20.Royal Academy vs Redwood

Olivia

Today is Thursday which means that today is the day I got to see Joel play basketball.

I don't know why it makes me exited.

I haven't seen him all day today. Our last talk was when I gave him my mom's cookies.

That moment comes in my mind.

Joel looked so...different.

He looked like he was hurt. They all did.

It felt like something was off with them.

And they were like they were trying homemade cookies for the first time.

I felt sad for them. I don't know why, but I did.

I wanted to go there and hug Joel.

But I couldn't. And I never will.

Since yesterday I haven't received any message from Royal Academy high school.

It's strange because he was sending me messages over and over.

''Yo, Liv.'' Andy calls interrupting my thoughts, '' Viens par ici.'' he's sitting at the front seat of the school's basketball court.

Today is the match of our school against ''Redwood'' high school.

''Hi.'' I sit beside him, ''When is it going to start?"

"After five minutes I think.'' Andy answers.

''You know, basketball is stupid. Football is better.'' Andy says putting a fistful of popcorns in his mouth.

"I like them both.'' I laugh.

''Ohh, cheerleaders are here.'' he grins like a maniac, and I roll my eyes.

I watch the cheerleaders perform their dance and I can't help but look at Avril.

She looks like she owns the field, and she's so good at it.

Avril got into cheerleading as soon as she arrived in this school, and she immediately got Alexa's post as the leader.

And looking at her performance is enough to take your breath away.

She moves around with such ease and her movements are perfect.

I have always known that cheerleading is hard, but she makes it look so easy.

''Avril looks so good at this.'' I hear myself say.

''I would definitely hit on her if she wasn't our enemy.'' Andy says looking at her with heat in his gaze.

He looks at her like she's the only thing in this world. He looks at her like she's so precious and he wants to keep her.

He looks at her like he's...

No. Of course not.

Ridiculous thought.

I turn my eyes to look at the cheerleaders again.

They throw Avril up in the air.

She makes three flips in the air and then lands herself perfectly in the ground.

My jaw hits the floor.

The crowd breaks in clapping and cheering.

''Holy shit, that was awesome!'' Andy says.

Awesome indeed.

Alexa gives Avril a full hatred look, but Avril doesn't even spare a glance towards her.

She keeps looking forward unbothered by her surroundings.

It looks like she doesn't even care about all those people cheering for her, she's not even smiling. She keeps a neutral face.

It looks like she hates being there.

But why?

The cheerleaders leave the field, and the basketball team comes in.

And that's when my eyes land on him.

Joel Cullen is wearing Royal Academy's basketball team uniform.

The jersey is blue with yellow lines and so are the shorts.

His number is 17.

He looks really hot in this outfit.

Like hot, hot not just hot.

His hair is perfectly styled, and the clothes fit perfectly on him, showing his muscular body.

His body is mesmerizing.

Joel raises his head and starts searching the crowd with his eyes.

After a couple of seconds his eyes find mine and he smiles.

He smiles at me.

I think I forgot how to breathe.

He drops his gaze and starts jogging around together with his team.

''His jersey's number is 17.'' Katrina leans in from behind me, and I flinch, ''Does it remind you something?''

"Uh...no?" I say looking at her.

"Your birthday is at 17th.'' she says with a wicked smile, and my eyes widen.

She's right, my birthday is on 17th May.

But Joel Cullen doesn't know that.

Even if he knew, his jersey's number has nothing to do with it.

"It's just a coincidence.'' I say.

"Whatever you say.'' she gives me a smirk.

The whistle blows and the game starts.

Joel Cullen is the best basketball player I have ever seen in my entire sixteen years of life!

I'm not kidding, he plays so well.

He would definitely qualify as an NBA player. He skips the rival team's players with such an ease and his movements are so smooth.

''You go, Cullen!!'' Andy shouts when Joel gets closer to the ring.

"I never thought I would cheer for a Cullen.'' Andy says.

Me neither Andy, me neither.

Joel runs toward the other's side ring, dodges two Redwood's player and shots the ball straight to the ring.

The whole crowd bursts with cheering.

"Yesss!!!" Andy shouts hugging me, and I start laughing.

Joel turns his head to look at me and I make a little clap to him, still smiling.

He winks at me and continues the game.

