Wild Ride

Chapter 3: Three goals & One Stranger

Xandria's pov

The walk to the school stadium felt shorter than I expected. Maybe it was because Benjamin wouldn't stop talking. Or maybe it was because I was too excited about the match to pay attention to how far we'd actually walked.

The late afternoon air was warm, and the sound of excitement from the stadium was already getting louder as we approached. I could hear people shouting from a distance, some already chanting their team's name, while others argued playfully about which team was going to win.

Benjamin and I walked side by side, occasionally bumping shoulders as we talked about the upcoming match.

"I'm telling you, they're winning today," I said confidently. Benjamin gave me a skeptical look. "You said that the last time."

I laughed. "Okay, maybe I was wrong that time. But today is different."

"How?"

"Because I said so."

He shook his head, laughing under his breath. "Your football analysis is truly remarkable."

"Thank you. I take my job very seriously."

I was genuinely excited. I had been looking forward to this match for days. There was something about watching my favourite team play that always made me forget everything else for a while. The anticipation, the cheering, the tension whenever the ball got close to the goal, it was all so exciting. There was just one problem though, the crowd. I loved football, I just didn't love being surrounded by hundreds of loud, excited people.

As we got closer to the stadium, the noise became noticeably louder. People were everywhere, walking in groups, laughing, shouting, and waving their team's colours around. Some were already arguing over the players while others were taking pictures and recording videos. I instinctively slowed down.

"Hey, are you okay?" Benjamin asked, noticing my tense expression.

I realized I must have looked tense because I quickly forced a smile onto my face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit anxious, that's all."

He studied my face for a moment. "About the crowd?"

I nodded.

Benjamin sighed softly, then reached over and squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll be right here with you. Nothing bad is going to happen. If it gets too much, just tell me, okay?"

Something about the certainty in his voice made my shoulders relax and I nodded my head. I felt a surge of gratitude for his friendship. He was usually there for me whenever I needed him, right from when I was still a freshman. He had somehow mastered the art of noticing when something was wrong with me even when I didn't say anything. Thinking of that alone got me cheered up and all thoughts of anxiousness and nervousness vanished quickly. I smiled properly this time.

I couldn't wait to cheer on my favourite team, but little did I know fate had a surprise for me. As we approached the stadium entrance, I spotted two familiar faces in the crowd. It was him and his friend. He had on a black Jordan cap along with a navy blue T-shirt and black cargo pants. While taking him in, it felt like something told him to turn to the side, because he suddenly started scanning the crowd like he was looking for someone. All of a sudden our eyes connected and there was this intensifying gaze that was like a flame that burned through my defences and sent shivers down my spine. I also couldn't help but start feeling tingles in my tummy.

He gave me a once-over that made my cheeks burn with embarrassment and excitement. I didn't know why, but I couldn't look away. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel exposed, as though he could see straight through the confident little facade I was trying desperately to maintain.

It was just so crazy how he seemed to lose interest in the football game when he spotted me. It made me feel happy a little bit.

"Hey, let's go grab seats", Benjamin spoke, suddenly making me break eye contact with the mysterious man.

"Oh yeah, sure", I replied. We both got seats and I couldn't help but allow my eyes to drift over to where he was again, except that this time around people passing blocked me from seeing him.

"Hey, I'm going to quickly grab us drinks and some snacks", Benjamin said. I nodded and smiled in contentment. Seven minutes later he came back with the things he bought, sat down and gave me mine. I thanked him and started munching on the snacks, I took a small gulp of the drink, covered it and kept it aside.

I focused on the game completely. Every time my team got closer to the goal, I found myself leaning forward in anticipation. Whenever the opposing team got possession of the ball, I complained loudly enough for Benjamin to laugh at me.

"Relax," he said at one point. "How am I supposed to relax?! Look at them!"

"It's football, Xandria."

"I know!"

The first goal came unexpectedly. For half a second, I just stared. Then I shot out of my seat. "YES!" I screamed along with everyone else, throwing my hands into the air. Each time they scored, I jumped up and cheered with everything in me. By halftime, I was buzzing with excitement. Benjamin and I spent most of the break talking the game, debating which players were doing well and which ones needed to improve. Then the second half began.

By the end of the second half, my team scored not one, not two, but three goals. I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. I was elated. I looked at Benjamin with the face of I told you so. He just laughed.

After some minutes when the crowd had started dissipating, Benjamin stood up and motioned for me to follow suit. As I was about to leave, I tried catching the mysterious man's gaze one last time, only to see him talking with his friend but giving me that same intense gaze. I wished I knew his name, at least that way I would stop calling him different nicknames.

Benjamin escorted me to my room, I hugged him and thanked him for today. "Go and rest a bit, I'll call you in an hour to tell you where we are meeting to go get dinner", Benjamin spoke.

"Alright, then. See you later ", I replied.
With that, he left. As I walked inside my room, I found myself replaying the events of the afternoon.

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