Out of the Rabbit Hole

Chapter 24

He hasn't said anything. Honestly, it's been two days since the slap of hate to the face, received from my father. We've swerved each other throughout the morning, catching only the backs of one another leaving a room, to hide somewhere else. He now talks in whispers among mom, Mandy not so much. Speaking of Mandy, she's laughed her head off to Friday, still recalling the whole epidemic at dinner. She recites dad's words in exaggerated ways, getting a cackle from her few friends, who I doubt actually know what's going on.

They don't know what's happening most the times with the drugs and Bud Lite they constantly drink.

Stoners and alcoholics are their future occupations.

At least marijuana is legalized in some states; know where they're be heading.

I tap my feet to the beat, dwelling in the sultry voice of Marian Hill. She is very talented, and her music gives me this sudden confidence, like I can yell out to Simon to play harder, make the goal or whatever. I'm sitting here on the bleachers, in my now usual spot down by the water cooler, listening to songs while Simon is about to win his third game.

I must say, he does make me proud.

It sounds somewhat motherly but watching him play like he does, with all his effort, is inspiring. That's not in the Hallmark movie type way, more of an appreciation to get a glimpse of what makes him happy, how it impacts him this much. I observe the way his cheeks hollow in, breathing in a shock of air, to fuel his fast pace footwork. The ball kicks back and forth between himself, shuffling down the field until Simon meets his destination. Simon kicks the ball with a powerful right toe of the shoe, sending it into the goal, two inches from missing.

The crowd cheers, everyone in happy uproar. The game goes to us. We win!

The coach and the benched players rush to the field, hugging the closest teammate.

It's not even their last game, but they're this ecstatic.

Two of the teammates branch off to grab Simon, holding him up on their shoulders. Simon joins the fun, fist pumping in the air, yelling out like an animal. I smile at my dork of a boyfriend, quietly mouthing the words to 'One Time', as he approaches the bleachers. The crowds cheers grow when they are at their designated team bleachers right in front.

This is entertaining.

I like seeing Simon this indulged in a simple sport.

He finally turns to me, searching my eyes and meeting them to grin that big, stupid, lovely, grin. His smile sends waves of happiness to me, pushing back all negative things in my life right now.

No wonder his mother would watch him play.

He's high spirited throughout the game. Great team player.

I glance to him, startled that he's actually walking to me.

"Hey Si, gre-" Before finishing my congratulation, Simon puts a foot next to me on the bleachers, bending down to kiss me.

His hand grabs at my face, pulling it onto his lips, the suction from kissing deepens. I breathe sharply, that mixture of sweat and the sweet smelling body wash swirls my senses. I make out a couple of hollers and hoots that applaud our public display of affection.

We, right now, are PDAing! It fells really public, and weird in the exposed kind of way. Simon nips my lips, biting lighting into the lumpy inner part, then smiles against my mouth.

"We won. God, I won. I can't wait until Tuesday." He pecks me again, leaving when the coach calls him back to go to the locker rooms.

I watch the herd retreat to the comfort of their smelly cave, all yelling with joy of winning today's game.