I'm not in love with you... Right?

Friday's Game

Matteo

I've done nothing but train these past few days. I woke up even earlier so I could try to practice with the team before 9:00 am when school usually began. And now Friday was here.
I woke up by six, got dressed, and left for Daphne's.

" Whew, " she whistled as she stepped in. " Look at you, all dressed up and handsome "

" Aww, thanks, but you're making me blush, " I said and she giggled. Suddenly, I wanted to make her laugh a thousand times again. Her words from 3 days ago rang in my head again. " You're... A good person! " " Silly boy. Did you think that'd make me scared or hate you? " Why wasn't she scared? Most nerds were, and why didn't she hate me? I'd forced her into fake dating me. She was so easy it was becoming confusing.

" Daph? "

" Yeah? "

" Thank you "

" For what? "

" For not hating me, even though you probably should. For looking past my sins and seeing the very little good in me "

" That's cuz that was all there was to see. And looking past sins? What am I, Jesus? " she said rolling her eyes and I chuckled. " I've done bad things too "

" Yeah, but not as bad as what I've done "

" Ugh! " she said like she was getting irritated at my cluelessness " If a rapist and a serial killer were about to get convicted, do you think that the serial killer who killed many people should be the only one sent to jail? Because the rapist only raped 3 people who didn't die in the process? "

" Of course not, what kind of question is that? "

" It's the answer to the question you just asked. Under the eyes of the law, we're both still guilty, irrespective of who did what, do you hate me? "

" No "

" So what right do I have to hate you? " She said and I just stared at her with furrowed brows. She sounded genuinely honest, and I doubted she'd lie about anything, ever. She was always so straightforward, it was beginning to scare me. She still liked me for who I was and was giving a good reason for it too. She sounded so wise, even though she was the only one to have ever said that. Something shifted deep inside me. " You're a good person, Matt. Even if everyone else doesn't realize it, even if you don't realize it, I do. That's all that matters. It only takes one person to make a difference. I just have to be there all the time to remind you of who you are " As she said those words, it was as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

" And what's that? "

" You're a hot captain about to lead his team to victory! " she said grinning. Yup, Wise Paige was gone, Quirky Paige was back. A small smile grew on my lips.

" I won't answer that question, Matteo. That's for you to decide " she said as I parked my car. She hopped out of the car on her own. She really is something.

I hopped out of the car too and headed for the entrance. The halls were lined with ' GO WOLVES!!! ' posters and the upcoming match. My breath quickened with excitement and... Nervousness?

Today school was a blur. All I could think about was the match up ahead. Soon, school closed and I dropped Daphne off at her place and headed to mine to freshen up.

" Don't come pick me up " Daphne said

" Why not? "

" Just don't, it's a surprise "

" You are coming, right? I want you there "

" Of course I am. Wouldn't miss it for the world "

" Promise? "