Paper Thin • Calum Hood |ON HOLD 1-2-17|

20

Calum's POV

All my classes seemed to pass at a steady speed but all my teachers thought it was a good day to hit everyone with a shit ton of homework. Josie decided to hang out with my crew today at lunch which was out of the ordinary, but I'm not complaining. Practice is scheduled from three to five-thirty due to coach having to divide his time with the girls team. After closing the trunk of my car I wander my way to the locker rooms.

I throw on some joggers and a old muscle tee before lacing up and shutting my locker. Everyone is still getting ready for practice when I look around so I walk out towards the field. I spot Josie and Brea with a few other girls getting ready for drills on the opposite side of the field. Practice does not start for another fifteen minutes so I decide to jog over to where Josie is. About half way across the field Brea nudges Josie and she turns to my direction with a smile on her face.

I slow my pace as I approach her and she wraps her arms around my neck pulling me in for a hug, I let my arms hang loosely on her hips.

"Hey hot stuff." She says letting her lips press gently to my right cheek.

"Hot stuff?" I question in a joking tone and she nods her head in response and laughs shortly afterwards.

We talk for a moment before coach appears and begins instructing warm ups. I give her a quick kiss goodbye and then wave off coach before jogging back over to where our team is setup.

I begin to get warmed up along with Luke as we wait for coach to make his way over to our side.

Coach motions for line up as he walks closer and reads over his clip board, I am hoping he takes it easy but since we have a game Friday I doubt he will.

"Okay boys there is no time for games, the season is picking up speed. Next week we will be adding two more games along with Fridays mandatory game. We have the big FFPA tournament approaching in three months so it's time to get whipped into shape. If you want to be noticed by a scout you have to be putting your all into the next few months." Coach Tomlinson explains, "So for warmups I want to start out with our suicide drill circuit then I will be back to set up the game. Stay in line boys." He says dismissing us.

I take off towards the stadium steps to begin our drill along with Luke and the other lads.

"I heard Coach is thinking about hiring a assistant coach since we don't have  trainer anymore to help out with the girls." Michael says as we start the set of burpees.

"I hope she's fit." Luke says and we all look at him then laugh.

"Who said it's going to be a female?" Ashton asks and he shrugs his shoulders as we move on to quick pacers.

The drill does not seem to pass fast enough because by the time I complete it I feel dead and makes me question if I will even be able to get through the scrimmage.

"We will call it quits when you guys reach three today since we went over drills." Coach says resting his his palms on his hips looking thoroughly at my teammates and I.

"Hood take forward, Hemmings I want you midfield. The rest stick to your previous positions. I might be rotating you boys at the next game it just depends on how well you all play that night. Alright let's bust this out so we can all go home." Coach says and I jog out onto the field and take my position.

•

I am out of breath and covered in sweat as the last goal is scored. I remove the sticky fabric that clung to my skin as I walk over to the sidelines.

A cold bottle hits my back and turn around to see Ashton grinning before I flip him off and take advantage of the free water. I pour the remaining water that was left in the bottle over my hair to cool me off.

The girls team is already gone since they finished earlier than us. I caught a wave from Josie when I was in mid game which caused me to trip and earn a smirk from her.

I walk toward the locker rooms and I can already feel my muscles becoming sore. I look at the ground as I get closer. My eyes land on a very familiar pair of black heeled boots which causes me to look around.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" I exclaim and pull the person by the arms over to a darkened corner.

"I just thought I would pay you a visit and return your jersey." Kelsey says with a smug smile which cause my jaw to clench.

"Don't you think you could have brought it to me else where? What if people would have seen you?" I ask becoming agitated. She shrugs her shoulders, I hate the way she is standing there with a smirk plastered on her face.

"You and I both know I have tried to see you but ever since you got that new toy to play with you have went MIA on me." She says stepping closer and running her thin fingers across my chest sending chills down my skin.

"Exactly, I have a perfectly good reason to ignore you." I say and Luke walks out of the locker room stopping dead in his tracks. He sends me a disgusting look towards Kelsey before I roll my eyes.

"That's not what you were saying Saturday night." The words that roll of her tongue cause a wave of guilt to wash over me. I wish I could take back that night where I messed around with Kelsey and Josie had that mishap.

"Yea but now the circumstances have changed and I am perfectly happy." I say before snatching my jersey from her hands and begin to walk towards Luke leaving her with her teeth locked against one another.

Luke gives me a questioning look as I join him and we walk out to the parking lot. I explain some things before he gets in the passengers seat and we head off to meet with the others.

•••

S.xx