Deviant

Chapter 10~ Aftermath

Aye yo, how are you guys (:<
Thanks for sticking around as I struggle with having no technology hehe ':)

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I was dunking my head in a water basin all the way at the end of the sideline. The ice water felt so good, especially after working for hours straight.

I pulled my head out and dried my face with a towel, my hair dripping water everywhere.

Never will I ever forget this feeling.

I stood up and turned around, finding all my friends standing there.

Zach grinned. "You dominated it out there, Nat!"

"Man, I didn't even know you were that fast. Blew my 5.3 out of the water!" Derek said, grinning at me.

"Giving our current players a run for their money! No way you won't make the team!" JJ said.

I draped the towel around my neck and brushed their compliments off. "I'm not the greatest, really guys. But thanks so much-it means a lot."

Kat gave me a huge hug and then grabbed my shoulders. "Are you kidding me? That was amazing!"

Morgan shrugged. "They said it all. You're one hell of a girl."

"Agreed." Henry said.

"Yeah well I'm exhausted. I don't know how you guys do that."

"Well you did it just as we would." Zach said, putting an arm around me.

I laid my head against his shoulder as we started walking back towards the exit. "I got your bag. Morgan has it."

"No I don't." I looked back to where they were trailing behind and saw him holding it. He started laughing and the other guys joined in.

"Very mature, guys." I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, I think Alex is going to pick me up today."

"Really? Dude I have to come over! I haven't talked to him in a while, how's he doing?"

I laughed. "You'll see when you come."

I heard a phone ring and I turned back, letting Zach's arm slip off of me.

Derek dug in his pocket and took out his phone, answering it. His expression turned annoyed and he hung up. He jogged over to us and looked at Zach.

"Aye, any way you can drop me off at my place? My sister bailed."

"No problem, man." Zach looked at me. "Well, I'll be there after I drop him off."

I nodded. As we left the stadium, I looked to the left and saw a smiling Alex leaning against a bright red Honda. One thing I noticed right away was that he wasn't wearing his uniform, which was odd.

I haven't seen him in normal clothing in so long.

I glanced at everybody and smiled. "That's my ride, guys. Thanks so much for everything!"

Without waiting for a response, I snatched my bags from Morgan and ran to Alex.

I dropped all my stuff next to the car and tackled him in a hug, inhaling his welcoming scent. He hugged back and laughed softly. "I'm guessing it went well."

I pulled away to see the sparkle in his soft brown eyes. "Oh you have no idea." I said.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and nodded his head towards to car. "Well hop in and you can tell me all about it."

I smiled and reached down to grab my bags but he quickly snatched them before I could and put them in the trunk. He grinned and opened the passenger door for me. "You first."

I laughed. "Maybe I understand why Andrea is still crazy about you." I hopped in, referring to his girlfriend of 5 years.

He laughed as well. "I don't know how she's put up with me since high school." Shutting the door, he slid in through the other door and revved the engine.

He drove as we sat in comfortable silence for a little bit. When we got caught by the first red light, I turned to him.

"So what's with the regular civilian ensemble?" I asked.

Alex glanced at me and smiled a crooked smile. "Well, I wanted it to be like before. Just siblings spending time together: Alex and Nat, not Sergeant Alexander Evans and his little sister."

A small, sad smile crossed my face. "Yeah, I miss that." I said, thinking about how close we used to be before he went to the military. "When are you supposed to go back?" The light turned green and he stepped on the pedal, looking away from me.

"I'm not sure but soon. My troop and I will most likely be deployed back to Afghanistan starting in between late August to mid September."

I shrugged. "So we don't have much time, do we?"

"Unfortunately. Speaking of that, I want to treat Andrea to something special before I leave but I'm not sure what. Anyway you can help me out?"

"Of course." Shaking off my unhappiness, I thought for a little bit. "Is she scared of heights?"

He shook his head. "Not at all. She loves photography and heights make for the best pictures."

I grinned. "Then I have a great idea."

He raised an eyebrow. "Spill?"

"Next week, there's a huge fair going on. There are the rides of course but there are also going to be hot air balloon rides." He started smiling widely and I continued. "Treat her to a nice breakfast, maybe buy her something, and then spend a day there. Right before sunset are the best views, so take her on a hot air balloon ride and then a fancy dinner to finish it off."

"Nat, that's perfect! You think she'll like it?"

"I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't think so. Besides, that's any girl's dream date."

"You're a genius."

I chuckled. "All you need is a girl's mind to plan a great date."

We took a left turn and I looked around. "This isn't the way to the house." I said puzzled, looking at him suspiciously.

He grinned. "I know."

I looked back out the window and saw we were pulling up to a place I haven't been in a while.

It was an ice cream shop, sitting alone in a huge parking lot. The exterior was decorated with red, white, and black tiles, mimicking a 90's diner. Displayed at the front of the store was a huge, flickering neon sign with the words "Priscilla's Frozen Treats."

We used to take a detour and walk here when Alex was still in school and buy cones for our way home. They had the best homemade ice cream in town and we absolutely love it.

I grinned as we pulled in front of the store. "You think Momma P is still there?"

Alex shut the car off and looked over at me. "Let's go find out."