Labeled

Chapter 26

We arrived at the field. Carter's arm was still around my shoulders. "Hey, coach." Carter greeted.

"Jones, you're late." Coach Simmons responded. "Who have you brought with you?"

A couple of the players eyes were on us now. "Like you don't know, coach. It's me, Sydney." I answered.

The coach was a family friend since he was my little league soccer coach. This man knew his sports. "Of course, I knew it was you, little Syd. How's that left kick?"

"Still unstoppable." I was our left side attacker.

"Good to hear it. May I ask why are you here?" He walked with me across the field as Carter left my side to get ready.

"Carter is giving me a ride home today. You don't mind if I stay and watch do you?"

"Of course not." He said with that big smile of his.

"Great." I said and sat down on the bleechers.

I watched the players run, do drills, and all that. It was fun watching Coach Simmons beat them up indirectly.

Carter and Matt flashed me smiles between running and all that. The only unfortunate thing, that I completely overlooked when deciding to come to football practice with Carter was Luke.

He and I met eyes more than a couple times, I almost immeadiately dropped my gaze or shifted my attention to someone else.

As soon as practice ended, I walked onto the field. Carter meet me half way to the other sides. "Please, tell me you are hitting the showers before we leave."

"I don't smell that bad." He replied.

I looked at him, jokingly. "Honey, you smell worse than a garbage dump." I said with a Southern accent.

He smelled himself. He was repulsed. "Ugh, maybe you're right. Give me ten minutes. Here are the keys." He began running and threw me the keys. On my way to Carter's car, I waved to coach and Matt. Carter had a nice blue convertible. I got into the passenger's seat and left the door open so I could strech out my legs.

I took out my phone and listened to music. After about two songs I realized that I was being watched. I looked up and took an earbud out. Luke's car was across the way. He was starting up his car but had his window down and was glaring at me.

 I got up from my comfy seat and walked toward him. He stopped his car and got out. He followed me to the front of his car. I leaned on the car. "Luke, this obviously isn't working." I said.

"What's not?" He responded, completely lost.

"We can't date. We can't act like the other doesn't exist." I said, shaking my leg in fustration.

"Then let's do neither." He suggested.

I started pacing. "But that's not it. There is something, causing friction. I mean..."

"Is it me?" Luke asked.

"What about you?" I stopped for a second puzzled.

"Am I causing you to be this way?"

I thought about it. "No, it can't be. I mean I want to be friends. But I know it's hard to forget." I leaned on the car again, my face in my hands. 

"Then let's be friends." Luke said soothingly.

I couldn't think. "What the hell did you do to her?" Carter's voice boomed. My head snapped up. Luke didn't say anything. He knew that if he fought with any of my friends, there was no way I would be his friend.

"Carts, I'm fine." I answered. His line of sight went from me to Luke to me.

He always knew when I told the truth if I was fine or not. "Okay," he mumbled. I walked with him to his car. I looked at Luke from Carter's car. He was still where I had left him.

***

I was lost in thought after Carter had dropped me off at my house. I laid on my bed. What I had said was true. I'd rather be friends with Luke then anything else. Not his girlfriend, not just a girl in the hallway. I wanted the old days.

But how complicated is that to get back to. Space is not always the answer. Trying to stick it out is definitely not it. I shouldn't worry about it. What will happen will happen. As Pumba and Timon say, "Hakuna Matata". No worries.

I need to make that my life motto. It might lead to a nicer life style. Hmmm...that take serious consideration.

My phone blared. "Tess. What's up?"

"It's Matt. He won't leave us alone." She replied. I tried to suppress a smile.

But my laughter exploded. "Tessa, I'm sure he's not that bad."

"No, Sydney, I assure, he is that bad." She said forcefully.

"Okay if it's that bad I'll tell him to back off a bit."

"Tell him to back off a lot." She said.

I hung up the phone and laughed.