If I was asked to describe lacrosse in 3 words, I would say fast, aggressive, and scary. Never in my life had I seen teenage boys hit each other with sticks or intentionally trip another person. Blame it on my little exposure to sports; the aggression shocked me.
By halftime, the score was 5-4, Death City barely in the lead. I excuse myself to grab a water, my throat sore from all of the yelling.
Again, a long line awaited me at concessions. I wait patiently, listening to other people discuss the game. I began zoning out when someone taps my shoulder. I turn and see Mr. Stein behind me in line, a cigarette hanging lazily from his mouth.
"Surprised to see you here, Ms. Parker. I don't believe I've ever seen you at a sporting event." He said. I laugh as he takes a puff from his cigarette.
"I'm surprised as well. Soul told me to come, said it'd be a good game. He wasn't wrong." I said.
"Ah yes, Soul is playing a very good game too. Wish he'd show as much effort in my class as he does on the lacrosse field."
I shrug. "He's smart. He just doesn't apply himself much."
Stein notices my defensive tone and changes the subject. "He could use some of your determination. Will you be tutoring tomorrow for final preparations?" He asks.
I nod. "Yup. I'll be tutoring from 3-7:30." I said. Stein sighs somewhat, making me frown.
"Do you want to give up your Saturday tutoring people for their finals?" He asks.
"Well, I doubt I'd have anything better to do." I said. He puffs again from his cigarette.
"It's your senior year, Allie. You can be studious and have fun. It is possible." He said in a knowing tone.
I shrug again. "I know. But tutoring is also my job. It's almost like I'm going to work." I explain. He shrugs, making me slump my shoulders a little. Nothing like having your teacher tell you that you have no life.
I order my water and walk back up the bleachers, saying goodbye to Stein. I sat back down in between Maka and Tsubaki. The buzzer went off, signaling halftime was over.
The fourth quarter ended at 8:15, a tie of 10-10. There would have to be an overtime.
"This is barbaric! That boy had to be carried off the field!" Kid exclaims, pointing to where some kid lay on the bench.
"Tsu-Tsubaki? It's almost 8:30 now... An-and I have to be home by nine." Crona said, leaning over to look at Tsubaki. Tsubaki sighs a little. I know she really wants to stay and finish the game, but she couldn't let Crona get in trouble.
"Alright. We'll leave now. Goodbye guys!" She said, standing and waving.
"I'll text you and let you know how it ends." I said, smiling. Tsubaki nods appreciatively, and her and Crona make their way down the bleacher stairs. They disappear from sight.
The newly left spaces of Crona and Tsubaki allows more room for the rest of us. We slide to the right, leaving me now in between Kid and Maka. Kid made a loud sigh.
"Of course we have to stay here longer." He complains, crossing his arms over his chest. I hear Liz groan next to him.
"Why don't you try and enjoy the game instead of complaining about it?" She asks, looking at him annoyedly.
Kid scoffs. "I have been watching the game. It's you who's been glancing over at your sister every other minute." He said, smugly. Liz gapes at him, and stands angrily.
"Of course, I'm going to watch over my little sister. I care about her!" Liz snarls. Kid doesn't look fazed by her outburst, while Maka next to me is staring with an open mouth.
"Liz, it's okay. You're not doing anything wrong by watching over Patty." I said calmly. I wish Tsubaki was still here; she's better at resolving conflicts than I am.
"I didn't intend for it to be in a negative connotation, I was simply saying that you weren't watching the game either." Kid said matter-of-factly. Liz's face is red, and she's breathing heavily. She walks away from Kid and sits next to Maka, giving him the finger. He rolls his eyes and places his attention on the cuff of his sleeve. I sigh.
Before anyone could say anything else, the teams took the field. I watch with anxious eyes as the clock starts counting down.
If I thought they were rough before, I clearly had never seen an intense lacrosse game. Many players were kicked out of the game for being overly aggressive. Our team had the ball, the carrier running from the other team who looked ready to crush him. He threw the ball to Black Star, who waited in front of the goal. He caught it expertly, and turned to shoot. A faint "YAHOO!" could be heard from the field, but before Black Star could even wind his arm to shoot, an opposing team member body slammed him to the ground.
I gasp, standing from my seat. Black Star was sprawled on the ground, his attacker being yanked off of him by a referee and being handed a card. I see Soul rush to Black Star, helping him sit up. Fights were breaking out on the field while the referees and coaches tried to break them up.
"Animals." Kid mutters next to me. I look at Maka, who had her hands over her eyes. Liz sat with her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide. A golf cart rounds the corner, and Black Star is carefully lifted onto it. Once he's situated, the driver takes off.
"Where is he going?" I ask.
"No clue." Maka said. I sigh, wondering if I should leave this out when I text Tsubaki later about the game.
