More Than A Game

Chapter 8

It had only been two weeks since my kiss with Chad at Adelaide Oval. I spent most of the time, dealing with the constant thoughts rambling through my mind as well as pushing myself to get started on my journalism assignment. I knew I was getting there with a couple of paragraphs already completed, but so many distractions made me question my judgements. Once again, I was still being questioned by Brayden, about whether I was in total control of my social circle and my mother, who became anxious everytime she spoke to me.

Honestly, I was surprised with myself. The two closet people in my life were suddenly making it difficult for me to open about anything. I stared at the flashing cursor on my laptop screen, thinking back to that moment in the locker room. The thought of falling for Chad was likely but the whole idea of fan dating a celebrity made me question if I actually had a real chance. Yes, we kissed but he was probably being nice, it was my fault it happened in the first place. My thoughts suddenly became distracted when my phone started to vibrate. It was a new text message.

Hey girl, how was Adelaide Oval? Did anything exciting happen? ;) - Jess.

How was I meant to respond to that? Of course I enjoyed the tour around Adelaide Oval but what happened between me and Chad was in a way unexplainable. Should I just sugar coat what actually happened? No, that was terrible idea; I was already pushing aside mum and Brayden, which was killing me inside.

Yeah, I enjoyed myself but I don't know if I took things a little too quickly? - Carmen.

Too Quickly? Wait, I'll call you. This needs to be spoken about over the phone rather than in word form - Jess.

Within an instant, I answered the phone to hear Jessica's bubbly tone echo from the otherside of the phone line. I can never understand how Jessica can be so confident about subjects like this, especially since I was so shy with the tiniest of thoughts.

"Carmen, I dropped everything just to hear about it. What happened? Do you want to talk about it?"

"Well after I watched the boys train with their handballing and kicking drills, I took a tour of the oval with Chad and then, we might have entered the locker room."

"The locker room? Damn Carmen, this story is beginning to get exciting already. Please continue on."

"Well, I sat down and started telling Chad about how I remember watching him getting his name called out at the drafts and then one thing might have lead to another."

"So let me get this straight, you, a future sports journalist made out with one of the best players in AFL, CHAD WINGARD?"

I could sense her voice was starting to rise, crossing my fingers nobody could hear her ecstatic tone. She continued with the conversation. Trying to explain my concerns, I could tell she was raising her eyebrows from the other side of the line. Jessica squealed with excitement before moments later hanging up unexpectedly, leaving me to once again deal with thoughts alone.

Still deciding whether or not to text Chad, I could feel this cold like feeling rising inside of me. I felt ignorant for ignoring him since he's already done more for me than any guy has, but for some reason, I knew now wasn't the right time to talk to him. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. Great, what else could possibly happen right now?

"Seriously Brayden? You gonna come around just to ask me another question about who I spend my time around? Just be aware, that I'm sick and tired of your questioning, haven't you got anything else better to do with your life?"

"I think it's time we spoke about what's really going on. Ever since your appointment with that Grasswood character, you've been acting very strangely. Before you go on to tell me you're fine, I know you're lying. Even mum can see right through you, I mean she's already starting to be more anxious, worrying over your recent attitude changes." I stared at Brayden and could see the hurt in his eyes. Every word he spoke caused a sharp pain in my chest. This was it, my hidden confusion about where I stood with Chad was about to be uncovered.

"Alright, maybe I have been acting strange but that had nothing to do with you or with mum, if that's what you're wondering. The truth is, that friend that you've been hearing so much of was what's been on my mind lately. And I know I shouldn't be talking to you about it but I just find him so distracting."

"Since when did my big sis become so popular with the male population? Wait, it's not Travis is it? I knew he had a thing for you since he met you at football training before but I wouldn't expect you to go with someone like his um type."

"What no. I never had intentions of hooking up with your team mate, you should know that. Oh gosh, where do I begin without sounding too crazy? Please don't laugh but it's actually Chad Wingard." I could tell by his face at this point, he was extremely confused before breaking out into a raucous laugh which echoed across the room, forcing me to search for the source of his loud bursts of laughter. I gave him a slight push to try and control his laugh.

"Don't get me wrong, but most girls have dreams of dating someone like Harry Styles or Cameron Dallas, you'd have to be one of the only girls I know who has a massive obsession with Australian Rules Players" his laughter began to die down once he realized I wasn't kidding. I forced myself to stay quiet.

"Wait, you're serious. When you came home late from your appointment at the university a couple of weeks back, your sudden changes in mood recently, the Port Adelaide Jacket you were holding; it's all beginning to make sense. Carmen, do you realize what you're getting yourself into?" His humorus tone soon turned into harsh shouts.

"What, that I'm gonna get thrown the occasional insult of gold digger by people passing by? I think I can ignore those Brayden, I'm pretty sure I can." I chocked trying to hold back the tears. I couldn't believe I was actually having this argument with Brayden.

"That's not what I'm talking about and you know it. Don't you know about the allegations made against football players? The stories about the young fans who get up close with celebrities? Week in, week out, those girls were practically the focus of the news because of high profile athletes who became bored with the fame they achieved and decided to treat those poor girls like pieces of meat." I was offended, how dare Brayden say what he did? It's unfair to judge a certain group of people because of ones' action.

"Don't you dare speak like that. You don't even know Chad, how do you know he would even think of do a thing like that? Just give him a break Brayden."

"Give him a break? You've only met the bloke for a couple of times now and you're acting as if you've know him your whole damn life. Look, I'm not trying to put ideas in your head, I'm just trying to say be careful Carmen. Yes, I'm happy that you found someone to spend your life with, I just don't want to see you get hurt. You know how athletes work, don't you?" Brayden's voice came to a whisper before coming to a complete silence as he made his way out of the room.

What Brayden had said felt as if I had become stabbed in the back with a knife but I just couldn't ignore the fact that he was right about most of what he said. I know there was girls who would desperately force themselves onto footballers and the results would be heartbreaking but obviously Chad wouldn't ever do something like that, would he?

Hours passed since the argument about my relationship with Chad had began. I could feel my eyes stinging before the tiredness returned to me as I settled into bed. I slowly shut my eyes and found myself standing in a large field of teal roses surronded me. Loud shouts of terror came from the opposite end of the field. Rushing towards the screams, my pace slowed down upon seeing a lifeless body nestled against the vibrant shade of blue roses.

"Where am I?" Mumbling to myself, I was hesitant but moved closer to the body. I knelt down and brushed my fingers along the bruises on the body. The blemishes on the boys' body were as if he became injured in recent hours. I could see patches of blood oozing from visible places on the body. Heavily breathing, I tilted the boys' face towards me, I could feel my heart drop instantly. I clasped my hand over my mouth, slowly moving away from the terrifying sight of the boy who was really Brayden.

I rapidly opened my eyes, pushing myself to sit up on my bed. I could feel my hands starting to sweat, was I really dreaming? Seeing Brayden laying among a field of roses worried me. I couldn't stop thinking about that dream, if I could even call it that. I laid down my bed once again, feeling shattered and petrified, wondering what really needs to happen next in life.