Free (Sequel to Trapped)

Ch. 44

Ariana

Sunday, 10:43 am

We were at the park, waiting for Aviella's game to start at 11, and Aviella was so ready to play, she was practically jumping out of her shoes.

"Hey, Ariana. Are you sure it's a good idea for Aviella to play? It's only been a day." This comes from one of the crazy parents, Ericka.

"Bit-" Olivia stops me before I finish the word.

"Ariana." She whispers.

"I think I know what's best for my daughter. Thank you for your concern."

"Well, she's not really your daughter... but nevermind."

"Excuse me? The city of Denver, Colorado says otherwise, so if you wanna talk to somebody you can go talk to my lawyer. Thank you, this conversation is over."

Justin and Jonathan return from the girls' bench and Justin takes his seat next to me.

"Is everything okay? You look pissed." He says.

"Justin, not in front of the children." Ericka says, faking concern.

Every single one of the children were at least 20-30 feet away.

"Ericka, find some business." Olivia says.

"What's going on?" Justin asks.

"Some people are being difficult." I mumble.

Justin chuckles, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

I lean into his side, taking out my phone to pass the time.

11:05 am

Four and a half minutes into the game, and we've already scored 2 points. The team we're playing is not that great, considering their goalie jumps out of the way every time a ball even comes close to her.

"Go, Steph!" Ericka yells, encouraging her daughter, Stephanie, who runs the ball down the field.

Stephanie passes the ball to Alexa who passes it to Aviella and Ericka groans.

"Kick it into the goal, not to another player!" Ericka's husband, Nick, yells from the sidelines, along with the other crazy dads.

Aviella kicks it back to Alexa who kicks it into the goal, and everyone cheers. Stephanie walks off the field and says something to Coach K. He nods, calling Kylah onto the field, and Stephanie sits on the bench.

"What the hell is she doing?" Ericka mumbles.

She follows Nick to the bench and I roll my eyes.

"'Not in front of the children'." I mock.

Olivia and Justin laugh.

"God, she's so annoying. Does she realize that there are other people on this team?"

"Baby, she's just mad that Aviella and Alexa know how to play and her daughter doesn't."

"Yes. Our daughters are the dynamic duo of this team." Jonathan says.

"Stephanie said she feels too much pressure from me and Nick and she didn't want to play." Ericka tells another soccer mom when she sits down.

"I wonder why." I mutter.

"What was that?" Ericka asks.

"I said get out of my mouth. Can you see my tonsils yet?" I reply.

Justin covers his mouth and Olivia snorts.

"You are too much." Jonathan says, an amused smile on his face.

Ericka goes back to her conversation, and they whisper about us the entire rest of the game.

11:47 am

We won, like always. The final score was 13-6. Ericka walks off with Nick, looking back at me.

I am so tempted to flip her off, but Justin wraps his arm around my waist, and I calm down.

I can only muster up a smile and a good job to Aviella when she runs over to us. I was to mad to say anything else.

"You did so good." Justin says.

She smiles, going on and on about how excuted she was to play since she couldn't yesterday.

"Aviella!" Alexa yells.

Aviella turns around and Alexa runs towards us, her parents behind her.

"Do you wanna come to the carnival? My mama said it's okay."

"Alex, I told you to ask Ariana and Justin." Olivia says.

"Can she please please please come with me to the carnival? She can spend the night, and wear some of my clothes to school." Alexa begs, clasping her hands together.

"That's fine with me. Go ahead, Avi." I say.

She squeals, squeezing Alexa as hard as she can, like she doesn't see her everyday.