The Hopeless Romantic ✔️

Chapter twenty four.

Just a heads up. I completely winged this chapter. I know nothing about soccer. And also, this chapter might offend some of you. Please keep in mind that it was not meant to cause any grief. These events were not true, I made it up so the readers could see a different side to Jace and a different side to Avery that she hasn't shared yet.

Also! A very controversial topic is about to come up. I'm not forcing any beliefs onto you, it's just part of who the characters are and I wanted to do this as part of how their relationship grows.

Thank you.
Enjoy!

*

I heard a knock at the door. Luckily, I was ready. I woke up early for a Saturday morning, but I was excited to see Jace play soccer for the first time. Mom was still asleep when I opened the door. Jace stood before me, wearing a green and white striped soccer uniform. I had never seen him in uniform either and he looked good. "Ready? The game starts at ten, but we gotta warm up first."

I nodded, placing my hands in my jacket pocket and following him out the door. I closed the door and we walked across the street to his car. "She's not going to break down on us again, right?"

"She's not," he smiled, "I made sure of it."

We both got in the car and Jace drove to the school where the game was being held. It was a cold winter's morning and I was looking forward to Thanksgiving break, which was in a month's time. My mom and I didn't really celebrate it, we just get takeout and watch movies. Maybe this year would be different.

We arrived at school and we instantly headed to the soccer field. Players from the other team were already warming up as we got down there. Jace let go of my hand and kissed me on the cheek. "Thanks for coming, wish me luck!"

"Good luck!" I yelled to him as he ran off towards his team.

It was a lovely morning for a soccer game. I was wearing my red beanie and red gloves, trying to keep as warm as possible. I stood on the sideline, five minutes before the game started. I watched Jace kick a soccer ball around with another team mate, I smiled because I loved the morning air against my skin and I loved to watch Jace play a game that he loved.

The whistle blew and everyone gathered onto the field. I wasn't much of a soccer fan, but I knew the basics. Jace played defense and he was standing near the goal, waiting for the kick off. The game began and the opposite team had the ball. Jace looked ready to defend the goal and I was cheering like a mad person.

He laughed in my direction, distracted. The ball was coming his way, the other team had it and Jace was looking at me. "Jace!" I yelled frantically.

The ball went straight past him and into the goal because the goal keeper couldn't stop it. The other team got the point and I put my hands over mouth in shock and guilt because that was mainly my fault. Jace's coach was yelling at him and telling him to pull his head out of his ass. The game proceeded and Jace's team had the ball so he was standing, waiting to defend the goal.

I was watching until someone appeared beside me. "Hey, Avery." Amber said with a smile that looked fake.

"Oh, hey, Amber." I said, turning my attention back to the game. She cheered once the opposite team retrieved the ball. "Why are you cheering? That's the opposite team."

"Oh, my boyfriend is on the opposite team," she said as she clapped her hands, "his name is Danny and he's the captain. We met when I was cheerleading at his school, he's very good at soccer."

"That's nice." I commented, focusing on the game.

The ball was coming towards Jace and he looked at me with a worried expression, like he didn't want me speaking to her. Jace instantly snapped his head towards the ball coming his way, he ran up to it and kicked it. I smiled, forgetting that Amber was still beside me. I didn't have a problem with Amber, she seemed like a nice person, but I only knew Jace as the bad boy at school and Amber seemed like one of those bitchy cheerleaders. I know, it was such a cliché.