The game | Calum Hood

Early Starts, Football Matches and The Blame Game

"Wake up Riley, it's 9 o'clock!" Logan squealed as he jumped up and down on my bed. "Riley, wake up. Wake up wake up wake up wake up!"

"I'm awake, jeez!" I muttered as I sat up in my bed and checked my phone. It was 8:45, so I threw myself back down into the bed. "Logan, it's not even nine yet!"

"But Riley, I really want Calum to teach me some football!" He smiled, pushing his face into mine. "Please Riley!"

"Ok, ok." I sighed, throwing my feet to the floor and sitting up. "What's the weather like Lo?"

Logan jumped up and swiped back my curtains revealing a clear blue sky. I smiled, as I stood up and walked to my wardrobe where I picked out a sunflower printed crop top my blue shorts with the frayed hem and my brown sandals. I looked at Logan until he finally got the hint to leave the room then I changed. My updo from last night had creased my hair into soft waves, as I undid my bun and let it flow down my back. I sprayed it with dry shampoo and sat down at my dresser. I put on my usual day to day makeup and placed on my brown hat to finish it off.

Opening my door, I revealed Logan sitting cross legged on the floor outside, patiently waiting for me to get ready. His blue eyes lit up, and he sprung up to drag me down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Riley's ready!" He shouted, grabbing my hand giving me little time to shove my phone in my back pocket. "We can go and play football!" His little legs ran downstairs in his old football shorts from when he was younger. The kit that he wore didn't fit him anymore because he had just had a big growth spurt, but he was still just about small enough to squeeze into them.

"You excited little man?" I cooed as he stood, pulling his football boots on by the front door. "Hold on, it's only just gone nine!" I laughed, walking into the kitchen and surprising mum. "Morning mum!" I smiled, grabbing a glass and the carton of orange juice from the fridge.

"Riley! You're up early!" She brought her head from inside of the cupboard that she was on her knees cleaning.

I sat down on a chair and looked at my phone. "Yeah, Logan wouldn't let me lie in any longer, he wants to go to that football match." I sighed, my finger running across the rim of the glass.

"Usually, Logan couldn't get you out of bed so quickly. Are you sure it's just Logan who wants to go?" She smirked, dipping her head back down. "Bless him, that kit doesn't fit him anymore. I wish I could afford another one for him, but I just don't get payed enough." Her voice began to crack as she realised what our house had come to.

"Well the shop opens at nine, I'll go in and fit him into a new kit. Staff discount, it won't be too expensive." I stood up and placed my glass in the sink before grabbing my car keys from the side and walking towards an excited Logan at the front door.

"Right buddy, we off?" I asked as I opened the front door and walked him over to the car. "How about you sit in the front with me?" I grinned, watching the excitement rise up the young boys face.

"Yes yes yes!" He screamed as he ran open and pulled at the door of my black Audi, which I would never be able to afford and sat down on his booster seat. He had pulled his belt across him by the time I sat down and started the engine and began to talk excitedly about football. "I know lots about football Riley, remember you got me that book for Christmas? I read it every night. One day, I'll be the best footballer in the whole world!" He grinned "Then I can buy myself a new kit!"

The last sentence broke my heart, he truly believed that he wouldn't get a new football kit until he could afford his own. He turned to face me as I turned right into the car park of the shopping complex. "Why are we here Riley? I wanted to go to the football, not shopping. Shopping's for girls." He whined, crossing his arms across his chest.