Falling For Her

Chapter 7: Julian

"Our first day of school being seniors, where we get to walk around the halls like we know what color your shit is," Andy says, hitting someone's open locker shut. The girl flips him off.

Cole and I look at him with incredulous glares," I'm going to pretend you didn't say that." Cole says.

"Hey Julian," a few girls giggle, waving at me. I give them the head jerk and a quick smile.

"How come you get all the girls?" Andy whines," I'm sexy too!"

"No you're not," Cole retaliates. I snort. The two bicker like an old couple.

We finally make it to our lockers and my fingers know the lock so well I could do it with my eyes closed.

"You know that Adeline girl isn't a good idea," Cole says as my text tone goes off.

I look at it to see Adeline's text.

Adeline: I've got to go. Class is about to start

We had been texting almost nonstop since this morning and Cole has definitely taken notice since him and Andy slept over again last night.

"What do you mean?" I ask with furrowed eyebrows.

"I mean yeah she's cute, ok gorgeous but dude, she's Campbell's sister. Do you really think this is going to work without a hitch?" Cole asks," at the game tonight you know she'll be there to support her brother. "

We have our first football game against our rivaling Highschool today after school on their field. My parents aren't going to be home for it, so my father is making Cole's dad video tape the game for him so he can nit pick my every move.

I've been pushed to be the perfect spots player since I was little. So it's nothing new.

My phone goes off again but I know it isn't Adeline this time.

Dad: I expect you on the field an hour before warm ups start. I'm sending Hank to do some drills with you. You better win this game tonight.

Hank is the assistant coach and my parent's bitch. He does everything for them.

Cole reads over my shoulder and frowns," are you gonna go?"

"Don't I have to?" I groan. Cole gnaws on his bottom lip.

"Want me to join?" He asks. I reluctantly nod. I hate being the only one with hank. I feel even more pressured to be good.

The bell rings, leaving me thankful to walk away from the uncomfortable conversation," see you at lunch," I say to Cole.

"Dude!" He calls out. I turn," try to pay attention in class ok? You don't want to fail in your first week of school."
I nod.
--
After a half an hour of the first class though, I start struggling with my work. This always happens.

My ADHD and dyslexia only adds to the fact that school friggin sucks. Subtly, I start playing candy crush on my phone.

"Mr. Butler," my head snaps up.

I hum. Since I'm sitting in the back of the classroom, everybody turns in their seat to look at me. Andy whispers something in my ear," just say x equals 50."

"Um x equals 50?" I say uneasily.

"Correct," Mrs. Elizabeth smiles at me.

I silently bless Andy for being smart.

The rest of the classes go by in a blur of numbers and letters. And finally, Cole, Andy and I all walk onto the field ready to meet up with Hank. Thankfully we didn't bother to get out gear on.

"Look, Butler. I get that your dad's making you do this but it's too hot for this shit. So just play catch with your friends for A few minuets so I can say you played a little football," Hank sighs, walking away.

Once he's out of eyesight Cole and I look at each other and shrug, dragging Andy away.

"Wait! I thought we had to play pass?" He says, confused.

"We're not going to do that Andy," Cole
Says calmly.

"But why?" Andy asks in a whiny voice.

The two go at it for a while as we walk towards the parking lot. As we approach my truck, a blonde approaches me.

My chest tightens in excitement, thinking it was Adeline. But as the girl gets closer I realize it's Ashley Bennet, the girl I hooked up with the one time I got drunk after having a fight with my dad.

Ever since the girl has been a leech at my side.

"Hey there Julies," she croons. I cringe, Her voice is like nails on a chalk board. Why did I ever hook up with this girl?

She gives me a side hug, purposely pressing her chest against me. I take a glance down. Ooooh there's the reason I hooked up with her.

"Hi Ashley," I practically groan.

Cole snorts from a few steps in front of me.

"I just wanted to say good luck. Your first big game!" She squeals and my ears start to ring," just know I'll be in the stands. I'm your biggest fan."

I peel her off of me and hold her back by the shoulders," I bet you are. Ok bye now!"

I quickly walk away.
---
As we warm up as a team, people start to fill the bleachers. I notice that Chris is sending me more glares than usual and it surprisingly unnerves me.

I catch the football flying at my face and throw it to Cole, looking back at the opposing bleachers for a familiar blonde head. Sadly, I haven't found Adeline.

I really, really hope she shows up.

The buzzer goes off and I shake my head. I'm not about to lose my attention just for some girl.

But she's not just some girl.

I groan. Get. These. Thoughts. Out. Of. My. Head.

"Ok. We know how this team works," I say as we enter the locker room," we know which boys have the strongest arm. Who has the most force."

The boys hoot.

"Now are we going to show these boys how we play ball?" I yell.

The Entire locker room goes wild. I'll take that as a yes.

"Then let's do this!" I scream, lifting my helmet into the air. Together, we run out of the room.

As Cole and I run into the field side by side, I take one more glance at the stands and my heart drops. I still don't see her.