The Omission Behind Ones Devotion

Chapter 29

Hayden's POV:

I woke up Wednesday morning with a pounding headache and a sore arm. With the preseason game tonight, varsity players were required to wear our team zip ups; so I get out of bed groggily grabbing it from my closet.

I throw on some black leggings and a black sports bra, before zipping up the burgundy jacket overtop. The dry fit material fit like second skin on my body and was quite flattering.

It still takes time to get use to our "letterman jackets" due to the fact that they weren't oversized nor old fashioned, resembling my dads jacket from when he was in high school. Instead they resembled a tight, form fitting warm up jacket but I wasn't complaining.

I throw on some concealer underneath my eyes and put on some mascara. For hair, I lightly curl my already wavy hair before raking my fingers through it. I smiled to myself imagining it was Brayden, longing for his touch. I imagined his long fingers trailing down my spine, in a gentle but protective manner.

Fuck.
I need to focus, the big game is tonight.

Fuck the big game is tonight.

My heart rate increases as I look out of the window but much to my dismay my eyes meet a pair of thick black curtains.

Walking downstairs, I make my way into the kitchen to see the whole family at the table eating breakfast. Much to my surprise Brayden was there too and all conversation halted as I approached the table taking the seat directly in front of Brayden.

His chestnut hair was the slightest bit messy in a perfect manner, the kind you would see from a model straight out of a magazine. I let my eyes drag down his face slowly before lowering taking in his appearance. He was wearing a maroon varsity football hoodie and grey sweatpants.

Of course he's wearing grey sweatpants.

My eyes trail back up to his face meeting a pair of lively eyes and a playful smirk, he caught me.

"So baby, you ready for the big game tonight," my mom says interjecting my thoughts knowingly.

"Umm yeah," I say clearing my throat staring down at my bowl of oatmeal, "I'm just hoping we win tonight, lord knows it won't be pretty if we don't."

I can feel Brayden's heated gaze as I completed the sentence, for only he knew the true meaning of it.

"So do you think you're going to start," my dad questioned his mouth full.

"I assume so, are you coming to the game tonight or is it going to interfere with football practice?" I ask taking a bite out of my oatmeal.

"Are you kidding," Ryan interrupts, "Dad canceled it instead he's forcing everyone to go and bring signs for the team."

I nearly choke on my food, talk about pressure.

"Alright well its quarter past, we should probably get going," Brayden pronounced after not talking all breakfast.

Brayden grabs his keys and doesn't hesitate as he rushes out the door. Something seemed off about him today, almost as if he were nervous or anxious. I made a mental note to ask him about that later before following him out of the door.

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The amount of praise I got throughout the day was surreal. I mean Ryan had told me that this school was very athletic and spirited but he wasn't kidding. In between classes multiple people came up to me wishing me luck or telling me they were going to the game.

This day was actually going pretty solid, or at least it was until it got to medical.

Today was the day that Chris came back to school, apparently Brayden beat him up so bad he stayed home for a couple of days. Looking back at it, I feel kind of guilty. I mean I left him there on the floor bleeding as I ran after Brayden. I try to push away the flashbacks as much as possible, and take a deep breath before entering the classroom.