I think my heart skipped a beat. Or two.

''I think Joel Cullen winked at me.'' Andy says and I burst out laughing.

"Is he gay?" he asks, and I laugh more. ''Don't laugh I'm serious! Is he gay?"

"I don't know.'' I answer laughing.

At the moment Joel's was going to put the ball through the ring, the Redwood player hit him with his elbow in his face.

Joel clutches his nose with his hand and blood is coming from it.

''That was definitely on purpose!" Andy says, but I don't answer him.

I'm too focused on Joel and if he's hurt.

Joel gets down on his knees, trying to stop the blood from his nose.

The players surround him, and I can't see what's happening.

My heart stops beating.

Joel leaves the court, and the couch is yelling something that I don't understand.

What's happening?

Is he okay?

Minutes pass and I can't stand anymore here.

I have to see if he's okay.

This feeling of worry is eating me alive.

''Where are you going?" Andy asks.

"I'll be back.'' I answer.

I go to the locker room and see Joel sitting on a stool.

And kneeling in front of him is...Alexa.

My blood runs cold.

She putts a cloth on his nose, and he touches her hand.

They are really close to each other, and they look like they're going to kiss.

Joel takes the cloth away from Alexa's hand and leans closer to her.

I leave.

The way from the locker room to the basketball court looked like an eternity.

I sit beside Andy, and he gives me a worried look.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine.'' I speak.

I'm not.

I'm struggling to breath and my chest is hurting.

I don't know why I have this dump feeling.

But it's not fair.

It's not, not fair.

My head is spinning, and I have to many questions.

Are they dating?

Does he like her?

Does he love her?

Why was he flirting with her?

Why does he flirt with me?

Why did he smile and winked at me?

After all, what to expect from a playboy?

Joel returns to the game, and I force myself to stay.

I'm not a coward.

⚛⚛⚛⚛

The game ended.

Royal Academy won.

I don't know why it doesn't make me happy.

I'm currently at the music class.

I need an escape from my thoughts and music is the best healer. No matter what I do or think I can't seem to take Joel and Alexa off from my mind.

I sit on a stool and hug my knees to my chest and start singing the first song that came to my mind.

''Hello world! Why me to take the brunt? I am alone at the battlefront.

I fight with God and lose the round, I think I need some rest this time around.

Why do I work, why do I hope and knock on doors that never open...for me?''

A long sigh escaped my lips.

This feels way much better.

Songs let you sing your feelings.

''Wow.'' I hear a whisper from the door, and I flinch.

I turn immediately and find Joel leaning at the door.

He has changed into school's uniform.

Him and Alexa flashed on my mind again.

''Hi.'' he says and walks closer to me.

''What are you doing here?" I ask glaring at him.

''I was just looking for you.'' he says.

"Why?" I ask him my heartbeat quickening.

''I don't know, you didn't look good back there.'' he says, and I swallow.

It's impossible for him to realize that I'm not okay.

And he shouldn't care.

He's, my enemy.

''I'm fine, you can go.'' I say.

''Can you sing again for me?'' he asks, and my eyes widen.

He wants me to sing for him?

Why?

''No.'' I say and get up from the stool.

''Please?" he says, and I look at him in surprise.

Joel Cullen is saying please?

Why does he want me this much to sing for him?

"No.'' I say and turn to leave.

"I'll tell you something about me.'' he says, and I stop.

Don't fall for it, Olivia, my brain is screaming.

But the stupid heart is stopping me.

I want to know something about him.

''What?" I ask him and he smirks.

"You can ask me a question and I'll answer it.'' he says.

A question.

I want to ask him if he likes anyone.

I want to ask him if he likes Alexa or if he's dating her.

But then he'll think that I care about him.

And the truth is that I do care about him.

Why the fuck do I care?

I have to ask him, or this feeling will eat me alive.

''Any question?" I ask.

"Any question.'' he says, and I nod.

I sit again on the stool, ''What song do you want me to sing?" I ask him.

"Whatever you like.'' he says and sits at the stool next to me.

''Do you want me to sing any of the 'Chase Atlantic' songs? '' I ask, and he nods smiling.

I remember that he likes ''Chase Atlantic'', he told me at his birthday party.

''Which one?" I ask and he thinks about it.

