By: OrchidPrincess

Chapter Eight: 1 Newcomer

oOo

Bridget woke up with a startle. It was 10:30. She was supposed to wake up at 8:00 with Diana to pick up Billy at the airport. Bridget instantly panicked and grabbed the Pants and a soccer jersey to wear. She ran to the washroom and got changed.

When Bridget was rushing out of the washroom fully changed, she caught a glance at herself in the mirror. She looked atrocious! Her hair looked like a bee hive and her skin was looking all oily. Terrified, Bridget walked back to the sink and washed her face. She scrubbed her face like there was no end to the world. Bridget grabbed her hair brush and combed her hair. She combed and combed until her hair shone so brightly, it reflected from the mirror to the window up high in the washroom.

Finishing her touch with a hint of lip gloss and mascara, she was finally satisfied with her look. Bridget checked her watch again. Now it was 10:50. It had taken her 20 minutes to get ready. Sighing, she walked down to the mess hall where she knew that Diana would be there to introduce everyone to Billy as Diana had done for her.

Bridget entered the mess hall. She could only hear one female voice. It was Diana. Bridget peeked inside one of the big windows on the door. She could see Diana pointing to James, who was beside Billy. She scanned the room. Everyone was looking at Diana and the Kickers were eating, despite the fact that Diana was talking. She looked around for Eric. Eric was eating on the table beside the Kicker's table. He was eating with some of the other coaches. Eric caught her eye. He motioned for her to sit beside him on the empty seat. Bridget looked around to see if he was motioning to somebody else. Nope, it was her. She gave him a quick smile and walked into the mess hall.

Bridget stopped by to get some cereal and milk, a banana, and a fruit bar. She walked and sat down right beside Eric. He smiled at her. Bridget looked at Diana, who was still talking. Bridget looked at Billy and James. Billy was wearing shorts and a soccer jersey like everybody else. James, however, was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. He was about 1 inch shorter than Billy. James looked slightly sad. Bridget looked at James and he looked at her back. She motioned for him to smile. In return, she got a very big happy grin back. Satisfied, Bridget noticed that Diana had stopped talking and everyone started to eat again.

Diana, Billy and James grabbed food and went to the table Eric and Bridget were sitting on. Diana immediately went to the seat beside Bridget and James and Billy sat across from Eric, Bridget and Diana with the other coaches. Eric introduced himself to Billy. Billy seemed quite shaken and Eric was his relaxed, laid back, normal self. Bridget dug into her food. She was very hungry. She finished her cereal, milk, banana, and fruit bar but Bridget was still hungry. She stood up from the table and got herself an orange and another bowl of cereal. Coming back, she noticed Diana was grinning. Bridget looked at Diana questionably. Diana shrugged in return.

Throughout breakfast, both Bridget and Eric had a blast. They were making fun of each other and laughing about stupid things. Diana and James were busy engaging conversation with another fellow coach while Billy was just sitting there looking out of place and laughing silently a few times with Eric and Bridget. Time passed by very quickly for Bridget. Pretty soon, Bridget felt that she needed a long run to cool herself down.

"Eric, Billy, I'm going for a run. Anyone want to join me?" Bridget asked, looking at Billy and Eric.

"I will" Eric replied looking directly at Bridget

"Billy?" Bridget asked questionably

"Sure, why not" Billy answered looking at his feet. He seemed sad.

Bridget said "meet me here in ten minutes!" as she stood from the table. Walking towards the exit of the mess hall, Billy caught up with Bridget and said "Hey"

"Hi" Bridget replied. She had nothing to say to him in that moment. She walked toward her cabin. Billy had to turn the opposite direction to go to his cabin. Bridget walked inside and dug into her volley. She decided to wear the soccer jersey she had already worn with shorts. She tied her hair up into a high ponytail and made sure she looked alright. Finally, Bridget was satisfied with her look. She was extremely excited. This would be her first time running with both Eric and Billy. She walked out of her cabin and headed to the entrance of the mess hall.

