The Biggest Game is Life

Chapter 9 (Drive)

It was Saturday and for some reason I was on my way to Mason's house. I didn't want to go to the Jackets game. I didn't want to drive all the way to Columbus. Heck I didn't even have to show up, but yet something pulled me out of bed and forced me to go.

I arrived and parked. Mason was at this door decked out in Blue Jackets merch.

"Wow someone is ready." I said almost laughing.

"Well gotta support my state team!" Mason proudly said.

I looked down at my Troy Titans hockey sweatshirt. I kind of tried I guess. I wasn't much of Jackets fan. I didn't own anything.

"Well I hate to break it to you but the Capitals have a much better chance at winning tonight." I said remembering who there were playing against.

"Nope we got this." Mason and I walked in.

Some of the team was sitting around. I saw both Cam and Levi. No Paisley. I was really hoping he wouldn't show up.

"We better start thinking about leaving." Masons yelled. He'd be driving 3 of the guys. That's all that could fit in his small car.

I could drive 4, but really I didn't want to drive any. Cam also had a car that could fit some of us. So I guess we were all set.

I ended up with the least amount of people. Not that I wasn't friends with the rest of the team just everyone knew something has been off with me. Just Levi and Erik. Erik was a freshman. He was just a bit shorter than Cam with red hair. He was a defensive player. Which made sense because of his size.

"Okay, it seems we are good to go." I said as I opened my car door. I guess I spoke to soon because just as I said that Paisley showed up.

"Oh hey we are about to leave!" Mason shouted out his window from his packed car.

"Uh hop in with Benny and his truck!" Mason yelled.

Paisley looked over at me, my hand still on the door.

My face had gone white. And so did his.

"Paisley can fit in with you guys!" I yelled back.

"But Benny, then we will be crammed, you have a whole actual seat open." Mason replied.

Shit I thought to myself. Maybe Paisley would want to leave now.

"I'm fine, I'm good sorry to be a burden. I should of gotten here on time, go ahead with out me." Paisley said.

I sighed with relief.

"Now Paisley you are only being a burden if we don't get going now! Hop in with Benny! See you guys!" Mason rolled up his window and took off. Cam followed.

Levi was already in the passenger seat. Erik was standing behind me. And Paisley was still standing in the same spot. It was silent.

"Hey we should probably get going." Erik said as he climbed into the back seat.

I just stared at Paisley.

"Come on." Levi yelled out the window.

Paisley slowly walked over and slowly opened the door. I stood in my same spot and didn't say a word. He was finally In and shut the door. I slowly got in myself. This was going to be a long ride.

The ride seemed to last forever. Levi and I made small talk while Paisley was dead quiet.

A part of me wanted to talk to Paisley. Try and patch over things and move on. But then I'd look down at my wrist and only feel a sense of hate. Which really wasn't fair to Paisley. I had no good reason to hate him. He didn't take the blades to my wrists. All he did was take a risk and be himself. I was the dumb one who reacted so childish. I was ashamed of myself.

We finally got to Columbus and we all parked. Levi got out and yawned.

"Man oh man was that a long hour and a half haha." Levi laughed.

"I agree." Erik said patting him on the back. They took off leaving Paisley and I behind a bit.

I slowly walked. Paisley was only a few steps behind.

"I'm so..." I was cut off.

"Sorry." Paisley and I both looked at each other.

"Yeah, I'm sorry." I said.

"I shouldn't have." Paisley replied.

"Its not your fault." I said.

"I shouldn't of ran off." I added

"No I shouldn't of been so forward."

"Can we just erase that whole moment and start fresh?" I asked.

"Agreed." We shook hands 

The touch sent slight chills through me. For some reasons things did not seem resolved at all.