Something Real (Andreil)

Chapter Six

"Maybe those words don't help because they're reminding you of everything that freaks you out. Try reversing them into something like 'I'm Neil, I'm a fox striker, I'm home'."

Neil's breath caught in his throat.

For so long, he had been focusing on all the things he wasn't and decided that all the things he was could not be put into words. He thought that there was a glass wall between himself and the people around him. The people on the other side had simple problems and simple lives and simple everything. Neil so desperately wanted to be one of those people. Not so much the foxes, who had lives too complex to decipher. The people in his 9 a.m. class, who's biggest problem was that boy who didn't text them back or that girl who called them names. Someone that could lay out all they were in just a few terms.

It was bewildering that Andrew managed to shatter that wall in a matter of seconds. Neil desperately tried to mask whatever his face was doing, but Andrew saw past it. "Don't look at me like that. Anyone with a brain would have told you the same."

But that wasn't true. Nobody knew Neil struggled with this, no one would have told Neil the same, except for Andrew. Neil had to turn away. Otherwise, he was going to do something stupid.

Finding out Korin broke her spin was like a sign from God. If Neil believed in that kind of stuff.

Neil wanted to shout in Kevin's face to sign Andrew. That his drunken state was pointless because they had the best goalkeeper in the world standing right in front of them. Nonetheless, it would be a betrayal to Andrew if he were to tell Kevin, and Neil figured Andrew would be even more less inclined to play if Neil ratted him out. No, Neil would have to convince Andrew on his own.

How? Neil hopelessly thought.

Andrew was known for making promises, yet Neil had already told him he did not want something binding them other than truth. Besides, he didn't think Andrew would want anything Neil had to offer. Trading a truth for Andrew's secret were two completely different levels of weight.

Back at his own dorm, Neil spread the news to Matt and Seth. The three of them told the girls, then Wymack called a mandatory meeting. The foxes met at the court, and Wymack wasted no time at getting to the point. "I'm sure all of you have heard the news. Korin was in an accident and is out for the season. So, where does that leave us?"

Wymack talked through their options as the foxes brooded on their couches. Dan looked especially disheartened as she helped Wymack pass out paperwork on potential teammates. Apparently, it was all hands on deck in finding another goalie. Wymack finished his meeting with the visiting hours at the hospital, and Neil noticed Renee taking down the time along with Allison.

"Now, get out of here and get some rest. Neil, could you hang back?"

Neil watched as his family filtered out of the room. Kevin gave him a questioning look, but Neil shook it off. This must be about his panic attack. Neil was ready with an excuse about how tired he was that day and how it wouldn't happen again and that he would promise to—

"You get that boy to play and I'll give you free range of my court." Wymack said as soon as the doors swung close.

Neil blinked. "Coach?"

"Don't play dumb. I know Andrew has been sneaking in to play since day one, and I know you have been helping him. You both are not nearly as sly as you think you are."

Neil ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't tell if he was relieved or bothered that some one else knew Andrew's secret. "Coach, if you knew, why haven't you said anything to him?"