The next day at school, the team meets up in the gym during homeroom.
"How long will you be out?"
"What happened?"
"Are we still playing Saturday?"
"Are you gonna be OK?"
"You will not be out long, da?"
It seems everyone has questions for me. When everyone gets quiet, I answer the ones I heard.
"I'll be out for a few weeks. I'll be fine. Of course we're still playing Saturday."
"But you're our best player!" There's a lot of agreeing and protesting about playing Saturday. I try to talk again, but my voice is lost among the others.
"SHUT UP!" It's the only time I'm able to yell, or have confidence in my voice: with my team. Everyone gets quiet and listens to me. "We're not forfeiting, and we can't push the game back. We have someone to play for me. And look, I'm not the whole team. We're the best, and we're gonna win Saturday. OK?" There's nodding and agreeing, and a few cheers, and then the co-captain, Ivan, comes up to me.
"We will do our best and crush the opponent, winning for you. We will not be disappointing you."
"Thanks guys. I'll be at the game." The bell rings and we make our way to homeroom, Ivan patting my head before he leaves.
The rest of the day is normal until I run into Gil after 3rd period.
"S-sorry." I say, not realizing it's him.
"Matthew?" I look over and see it's Gil.
"Eh? You remember me?"
"Why wouldn't I? Are you OK?"
"I-I'm fine. A-are y-you?"
"Yeah, but I didn't mean that. Are you OK?" I nod and start to walk away, but he puts his hand on my shoulder, stopping me. "Please don't lie. I'll help you if you need."
"I'm f-fine." I shrug his hand off my shoulder and head to class. I don't need his help; it wouldn't work anyway.
A/N~ sorry for the short chapter, the next one's longer...and betterer...i promises!