What I Couldn't Tell Him

20 - Who Are You?

ALDEN WOLFF

The guys are stretching in the sweaty changing room; leaning on walls, lifting dumbbells and doing things to make themselves look good while achieving very little physical benefit. Being the inspirational captain I am, I sit next to Brooklyn and we talk.

"You ready? Addington are beatable, right?"

I nod. We have beaten them before but with our materialistic preparations, I can only hope.

"You know, I invited Jaimie."

I look at him with my eyes narrowed. He looks a little cautious.

"She took my phone number but I reckon it went straight in the bin. She was f*cking with me." He continues and I exhale, without realising I was holding it in. I laugh at him, trying not to take offence.

"She won't be here."

"She might."

"She won't."

JAIMIE PERRON

I didn't have anywhere else to be and I know Jenni comes to these games. I don't plan on asking why. I am not looking forward to the party. I see her standing under the stands with a phone in her hand. She is in shadow.

I walk up and she lifts her head in suspicion and tucks her phone into her jacket pocket when she sees me.

"Come to see one of your boyfriends?"

"Shut up."

We talk for a while and then hear a rumbling applause above us. We walk out and into the sunlight, taking our seats in the far back corner.

I watch the team walk out, in their blue shorts and shirts. The football (soccer) team is very much a status thing, the shirts cling to their muscles and their hair is always styled perfectly. Jenni scoffs at this and watches the announcements with her head resting on her elbows.

I lean back in my chair, rocking my heels idly. They blow the whistle and I see Alden take his place. His eyes flick up to the back and I almost think he's looking at me. Then Brooklyn nudges him and points. I turn to Jenni and allow my hair to obscure my face.

They pass between themselves, hanging onto the first possession. The grass is perfectly green and their boots make indentations all along. I sometimes think they are looking at me but ignore it.

They penetrate the weak defence and a looping cross meets Alden's head, his soft hair bouncing with the impact. The crowd holds its breath as the keeper dives clumsily and tips the ball. It misses the crossbar and sails into the crowd. They lob it backs and it bumbles to the corner spot, where another boy chips it. It was a wasted opportunity, the ball falling at the feet of a defender who boots it away. In the pause, I catch Alden's eye over the distance. He shakes his head and jogs back into position.

"He hasn't taken his eyes off you."

"What? No. He wasn't looking at me." I deflect, pretending to be picking my nails.

"Oh really?"

I lift my head and his eyes are lifted again. She snorts and mumbles something about pathetic teenagers.

We watch mostly silently, laughing as they flex their muscles or strut about when they think someone is watching. Then Brooklyn looks up.

"You've made quite an impression, haven't you?"

"Seriously Jen, it's not like that. It's probably a bet or something."

"All the hot ones too; bet you'll have some enemies by Monday." She hums, clearly not convinced.