"Consume.'' he says, and I smile.

Good choice.

I clear my throat and take a deep breath.

''She said careful, or you'll lose it.'' I start singing, ''But girl I'm only human. And I know there's a blade where your heart is, and you know how to use it. And you can take my flesh if you want girl, but baby don't abuse it. Calm down...These voices in my head screaming run now, I'm praying that they're human. Please understand that I'm trying my hardest, my head's a mess but I'm trying regardless. Anxiety is one hell of a problem. She's latching on to me, I can't resolve it. It's not right, it's not fair. It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair.'' I finish singing and open my eyes to look at him.

Joel puts his phone quickly in his pocket.

''Were you recording me?" I ask him.

"No.'' he says.

"Of course you were. Delete it right now.'' I say and try to get the phone from him.

''No, miss Olivia Meyer, this is a matter of privacy.'' he says tugging my hands away.

"Privacy?" my eyes widen, ''You were just recording me.''

''Delete the video.'' I say glaring at him.

"Come on, I like that song and I want to hear you sing it. Can't I just keep the video?" he says and I still.

''Why?" I whisper.

"Because I like your voice. It's beautiful.'' he says, and the stupid butterflies started dancing in my stomach.

Oh, God, I hope I'm not blushing right now.

I nod and he lets go of my hands.

''You can ask me your question now.'' he says.

Oh, right, I almost forgot.

Okay, Olivia you can do this.

It's just a question.

I take a deep breath and ask him the very wanted question.

"Do you like anyone?" his eyebrows rose up after hearing my question.

''Maybe.'' he says and my brows furrow.

''Maybe is not an answer.'' I say.

"Yes, it is.'' he says.

"No, it's not. I have to ask you another question now.'' I cross my arms and he chuckles.

''Sure, go ahead.'' he says smirking.

"Do you like Alexa?" I regret it as soon as I say it.

His brows furrow as soon as I say her name.

''Who's...oh that girl from our class.'' he says.

Did he really forget her name?

''So?" I raise my eyebrow.

I think I replaced Sherlock Holmes.

''No. I don't like her.'' he says, ''Why are you asking me about her?''

"I'm just curious. Can't a person be curious?" I say raising my voice.

"Fine, jeez!" he raises his hands.

''There is another girl that makes me question myself whether I like her or not.'' he says and my stomach drops.

So, there is another girl.

''Who-''

"That's three questions.'' he says getting up and I narrow my eyes.

"The first one doesn't count!'' I say.

"Two then. We agreed on one.'' he says picking up the guitar.

''Do you want me to play it for you?" he asks, and my eyes widen.

"Can you play it?'' I ask and he nods.

He sits on the stool and places the guitar in his lap.

''I have to ask you one question after this.'' he says smirking.

I roll my eyes and then nod.

He starts playing ''Meddle About.'' from Chase Atlantic.

The song we danced together at his party.

I watch him play the guitar and I'm left breathless.

How can this person be the best at everything he does?

I bet he can sing too.

He looks up from the guitar to me and then smirks.

''So?" he asks after finishing the song.

"It was good.'' I say.

"Just good?" he asks, and I roll my eyes.

"Fine, it was amazing.'' I say and he laughs.

''Okay, let me ask you my question now.'' he says putting the guitar down.

''Do you like anyone?" he asks pushing his hair out of his forehead.

I look at his hair and an urge to touch them comes to me.

I want to touch and play with his hair.

Those blonde beautiful hair, that look so soft.

Would they be soft if I touch them?

''Princess?'' Joel asks and I snap out of it.

"Uh...yes?" I clear my throat.

"Aren't you going to answer?" he asks.

Oh, yeah, he asked me a question while I was thinking about his hair.

Oh, my fucking God this is so embarrassing!

''Um...what was your question again?" yeah, this is not awkward at all.

"Where is your mind at?" he laughs.

At your hair.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

''I asked, who do you like.'' he says.

Oh.

Who do I like?

I didn't like anyone until he showed up.

I don't know if I like him or not.

''I don't know.'' I say.

"You don't know?'' he asks and I nod.

"It's like that girl you're confused of.'' I say.

"Oh.'' he says.

Except that the girl you're confused of is someone else and the one I'm confused of it's you.