Dusting Off A Heart

Chapter 16 - Problems and More Problems

*the sentences in italics are what the character told to themselves. Because many people talk to themselves, and it's nORmaL. And you probably already knew this /sigh/*

He ran a medium-sized towel through his drained hair. After all the rivalry and competition for the past one and a half hour, the game finally finished.

They won.

The crowd amazingly still cheering, although its intensity is lesser than before. The guest town's crowd left with frowns on their faces. The jerk from before rolled his eyes hundreds times, while Dane smirks smugly as replies.

After the sudden rush and determination back then, he looked around to check out on his teammates, and then realized that they're worn out.
Their faces doesn't shows any determination or confidence like they were before. He asked for a time out to the referee. He granted it and he used it to talk to his teammates, building up their willpower back again. Like what he experienced after the interface with her.

The work of the team got better after the talk, and somehow the confidence transmitted to the others. They did better and they won.

"Congratulation sweetie," He turned his head around to see his mother opening her arms to embrace him. "I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks, mom." He smiled back at his mother. "How I wish your father could come, but with him in New York and all that thing with the girl." she growls the last words, but then the smile went back on.

It was fake of course, Dane know her facial expressions too well.

He shrugged with a faint smile. "I'm okay. And you should too." He's not, deeply, but he covered it pretty well.

His mother nodded and ran her palm up and down his upper arms, "Okay, then." Her mother continues again, "Oh, and sweetheart, I'm really really sorry I can't come to the celebration party." His mother face is so pleading, and sincere. "I got this important case, and I already told my boss hundred times about this and-"

"It's okay, Mom." He forced a smile to his face, "I'm glad you can come to the game."

His mother nodded, "If you say so. Thanks for understanding, sweetheart." He nodded to his mom again, and say his goodbyes.

Despite his disappointment towards his parent's absence, he tried to search for the black-haired girl. She might lighten his mood a little. He craned his neck to search the crowd and sadly, did not notice any features of her. His mind formed a possibility that she goes home the moment the game is over, she does seems like person who doesn't go around much. Although so, he felt a bit of disappointment. The eagerness and optimism suddenly drained from his whole structures. He exhaled a breath he did not realized holding.

He suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. Maybe, he still got hope. He turned, hoping to see her.

And to his disappointment, it was not her. It was silly of him, really, to even think so. To even hope so. It was the blonde girl from yesterday. Avery? Oh, it is Evelon, isn't it? Or was it Everyn?. He crooked a hi, for he got a hard time remembering her name. He scratch his neck -to somehow help him remembers about the damn name.

She giggled as a reply. "Ah, come on Dane, you can remember my name."

Is this girl a super? Or have any weird (but awesome) ability or some kind?

"It's Evelyn." She rolled her eyes playfully.

Right, Evelyn!

"I'm not that good with names, sorry." He shrugged.

"Nah it's okay." She added, "You're good out there. Gathering the team and stuffs."

"You, too." He smiles, "Cheering and leading the cheers..." He said with laughs.