Our Football Family [Slow Updates]

05 | charlie

The next morning, I wake up in Aaron's bed. I guess I must have fallen asleep here again, which is bad because I need to go home soon - my parents always want to know how the first days of school are going for some strange reason, and I also need them to sign school forms for me.

Turning onto my left side, I see Aaron and debate whether or not to wake him up.

Ah, fuck it. I'll wake him up later.

After completing my daily routine, I head downstairs to grab something to eat before I finally wake up Aaron and possibly Jared.

Humming to myself, I open the fridge and take out the milk and fruits, which are still the only things available. Maybe I'll make myself a fruit smoothie today.

I dance around the kitchen and take my time, seeing as I'm the only one who's awake. It's 7:15 AM, and the first bell rings at 8:15. I can only hope that what happened yesterday doesn't happen again today.

"Um, excuse me, but who are you?" I hear a deep, masculine voice from behind me. Startled, I jump and turn around.

The man is muscular and tall, and I've never seen him before.

"I'm Charlie." I say awkwardly. Then, realizing that that provides no context whatsoever, I add, "Aaron's girlfriend. And you are?"

"Caleb, Aaron's older brother."

Ah, I see. Aaron told me that he had an older brother, but I'd never seen him before. All I knew about him was that he was in the military and he and Alex had some issues with each other, but I'm not exactly sure for what reason.

"Oh. Well it's nice to meet you." I say, extending my arm out for a handshake. He takes my hand, and gives me a firm shake.

"It's nice to meet you too." He says, walking around me to get some fruit for himself. "So tell me, how did you and Aaron meet? He didn't even tell me he was dating anyone!"

I laugh. "Oh, we met at the football tryouts. But we started dating a little after that."

Caleb, who was cutting some strawberries, stops and turns to look at me. "You play football, too?"

I nod. "Yeah. Quarterback for the varsity team, three years in a row."

Damn, it feels so good to say that.

"Oh," is all he says, and he goes back to chopping.

Well, great. Just when I think things are going well, I have to mention football.

Footsteps are heard coming down the steps, saving me from the awkward tension. They turn out to belong to Alex.

"Good morning!" I greet her.

"Morning," she mutters, pouring herself a glass of milk.

It's not usually like Alex to be in a bad mood in the morning. She certainly isn't a morning person, but she isn't the type of person to be grouchy in the morning.

"Alexandra, do you mind passing me the milk?" Caleb asks her.

Alexandra? How strange.

I expect Alex to correct him, but instead she just passes him the milk. Just like that.

Even more strange.

Is this something about the grudge that Caleb is holding on her? I'll have to ask Aaron about it later.

Speaking of Aaron, I ask, "Hey Alex, do you know if the boys are up yet?"

She holds up a finger, signaling that she'll be a second, as she downs her milk in a matter of seconds. Wiping her milk mustache and placing her glass in the sink, she responds, "I'm about to wake them up right now."