More Than A Game

Chapter 52

Draft day. It was finally here and right now, I couldn't help but feel somewhat anxious. I shouldn't have been nervous as it had nothing to do with me, but I was extremely worried for Brayden.

I sat patiently a table with mum keeping herself busy wiping the tears away, Ollie who sat curiously looking at everybody around him and Brayden, who was tugging at his South Adelaide polo shirt. I rolled my eyes and kept my focus at the stage in front of me.

Glancing down at my watch, I sighed almost forgetting how exhausting a national draft was. Watch the previous drafts on television, I usual lasted until about the third round before I became tired, so I wasn't sure how far I'd get this afternoon.

All around me, I could excited chatters forming from all corners as I observed the draftees around me. Some were extremely tall, a couple of the guys already had begun growing moustaches and many of them had a slim build.

As I looked around, I found myself making eye contact with a draftee sitting a couple of seats away. His rather intense stare made me feel uncomfortable as he gave me a wink as the guy sitting next to him gave him a slight tap to the head. Quickly, I turned around the other way and pretended like I didn't see a single thing.

Gosh, these hormonal eighteen year olds should keep to themselves. I don't need for them to be winking at me every time they're somewhat close to a female.

There was about an hour until the AFL's NAB national draft begun and already I was becoming restless. I looked over at the other three who seemed to have not moved from their positions since we arrived at the centre before glancing at my phone.

"Hey, I have to take an important call but I'll be back as quick as I can, alright?" I said quietly, watching Ollie nod his head in silence. It was at this moment, it had felt like a huge weight had been removed from my shoulders as I slowly made my to a common area which I assumed was allowed for the public.

I scrolled through my message bank and tapped on Jess' name as me and her begun texting to each other back and fourth. She kept asking me so many questions and of course, I'd answer them as best as I could, I hope.

We spent quite a while texting between each other before I had to end the conversation unfortunately. I shoved my phone in my pocket and made my way to a stall nearby that sold coffees.

"Good afternoon ma'ma. How many I help you today?" The young girl behind the counter asked as she smiled.

"Oh yes, may I please have just a caramel latte." I replied as the girl headed to the coffee machine and prepared the drink before she turned her attention back to me and slowly placed the latte on the counter in front me. I paid the girl the amount and took the latte from the table as I slowly made my way back to the table.

Taking a sip of the coffee, I stood still allowing the warming sensation to rush down my throat. The vivid flavour of caramel could be tasted as a shiver ran down my throat and instantly, my eyes widened as they fixated on Kurt talking to another guy in Sydney Swans gear. I watched in silence as the old man walked away, realising this was cue.

"Carmen?" He asked as he watched me making my way towards him. I smiled and politely waved.

"Hey Kurt. Honestly, I wasn't expecting you here."

"Neither was I. I thought you said you had to go to a ceremony for you brother?"

"Oh yeah I did, but I was referring to today's event. Long story short, my brother plays football and he's been invited here since he's likely to be drafted for a spot on an AFL team. Didn't you say that you're here for an old friend."

"Yeah. Yeah I did. My old friend is actually the coach, John Longmire. I was asked to come here to help him out with the national drafts. It might be a little odd that out of all people I'm here, but I was honestly happy to help out. Anyway, you said your brother plays football; for what team?"

"South Adelaide."

"I hear that this year was difficult when picking draftees from South Adelaide since the competition was so tight. Apparently this year was said to have the best draftees so far." Kurt added shrugging his shoulders.

I pressed my lips together as I thought about what Kurt had said. I honestly didn't know how to react to the news that this year's batch of draftees were the best. Was that meant to be a good thing or a bad thing. I pushed the thought out of my mind as Kurt distracted me.

"So Carmen, which table are you sitting at?" He asked quite nervously as I smiled placing my hand upon his shoulder.

"Hey, no need to become nervous. I'm sitting at the table over there. Anyway, the drafts should be starting really soon and I don't want to be late."

"Yeah of course, I wouldn't want you to be late at all Carmen. What was your brothers name, I wanna look out for him."

"Brayden Richwald. Hopefully we see each other after the drafts." I said as Kurt agreed and I made my way back to the table where mum, Ollie and Brayden sat patently. I sat on the empty seat next to Ollie as he looked down at my coffee cup and looked back at the front of the stage.

Soon, it was time for the national drafts to begin where Gillion McLachlan stepped out in front of the podium to give yet another speech; this time about draftees and they power they add the industry.

After Gillion's speech ended and a couple of other important figures for the AFL also concluded their speeches the name of the first draftee was about to be announced.

"Once again, thank you all for coming the NAB AFL national drafts. Tonight,we announce the first draftee for next year's season and that name is -"

At our table, we all crossed our fingers in hope that Brayden's name was called out and whilst Gillion thought it would be best to wait a while, the suspense was absolutely killing me.

"- The first pick goes to Carlton and the name that they have decided to pick from Northen Knights, Dylan McCartin."

I let out an exhale of breath as Dylan made his way onto the stage where he was giving a Carlton guernsey and took pictures with the coach. I placed my chin on my hand praying to the heavens above the Brayden would get picked.

"How are you hanging in there babe?" Ollie whispered in my ear as I turned to face him.

"I don't know. I guess I feel kinda sick in my stomach -" I paused as I quickly looked back at the stage watching Dylan make his way down the stairs. "I really hope Brayden gets drafted. He's an absolute gun at the sport, he really deserves it."

"I know you're nervous Carmen but trust me, he will get drafted to a team. Sometimes, the best players aren't always drafted in the first round. Remember that babe." He said, giving me a cheeky wink.

"The second pick, which goes to the Brisbane Lions and the name they have decided is from the Bendigo Pioneers, Joshua Petracca."