I Told the Stars about You

Chapter 33 - Everything

"I hate home-away games." Aiden says with a frown, looking out onto the bleachers.

The stalls are full. The cheering is incredibly loud. But we're in out neighbour town, so it's not us that are clapping for, it's the other team.

"I thought we were supposed to be playing against each other, against Jason and his mates." I say, looking around and assesing the other team. They seem to have some strong points going for them. The height, the three main players. Connan, Ray, Jackson. I remember playing against them two years ago. Our team won out of pure luck thanks to a score in the last minute. I don't know if I can trust in that at the minute.

Suddendly, Tracey, one of the cheerleaders stetching next to us cuts in to the conversation.

"Well, after your girlfriend-"

"Rose." I correct, not thinking she'd like the idea to be anyone's.

"Whatever. Rose." Tracey shrugs, says, "After she landed him in prison, its not like he was going to play anytime soon. Coach didn't think it was fair to play againt the other team of our school considering their captain was gone."

"Yeah," I reply nonchalantly.

"I mean, personally, I don't get it, you know?" Tracey leans her leg on the bar at the side of the court, stretching until her nose touches her knee. "How is it fair that the whole of the basketball team has to rely on their sponsors and scholarships in an environment where they won't do well? If Rose really cared about you, I bet she would have held out on the trial until you had your scholarship playing againt Jason's team. Considering you'll play better againt people you know"

I do my best not to crush her head against the concrete wall beside us. As if reading my thoughts, Aiden pats my back in what I can presume he means to be a comforting manner, but I only shrug him off. Say, "Excuse me?"

Tracey drops her leg off the bar and walks closer to me, until I have to look down to catch her eyes.

"I'm just saying. Even if he did do whatever he did, I don't think he deserved prison. I mean, really? That's a bit much." She tilts her head back, ties the blue ribbon into her hair. "I guess she didn't really love him. Even after they dated for three years." Her tone innocent, but I can hear the intent behind it. "I'd doubt if she could really love you after a couple of months."

At my glare, she raises her hands up in mock surrender. "What? I'm not trying to be mean here, or anything. It's not against her." Tracey leans in, places an unwelcome hand on my arm. "But in case you do, well, question her affection, you can find it elsewhere. I'll be cheering for you."

I'm about to open my mouth to tell her just how much I despise the mere idea of whatever she calls 'affection', when Aiden carefully moves me out of the way.

"Tracey, I wouldn't." He says, taking on an even tone. Kinder than he would with others. It makes me question if they know each other. "They're good, okay? Don't bring in unneccesary drama. Plus, I'd consider how I'd speak about people who have been through trauma. It's not your place to understand their feelings or their choices."

Aiden hugs her and, with a final pat on the back, walks towards me letting her walk away to the cheer team.

"What was that," I grit out, turning to face him.

"Lets not go there."

"No, no, I insist. Please, lets." I whisper, running up to him as he heads into the empty locker room. Everyone else is already outside, where we just were, ready to play the game that's about to start.

When he doesn't answer me, I take his arm and pull him to face me.

"How do you know her?" I ask, quietly.