The Boy From Italy (Pentatonix)

Ch 2. Team Captain

Leave some comments throughout the chapter for me! It can be your reactions to different things, suggestions, ideas, or anything else that comes to mind while reading!
---

The next few days pass by in a blur. Scott doesn't get to see Kirstie or meet the foreign exchange student but does learn that his name is Mitch Grassi and he's from Italy. Scott's never left the county, much less gone to Italy. Not having met the guy yet, Scott can't help but be worried that he's constantly around his girlfriend. Not that Scott has much time to worry about anything else.

A quick drive to daycare gets Norah off his hands for a few hours, but it's not an experience Scott ever likes or long for. He wishes that they could just hang out all day. There's soccer practice today, actually, there's soccer practice every other day. All people talk about is football, but the soccer team only stops practicing when their field is unusable. And the coaches definition of usable is much different than any sane human.

Parking by the field, Scott stops his truck and grabs the gym bag stored away behind his seats. Scott jogs to the field and does his usual small talk with a few of his teammates as he goes down to the designated boy's soccer locker room. Once there, Scott goes to his locker and starts getting ready.

He's wearing his training pants, which are really just well-fitted joggers, and no shirt when someone claps him on the back. Scott doesn't have time to turn around before they're speaking. “Hey, Hotwing.” A familiarly deep voice says. “How are you holding up today?”

Scott finally turns around, soccer jersey still in his hands. Avriel Kaplan has been Scott's friend since they were only four years old. The pair was put in the same junior soccer league as kids, back when they toddled instead of ran around the field.

Scott answers Avi with a shrug at first and then opens his mouth to justify his action more. “I don't know anymore, Avi. I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions and eventually something's going to snap or be pulled off.”

The small smile on Avi's face does nothing to help the worried look in his eyes. Scott was tired of everyone looking at him like that. Even if they were justified in being worried about him. Scott just had so much to worry about that his own well-being couldn't seem to make the list.

“I've got you, man. Don't forget that. You have people you can lean on, Scott. Kirstie and I aren't going anywhere. Not to mention Kevin and Matt.” Avi speaks softly, knowing that Scott didn't let many people know about his situation.

“Thanks, Av.” Scott lets out a quiet sigh and finally throws his soccer jersey on. “I just need a break, y'know? But it doesn't seem like I can catch one.”

Avi's smile suddenly widens, his eyes seem less worried as something brews behind them. “Do you work tonight?”

Scott shakes his head. “Nope. Not tonight. But I do have to watch Norah.”

“Perfect. Bring her and yourself to my house at four o'clock tonight. Make sure to pack an overnight bag for both of you.”

Raising an eyebrow, Scott speaks again. “What are you planning, Avi?”

“Don't worry about it. Just come over with your sister and some clothes. I'll take care of the rest.” Avi grins and claps him on the shoulder again. “Come on, cap! We can't miss practice, now can we?”

They head out to the field with Scott still just as confused as he was before. He knows he'll show up anyway. Getting out of the house could be good for Norah and him. With how busy everyone was it didn't seem like they left the house for fun much. Plus, Norah had always loved her Avi. He was like a second brother to her.

Warm-ups start with a shrill blow of the coach's whistle and soon the soccer team is doing laps around the field. Even with how tired Scott always seemed to be these days he still manages to lap everyone two times. Except for Avi who runs right next to him the entire time.

Avi bends over once their run is over, panting heavily. “Fuck. I will never understand how you just ran two miles that fast and didn't even break a sweat.”

Scott rolls his eyes. “I’m sweating, I'm just not as much of a drama queen as you are.”

Avi stands up straight, eyes narrowing at Scott. “You're right, Scott.” He flashes a grin. “I am a queen.”

Scott laughs loudly and soon they're on the field doing more cardio and leg exercises to get ready for a practice game. As Scott was the captain, and one of the best players on the team, he always acted as the goalie for the opposing team. It wasn't like he needed much practice when it came to being on the field.

After an hour of hard practice, only a few balls have made it past Scott. The coach is absolutely furious, meaning he extends practice by another hour. Scott gets out of the field this time, completing his duties as captain to lead the team to a simi-victory. It's hard to have a real victory when no one is actually against you.

Everyone on the team is mentally and physically exhausted by the time they’re allowed back into the locker room. Scott takes a quick shower, slipping a pair of boxers on before going to his locker. Soccer had done his body well, as most of it was made of strong, lean muscle with little fat.

Once dressed, Scott and Avi exit the locker room together. “I’ll see you tonight, right?” Avi asks the question with that same gleam in his eyes. He was up to something.

“Yeah, Norah and I will be there.” Now Scott just had to wait and see what Avi was up to this time.