Finding 4

Chapter 4

I felt like this chapter was super rushed so I deleted it and started over for those of you who got a notification lol

Also in this story we're going to pretend that professional hurling is a thing

Callum

The medal bar clanks against the rack as I lay on my back, setting the lifting bar back down. I've already been in the gym for an hour, but I still don't feel like I've worked hard enough.

Not hard enough to deserve playing time.

"Callum," my dad's voice rings in my ears, sounding louder than the music blaring through my AirPods. "You've been at it long enough, pack it in."

"I have two more sets," I take out my AirPod and sit up, looking at him. "I'm almost done."

I can see the weariness in his face. Dad is always worried about things like this. He's a big over-thinker when it comes to his kids.

"You're gonna get yourself hurt," I watch his movements as he walks over to the fridge in our garage/gym and pulls out a Gatorade. "And we both know that's the last thing you want."

"I'll be fine dad," shaking my head I add, "I know how to handle my own in the gym."

"All right, all right." He holds his hands up defensively. "Just don't get too ahead of yourself."

He pulls open the door that leads into the house and I watch him walk inside, closing the door behind him.

Too ahead of yourself, pfft.

I have to push myself if I ever want to make it in this industry. It's just like every other athlete, or successful businessman, or solicitor, or whatever else it is out there. You have to work for what you want, and I want nothing more than to be wearing a green jersey while tossing a sliotar around.

In fact, it's the only thing I've ever wanted. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to be the Johnny Kavanagh of hurling. My uncle is someone who understands what it's like to want something so badly that you give up everything for it. He became a legend before he even stepped on a professional pitch, and I plan to do the same.

That means early mornings, late nights, good grades, clean meals, and a load of work. It isn't easy, but one day when I'm on the big screen, it will all be worth the pain.

Finishing up my final set, I take out my AirPods and place them back inside the small white case. Before I walk into our house, I grab a water from the fridge and twist it open, downing it like I've just walked across the Sahara Desert.

"Why do you like it in here so much?" My five year old sister asks me as she walks into the garage. "It stinks."

Chuckling at her I close the fridge back and toss my plastic bottle in the trash bin. "Because it gets you strong."

"Mam says vegetables make you strong." Kennedy pulls herself up onto a lifting bench and swings her dangling legs.

"That's true," I shrug "but so does the gym."

"I'd rather eat my greens," she scrunches her nose in the same way Mam does.

Kennedy is the spitting image of Mam. From her bright blonde hair, and the blue eyes, and the nose, to the way she acts. She has her kind nature, but will never miss an opportunity to say something snarky or sassy. Just like Mam.

I on the other hand, got our dad's looks. Away from my blue eyes, I look identical to the younger version of my father. Mam tells me I have his determination, and his strong heart. Dad though insists that I act more like my mother because I have patience, and am a lot more understanding and forgiving. At this point I don't know who I'm more like.

Flynn though, is the reincarnation of dad. The green eyes, the blonde waves, the lips and the cheekbones. Even the personality is spot on from what I've heard about dad's younger self. I guess it makes sense considering Flynn is the middle child, and middle children always tend to be more...well...middle children.

"That's good," I lift my younger sister by her armpits and set her on my hip, waking inside. "Greens are good for you."

"They're nasty though."

"That's why salt exists," Flynn says from the couch as I set Kennedy down.

"Exactly," I agree.

"It's still gross," Kennedy adds as she climbs up onto the couch.

Flynn rolls his eyes "You're gross."

Gasping dramatically she looks over at him "I am not!"

He sticks his tongue out at her, gaining a middle finger from the small blonde girl, and a load of laughs from me.

"What's going on in here?" Mam asks with a smile as she walks in.

"Kennedy flipped me off," Flynn snitches.

"He's lying!" Kennedy defends, throwing her hands up.

I'm still laughing as Mam pinches the bridge of her nose, slightly shaking her head. "Kennedy you can't do that."

"Callum does it all the time."

My laughing stops and I glare at my younger sister "You're a snitch."

"Well Callum shouldn't do that either," Mam glares at me too. "Now go get washed up for dinner. You smell like you've just walked through a barn."

"I do not!" I defend as she chuckles, and I start to walk for the staircase.

<>

The first day of school. That's always a blast. Knowing that you have many, many more days of pure misery ahead of you...it's grand.

With a loud sigh, I get out of my car with my backpack slung over my shoulder, and make my way out of the car park.

"Cal pal," Niall calls out, making me look his direction as he walks up to me.

I plaster a smile on my face and wait for my best friend. "Hey Niall."

"First day," he claps me on the back "aren't you so excited?"

"So excited," I return sarcastically.

He laughs and we reach the front of the school. Immediately my eyes trail over to a blonde girl I've never seen before.

She's...wow.

Her long dirty blonde hair is blowing slightly in the summer breeze. I can't tell much about her features from here, but I can definitely tell that she's gorgeous. Her nose is straight, and her lips poke out slightly.

She's also definitely an athlete. I can tell from her lean but toned appearance, and the long legs sticking out from her skirt.

"Who is that?" Niall asks from next to me as we watch Keely walk up to the new girl.

"I don't know," I mutter out, my eyes not leaving her.

She turns to face Keely, and a small part of me hopes the two of them become friends so I can know who this girl is.

What am I saying right now? I can't have a girl on my mind. It will distract me, throw me off of the path I've been working so hard to stay on. I can't throw that away, even for a pretty blonde.