Something New (A Chris Evans Story)

Chapter Sixteen

Once again, in the matter of just two or three weeks, I was stuck in the corner, with a bottle of beer in one hand and a bowl of chips sitting in front of me. Too bad I couldn't weasel my way out of this one. Not even to meet Shanna and Nat, who were attending a teaching conference in Seattle

Right after work, I was immediately dragged to the bar with some of the residents. The loud noises coming from my colleagues and the Super Bowl game echoed in my ears while I zoned out, thinking about all the pending work I had yet to complete at home.

I was about to send a quick text to Ananth when -

"Naina!" Lara squealed from behind me, making me jump about a foot in the air. "Come over and watch football with us!"

"I'll be over in a minute," I gulped, unsure of what was going to happen. "Just have to send a text first."

"Don't take too long," she chastised me, walking back towards the big screen television. "Paul and I are waiting for you to come cheer for the Pats!"

I gave her a tight smile. "I'll be there in a moment."

Not wanting to seem like a complete idiot in front of my colleagues, I sent Ananth, one of the biggest football fans I know, a quick text to explain what was happening in the game. I then realized that he must have his eyes glued to the TV screen. He wasn't about to take time to answer my questions about the game.

I walked to where all of my friends were congregated around the TV and made myself comfortable. I sat quietly in my seat, slightly confused about what the hell was going on in the game and I wasn't about to embarrass myself by asking someone to explain the intricacies of America's favorite sport.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a text notification. I swiped my screen to open a photo from Chris, looking like a complete frat boy. I could just picture how joyful and excited he'd get, being at the Superbowl and watching the game live.

In that picture, though, there was someone else I recognized. Letting out a small squeal, I quickly sent him a text, begging him to get me an autograph from Star Lord himself. I'd been obsessed with the movie ever since Ananth dragged me to see Guardians of the Galaxy.

8:34 PM- Chris

Wait, so you saw GOTG before Avengers? I feel so betrayed right now.

8:41 PM- Naina

Considering nobody dragged me out to see your movies, I didn't bother *shrug*

8:44 PM- Chris

Without the success of Capt America, Star Lord wouldn't even exist. So there.

I laughed, picturing exactly how that overgrown baby would be pouting at this very moment.

While I was trying to figure out a good comeback, I saw that Chris' name pop up on the screen. I quickly accepted the call.

"Hey you. It feels like we haven't talked in a while." All of a sudden I realized how much I was missing him. "How's the Super Bowl going?"

He immediately launched into convoluted and confusing explanation about the players and football, talking a mile a minute.

"- Brady's killing it out there, his OT's gotta stay strong though, or we're never going to get through their backers, who is he even throwing to we don't have a single open receiver in the in-zone and - OHMYGOD the Seahawks just intercepted it, that's why the OT's got to be there or we'll never get on the board, I mean Brady just got sacked for crying out loud how could -"

"OK," I interrupted him, rubbing my temples. "You just threw a bunch of words and names at me in a completely different language."

"I thought Ananth likes football," Chris asked, confused about how little I knew about the sport.