Bridget arrived at the mess hall. Both Billy and Eric had arrived and were staring in different directions, waiting for Bridget. Billy was wearing his own soccer jersey from Alabama while Eric was wearing his old Baja soccer jersey. Eric was 2 inches taller than Billy and he looked slightly more built. She quickened up her pace and finally arrived. Eric and Billy looked at Bridget.

"Come on guys. Let's go! I know the perfect route! How long do you want to run?" Bridget asked the two guys

"It doesn't really matter to me" Eric replied

"Me too" Billy added

"Okay, let's go!" Bridget said. She started off with a medium pace finding herself in between Eric and Billy. Bridget thought that this pace was too slow. She quickened her pace a little bit and Eric and Billy caught up to her just as fast.

Down the hill they ran, and across the soccer fields. They ran to the beach and across its 4-mile length. They ran to the comforting small semi-forest, with trees and green grass. When running half-way through the semi-forest, Billy was extremely exhausted. Eric and Bridget however, could probably run another 4 miles.

"You guys go on. I got to drop out" Billy panted, out of breath.

Bridget and Eric slowed down their pace a little. Bridget said "Okay, Billy. Eric and I will just lap around this mini forest, across the beach and back to our camp. You can go back"

Billy nodded and headed off to the other direction. As Billy was off, Bridget took notice that now Eric and her were alone. Her heart speeded up a little bit. I do not love Eric. And I don't know if I love Billy. In fact, I don't love anyone. Bridget reminded herself.

"Why are you suddenly so quiet Bee?" Eric asked

"Hmm? What? Oh, nothing." Bridget replied.

"So, tell me about Billy. I only met him on our brief meeting at Greta's house" Eric said, recalling the day Bridget had exploded in front of his face.

Bridget blushed a little. "Hey! I'm sorry I feel bad about that okay? I guess I was having an off day."

"That's all right"

"Tell me about Billy" Eric asked for the second time

"Oh, Billy? Billy was my childhood friend. He and I were in the same soccer team when I was 7."

"Go on" Eric encouraged

"There's nothing else to say" Bridget said as she rounded the corner

"Really?" Eric asked, unconvinced.

"Yes. What else do you want to know?"

"Don't you guys have a relationship or something?"

Bridget sighed. She wanted to avoid this subject. "Yes, we did, but when you caught me when I fell, he thought we were hugging so we broke up. Now, Billy wants to get back together again, but I'm not so sure."

"I see. I'm sorry though"

"Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault."

"Yes, it wasn't" Eric joked. He tickled her on the side. Bridget screamed with laughter.

"I'm going to get you Richman!" Bridget screamed.

"We'll see about that Vreeland!" Eric laughed.

Throughout the run, Bridget and Eric chased each other attempting to tickle one another. They ran so hard; they both were beginning to get tired. Eric suddenly grabbed onto Bridget's arm and pulled her back. He tickled and tickled her until she begged him to stop.

"I'm not going to stop until you say Eric Richman can beat Bee Vreeland in anything she attempts" Eric said.

"No way! You wish!" Bridget shot back. Eric tickled her some more in response. She lost her balance and fell down pulling him down as well. Now, Bridget was lying on the grass with Eric on top of her. She looked into his eyes. He stared back. Bridget felt the urge to kiss him. She fought back hard not to kiss him right then, right there. What am I doing? I do not love Eric anymore! Bridget told herself for the one-hundred-millionth time.

Suddenly, Bridget couldn't stand it anymore. She leaned her head forward and found Eric's lips with hers. Fireworks erupted throughout her body. She slowly opened her mouth and was greeted with a warm feeling inside of her. His arms were wrapped around her body tightly and one of her arms was around his neck, moving his head closer to hers. Her other arm was on his waist.

Bridget felt out of breath and she let go. Eric moved from on top of her to lying beside of her. Together, they looked up in the sky. Bridget looked at her watch. It was 3:00 now. They were both 1 hour late for their coaching.

"Oh shoot" Bridget exclaimed.

"What?" Eric said, looking alarmed.

"We're 1 hour late for our coaching!" Bridget stood up.

Eric looked slightly panicked. He jumped up as well. Together, they both ran towards the soccer camp without knowing what the kiss meant or what would happen to them next.