Forever Yours

chapter eleven

Two more football games pass before I finally decide to go to one again. I need to be a better girlfriend and support Joel no matter how uncomfortable I may feel. I just have to toughen up and not let Jack's presence bother me. I drag Mia to it again, but I know she doesn't mind. She'll just gawk at Hank the whole time. We get some popcorn, candy, and a soda at the concession stand, then settle in our seats in the front row. I'm wearing Joel's jersey again, this time it's the all-white with purple and gold striping.

It's the second week in October, so the weather is getting colder and there is more frequent rainfall. It looks like it may rain soon, but I don't mind at all. Mia and I watch as the football boys warm up. I keep my eyes on Joel, admiring how incredibly hot he is. He must sense my gaze because he abruptly looks up at me. He waves enthusiastically and I wave back. He's so amazing. He turns back around and jogs onto the field as the game is about to start. I finally spot Jack on the sidelines and am hit with a million feelings.

Sadness, heartbreak, anger, fear, but mostly pain. So much pain.

"You okay Lo?" Mia questions after noticing Jack and realizing I'm silently suffering.

I take a deep breath before speaking or my voice might crack and then I'll start crying. "I'll be okay," I finally manage to get out. She rubs circles around my back nice and slow until I can calm myself. When she stops, I look over at her and smile. "I love you, Mia."

She smiles back. "I love you too Lo." How did I get so lucky to have a best friend like Mia? She's an angel.

We watch as our team is slowly losing. Joel seems to be having an off game today. Something must be bothering him. I'll have to ask him after. The night sky starts to drizzle. A good number of people start to leave when they feel this and realize we're definitely going to lose the game. I watch as Joel walks off the field with his head down. His teammates are saying things to him as he passes, but he brushes them off and takes a seat on the bench. Something is definitely wrong.

The rain starts to pour even harder. "You ready to go Lo?" Mia questions, shivering as she shields her head with her jacket.

I hug her and say, "You go. I'll have Joel take me home." She smiles at me and leaves.

I wait under the stands for Joel to come out of the team room; he's the last one out. He comes out in his uniform minus his helmet. His jersey is all muddy and he looks worn out. An expression I can't name is on his face. He sees me and smiles sadly.

"Hey, you," I say and go in for a hug.

"Don't," he tries to stop me. "You'll get all dirty."
I tell him I don't care and hug him anyway. I pull away from him and cup his face. "Are you alright? You looked pretty upset out there."

Joel is about to speak when I look behind him and see the one person I want to run and hide from. My eyes widen and Joel turns around to see what I'm looking at. Joel turns back to me, a pissed off look on his face. I now know what was upsetting him—Jack.

"Willow...Joel..." Jack says our names as he reaches us. No one else in sight.

For a minute, I'm stuck. I don't know what to say or do. Should I run away screaming. No that wouldn't look good. Should I start crying? Extra not good. So, I decide to stay and take whatever Jack says to us not to heart.

"What do you want Jack?" Joel asks, irritation evident in his voice.

"Woah, woah! What's with the hostility Joel?" Jack laughs, acting like this is all a big joke. What does he want?

"Willow, let's go," Joel says almost demandingly.

Joel turns to leave, but Jack places a hand on his shoulder to get him to turn back around. Joel immediately tenses at his touch. "Going so soon? I haven't even gotten to catch up with Willow yet." He says to me—hiding behind Joel—now, "How are you doing?" With a smug expression and a wink, Joel's had enough.