Tripping| Van McCann

6. Match n Match

Van's P.O.V.

I had never thought that she would share the same interests as mines were. Like, most people never liked Manchester United because they stanned Liverpool, the long live villain of theirs.

We trod into the stadium, there was still time left, so we queued up at the canteen, bought ourselves some meat pie and chips, found our seats at the platform, settled down ourselves on our seats. We took the meat pie with our hands, palms cupping the warm bottom of theirs, holding a spoon, slowly slitting it half apart, unravelling the meat content inside. We both munched the pies quietly, gazing over the field where the players were warming up, getting ready for their moments.

Our eyes fixated on the ball, which was being passed along the two teams. Their legs motioned on the grass, chasing up after the ball. Until it scooted into the net. On the screen appeared the score, 1-0. Opposite us, the crowd cheered in excitement, they chanted the team's anthem, hugged everyone in their sight within inches apart. On the contrary, our side stared at the field blankly, some were booing behind us, in complete disappointment.

During the intermission, I led Sammy out of the platform, queued up near the canteen again, this time, I asked if she wanted a pint of lager. She promptly rejected, "No, you're driving. We can't do this."

Afterwards, we seated ourselves back at the platform, waiting for the match to continue. The crowd started gathering back at the platform. The second half of the match began. Through half an hour, the two teams were at a stalemate, lastly we lost another shot. Liverpool won and we left the stadium disappointed.

"Are you grieving over the loss of ours?" Sammy walked alongside with me, asked curiously. She didn't seem to be much bothered about the loss. For sure, I was at least, slightly affected by the match results. But it wouldn't turn out to be as huge as a full chest of heartache. Never. I nodded slightly and shook my head, indicating the fact I was pretty much over it by then.

We got into the car again, scooted away from the stadium, still overcrowded with drunks, trying to get into a fight near the pub around it. I let out a few chuckles, my head shook slightly. People have always loved to vent about their anger into others. It never changes from time to time.

My eyes darted away from the sight, focused on the road before me, still trying to catch a glimpse of her from the side mirror. She wasn't looking at me, her eyes were never fixated onto one spot. I thought I could understand her strong will of getting away from that little town of hers, so as what I had always wanted since small to get out of Llandudno. After all, I did. But it just never satisfied you at all. I figured that it was best to keep things simple as it was, just like watching the waves over the horizon, breathing in the fresh air, took a few drags of fag, spending my day with my shades on. Simplistic and neat. It was after all the most wanted for me.

I wasn't trying to interfere with her personal affairs. It was her chance, as she said so, to get away with no worries at all. But I still couldn't come up with a reasonable conclusion, simply by her mother's marriage with her current boyfriend wouldn't have as much an impact on her. There must be something else getting her to make the decision. And I'd just do my job well as a nice neighbour, never get in too deep with this.

"Where are we staying tonight?" She questioned, her eyes out of daydreaming, looking into mine directly as we stopped midway through a traffic jam. Blame the transport itself.

"Umm, I guess we'll be finding a B&B somewhat, or just see if there are any motels," I shrugged.

"I'll help ya book it," she replied, started searching nearby places to stay and as we're still in the midst of the traffic jam, she found one which wasn't far away and we could park the car there. She then contacted the B&B, asked for the exact address, put it on the GPS. "Then we can get a pint tonight," she smiled foolishly. Now the car did seem to be a burden, it stopped me halfway from getting a drink, whether it's good for my health or bad for our mood.