Yours, truly

Chapter 4.

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Luke

Just as I was on my way to English with Austin, Bryce came up to me in the hall and said Coach wanted to see me in his office, which was never good.

My body burned from yesterday's training because did a ridiculous amount of drills and laps. Everyone was struggling and exhausted by the end of it. Our Coach explained he was trying to get us ready for our game this Friday.

"I wanted to talk to you, about what happened a few weeks ago" Coach Wilson was a stern man. Photos of his younger self playing in soccer stadiums across the world hung in the office like prizes.
As I stared at the pictures I realised how it was weird to see him with hair.
He had an extensive figure with wide shoulders and big arms.

"That was um......" I began but I didn't know what to say. How do you explain to your Coach why you relapsed?

I shifted in the plastic chair that was across from his large desk and I sighed.

"I spoke to your parents Luke. I told you what would happen if you did this again" I could tell he was holding back the urge to scream at me.

"I know," I said putting my head in my hands.

After last summer, the worst experience of my life, he told me if I started again he had to drop me from the team.
Soccer was my life and I was determined to not let that happen.

"It was one time" I began.

"It's never just one time Luke" he scolded and stared at me. I know he was waiting for an explanation but I couldn't give him one.

"Are you drinking again?" He asked.

It hit me like a brick, that question. I wasn't prepared for it at all.
I haven't been asked that in a long time, especially in such a blunt way. My words caught in my throat like they were refusing to come out.

"No" I finally said after moments of silence.

"Are you going to therapy?" He asked.

"Yes," I argued, my tone starting to get defensive and my fingers began digging into my palms.

"Your Mom said you've been going to parties...." he began but I scoffed not wanting to hear anymore.

"Look, that's just to see the guys. Thats nothing, ask anyone. Ask Austin, my Mom, my Dad, my brother, my fucking therapist and everyone else on my back" I snapped. I regretted it immediately but didn't show it. I was starting to get pissed.

He looked furious at my swearing as he said tensely "No one is on your back"

"Really? You think my Mom insists on picking me up from therapy for the fun of it?" I interrupted. "You think Austin constantly monitors me and watches me at every social event because he feels like it?"

"You can't say you haven't earned it Collins! You remember last year as well as I do. You remember what happened" he pointed out his voice raising as mine did.

Memories of the events filled my head and I tried to push them down and not think.

My hands made fists trying to control the anger that was boiling inside me ready to burst. "I'm not drinking" I tried to explain calmly.