Linger

T W E N T Y - S I X

Tyler and I didn't end up doing much after grabbing our frozen yogurts with gummy bears, much to his delight. He had a date with Lydia and I had a date with a research paper. I actually hadn't heard from Tom at all yet, which I was actually thankful for.

The next morning, I decided to join my family for once and head out to support my sister at her soccer game. Although I was sure that there was a high chance of Mr. Hayden being there, his brother was the soccer coach after all, I was still determined to be there for my own sake for once. I wanted to be able to live without someone else's presence having an effect on me. No matter how much I still cared for him so deeply, I had to learn how to just get by on my own and be happy with that.

I was going to the game to be there for my sister and cheer her on. And I didn't want anything or anyone to get in the way of that. I wanted to focus on myself and enjoy the moment for once. I've spent so many moments just hopelessly worrying about something I couldn't even control, wondering if Mr. Hayden still had feelings for me or if we ever would be together again. What was the point in that anyway? It's not like the more I thought about it, the greater the chances would be for us. All it did was stress me out & I was tired of feeling that way.

"You're coming?!" Kate asked with excitement in her green eyes as she bounced down the stairs & met me at the bottom by the door. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail & she was dressed in her navy blue Blue Jackets Jersey, black soccer shorts, cleats & socks.

"Of course! Gotta support my favorite sports team." I smiled at her.

"You mean, your only favorite sports team," she corrected with a laugh.

"Which means you get all of my support." I laughed, pulling on my sneakers. 

"Yay!!" she cheered as we headed out the door, closed the door behind us & went to join the rest of our family already in the car.

The ride to the park was enjoyable actually. Kate did most of the talking, giving us her thoughts about the opposing team & her many strategies to defeat them, as if we were the ones going to play against them. I did my best to listen to her every word, & push any thoughts about the possibility of Mr. Hayden being there out of my mind.

Once we arrived at the field, I got off the car & straightened my clothes. I was wearing a Blue Jackets hoodie, black high waisted jeans & my favorite black high tops. The silver necklace embellished with a heart was wrapped delicately around my neck, it had recently become an accessory I just couldn't go without. We were just going to a middle school soccer game & a casual look like this seemed perfect as I didn't feel like trying so hard anyway. Adjusting the messy bun on top of my head, I followed my family out onto the field.

As I stepped onto the green grassy field, a little boy stumbled onto my path, carrying what appeared to be small hockey stick that matched his tiny size perfectly.

"Whoa there, little buddy!" I laughed as he waddled around, nearly running right into my legs and I leaned down and gently put my hand on his back to help him gain his balance.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Bennie, come here!" 

I looked up to see a young woman with short blond hair jogging towards me, carrying a toddler in her arms.

"It's okay. He's just ready to play, that's all," I said with a small laugh as she approached me.

She smiled warmly at me. Her makeup seemed to be applied perfectly & her outfit immaculately put together.

"He just started hockey practice a couple of weeks ago & he refuses to go anywhere without his hockey stick now. Probably thinks he's Patrick Kane now or something," she said with a wave of her hand, laughing & I laughed along with her.