Match

22: Like A Changing Tide

Jonah:

Get it? Cos you're tall w blond hair. :D Oh yeah also do you want to come w me and a friend hiking tmrrw? Its gonna be an easy trail

It took Cole a lot of strength in keeping his composure around his friends to not freak out. He feels like Jonah sent that on purpose. As he approaches the door to his place, he almost forgets to bend down. The short gravel walkway has a hanging branch above with clusters of leaves from a neighbouring tree. He lifts the branch, giving himself a mental reminder to fix that later. It's been almost an hour since Jonah sent that text, and he still hasn't responded.

Part of him feels exhausted from a long day, the other part wants to burn extra angry energy. Just as his mother would say, "release those angry toxins". And hiking seems like a smart decision. It's weird to him, that he's not mad at the image Jonah sent. Moreso confused. All of that anger is directed to how he played during the match. As he sits on the couch and stares blank at the text message, he feels his ears tickle warmth. 'Tall, Blonde and Looking Good'. Over and over he reads it. His eyes travel away from the screen and onto a nearby poster. Daniel usually sends him invites to local bars and clubs. Rubin sends cryptic memes. Hayden's only been sending him pictures of souvenirs with writing he can't translate. Dakota and Lily tag him in horror aesthetics on his social media accounts. And Ashton doesn't send him anything at all; once in a blue moon he'll get a random voice message of him discussing bad soccer players in a slurred, drunken speech. All in all, this is new to him. Having left the guy on read long enough, he taps away with his thumbs.

Cole:

lol. sure.

He is aware his future self is going to regret that decision.

———————————

"I'm Ryder, nice to meet you," Ryder says while holding out a hand.

"Cole, you too." He says, shaking Ryder's hand.

Jonah butts in. "You kinda met on our last game."

"I also saw him at the party," Ryder says. "But didn't get the chance to say hi."

On either side of them, crickets chirp in broad daylight. The bluebird, clear sky radiates the sun's warmth down to the soil. Thankfully for the three, most of the trail is shaded.

"Should we get going?" Jonah pats Ryder's back, then walks in front.

The other two follow behind as Jonah leads the way. Cole hasn't been on this trail before. Along the right side of the trail is a rushing river roaring. To the left is thick underbrush.

"I can't wait to get to the end," Ryder says. "There's a neat waterfall and a pool where you can swim."

Passing by is a young family with a dog. The dog rubs its nose against Cole's leg, making him look down.

"Rufus, no!" The woman says. "Sorry."

Cole responds with a smile and keeps walking. He realizes he's the one at the very back, so he picks up the pace to meet with the others. He listens in on Jonah and Ryder's conversation.

"Oh yeah did I tell you I'm getting another tattoo?"

"For real?" Jonah says with a shocked tone.

"It's not gonna be on my rib cage like last time. That shit hurt so much."

"So then where's it gonna be?"

"Mmm, I'm thinking on my forearm?"

Jonah points to Ryder's left arm. "Like there?"