More Than A Game

Chapter 17

After spending most of the night walking amongst the rows of trees surrounding us, I could feel myself calming down after the argument with Poppy, yet somehow I was still was hurting from the harsh words. I was distracted from my negative thoughts when Ollie began speaking.

"Carmen, what happened in there? I panicked when I realised you were gone but was even more hurt when I saw you standing back there with tears in your eyes. Please, I would do anything to not see you distressed."

I sighed trying to think of a way to tell Ollie what happened. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him underneath the tree and let a sigh before looking at Ollie, who had a rather worried expression.

"It's Poppy. I was on my way to get a drink when Poppy came over and begun questioning my lifestyle I guess. I forced myself to avoid her but then she started harassing me; telling me that I was weak and that I was nothing without a footballer by my side."

"That little b*tch! I'm so sorry Carmen, I really had no idea that she was capable of being so arrogant." I noticed Ollie beginning to mutter angrily to himself. Without thinking, I placed my hands on his arm trying to calm himself down as I mentioned that wasn't the only thing that happened.

"I know that was stupid but Ollie, what I'm about to tell you next, I've only told a couple of people and that doesn't involve Chad. I don't normally talk about these things but I think it's a big step for me." I spoke up, my voice starting to become limited.

Almost at once, I begun with the footy training gone wrong to the aggressive couple which had put Brayden in a hospital. Instantly, a flood of memories begun rushed through my mind as I forced myself to hold back the tears which somehow started to run down my cheek in a string of beads.

Taking a deep breath, I paused as I could feel the crisp wind slowly brushing against my face. Looking upwards, I noticed it was getting late but couldn't make my body attempt anything.

"So that's why when Poppy begun with the hold you're nothing without anyone by your side or whatever she said, made me emotional. I don't know if I'm usually like this but for some reason, the memories...they came back."

"Carmen, I'm so sorry that had to happen and I'm sorry that you were forced to live with that in silence by yourself."

"If I had have stepped in earlier, then Brayden wouldn't have been attacked and mum wouldn't have had to spend sleepless nights anxiously watching her son almost die." I breathlessly finished as I found myself breaking down, clasping my face in my hands. I could hear Ollie's soothing voice, pleading for me look up. I looked up as Ollie slowly pulled me forward for a hug. I lent my head against his shoulder, as I stated up to the bright stars above my head.

"Don't ever think that was your fault. You were just doing what you meant to be doing, being the best sister. I doubt none of my siblings would be willing to drop everything to take me to practice. Just remember Carmen, that what happened wasn't your fault but that couple's fault. I don't want you blaming yourself for something that happened coincidentally, promise me?" he softly added as I promised back to him. We both were becoming tired after discovering the time was close 1:30 so we decided to head back to Jackson's house.

* * * * *

Walking into Jackson's house for the second time tonight, the party vibe that was yesterday evening was now a silent, empty building apart from a couple of people hanging about. I noticed Tanner, Jackson and Bella sitting on a vintage couch looking rather anxious. When Rachelle and I made eye contact, I watched her sprung from her seat and raced over to me and Ollie giving us massive hugs.

"Thank god you're here, both of you. We were worried sick and was just about to call the police. We thought something bad happened to you." Rachelle exclaimed. We reassured her that nothing happened before Bella went out to take a phone call. After discovering the phone call was from Tex, she immediately said her goodbyes before quickly making her way out the building who was then followed out by Tanner.

Ollie and I begun helping Jackson out with cleaning up the place (with assistance from the two maids who worked at the house) before finishing up cleaning in an hour and a half. As I was coming back from throwing away a couple of trash bags filled with rubbish, I could hear muttering between Jackson and Ollie before I was bought into the conversation.

"Hey Carmen, we were just talking and thought that we don't think it's a good idea to go drive out at this time. So we think it would be better if you slept here. I mean not with us or the couch but I mean in one of the rooms upstairs. If that's alright with you?" Ollie stuttered as he spoke which bought a little giggle to myself. I agreed as I made my upstairs to check out the room.

Looking around the room, I turned and noticed Ollie knocking on the door. I smiled as he walked in.

"Thank you Ollie. Thank you for party and thank you for tonight. Thank you for just being there, you've been an amazing friend."

"What can I say? The Wines has done it again." He said, I rolled my eyes as I let out a little laugh. We continued our conversation before Ollie said goodnight and begun to make his way out the door as I made my way in the blankets and slowly begun to close my eyes.

I could see the sun slowly beginning to set upon the horizon as I slowly made up along the dark alleyway, feeling rather anxious. As I was about to make a turn, I could feel my torso being pushed against the brick as I let out a frightened gasp. I could feel my chest becoming limited as I scrambled to exit the tight grip. The faceless figure muttered aggressively.

"You alright there princess? Or are you a little heartbroken because your baby brother is likely to disappear."

"No. No please don't hurt him. Don't you dare do anything. No. No. No." I screamed several times as I found myself rapidly pushing upwards as I paused as I sat upright on my bed. A bead of sweat drip from my forehead as I begun nervously panting. It was a dream, it was only a terrifying dream.

I looked at the doorway as I watched Ollie quickly rushing into the doorway. My body still felt frozen as Ollie worriedly asked what was going on? I was facing him with my heart pounding rapidly against my chest.

"It's... It was nothing. I just had a nightmare. God. I'm so sorry that I woke up but it just felt so real." I muttered, just clearly enough for him to hear. As Ollie leant against the doorway, I took a deep and shaky breath.

"Ollie, do you mind staying with me, please? I don't mean it in a strange way but it's just right now I'm feeling really freaked out with that dream. I mean, only if you want to?" I pleaded.

Ollie politely accepted as one after another, we guided our bodies underneath the warm blankets. I moved a little downwards the bed, leaning my head against Ollie's torso as I looked up upon his face, smiling as brightly as I could. Ollie then returned the favour, smiling brightly back.

"Thank you Ollie. Thank you. Not just for the party and not just for now, but for everything you've done. You're an absolutely amazing friend Ollie, I don't think I've ever met anybody as extraordinary as you." I said as I slowly found myself falling asleep in peace.