I woke up Friday morning earlier than my alarm clock. I sigh and throw the sheets off, knowing there's no point in trying to go back to sleep. I rub my sleep crusted eyes, thankful the week was over.
I walk over to my desk chair where my outfit for today lay out; vans, jeans, and Soul's sweatshirt. He'd thanked me profusely yesterday about wearing it, claiming it would've been uncool of him to let Blair wear it considering he didn't even really like her.
I get dressed quickly, flipping my hair out from under the sweatshirt. I ran my fingers through my long brown locks, wondering if I should keep it down or put it up. It wasn't actually too flat today, which was a relief. I decided to keep it down, but slid a clip in the side to keep it from falling in my face.
I go through my normal morning routine, finishing earlier than I anticipated. I consider laying back down in bed until it was time to meet at Soul's car, but truth be told I didn't really feel like laying back down. It'd probably mess my hair up and rumple my clothes. While I normally don't pay much attention to how I look, I don't want to look like a slob. Not only does it make me feel gross, but Kid would shun me the entire day.
I ended up straightening my bookshelf out until it was time to head out. I hug my mom goodbye and walk out the door.
The sun shone brightly in my eyes as I step out. I shield my face slightly, the sudden bright light leaving dark spots. I blink them away and walk across the street, assuming my regular position of waiting next to Soul's car. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I pull it out. Tsubaki's name appears next to the message icon.
T: You're coming back to my house after school, right?
A: Yes, and then you're taking me to the game?
T: Right! We need to get Crona on the way to the game too, she asked me yesterday
A: You'll have room right?
T: Yeah, that's not a problem... She worries me sometimes
A: Yeah same
T: It's weird, right? That her mom doesn't work, yet Crona still needs transportation everywhere?
A: I mean, some parents just don't like driving their kids places... I've honestly never even seen her mom around though
T: I just hope she's okay
A: Me too
"Can't even greet the amazingly cool person who gives you a ride every day?" I look up from my phone and see Soul grinning at me. He had on his lacrosse jersey; the dark jersey making his hair seem translucent. I shrug and get in the car.
"Sorry, just texting Tsubaki about... Something."
"Wow, that wasn't vague at all."
I sigh and look at him, his red eyes meeting my blue ones. Despite the harsh color, I see nothing but concern in his them. He raises an eyebrow.
"It's about Crona. She worries us sometimes." I explain. Soul nods and starts the car, leaving the conversation for later.
I glance at him as he drives. His eyes remained on the road, carefully watching the traffic. We stop at a red light, and I poke his arm. He looks over at me as I motion to the sweatshirt on my body. His eyes light up and he grins.
"I like it. Looks cool on you." He said. I laugh as he looks my outfit up and down. I know he doesn't mean anything by it, but I can't help but feel a little self-conscious, uncomfortably shifting in my seat. He notices this and shifts his eyes back to the road.
"I'm excited for the game tonight. Everyone is." I said, smiling. Soul smiles, his sharp teeth shining in the sunshine. He pulls into his parking spot at school and sits back in his seat.
"I'm a little nervous. It's going to be a tough game, tons of scouts there too."
"I'm sure you'll do great, Soul. For your team and for the scouts." I said, giving him an encouraging smile. He gives me a side glance and sighs. I frown.
"I hope they don't take much notice of me. I'm hoping this'll be my last year of lacrosse." He explains. I drop my jaw, staring at him with wide eyes. Did I just hear him correctly?
"What? You don't want to play in college?"
He shrugs. "Not really." He said. He looks at my shocked expression and sighs.
"Allie, I've been playing lacrosse since I was 7 years old. I've done travel, school, and even coached lacrosse. I'm burned out." He said. When I don't answer, he continues talking.
"And coach thinks I want to go to college playing, and is setting up all these scouts to come to the games to watch me. And I'm afraid they're going to offer me a huge lacrosse scholarship that I'll be obliged to take to prevent my mom from paying thousands of dollars for my schooling. If I didn't accept it, I'd look like an ass. Which, like I said before, isn't cool."
I don't think I'd ever seen Soul look so conflicted. His normally bright eyes were dark, his usual slouched posture was upright from stress, and I could practically see the confusion swimming in his mind.
"You have to do what makes you happy, Soul. In the end, that's all that matters." I said. He moves his eyes from his lap to my face, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You always know what to say." He said quietly. His smile grows bigger, his eyes finally back to their usual brightness. I feel my cheeks heat up as I gently pat his arm, feeling his tense body relax under my touch.
"Don't worry so much. C'mon, let's get to class." I said, hoping he couldn't see the redness of my face. We get our of the car and walk towards the building.
After sitting through an excruciatingly boring lecture in Ms. Mjolnir's class, I was heavily anticipating English. Tsubaki and I walk through the doorway, seeing Mifune writing on the board. I breathe a sigh of relief; no grumpy subs today.
I glance to the back of the room to see if Soul is here yet. He stood with his back to me, talking to the person sitting at the desk. Black Star sat to the left, talking wildly and motioning with his hands to some girls. I frown. If Black Star was sitting there, who was Soul talking too?
He shifts his shoulders, allowing me to see the person. I recognize a light blonde pigtail, and I involuntarily frown. Maka.
"You can't just stand in the doorway." Tsubaki whispers. I blink and realize I'd been rooted to the spot, glaring towards the back of the room. I swiftly walk over to my seat, looking to make sure no one noticed me. Like I suspected, everyone was too preoccupied on their phones.
"Are you alright?" She asks, sitting down. I look at the ground, pretending to find something in my backpack.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" I look back over at her, feigning a smile. But Tsubaki knows me too well. She glances back towards Soul, seeing him still talking with Maka. She turns and gives me a sympathetic face.
"It's nothing." I said grudgingly. Tsubaki sighed, opening her binder.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, you're the one with the sweatshirt." She said, winking. I feel my face get red as she laughs. I turn my head so she can't see my smile.
I was halfway out the door of English when someone grabs my arm. I jump and move away quickly, the scare causing my heart rate to speed up. I turn and see Maka with her hands over her mouth.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!" She exclaims. I chuckle a little, trying to even my breathing. Her eyes were filled with concern.
"It's okay." I said. I walk out the door and stand alongside the wall to avoid being in the way. Tsubaki stood next to me, and Maka joined us. She stood in front of us, smiling.
"I noticed your sweatshirt today!" She exclaims, pointing at my chest. I glance down, remembering whose it was.
"Oh uh, yeah. He wanted me to wear it be-"
"Because the team made a unanimous vote for the girlfriends to wear them, right?" She interrupts. I set my lips together in a tight line.
"Yeah. But I'm not his girlfriend." I said annoyed, crossing my arms. Tsubaki shoots me a look, and glances at Maka. She looks a little confused at my tone.
"Are you going to the game tonight, Maka?" Tsubaki asks.
Maka's face brightened. "Yes! That's what I wanted to ask you guys about. Soul said you guys were going, would you mind if I hung around with you?" She asks.
"Sure." I said, shrugging. I make a small smile, which Maka returns.
"Great! I'll meet you guys at the stadium at game time!" She said. She waves goodbye and walks away. Once she's gone, I roll my eyes.
"Little standoffish, don't you think?" Tsubaki asks as we walk down the stairs.
I scoff. "I was not standoffish. Excuse me for being a little pissed that she interrupted me." I said. Tsubaki chuckles softly as we walk into the cafeteria.
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~Greenybean