Exposing Cody

Lightner

Chapter 2
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Dylan was a guy of annoying puns, disgusting jokes, collection of references and a void like stomach that could fit even Mount Everest in it. But today we got to see him in a way we haven't ever seen.

Right in the field, covering his side swept chestnut hair with a helmet, flexing his biceps which were more grown than the past two weeks, Dylan stood with his teammates, ready to play football . Stellar, Jake and I were sitting in the front row in our "I ❤️ Dylan" T-shirts.
Stellar was already hyped up. She kept on flaunting the big finger hand high up even though the people at the back complain. Jake was busy calculating the possibilities according to the 4-3-3 formation. I, in the meantime, had already halved my popcorn basket, worrying about the match outcomes.

The whistle had just blown marking the beginning of the game. The opponent team won the toss. So they were fiddling with the ball now while our own team was trying to fetch it somehow. Too much dribbling went on in the field for far too long that made me lose interest in the game. Attempts to goal was still NIL for both the teams. The game had already started tiring me.

How I am so tired all the time?!

We spotted Dylan running with the ball alongside Cody, aiming the net. They must have had a plan for then, even though Dylan had a clear shot if executed clean, he passed the ball to Cody who attempted to score but instead hurled the ball right into the keeper's hands. The audience on our side groaned in disappointment. Stellar was already frustrating. "MOVE YOUR ASSES LADS AND CHARGE THROUGH THE NET DUMB-HEADS!!!" she yelled from the stand trying to hype them up. I kept chewing on my popcorn. I'd seen many football games and I knew how games like this end up. So I stayed silent hoping for the best as the game proceeded.

It was almost the end of the game. Three minutes had been extended for injury purposes. Not a single goal had yet been scored. Three replacements had already taken place from our team as the referee blew the whistle to commence the game.

Dylan took up the ball from the opponent team and lunged across the field towards the opponent side. "He has the speed of a lightning bolt" I mumbled as I stare in awe at the field. Jake had been silent throughout the length of the game till now. He'd always been serious about games. I wondered why he never applied to be in one.

Dylan dribbled past three players as he made a cut through the mid-field. Noah ran up to his aid, taking up positions to receive the ball. " Oh no. No. No. No. No. No." I mumbled. It was going to end up bad, I could feel it. "What is it?" Stellar asked looking concerned. " Noah. He's running up too fast. He's going to mess it up" I said, eyes still fixed on the field. " He's on our team. He could be a bad pers-" I interrupted Stellar saying "It's not that. If he reaches there before that white jersey guy and Dylan passes on to him, it's going to be an offside one". I could be skeptical but this was a fair prophecy.

" You're just stressing because it's Carter" Stellar joked off my forecast in the wind. Jake defended me saying
"She isn't wrong though. It's a possible outcome". Stellar immediately shushed us both as Dylan prepared for the pass. He kicked the ball sideways as it rolled and it got picked up by Noah. Within seconds, Noah shot the ball straight towards the goalpost. The keeper dove to deliver a smooth save. The ball bounced off the ground and hit the pole before finally hurling into the net.

Immediately the whole stand broke into cheers. People started chanting "LIONS! LIONS! MERLIN LIONS!". Stellar joined them too. I clapped in enthusiasm and stood up to cheer them too. All our players in the field were stumbling over each other, stacking up on Noah and Dylan. Jake, however, stood exceptionally quiet still. I knew what he was apprehending but I didn't say anything.

The opponent team charged at the referees trying to convince them it was an offside. The referees held up a discussion as I sat down being impatient. Tension spread across my whole mind. What if they declared it an offside? What if we lose the lead? What if the opposing team became more cautious and humble and scored and we lose in the very last minute ? All these thoughts crossed my mind.

The referees split up as the field referee approached our teammates. He put his hands up to give out the verdict . I anticipated a defeat coming our way being the obvious pessimist as I was. The referee put his hand up in the air, and he declared the goal to be clear. " What?! YES!!!!" I roared in amusement as the crowd cheered up once again. Stellar hugged me celebrating the win. Jake joined us too. And thereby we started our own little chant. " Dylan! Dylan! Dylan! Dylan!"

Dylan took notice and looked up at us, smiling at our T-shirts. Stellar snapped shots of every moment, to capture them and treasure for life. The game ended with a win for the Merlin Lions by one goal after a dribble-full match.

After the match we waited for Dylan to come out of the stadium. We saw him approaching us along with his teammates. He took notice of us and broke off from the group. "Congo dude!" Stellar congratulated him as they hug.
Dylan spoke in a tired yet hyped up voice " Did y'all see I was on fire today! The coach praised me, everyone gave me some credit of the win. They now call me 'Lightner'". " Congo Bro. You deserved it" I hugged him. In the end, Jake and Dylan winded up hugging each other damn tight as they rolled on the ground. We all btoke into laughter. Stellar joined them too as the three wrestled on the ground. I snapped some pictures of them while they did this. " Dude! Get here! ASAP" Stellar pulled me in by my hand. We four then tumbled across each other . " Dude you squishing my muscular moobs" Dylan complained while Stellar shouts
"PUNKS LEAVE MY HAIR ALONE!!!!". Jake kept on clutching Stellar's short hair. Stellar, in revenge, reached out for Jake's black hair. Failing to do so, she clutched mine earning a screeching "AAAAAAAAAHHHH" from me. Loud laughs rang in our ears as we four clung on to each other. The best way to celebrate this victory. Four goofy friends rolling on the ground on one cold evening was all it took to make some beautiful memories.