That Makes The Two Of Us

Chapter 9

I speed walk to the swings at the end of the park. Caleb is there, leaning against a tree. I snap my fingers in front of his face to get his attention.

"Hii," he offers meekly.

"Hey...what happened yesterday?"

When I had called him yesterday, Caleb didn't exactly tell me what were the results. Instead, he told me to meet him at our neighbouring park today as it's Saturday.

"I'll tell you everything, but first promise me that you won't get angry at Ryan or yell at him. Whatever he did, it was for the best of the team."

"What are you talking about? What happened?"

"Thing is...I didn't make it to the team."

"You're kidding me right? How could you not have been chosen?"

This is ridiculous. Caleb is literally one of the best players we have put there. Why the hell wouldn't he be selected?

"Remember the other guy I told you about? He's the one who got selected. And well, he is none other than the infamous Raymond Adkins."

My brain goes blank for a second.

"No fucking way...you're joking right? This isn't true, is it?"

Caleb looks defeated and resigned.

"It is Drea, it is. I'm not going to blame Ryan or coach or anybody else for that matter. Raymond plays the sport ridiculously well. He is better, a lot better than me. I and Ryan know each other since middle school, so he suggested me to tryout for the soccer team instead. I'm considering that option...at least I can still play for the school."

Without thinking anything else I pull him into a hug and rub his back. He freezes for a moment but then snakes his arms around me.

"I'm sorry about everything Cal, but I promise that it will be okay. I really think you should tryout for the soccer team...you're good at that as well."

He remains silent for sometime and then says ," You're right... Football is my dream but maybe, I can make soccer my reality."

I pull back and he gives me a small smile.

"Thanks Drea."

"Anytime Cal."

***************************

This weekend passed by pretty quickly. I spent Saturday with Caleb and Sunday with Alissa and Phoebe. We were basically again discussing about the rumors and that brought up the subject of Brittany. I didn't really get time to talk with them on Friday. Basically, we ended up trash talking about Brittany; I had completely forgotten that they were present during my encounter with her. Alissa said that she was proud of how I handled Brittany and she even wiped off fake tears from her eyes saying that her girl was growing up. She told me that after I had walked away, she told Brittany to fuck her ass, right on her face, and dragged Phoebe away to their next class.

I am late to school today because my idiot of a brother forgot that today is Monday and overslept; so I wasn't able to meet my girls at my locker. I still make it to class on time. On reaching the classroom, I sit with Alissa and Phoebe who look like they are in the midst of an intense argument.

"I'm telling you, pandas are cuter," Alissa huffs.

"Are you crazy? Penguins are definitely cuter than pandas," counters Phoebe.

"Girls...what's got your panties in a twist so early in the morning?"

"Andrea...tell Phoebe that pandas are cuter than penguins."