More Than A Game

Chapter 18

Thunder. The loud roars of the terrorising weather element could be heard in the room as I stood against the wall, staring out the window.

Once again that same dream reoccurred, creating more reason for me to feel burnt with fear. I took a long sigh as I looked at my phone. Scrolling through the various messages, I frowned at one very surprising text.

Carmen, where are you? You haven't been answering my calls and I'm really starting to panic. Please call me as you can, I miss you. - Chad

I could feel my heart sinking as I thought about the last time I was with Chad; both standing at the pier arguing over some silly little thing that even I couldn't remember. The memory of Chad pushing me away caused a single tear to drop from eye as I kept staring outside the window. From the corner of my eye, I could see Ollie slowly rising from the bed.

"Carmen, what are you doing up so early in the morning? It's like 2 in morning, I think!" Ollie mumbled as he stretched his arms upwards. I wiped my eye as I turned my attention to him suddenly finding my eyes paying closer attention to his torso.

His chiseled abs glowed vibrantly underneath the moonlight which slowly begun crawling through the window. I took another breath before speaking.

"I couldn't sleep. I guess I wasn't feeling well." I lied stuttering, as I looked towards the ground. Ollie stared to make his way to me as I could feel my eyes darting back to Ollie's shirtless body.

Snap out of it Carmen, you're acting how a school girl would. I thought to myself.

"I can tell you're lying right now. Please, if something is wrong, please tell me. If I can help I will."

Our bodies were fairly close as I stared into Ollie's brown eyes that somehow seemed to sparkle back at me. I prayed to myself to just go back to bed instead of feeling somewhat nervous. Slowly, our bodies edged together as Ollie's warm breath brushed against my face. I shivered as I could feel my heartbeat starting to beat rapidly. Almost instantly, I pulled Ollie towards me as I pushed my back against the wall and started leaning back. Placing my hand around his neck, the tip of his nose slowly moved downwards as I carefully allowed my lips onto his.

It was as if time had suddenly stopped and all the nervousness I felt before had somehow disappeared without a trace. The steamy kiss between us lasted for several moments before Ollie broke away from the kiss. I could feel my breath becoming limited as I was frozen with embarrassment. Had I just kissed Ollie?

"Ollie... I'm so sorry. I swear that wasn't planned... I mean I don't know what just happened." I said, stuttering as I mentally started kicking myself. I could tell Ollie was still in shock but was surprised that he managed to form a logical answer.

"It's alright. You don't need to worry about it. It was just a kiss that didn't mean a thing. I understand Carmen, you're not feeling 100% right now."

I put on a fake half smile as I looked at the ground in embarrassment once more.

* * * * *

Morning had finally arrived and it was time to head home. I managed to reply to all my messages and even fit in a phonecall to mum who at first was worried but later understood. Glad that was one thing sorted out. After saying our goodbyes to Jackson, we headed into the car and begun our journey back home.

For most of the car ride, it was dead silence which was ironic since we arrived at the party, the car was pretty much playing a pre - party with how loud the music was.

"I just wanted to say thanks again for the party. It was a nice environment to be in." I said aloud, hoping Ollie would reply. He gave a one word answer, which was the moment I knew that now wasn't the best time to say anything.

I pulled out my phone and suddenly realised I was yet to work on my assignment for university so I found Ken's number on my phone and texted him about making an appointment with the captain for an interview. I crossed my fingers and prayed that he would allow me the time to interview the captain; my score is basically on the line here.

After an awkward 2 hours of watching the green scenery pass us, we finally pulled up to the front of the driveway. I quickly mumbled a thank you and made my way out the door before I could feel a hand around my wrist. Turning around, I looked at Ollie who appeared to be different than what he normally was. I could feel the pain within his eyes but didn't dare say a word about it as I climbed out of the car and made my way towards the front of the house to where I was greeted by Brayden.

I noticed that after Brayden had kicked the football that was in his hand, he immediately turned and faced me.

"Thank god you're here Carmen, God I missed you heaps. Did anything happen, I swear I was planning to send out a search party or something?" He said as I scruffed his hair before making my way inside. Walking past mum, she looked generally happy to see me as I walked up the stairs and into my room still feeling shaken up over the events of last night. Almost immediately, I got another text message and to my surprise it was Ken, the coach.

"Yes." I said to myself as I reread the message in my head. I was actually pretty ecstatic with the fact that I was able to interview the captain of Port Adelaide, Travis Boak. Not only was this an inspiring moment for me, but it would also be a help for a future in sports journalism.

As I was about to switch off my phone, another message soon came upon my phone screen and that ecstatic feeling that I once felt, vanished.

I'm sorry but I just can't keep going on like this, we have to talk. Carmen, I love you, but what we have right now, is making me lose my insanity. Can you meet me at the beach? - Chad.

A heavy feeling had struck hard within my chest. Reading Chad's message, a million questions ran through my mind and right now, I wasn't sure how I was meant to feel. This stupid text wasn't what I needed right now after feeling Poppy's venom, the reoccurring dreams and the kiss with Ollie that somehow meant nothing to him.

It's interesting you know, how love is said to be the greatest thing on earth. How love is meant to be a saviour to us all, but little do people is that out of everything we're told about it, love is the biggest sin we all must face. I texted Chad back to let him know that he would see me at the beach tomorrow afternoon, before throwing my phone on my bed in a fit of anger.