Yours, truly

Chapter 15.

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Luke

"Everybody in!" Coach Wilson's voice barked from the sideline as we came in from the pitch.

The referee had just blown the whistle for a time-out.

I couldn't breathe, my chest was on fire and I was panting as I went with the rest of the team to the side.

The game was nearly over and none of the teams had scored a goal yet. They haven't put Andrew on. I glanced to their side when the game started as he stood by his Coast Academy's coach watching.
Our eyes met for a split second and my heart started pounding.

I haven't seen Andrew in a long time and just being near him brought my nerves up by a thousand.

At the beginning of warming up before the game, I noticed my friend Zack from group therapy at the goals. We waved at each other and he shouted "I'm not going easy on you Lukey!"
I rolled my eyes laughing and went back to warm-ups.

"Okay, first switches. Remi you're going in for Tito, you're marking Marcel, number three" Couch said pointing his clipboard at Ramiro.

"Yes," Remi whispered as he got up from the bench.

"Luke? What's going on?" Coach asked and everyone's head turned to me.

"I can't get a run in. They've got Dempsey as centre back but they'll be switching him in now for Jones," I said putting both hands on my knees and catching my breath.

Every time I got the ball, all of their defenders ditched their marker and turned on me.

"Here" Bryce said handing me my water. I took it from him and chugged it feeling the coldness go down my throat.

"What's the play?" Coach asked me and I turned to everyone in the circle.

"Okay," I began. "Bryce your in for James. We need all of our best offence on the line in this half. Caleb stay where you are and keep pushing. You can top their midfielder's speed. Milo remember what I said in training about your attack. Remi no foul play. We've only got a few minutes left guys and every move matters. We have to make them count or we don't move on" All the guys nodded continuously as I pointed to each of them.

Coach agreed and spoke beside me. "Keep pushing guys, last waters before we go out"

All the guys hydrated as the referee signalled the last minute of the time out.
I glanced at the stands and spotted Sean, Amelia and Dad looking down at the pitch. Amelia waved furiously with her hand when she saw me, hitting Sean in the face, and Dad held a thumbs up.

"Collins?" Coach asked and my head turned. "They're putting Jones in, are you sure?"

I looked over and saw Andrew take off his hoodie and put his jersey on.

He was asking if I still wanted to play. And even though I was tired as hell and the thought of being near Andrew made my stomach twist, I was still going on that pitch.

The whole team was looking at me, their expressions full of worry and I could basically hear Austin telling me not to do it.

"Yeah," I answered.