caller • mattia polibio

015.

Claudia walked onto the school field, dressed in blue.
It was the soccer game everyone would get excited for, the biggest rivalling schools (mainly because they were the closest to each other) just about all of the student body showed up and represented their teams colours. Claudia wearing a large blue sweatshirt, thrown over her day's outfit and her hair in a ponytail tied with a white scrunchie, matching her school's team.

Her school was going against Passaic Valley High School, this was Laura's school and playing for their team was Mattia, Kairi and Alejandro. She hadn't seen him since Saturday and they were planning to hang out after the game.

Claudia sat on the stands with her school friends, right at the front, she wanted to be as close as possibly, personally loving the sport but wanting to see Mattia play. Across the pitch you could see them stretching and training, but no sign of his familiar face.

There was an excited buzz around the whole field, everyone was rooting for their school, maybe some more than others, the class clowns had painted the school initials on their torsos and some girls were there just to watch some athletic boys run around, getting all hot and sweaty.

In the distance, you could see the three boys running towards the pitch, clearly having missed the bus. Mattia still had his normal shirt on and only one shinpad strapped to his leg. He pulled out his white shirt, swapping them out, a few whistles came from the stands at his slightly toned body.

Soon enough the whistle blew, the game had began. With the away team starting, they had higher possession. Mattia played in midfield, pushing it upwards towards Kairi. The level of noise coming from both sides rising with shouts and chants. From where she was sat, Mattia was stood only a couple of metres away from each other, what she'd do just to be able to give him a hug.

"Looking good Mattia!" Claudia shouted, he was stood still as the ball was sent out for a corner. He looks over at her, a smile rising instantly, but soon having to return focus as the ball was played back to their position. Around her a few whispers started, about her, about him, about being a traitor to the school.

It reached half time, with the score 2-1 to Mattia's team, Claudia couldn't be mad when she saw the smile on his face as he spoke to his teammates. He had helped assist Kairi into getting a goal.

——————

The game concluded in an opposing win, scoring 4-2.
Many of the students ran on to the pitch, girlfriends, friends, Claudia stood up wanting to find Mattia and congratulate him on the win. She pushed through the crowd people, most towered over her. However, eventually he made it to the other side of the pitch. Mattia stood there, flowers in hand, hair slightly damp from sweat, his chest still rising quickly and heavily, looking through the crowd for just one person.

"Look down her dumbass." Claudia laughed, as he was now on his tiptoes, making him jump.

"Hey beautiful." He pulled her into a gross but loving grasp. "These are for you" Mattia hands her the flowers, bringing a smile to her face as she smelt the roses.

"You're so cute."

He picked up his gym back and placed an arm around her shoulder, headed for Claudia's car.