Love , So Bittersweet

Chapter 2 (Reprise) : Given Distance , Envied Love

What is bittersweet ? Hurt and happiness ? Pain and enjoyment ? It differs for some people , but it all comes back to the same feeling . Bittersweet is something many people feel , Eric being one of them . Love just happens to be one of those bittersweet feelings . Love may be the worst of them : terror , happiness , sadness , ecstacy , lust , hurt .

CONTINUED

Eric found himself tying the laces on his cleats . The thoughts in his head getting to him . Why , why was he thinking about personal matters right now ? He stood up and began to stretch . The warm-ups he selected for his team worked well , getting his body ready . It didn't take long for other team members to arrive . An hour passed leadi be png to the noisy whistle and the boom of a ball flying off the foot of the opposing flyhalf's foot .

Eric , quick to act , caught the ball feeling the poor attempt of a tackle against his hip . Eric spun off the player and began to run up to the field . Suddenly another impact , a player his size going for the tackle . The power behind it was unexpected , but Eric wasn't going to fail . Eric planted his foot to resist , and with the flick of his arms the ball was traveling up field in the hands of his teammate.

Eric backed away meeting eyes with the boy , a death stare ensued . The boy wore #6 , a flanker . Eric looked at him and smiled ," nice hit man ". The boy began to walk away before he responded , " not to bad yourself , you definitely play and are strong like a captain ". This took Eric by surprise , the stare was threatening but the response was respecting .

Eric jogged back up the field to kick the conversion after his teammate scored . He took a few seconds before glancing up at the opposing team , that same stare stood out . Eric took a couple steps his eyes attached to the ball , but from the corner of his eye the red jersey appeared . He glanced up at the goal and kicked , the ball flew through the middle . Eric looked at the person who almost deflected the kick seeing the #6 walking away .

Eric glanced into the stands seeing Lin texting on her phone which made his heart sink slightly . His mind raced before a pat on his back could be felt . That boy was standing there , " c'mon man , deal with it after it's game time right now ." Those words out Eric back into focus which he responded with a nod .

The ball flew from the foot of the opposing team . The ball was caught by the fullback . Eric looked down field staying a meter behind his teammate to his right . Soon the ball was in his hands once again . His legs powered forward with speed and strength . Him meeting contact the #6 was against his hip , this time he refused to lose . He drove and kept driving getting through the boy. His kegs carried the boy of equal size. Another body bashed against Eric's side a wince of pain coming from him. Eric wasn't one to give up easily, using his free hand to push one of them. Then another body wrapped around Eric. The ball suddenly flew backwards into the hands of a teammate before Eric hit the ground.

Eric felt his body hit the grass before deep breaths erupted from his lungs. He slowly stood up while he tried to control his breathing. Eric looked over to the bleachers in a slight amount of pain. His eyes wondered looking for a Lin who was nowhere to be found. Eric shook his head and began back up the field to catch up to his team who had just scored.