VIOLET

Chapter 2

Callan

"Come tomorrow an hour early for warm-up. Hey, are yall listening?!" Coach was yelling at us on the field as we all gather our clothes and equipment from the sidelines.

"You coming an hour early, Cal?" One of my teammates, Jace, grunted, picking up the bag of soccer balls. 

I felt sweat slowly traveling from my forehead, down to my cheek as I looked up at the coach's hard stare. I knew he hated me undermining him, but he was a shit coach. 

He was a big guy, but not fat, just meaty. His hairy sun-burnt arms were crossed over his chest, just above his growing beer belly. He stood with his legs equally apart in that weird power-pose that coach's do.  

"Nah," I started, watching the old man's eyes squint at me. Good, get upset. You won't do anything. I lifted my arms in the air, stretching. I felt the sun kiss my exposed stomach as my shirt stretched upward. "I'll probably have a burger before and make sure I cramp up."

Jace chuckled, shaking his shaggy blonde hair. Jace was a great guy, a better man than I could ever be. He studied a lot and practiced even harder. My boy was wicked smart- he always helped me on assignments even though I was too proud to ask it. 

I remember this one time, I was sitting in a study room in the library, pulling my hair out over some chemistry shit. I didn't like being stupid- I hated it. Watching everyone around me study and actually retain material pissed me off, so I usually got a private room. Jace knew me so well, he said he was looking into every room to find me. He knew we had an exam the next day, and my man sat there and drilled the information for hours until I got it.

I have no idea what I would do without him. He always had my back when I was in trouble, and always convinced the Coach to get me back after I'd been kicked off.  I've never told him this though, that would be awkward. I think he just knows.

After gathering my stuff, we started leaving the field. 

"One hour." I heard Coach grit, his jaw clenched as he gave me a warning look. 

I walked by him, giving him my best you're-lucky-I'm-even-coming look. 

But I would never let my team down. Of course, I would come an hour early.

As we neared the stadium exit, I saw a tour group outside the building. A couple of people stood, some looking interested, others looking like they wanted to die. Those were usually the faces of orientation groups.

"I'm not in the mood for this shit." I grumbled, running my hand through my sweat-soaked hair. 

"Let's hope the tour guide isn't someone you slept with," Jace teased, elbowing me. I scowled, pushing him back. "Last time was a shit show."

How could I forget? She warned the group that I was a walking STD.

I walked on the other side of Jace, hoping his big figure hid me well enough so I could sneak by.

"Our national champions! Hey guys-" The sound of an obnoxious squeak filled my ears. I peaked over to see if I knew her, and I saw her face fall as my team ignored her. 

I scrunched my face. Nah, I didn't know her. Or maybe I did? I doubt I would sleep with someone who sounded like that.

There was a thud behind me, and I glanced to see some dude holding the rest of our equipment. He had knocked into some girl with dark hair-

Wait.

Wait.

An unrecognizable feeling gripped me and told me to watch her. She held her face, looking up at the lanky guy with confusion before her features softened. She was talking to him, and he was blushing. I saw her glance at the group which was leaving her behind. Was she in the tour?