Last Player Standing

Chapter Twelve

Li Ning Jia is the biggest traitor I have ever met.

I climb the steps of the bus only to see her cozied up next to her boyfriend instead of sitting next to an empty seat.

With the football boys added, the two teams filled every seat starting from the back all the way to the front, with the coaches being in the seats next to the driver.

There were only two seats left in the entire bus.

Two at the very front of the bus, right where you got off the stairs.

There were no seats across the aisle.

Just two seats positioned together.

Two very EMPTY seats.

The racket in the bus disappears when Lucas and I board, as if everyone just realized the situation they had left us in. Ning smirks at me, and Mateo covers his laugh with a discreet cough. The rest of the team however cringes, expecting something to blow up after so many week's worth of peace since Mateo and Ning got together. They weren't aware of the fight at the party, or of the fight in the garden alcove which had been mistaken for a mere 'conversation'. They especially weren't aware of the two fights Lucas and I had at my house, and I didn't plan on them hearing even a word of it.

I look at Lucas to find him already watching me.

His eyes shift to Mateo and he glowers at him, as though he had been put on the death sentence and it was all Mateo's fault.

'I don't want to sit next to you either buddy.' I think to myself.

It would be for the next 5 hours too.

Ning deserved to be blocked for this.

Even the Coaches don't dare to interfere. They had been long aware of our rivalry, but had turned a blind eye to it like most teachers in the school. Only the sound of breathing is heard in the bus; all eyes focus on the only two people standing.

Swiftly, Linnea shoots up from her seat in the middle of the bus.

"I want to sit next to Lucas." she declares, voice shaking as she takes in our matching scowls. "I have something to ask him, so we could switch-"

My voice is quiet, but in the silence of the bus, everyone hears it.

"Sit back down."

She sits.

Lucas sighs and throws his head back, breathing deeply.

When he lowers his head, he meets my eyes, green clashing against brown.

Closing my eyes, I hold my nose bridge to fight off a headache, and plop myself down in the window seat. Lucas follows suit.

Ning peeks over my seat and Mateo leans into the aisle to talk to Lucas.

"If it's that bad we could always-" Ning starts.

"Don't. Say. A single. Word." I growl.

"Hey man," Mateo's tone is placating, and I can tell that gets on Lucas' nerves more than anything else possibly could. " If you really don't want to-"

Lucas doesn't even turn around to face him.

"Mateo, if you don't shut the fuck up and sit down."

Mateo settles down, covering his mouth to keep from annoying us with his laughter.

"I just want to sleep. Is that too much to ask for?" Lucas mumbles.

"Spoilt fucking brat." I murmur under my breath. "You think I want to sit next to you?" I continue a little louder. "If you can keep your mouth shut for 5 hours, you can pretend you're sitting next to someone else."