Falling

So Much for Avoiding Them

*CASEY*

I lean back against the hot metal bleachers and pull my sunglasses down over my eyes as the sun starts to peak out from under the clouds again. On the field, it looks as if practice is started to wind down because no more drills are being run, the guys are just scrimmaging. I wince as Cameron takes a hard hit, getting knocked down at the twenty yard line. Cameron is quick on his feet though, and gives a nod to let the team know he's okay. Then he looks up at the stands where I'm sitting and waves. My heart starts to pound, because I didn't want him or Miller to know I was here. Sure enough, Miller is now also looking up at me.

There's a twinge in my gut, because I know my time avoiding them is over now. For the past few months I haven't returned any of their texts and calls, and finally they had stopped trying, but now that I've shown my face at their practice I know it's over. Showing my face here makes it clear that I miss him. Jason.

The hot sun continues to beat down on me and I'm relieved when the coach blows the final whistle signaling the end of practice. I stand up from the bleachers, my shorts sticking to my thighs with sweat. As I'm contemplating whether I am going to go down to the field to say hi to the boys or if I should just leave, I hear my name.

Standing in the middle of the field, waving like a lunatic, is Cameron. His sweaty brown curly hair is plastered onto his forehead, yet he still looks good as usual. Beside him is Miller, who is also looking up at me with an unreadable expression. I know he's probably pissed at me, since I haven't responded to any of his texts. Especially considering I responded to Cameron once, just to tell him to stop bugging me and that I needed my time.

Slowly, I begin to make my way towards the middle of the field, because there is no way Cameron is going to let me get past the parking lot now. Once I am within distance, Cameron runs over to me and pulls me into a big bear hug. I return the hug as the bear picks me up off the ground and spins me around.

"Case I missed you!" He exclaims as he lowers me back down onto the ground.

I push the hair out of my face, "I missed you too Cam."

He looks at me, his brown eyes studying me closely, "How are you doing?"

A simple question to most, but the tone in his voice suggests otherwise.

"Cameron, let's not hound her. That's the reason she avoided us in the first place." Miller's voice interjects as he comes walking over to us. His brown hair is messy, but pushed up in a way that makes it still look good. His eyes are still brown like chocolate. He's wearing a slight smile, and I notice that he has decided to grow out a little scruff. It looks good on him. Makes his already strong face even more masculine.

"Hey, Casey, it's nice to see you." Miller says before wrapping me into a hug.

"You too, Daniels." I whisper into his shoulder.

I pull away from Miller and stand in awkward silence next to the guys. None of us knows quite what to say. Jason was the glue that brought us all together, and now he's gone. Sure, it's been five months, but that phone call is still fresh in my mind.

"So, now that you're a sophomore are you on campus or off campus?" Cameron asks me.

Miller scoffs, "Seriously?"

"What?"

"You're going to ask her where she lives? Why?" Miller has a look of disbelief on his face.

Cameron shrugs, "I'm curious."

I roll my eyes at their banter. At least that didn't change. "I'm actually living in an apartment off Dodge."