Sunflower

Chapter Thirty-Seven: We're gonna make it

"Alright, you ready for this?" Coach asked us standing in the locker room before heading to the field for pregame practice. 

While warming up, I was too busy showing Abel our routine that I hadn't seen Asher running towards me, "Kova," He said frantically. 

"What- Ash what's wrong?" 

"It's Maverick. He's about ready to have another panic attack." 

I shoved the helmet in his hands and ran or the locker room, "Mavi," I said kneeling in front of him where he sat with his knees pulled to his chest and his face in his hands, "Mavi, Hey what's going on?" 

"I-I don't know." He admitted. 

"Hey, you're having a panic attack alright," I put my hand on his head, "Maverick look at me," Asher came shuffling in, "Mavi." 

He finally looked me in the eyes, "I need you to take a deep breath and try to calm yourself down." 

He wasn't completing into engulfed in a panic attack yet so taking a few deep breaths allowed him to calm down, "Hey, what triggered this? You never get nervous before games." 

"His funerals tomorrow," Maverick muttered. I stopped, "Everyone's gonna be there. They're gonna think it was my fault." 

"No, No, No-" 

"Maverick what's going on," I heard my dad say. 

"Dad?" Maverick said confused looking up. 

"Hey, Asher came and got me, what going on?" Asher came in behind him, "You two head to the game we'll be there in a minute," My dad nodded as Asher and I jogged out. 

"Damn you two I thought I was gonna have to put our subs in- Get your asses out there!" Coach yelled at Asher and I. He'd brought up one sub to cover Maverick though Asher took faceoffs. 

The first five minutes of the game had the ball for a fourth of it but either missed or the goalie caught it. Though I watched Abel from the center field as he held his own against the offense. Finally, the ref's whistle blew as Maverick ran onto the field replacing the sub. 

"You good?" I asked him. He just looked over nodding. 

"Alright good to have you join bro," Asher grinned. 

The ref's whistle blew for a face-off as Maverick shoved hir s opponent forward taking the ball and running for the goal leaving Asher and me in the dust. He threw the ball so hard the goalie ducked to avoid it as the crowd cheered, "What... was... that?" Asher said. 

"I honestly have no idea," Shaking my head I watched Maverick walk back from the goal. 

"Should we be scared?" Max, a defensive player asked. 

"Um, not sure yet. I'll have to get back to you." 

The rest of the half Maverick played like he was the sole player, Asher and I only got the ball when we took it from the other team. Though the score racked up to 5-0.

"Alright, great first half," Coach said not sure what to say, "Great job defense when you had the ball over there- Maverick! G-great job, however, I would like to see some more teamwork. Possible a little more passing." 

He didn't say or do anything. 

"Alright let's go keep this lead," Coach said. 

As the second half started we were playing two games. Asher and I played keep away from the other team... and Maverick.

The only problem we were on opposite sides of the field. Our passes looked like they were deliberately trying to avoid Maverick. Asher made one pass towards me but was intercepted by the other team and with a swift move was able to score their first goal of the game. With the pause of us walking back Maverick grabbed me by shoulder pad, "Whatever game you guys are playing, It needs to stop. You lost our blowout, don't lose our playoff game." 

"Same could go for you ball hog." 

"At least I'm scoring." 

Maverick let go of my gear but shoved me at the same time, "Team player trouble?" The other player standing in front of me asked with a grin. 

I looked at Maverick, "No, family problems." 

We closed the game with an 8-1 score but kept the tension. We walked towards the buses where our parents stood, "Great game guys," Mom smiled but my dad noticed the obvious tension and pulled Maverick to the side where we couldn't hear them. 

"I want you guys to come home and get some good sleep," She told us. We just nodded. 

"Can I talk to you two?" Maverick said walking back over. 

Asher and I confused followed him to where he and I are dad had stood, "Look I'm sorry for the way I was acting... I wasn't mad at you." 

"Then why were you acting like that?" 

"Dad told me to use my anger on the field, but I think he meant towards the other team... not everyone. Especially you guys- It's just with everything tomorrow... I'm just a little-" 

"Hey Mavi, we get it," Asher said. 

"Uh, thanks." 

___________________________ 

Yeah, I know a very short chapter... I was gonna put a flashback in to make it longer but I couldn't think of anything... 

Aww yes, it also dooms day. Am I sitting three stories above 6th and Pike in Seattle waiting for the riot with my cup of tea yes... yes I am. 

Instagram: @Kovas_sunflower  Follow for fun content from the book and pictures inspired shorts and ALT POVs.

Sneek peak:

"This isn't just some, I don't snitch I don't get killed. This runs so much deeper than my dad just being a dirty lawyer..."

"Maverick you need to tell dad."

"No need," I heard a voice behind me to see my dad holding the garbage in his hand but he'd heard everything, "Maverick why didn't you tell me this immediately?"

"Cause I thought- I don't know."

"We can't live like this," My dad noted.

Confused I turned around, "What're we gonna do? Have a cop car outside? Cause we already do."

"No, cops won't deter them."

"So what you gonna befriended a scarier gang?"

"Already done."

"'Scuse me?" 

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