His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

Chapter 20

Depression took root in my life again, developing a hold on me like it never had before.  I did anything to keep my mind and body busy. It seemed the more I moved the less time I had to lie around feeling broken.  Becca softened the blow of each close encounter with Isaac, ensuring his attention was always somewhere else when I was near.  The thing that hurt most was he seemed so unfazed by the events of that night, which seemed odd.  He had appeared so broken at the time, so this sudden change caused me to feel very alone in my suffering. 

Brittany and he were still a thing, which caused my stomach to turn every time I saw them together.  The pain in my chest overwhelming at the thought of him sharing himself in a way he refused to share himself with me.  Especially when he was sharing that part of himself with someone like her.

As predicted the boys made it to playoffs which meant we were going to have an overnight game and would need to stay in the city until the following morning.  Which I was not excited about, I had successfully avoided Isaac by only attending events held on school premises.  One of our traditions on overnight playoff games was to gather at the pool after the game to either celebrate a win or to celebrate the end of an amazing season.  Becca was forcing me to attend the poolside party, despite my protests.

"Earth to Emily!"  Becca waved her hand in front of my face, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

I removed my earphones before wrapping them around my phone and stuffing it them into my bag.  "Sorry, just listening to music."

"Thinking about you know who?"  She whispered as she nudged me.  "I could tell by your face.  You either were holding in a fart or thinking about him.  After X amount of time I deducted the idea of it being a fart."

I lightly chuckled at her attempt to cheer me up.

"I know it sucks babe."  She glanced over the back of the seat, "I just don't understand how he can rub it in your face that he's with her."  She glared at the sight of Isaac and Brittany together.

Shrugging my shoulders, I slid further into the bench seat wanting to disappear.  "I don't know, and I don't care.  I'm done trying to win him over and be there for him.  I deserve to feel chosen every single day, and I deserve to be loved fiercely.  If he can't give me that then he isn't worth it."

"You say that, but I see the way you look at him when you think no one is looking.  Em, you deserve only the best and he's clearly not it."  Her mouth went lopsided before she continued, "Until he chooses to love you fiercely and make you feel chosen every day, he isn't worth the heartache."

"I know you are right, but it's hard."  I leaned my head on her shoulder.  "Thank you for always staying by my side."

"I've always got your back.  Which is why I'm introducing you to someone on the other team tonight.  He is super sweet and hot, the perfect distraction!"

"I don't need a distraction.  I need a new heart and a new start away from him."

"Well I can't give you that," she laughed, "so hot distraction it is!"

The bus jerked to a stop as we pulled into the front of the hosting school parking lot, spectators already filtering in for the big game.  "Damn that's a lot of people," Sean ogled as he peered out the window.

"See any hotties?"  Sam asked while jumping from his seat to join the other guys inspecting their possible prey for after the game.

"You guys are repulsive!"  Becca laughed as she stood, throwing her bag over her shoulder.  Charles wanted to look with the guys but knew Becca would smack him over the head if he did.

She started up the path and when she was out of ear shot, I whispered, "Good choice."  He laughed as he kneed my butt forcing me to follow my best friend.  "Ouch!"

"Walk Lahey or I'll make Sam here throw you over his shoulder and drag you off this bus!"  No one could deny Charles was very charming and easy on the eyes, he and Becca fit perfectly together.  It was as if they had been cut from the same cloth, designed to find their way to one another.  My eyes gleamed at him before I turned to make my way off the humid bus.

Sean found his place beside me, his arm looping with my own.  "You look really pretty today."

My cheeks flushed.  "Thanks.  Becca helped, she said I had to look hot for some guy she wants to introduce me to.  Even though I have told her repeatedly that I am not interested."

"I can maybe help you get out of that."

My body snapped towards him. "What really?  Wait!  How?"

"Just pretend we are hitting it off and stick with me all night."  He shrugged, "We are close, and it isn't weird between us.  Besides I'd rather you stick with me then go off with some random guy tonight."

My smile grew, "You are seriously the best!"  Throwing my arms around his neck I gave his lips a quick kiss, I was determined to sell it.  I did not want to spend my night with someone I didn't know.  Hell, I didn't even want to spend the night outside of my hotel room.

"Okay, okay.  Don't get too excited," he laughed as he pulled me into his chest.  He pressed his lips against my ear to whisper, "I want you to know I would always choose you.  I know I will never be him, but I will always be here for you.  I know you don't feel the same, but I'd be more than happy to help you forget about him.  Even if it's only temporary.  I hate seeing you like this."  The tears began to swell so I buried me face into the cold material of his jersey, its temperature cooling the heat pulling in my face.

"I don't deserve you," my voice was muffled.

"You deserve to be happy though," he hugged me tighter.  "Like I said I'm not him but I'm here, as a friend."

"Thank you."  When I pulled back to look him in the eyes, he kissed the tip of my nose.

"I also kind of want to make that asshole jealous because he threw the most amazing girl in the world to the side and I think he should know that."  He smirked, "You game?"

"I'm game but not because of him.  I just want to feel happy today and you know how to do that almost as well as Becca."  We both smiled clearly content with the understanding we had for one another.  It had taken him a bit of time to get over being angry but once he had our friendship was able to blossom into something unexplainable.  People thought he was crazy for supporting my feeling for Isaac, but just like Becca he had a much deeper understanding of my connection and history with Isaac.

I watched as he took off to follow the other guys towards the locker-room.  "OMG, what was that?"  Becca threw her arm around me as she dragged me towards the field to warm up.

"Nothing," I blushed.  "He just wants me to hang out with him tonight."

"What?  So, no hot distraction?"

"Nope."

"But he's really, really hot!"

"Still not interested but thanks anyways," I mocked.

"You are no fun!"  She pouted but quickly perked up when she saw the size of the crowd already filling the bleachers of the stadium.  "We need to be on our A-Game tonight!"  I shook my head in agreeance, confident we would nail our routine.

The first half rolled by quickly the score sitting at seven to three, our lead.  Our cheer squad headed out onto the fifty-yard line finding our positions.  Waiting patiently until the remix Max made for us drowned out the noise of the crowd.  Suddenly it felt like it was just us, everything around fading into a blur of colors.  The smile I wore was genuine, it wasn't just for show.  I felt truly happy when my body moved to the beat of the music.  The pride I felt as we hit our stunts and tumbling skills with ease was undoubtable.  Striking our last pose the music faded out, the world once again coming into focus, those blue eyes absorbing every detail.  I swallowed hard, keeping the smile on my face as I turned to Becca.

"Holy shit Em!  That was amazing," she ran at me full speed.  When she leapt into my arms I needed to take a few steps back to maintain my balance.

"Hell yeah we did!"  As I carried her off the field our excitement radiated through us. There was no better feeling than doing something you love with your best friend by your side.