Something Unexpected

Chapter Nineteen

Kaiden's POV

Holding out my hands I snag the ball as it flies toward my chest at lightning speed. I hadn't gone straight to Laura when I got back to school. When my mind drifts back to seeing her hugging that douche I could feel my body start to get angry all over again.

"Dude," Eric called, motioning to the ball. "Would you hurry up and throw the damn ball?"

Aiming in his direction I sighed. "Yeah, sorry."

Catching the ball, Eric stops. "What's going on? You haven't skipped in ages and then today, out of nowhere, you go MIA both physically and mentally."

"Laura and I got into a fight. Had to get out before I said or did something I would regret." Catching the ball easily, I threw it over to Tyler who stood lazily looking at the ground. "I haven't spoken to her since I left right before second period."

Laughing, Eric caught the ball as Tyler shot me a filthy look. "Wrong move man. Girls never like being ignored."

"Why does everyone think I should be the one to apologize? I wasn't the one hugging someone I had feelings for."

A pained expression crossed his face. "Was she hugging the dude she went on that date with? Nick or whatever his name was?"

Nodding I didn't even bother to form a reply. 

"I'm sure it didn't mean anything." He offered sportively.

"I know, I've been a little bit off since Liz dropped in the other day and now this. I just need some space." I groaned.

"I get it man," He agreed. "Just maybe try not to ignore Laura because you're all messed up in the head over your mother."

"Hey," Tyler called. "Someone's hurt themselves." 

Pointing to the middle of the field we could see the guys huddling around what I could only presume was an injured player. Dropping the ball to the ground Tyler, Eric and I began to move in the direction of the massed players. 

"Is that Lexi Davenport?" Tyler questioned, pointing over to a small figure running toward us.

"Kaiden I tried to tell her is was a bad idea." Lexi gushed, heaving for breath as she finally reached us.

"Slow down," I ordered. "What happened?"

"It's Laura," She started but I didn't wait for her to finish.

Taking off I ran as fast as I could to my gathered team. Everyone shot me worried looks as I elbowed my way through the crowd. In the middle of the circle sat Laura, a hand on her head as Connor held onto her back to keep her upright. 

"Laura," Crouching beside her I lifted her chin so her eyes met mine. Lined with tears she smiled.

"I was coming to apologize."

Roaming my eyes frantically over her body I look back at her face. "Are you ok? Are you hurt?"

Shaking her head, she smiled. "I'll be fine, I am a lot tougher than I look. I wasn't watching where I was going and walked straight into Archer when he went to catch the ball."

"Man," Archer grabbed my shoulder. "I didn't see her, I'm so sorry. I tried to catch her before she hit the ground but it was too late."

I didn't bother to reply, lifting Laura into my arms I pushed through the crowd and headed over to the rows of seats that overlook the field. Setting Laura down on the wooden bench, I took the seat next to her, my eyes transfixed on the worn grass at my feet.