

"Did you have fun?" Cody asks, "playing the finals I mean?"
"More than anything!" I reply looking at him.
"More than singing for your 2 million subscribers?" He whispers.
I blush. Apparently, 1 year, is a lot of time, since I've gained 2 million subscribers since then... Guess my voice wasn't as bad as I thought...
"I love both" I say, slyly. He grins.
"Thought so" He says. We sit down in one of the booths with the other team members mushing us together. Justin looks at Cody with a sly smile. Cody glares at him.

We all order our food and the stink of sweat slowly surrounds us. Seriously, these guys and I need to take a shower.
I think about my conclusion from a while ago. The best way to know is to ask..
"Hey Cody?" I say a bit nervous.
He scrunches his eyebrows, "Yeah."
"Meet me at my house at 4 today okay? Tell Sarah and Kate to come at four thirty."
"Okay?" He says a bit confused. I nod. He shrugs and takes another bite from his taco.
Well schists gonna go down today....

Srry for the late update! Imma end the story real soon now....and with vacations coming up I'll update soon.
Anyways, Thanks for reading, don't forget to vote!

*sings at the top of my lungs breaking the windows close to me*

Stay tuneedddddd!