Tale Teller (West Hampton U Series #1)

Chapter 14 ● Entice

-- Sameer --

I wanted her to say something but she wouldn't. Dozens of emotions flashed through her eyes but she didn't say a word. Slowly her eyes brimmed with water, mirroring exactly what I was feeling inside.

She got up from her chair and walked over to me, wrapping her hands around me to hold me tight against her stomach. Just this once, I let myself give in to the defeat I was feeling, my own eyes pooling with tears.

"It's going to be okay. We can talk to him," she rubbed my back soothingly, but not much brought me ease right now.

"He has video of me threatening Jack. It's the University's decision, not mine," my voice is frustratingly small. "It's all over."

She lets go and crouches down in front of me, taking my face into her hands. She was the one who was harassed by that asshole but here she was, comforting me after Coach told me I was off the team. Jack had gone straight to his father with a broken nose and my uttered threat on video. It took the university administration no time to kick me off the team, but he got nothing more than a slap on the wrist for touching my girlfriend.

"Sameer, look at me," her determined eyes hold mine with what little hope she has left. "Just because they said you can't, doesn't change what you are capable of. Everything happens for a reason but you will land on your feet."

"Are you serious?" I don't know why, but her words rub me the wrong way. "I just got my entire future ripped out of my hands and you're telling me maybe it was a good thing?"

She drops her hands, stepping back hesitatingly. I take a deep breath, trying to get control over my stressed emotions. "I'm not trying to upset you further," she says quietly.

I stand up, taking her hands again. "I'm sorry Muskaan, I just- I'm... tired."

"If you want to fight the decision, we can fight it. You know we can get proof, we can get students to come forw-,"

"Muskaan you don't get it. I told Coach everything, and he believes me. But he can't change the decision. I'm off the team, my basketball career is over, and I don't know what the hell I'm going to do now." I was angry. Not at her, but at the world. Still, I should have controlled my voice, I should have watched my tone. I knew she was just trying to help but I couldn't get a grip on myself. I could almost feel everything I worked so hard for slipping through my fingers like sand. "Everything was going fine, I don't know what happened this year."

Muskaan takes a shaky breath and steps away from me. Her face is despondent, but I feel so exhausted that I don't have it in me to cheer her up. A small tear falls down her face.

"I think I'm going to go," her voice is a whisper. She stands up, picking up her bag.

"Moose," I sigh, taking hold of her wrist. She doesn't meet my eyes.

"No, you're right Sameer. Everything was going okay but I got you involved in this Tale Teller nonsense and now everything's ruined," the tears were streaming down her face in a steady pattern now.

I go to wrap my arms around her but she steps further way. "It's not like that Muskaan."

"It is Sameer. You should never have gotten involved in this. Now your career is ruined and we can't do anything about it," she whimpers.

I couldn't find the words to deny it. She was right. It was over. I was lucky they didn't expel me from the university.

She puts on her jacket and walks out the front door without another look. My fingers twitch, aching to stop her from leaving, but my mind is occupied by thoughts of failure and nothing more.