life before mad // r.s.l au

15 : dont threaten me with a good time

"That was a hand ball!" I screeched. "His hand touched the ball!"

"You do not argue with me!" The referee shouted back in the exact same tone. The player beside him, one of our other rivals, smirked at me.

I pushed past the lousy referee, and grasped his collars. "Still think it's funny, huh?"
The humour in his eyes flicked back to fear, and both his and my teammates rushed to pry my hands off his shirt. The commotion lead to me getting a yellow card and the other team scoring, the game ending 2-2.

"Lynch!" Coach yelled as I jogged to the bench.

"I know what I saw."

"I know you did, we all did. But you can't resort to violence right now. Especially with a scout coming next match." He sighed. "I don't want to have to be forced to bench you."

I glared at him, yanking the Powerade bottle away from my lips. "You wouldn't."

"I don't want to, but soon I'll have to." He seethed. "Go change."

I walked away as he clapped the other players, and on my way out I felt each and every single one of them pat my back. The midfielder I had almost attacked didn't dare to make eye contact as I brushed past him.
A small hand on my bicep stopped me, and I swivelled around to my girlfriend's sweet beady eyes. She grinned. "You're faster than a racehorse with eight legs."

"I'm sorry, I'm just pissed." I pulled her into a hug and she initially squirmed at the sweat but gave in, holding me almost as tightly as I held her. "Did you watch the match? Was it a hand ball?"

"I can confirm with my four eyes it was a hand ball. But let it go, it's in the past now." Skye said, kissing the tip of my nose. "You have bigger things to focus on."

"Yes, like my scout coming in next match-"

Her stance changed. "Something else." I searched her eyes desperately for a clue, but her expression barely faltered. She sighed. "Date night? It's Friday."

"Crap, I knew I forgot something." I ran a hand through my hair. "I promised the boys we'd go to Cody's party tonight. I mean, do you want to come with us?"

"It's fine, don't worry." She nodded. "You have plans with your friends, and I definitely don't want to crash them."

"What I do to ever deserve you?" I kissed the top of her head. "I promise I'll make up for this, we're gonna have a proper date and you'll love it."

"You're sweet, now go. And don't have too much fun without me!"

"Of course not!"

That summed up the last two weeks nicely. The news of Lancaster's death spread like wildfire as they tried to find a culprit. He was found undressed and in rigor mortis, so there was no evidence tying us to him.

We weren't seen by anybody and we had an alibi (getting pizza with friends).

My first kill made controlling my anger impossible. The smallest of things caused me to snap, and it was usually only friends and family who could slow me down. I gave up anti depressants altogether; they forced me to see the world in black and white, and after that thrill, the colours have been brighter than before.

My hands itched for that kind of adrenaline again. I couldn't tell if it was bad or not.

I silenced my thoughts with music as I showered and got ready. Without giving me much of a margin to start thinking again, Carter and Nate pulled up, Matt stood beside them.

He eyed me calmly, for this was the first time we saw each other since. His clear blue eyes remained on my person, until Ryland barged past, calling a lame 'goodbye' behind him.

"Where are you going?" I grasped his jacket. He completely overlooked my slight irritation, "The party? Matt invited me, and Mom said I can keep any eye on you. And vice versa."

"Hmm, okay. But if I catch you in bed with two girls you best believe it will be all over my snapchat tomorrow morning." I chuckled. "Meet you there."

He beamed and then the two walked off, Ryland's music still audible until they reached the end of the street. We left not long after, serenaded by Carter's playlist.
He was better. Far better; in fact, my best friend was more confident and far more radiant since he came out to us. It was nice to see him that happy.

"Somebody looks chuffed," He commented. "Did you get lucky with Skye before/after the game or something?"

Nate whooped. "That's my boy!"

"No, you guys. We don't think about stuff like that, I have to give her time don't I?"

"Shut up." Nate's jaw hovered the ground. "You haven't pounced yet?"

"You'll understand when a girl is willing to give you more than chlamydia, my boy." I smiled sweetly and he glared at me whilst Carter rioted. "Designated driver?"

"I'll do it, Nate needs some alcohol to wash that burn down." Carter grinned.

+++

I stumbled up the stairs, giggling at my current state. A couple of girls, no older than 16 smiled at me and I grinned back before tripping into the wall as I reached the last step. Either I fall forwards and break my nose, or I fall backwards and break my neck.
I gripped the bannister for dear life, hauling myself up as I felt the contents of my stomach rise.

I desperately ran and kicked open the bathroom door. My dinner (some crisps and insane amounts of alcohol) dropped back to my stomach when I found a shaky Matt hunched over the sink, inhaling a line of white powder. His red eyes looked into mine. "What's up?"

I charged at him and threw him into the bath. When he tried to fight me off, I held him by the collars. "Does Ryland do this too?!"

"No, of course not! He's gone home." He said. "And I'm just allowing my demons out to play."

"Is that cocaine?!"

"Hell yeah. Want some?"

"I-"

"One line won't get you addicted." He pulled himself up and led me over to the sink. "Get ready for the good times."

The night quickly became a series of flashing lights and shouting. All I remember is a shooting pain in my hand, and a swing heading towards my face.

Then the scenery darkened.