The Love We Deny ✔️ [COMPLETED]

Chapter 15 - Pain

Just as the thought crossed my mind multiple whistles sounded and black and white bodies could be seen breaking up the players and pushing them to their locker rooms.

As Kyle was walking back, his eyes searched the field until they found mine. His body was and his eyes burned with rage, probably from words that were exchanged after I left. Besides the anger, there was something else. Perhaps he was trying to see if I was okay? Following this line of thought and wanting to convey my thanks, I gave him a discrete nod, surprisingly he returned it before turning his head forward and jogging back to the locker rooms with the rest of the team.

The last quarter had just started, and tensions were high with both teams at a tie. The electricity could be felt between the teams and the supporters. Cheers were louder, fouls were booed and screamed at with more ferocity from the crowd. The earlier fight had also created an unfriendly atmosphere amongst the players on the field which made the hair on my skin stand in unease.

Although players were mostly caring about the other team's health regardless of the adversity, it was often in moments like this that players would more easily be injured accidentally. The aggressivity of the hits had been noticeably more intense after half-time than it had been before and players from both sides were starting to feel it in their bodies, each player taking longer than before to stand up after a tackle or simply running slightly slower.

I cringed as a particularly nasty tackle was made on Kyle after he had a good catch. He took a few seconds longer to stand up with the help of medics that quickly came onto the field to make sure he was okay. Kyle was as tough as they came, he shrugged off the medical staff and got right back into position. From time to time I could tell from the shift in his helmet that he was looking in my direction to which I gave a small smile. Oddly, it had become comforting for me and I hoped encouraging for him to keep fighting and to win against these assholes.

This was going to be a long last few minutes.

Tonight's game had been... eventful to say the least. Between the ass-grabbing jerk and Kyle's dangerous tackle, it was hard to be in a celebratory mood despite the Beacon's win tonight. The crowd cheered, and the cheerleaders danced, putting our best mask on, but I could see through it, hell, I was wearing the same one. The only person genuinely smiling was Naomi.

I was getting changed in our locker rooms when Coach came in and called me into her office. This was bad news; I could smell it from miles away. The only time anyone one of us was called into the office was to tell us we needed to improve something or directly to cut us from the team. Let's just say most of us have had nightmares about that plain, simple room called THE office.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, cautiously opening the door and peaking my head in.

"Yes. Come, have a seat," she replied while keeping her eyes on her computer screen in front of her.

I did as I was told. Once seated, I folded my hands and kept them tight between my thighs. Don't pretend you've never done that when you were uncomfortable or nervous. Well, that's exactly how I was feeling, totally and completely freaked out.

I was sure that the reason for the office call was the chaos I caused earlier on the field between the players. To be fair, I wasn't the one at fault here. The ass-grabbing, arrogant, brainless, piece of... Ahem. I'm sure you get the point.

"What happened tonight?" she asked, her voice void of emotion. It was like she was only looking for facts. I knew better. Any wrong word and it would be the end for me.

"While I was cheering for their touchdown, the Giant's wide receiver grabbed my ass and shoved me aside. I was stepping aside to let him pass but I guess he had a different plan. The players nearby came and got upset with him. I guess I became the reason for them to let go of the pressure they were feeling from the game. I'm not sure I can find any other explanation," I explained as truthfully as I felt comfortable with.