Give me Time

2.

Chapter 2: 

Today is Friday and one of the last football games of the spring season is tonight.

I surprisingly have seen my fair share of football games and I actually quite enjoy them. Throughout my years at Crystal Waters High, I have tried to make it to as many football games as possible and I'd say I've been pretty successful. Recently the games haven't been as exciting though, with Landon gone.

He carried the team at every game and then suddenly he just wasn't there anymore. The whole team was insanely affected by his disappearance and at every game, you could definitely tell.

Today, as per usual on game days, we had a team spirit day.

My first class contained a couple of football players dressed in their uniforms, talking about the game tonight and making predictions of what will happen. They did this every game day but it just didn't feel the same. The guys weren't as excited as usual. Besides, there was one person missing from their conversations that used to sit at the desk two seats ahead of me. His presence really did make a difference at this school whether you'd like to admit it or not.

I went on with the rest of my day, noticing the empty desk in half of my classes and remembering who sat there just a month ago when suddenly it was the end of the day and I could go home for a couple of hours before the game.

"Mom!" I called as I walked into my house, setting my stuff down by the door.

I got no response but I wasn't surprised. She's never really home.

I walk upstairs and go into my room, closing the door behind me.

My room isn't exactly simple or modern like most people's are... I have pictures of the sky, the beach, family, and friends spread out on my walls in all kinds of places, I have a corkboard plastered above my bed that's filled with fortune cookie fortunes, and under that is a bunch of paper wristbands from varying festivals, fairs, and events, and last but not least, I have a whole bunch of other random things that surround my room. It's comfy and cozy to me so that's all that matters.

I looked at the black and white clock on my wall telling me I had about an hour before I had to leave for the game tonight and grabbed some clothes to change into.

As I took off the blue long-sleeved shirt I was wearing, I noticed a fairly large bruise on my shoulder.

"How the fuck does that even happen?" I said to myself exasperatingly, "I'm so done with these." I state about the bruise and throw the off-the-shoulder top I was going to wear back in my closet.

45 minutes later, I'm in black high-waisted shorts and a black billabong t-shirt to cover the bruise with my long dirty blonde hair in a French braid. I grab my keys and a small backpack then head outside to my car, getting ready to pick up Ell and my other friends Bryan and Gabby.

Bryan was a year older than Ell, Gabby, and I. I met him in my freshman year and he's been like a brother to me since then. Gabby, on the other hand, has been one of my closest friends since freshman year and I absolutely love her. She's literally the sweetest girl I've ever met.

I pick up Ell first then Gabby.

"We have to pick up Bryan and then we'll go". I tell Gabby as she gets in the back seat of my car.

"Seriously?! He's coming?"

Gabby "hates" Bryan... or so she says. I think it's all an act. Bryan always messes with her and she'll push him or hit him but I think she secretly enjoys his attention.

I pull up to his house and he slides into the backseat right next to Gabby.

"Hey, Olivia." Bryan ruffles Gabby's hair and she slaps his arm.

"That's not my name asshole"

Olivia is Bryan's nickname for Gabby. When we all first met, he didn't know her name and has called her Olivia ever since.

"Hey B" I call out to Bryan and he looks over at me.

"Oh hey L and hi El with an e." He calls back and I start driving toward school.

"Are you ready for your last high school football game?" I ask Bryan and he shrugs.

"I didn't go to many anyways... won't miss it. I only go when you want me to."

"I can't wait for you to leave. Next year will be so peaceful." Gabby states and Bryan smiles at her.

"I know you'll miss me."

I pulled into the student parking lot and parked my car. "I don't know what I'm gonna do without you Bryan." I sigh and get out of my car with the others.

"Aww," Bryan pulls me into a hug. "It's not like you won't see me ever again. I'm one call away. But it's nice to see that you care." He smiles and pulls out of the hug but leaves his arm around my shoulders.

"Ok now let's go act like some normal teenagers at a football game. WOOO FOOTBALLLLLL!!!!" He screams and we all laugh.

•••

Soon after eating many hot dogs and snow cones, the game was over and we all headed back to my car.

"I can't believe we lost." El exclaimed.

"I can. We haven't won a game since Landon left. Why would tonight be any different?" I laughed and El gave me a look saying 'touché'.

"Well, I had fun and I'm pretty sure we all did regardless of the score. It wasn't that bad of a last high school football game." Bryan said and I looked up at him before jumping on his back.

"You can't leave. You're not allowed to leave me here without you." I mumbled, not letting go of his back.

"You'll be fine. Whenever you need me, you can call and I'll be right by your side." He smiled back at me but didn't put me down. We walked all the way back to my car before he finally put me down.

"You'll miss me so much! Won't you, Olivia?" He smiled at Gabby and ruffled her hair. She glared at him and opened the door to the car.

"Oh yeah so much." She said, still glaring as she slid in the backseat and closed the door before Bryan could get in.

El and I laughed as they fought, soaking up the memories before it was over.