Broken Souls (Souls #1)

Chapter 6 - Destiny

For lunchtime I ate under a large maple tree since it offered shade from the sun and because I couldn't remember which lunch table Hayden he said he would be eating at. Out in the field a few feet in front of me two guys were tossing a football back and forth idly while chatting. I had the urge to run in between them and snatch the football from them. I was feeling out of place here, eating on the ground alone, and as always the only thing that would make me feel better would be to have a football in my hands. Suddenly the football flew in my direction and I ducked my head to avoid getting my teeth smashed and saving Mr. and Mrs. Jennings from paying a pile of dental bills. The football hits the tree trunk and bounces onto the grass.

"Sorry!" The guy with the beanie yells at me. He cups his hands around his mouth as he yells and his long sleeved thermal red shirt rides up a bit. I immediately recognize him from English class. He was the guy who told Mrs. Walden that I was just 'resting my eyes.'

"Could you give it back?" The other player asks, who is dressed in a solid blue tank.

What? Were their feet not working or something? I was pretty sure they were because if I could recall correctly I think I say blue boy running backward to catch the football no less than two minutes ago. But, I decide to toss it over to them since I wanted to get my hands on their football as soon as I saw it. My hands were itching to. I pick up the ball and stand up slowly. When I look at the guys they seem to both have the same expression on their faces. Confusion. They must have thought that I would have walked over and handed the ball to them. Nope. I was going to throw it to them. I toss the football in my hands a few times and then position my fingers in between the laces properly so I have a good grip on it. I squint my eyes, rear my arm back and then toss it forward. My throw is flawless as usually. My Dad couldn't have taught me any better. As the football sails through the air the guys watch it as it goes over their heads and land even farther away from them than before. The shocked expressions on their faces are priceless. I don't bother trying to smother the laugh that bubbles out of my mouth.

"And, I'm not going to get that. You both have two feet of your own. Use them." I end with a smirk, pick up my bag, turn, and walk away. I love showing guys up. I get quite a kick out of it.

Heavy footsteps pad from behind me and then stop when they reach me. I turn to see which one of the boys followed me. I had a feeling that one of them would. They most likely just got the shock of their lives - seeing me toss that football so far. I had seen the look on their faces after it happened, and I assume that their guy ego is crushed or whatever. This had happened to me before. One time this guy made me throw so many footballs with him to see whether he could throw farther than me or not. He ended up winning - since I let him. I couldn't put up with his immaturity and I just wanted it to be over. I didn't make it easy for him though, I gave him a good run for it. I grin at the memory and then snap out of it when the boy who is wearing blue talks to me.

"I'm Matthews," he says.

I furrow my eyebrows and pucker my lips then ask, "Matthews? Is that your last name?"

"Yep," he answers and then stuffs his hands into his pockets. He doesn't say anymore.

"What's your first name?" I prod. I'm curious as to why he told me what his last name is as opposed to what his first name is instead.

"If I tell you, then I'd have to kill you," he answers with his head facing the ground as he kicks away a rock which is in his way.

"I'm guessing you don't like your first name very much," I speculate. "Or, you're a wanted criminal so you don't want me to know your full name."

He doesn't answer me but instead asks, "So, where did you learn to throw around a football like that?" He stares into my eyes when he asks.

I knew that question was going to come up eventually. "I'm surprised you bothered with the pleasantries, Matthews. Usually guys just demand that as soon as they catch up with me after I show them up."

"A brother?" He assumes, not missing a beat and not hearing at all what I just told him.

I shake my head and then answer, "My Dad."

"Hmm, he taught you well. He's a good teacher."

I nod my head. "He was."

"Was?"

I bite my lip when I realize my slip up. I said 'was.' Now Matthews isn't going to let go about that. He's going to want to know about why I said 'was.' I can sense that he is that type of guy - the persistent and determined type. I should have just stopped after the nod and kept my mouth shut. I don't want to open up to a stranger about my Dad. To explain to Matthews why I said 'was' would include telling him that my Dad died, and I want to avoid discussions about that as much as possible. I told Hayden about how my Dad taught me to play football, and burst into tears. Imagine what this conversation would do to me.

"Why 'was'?" Matthews prods.

I curl my hands into fists, stop walking, and whirl around to face him. "It's none of your damn business why I said 'was.' Don't stick your nose where it isn't wanted!"

Suddenly I see Hayden jogging up to me in the distance over Matthews shoulder. Matthews sees that I'm looking over his shoulder rather than him and he turns around to see what I'm looking at. When Hayden reaches me he drapes his arm around my shoulders and this time I don't try to shrug it off like I did this morning. I welcome it. Hayden seems to have a few pounds on Matthews and even though it is wistful thinking, maybe Matthews will feel intimidated and leave me alone.

What I don't expect is for Hayden to cock his head to the side slightly and grin at Matthews. He's supposed to be playing the big, protective, older brother right now! Not do this!

"You giving my girl a hard time?" Hayden asks.

Well, I'll give him a few brownie points for questioning Matthews.

Matthews shakes his head. "Nope, we were just having a nice conversation."

Nice conversation my -

"Okay."

Wait, what? I'm taking away all those brownie points this minute! Does Hayden need glasses or something? Can't he see that I am not alright?

Hayden pulls me closer to his side and smiles down at me. "So, since you've already seen Madison I guess I don't have to introduce you to him."

I look at him puzzled. "What? I haven't seen Madison as yet."

A giant grin breaks out across his face. "Oh, yes you have."