The buzzer goes off, signaling that the overtime is over. The score still remained tied.
"What now? Do they end it?" Maka asks. I shrug, not being one for knowing much about sports.
"No, they'll probably play until the next goal is scored." Liz explains. I'm surprised by her change in behavior towards Maka. She's probably embarrassed about her outburst at Kid.
I see Soul's familiar frame standing next to where Black Star once laid. The ball was placed in his stick, and he turns to face the next.
"Why is he getting the ball?" I ask.
"Penalty shot." Kid explains.
Players surrounded Soul as he stepped forward. At the refs whistle, 3 players charged him quickly. He dodged their bodies, and swung his stick. The ball sailed through the night air, perfectly aimed at the top right corner. The ball sunk into the back of the net. He had scored.
"Perfect shot." Kid admits, clapping as we all stood and cheered. His teammates ran to Soul and jumped on him, throwing their hands in the air and cheering.
A rampage for the parking lot ensued after the game. Liz left quickly to find Patty, claiming their parents would be pissed if they were late. Maka ran off the minute the game ended, saying she had to go meet her father in the parking lot. I was waiting outside of the stadium with Kid, who insisted on waiting with me until Soul met me at the car.
"Thanks for coming tonight. Did you have fun?" I ask.
Kid stood with his hands in his pockets, his hair being whipped by the wind. He smooths it down. "It isn't something I'd choose to do again, but it wasn't terrible." He said.
I sigh quietly to myself. Besides organization and precision, nothing seemed to please Kid.
"You really don't have to wait here with me. I'm sure Soul will be out soon." I insist. Kid shakes his head.
"I'm not going to leave you waiting here in a dark parking lot to wait for him. It's quite inconsiderate of him to leave you waiting here." He said, annoyance in his voice.
I shrug. "He scored the winning goal in their biggest game. I'm sure they're celebrating it." I said. Kid rolls his eyes.
We stood in silence for some time, my eyes watching the cars that passed us. The ringing of Kid's phone broke the silence.
"Hello? Dad? Yeah, the game's over. I'm waiting with Allie for her ride. No, I don't know if their on their way." He stepped away from me, talking angrily into his phone. I watch him as he begins pacing, throwing his hands in the air.
He eventually hangs up the phone, stomping back over to me.
"I'm sorry, my dad is being an inconsiderate fool. He wants me home now." Kid said, apologetically.
I shrug. "Don't worry, it's fine. There are still a lot of people here." I said, motioning towards the endless number of cars exiting the parking lot.
Kid gives me a stern look. "Text me when he meets you." He instructs. I'm reminded of when Soul gave me similar instructions a few nights ago. Except judging from the look on Kid's face, he'd be much more upset with me than Soul was if I forgot.
"Alright, I will." I said. Kid nods, and walks off to his car.
Never did I think the stadium would become a ghost town so quickly. The seemingly endless line of cars emptied out of the lot, leaving a few parked still. The lights went off in the stadium, forcing me to walk to Soul's car and wait under the light it was parked under. The parking lot had an eerie vibe to it. I pray Soul was almost done with whatever he was doing.
I pull out my phone, opening my conversation with Tsubaki.
A: We won! Soul scored the winning goal
I wait for her answer, but judging by the time, I figured she was probably asleep. I'd have to wait until tomorrow.
Finally, I hear commotion coming from the field house. I look over, squinting in the darkness. 4 figures were walking towards the parking lot. I could not decipher any of them except for the one on the far left; that white hair gave him away every time.
I sigh in relief. His eyes flicker over to the car, seeing my frame leaning against the passenger door. He raises a hand to his friends, and starts jogging over to the car. Once he was close enough, I saw the large smile on his face. My lips curl up, grinning back at him.
He reaches me and drops his bag. I open my mouth to greet him, but he surprises me by wrapping his arms around me and giving me a hug. I gasp, my face reddening. He lets me go, a huge smile on his face.
"Gross, you're all sweaty!" I said, stepping away. He laughs, unlocking the car and throwing his bag in the back.
"Didn't keep you waiting for too long, did I?" He asks. I look towards the street, not wanting to mention I'd been waiting for almost an hour.
My silence is answer enough. He sighs and gets in the car. "I'm sorry. My coach gave a long speech and then the boys were congratulating me and then these scouts all wanted to interview me... I just couldn't get away." He explains.
"It's fine. That was an amazing game." I said, smiling. He smiles back, starting up the car. I quickly whip my phone out and text Kid before he could crucify me for forgetting.
"Well, going off of a great win, and since I feel bad about making you wait so long, what do you say we get an ice cream?" Soul asks.
I shrug. "Sure. That's fine."
He grins, pulling the car onto the road and speeding away from the school.
I've actually never been to a lacrosse game before lol
~Greenybean