This Winter

Chapter 29

Senior Year

On Monday I'm returned back to reality and holding onto the memories I made this weekend with Noah.

Coach summons me to his 'office' that morning for a reason I'm unaware of, but according to my English teacher, "It's important."

He's sitting in his desk when I arrive, in the storage closet in his classroom that got converted to an office space two years ago. The slightly janky office is his prize and possession.

A file in his hand as he sits back to prop his feet on the wood desk. When he sees me he smiles, knocking his feet of the desk and resuming to a sitting position.

"Calaway!" He greets with a gruff.

"You wanted to see me?"

He smacks the file on his desk and points to them with his finger. "Several colleges are interested in you."

I grip the straps of my backpack tightly as I question, "Really? How?"

"They saw you play this weekend, and if it's not too late they want to have you," he states proudly and then adds with a sly grin, "You know McKendree University has been following you since Junior year."

"What the fuck," I speak in an outburst- utterly shocked from this news.

He raises his brow at me and speaks sternly, "Language! I can still make you run suicides."

"Sorry Coach," I mutter half-assed as my attentions drawn to the multiple schools requesting more information on me.

"Now McKendree will have you for sure, but some of the other schools just now saw you so they want to arrange a practice with you." He shuffles through the various papers in the file. "That is if you're interested in any of this."

"I- I have to think this over," I say uneasily. My head is practically spinning with this new information.

"I was supposed to tell you about this sooner but I didn't want this to freak you out before states."

"Yeah, no. I appreciate that Coach.. umm thanks," I state, clutching the folder in my hands so tight my knuckles are white.

"Look these over with your Mom and if you're interested in any of them get back to me," he says with a nod.

"Okay," I answer hesitantly.

"And don't be afraid to reach out to other colleges! You're too good to let this go pass you."

"Okay, thanks," and in a daze I leave.

***

I find my usual seat at lunch where Noah and Ashley sit. Although Ashley hasn't showed yet and only the curly haired boy occupies the table- his back facing me.

Still gripping the folders in my hand tightly I slide into the seat next to him. His eyes instantly meet mine and a smile spreads across his face.

"Hey," he greets softly.

In an instant the memories of this weekend flash through my mind and it's everything not to press my lips against his.

It's like he shares the same thoughts as me because a red hue covers his face and he turns away from me quickly. It's as if we regressed to middle school when hormones were raging and conversations were awkward.

With a light chuckle I turn to face the table and hum, "Noah..."

"What?" He replies, hands already in his bag of chips.

"Nothing you're just.." I lower my voice and say, "Cute."

His face reddens more and I catch a glimpse of his dimple as he smiles. My skin is warm and all I want to do is lean into his side...