Twelve

 

 

assidy and Rachel giggled to each other, while Beat and Becca worked in an awkward near-silence. I looked at Cole, who looked grumpier than I’d ever seen him.

“What’s the matter with you?” I asked him.

He glared at me. “Nothing.”

“There isn’t nothing wrong, tell me.”

It was last lesson and we were working in the library again on our Dorian Gray essays. Mine was coming along nicely and Cole’s… Well, Cole hadn’t written a single thing. Which wasn’t exactly unusual, but he had seemed to be paying more attention lately, actually doing homework and the like.

He sighed. “Nothing, I just… This book annoys me.”

“The book annoys you?” I asked incredulously. “More than Mister Darcy?”

He shrugged. I looked around, the others were totally busy and not paying us any attention. I swivelled in my seat so I was facing him. I took his hand.

“What’s up with you lately? You’ve been acting odd for weeks and it’s only getting worse.”

He wouldn’t meet my eyes. He picked up my copy of Dorian Gray. “Mum used to love this book, you know. They did it at school when she was here. Just before she died, she started talking to me about…things, said I was old enough, that there were things I needed to know in case we lost her. She used to tell me that my dad was like Dorian Gray – all his outward beauty hid a deformed centre, something he rarely showed… Anyway.” He shook his head and cleared his throat, turning to the others before I could reply. “Ladies, did your dresses arrive all right?”

Cassidy and Rachel turned to him, beaming and I went back to my work as Rachel launched into a detailed account of how wonderful her dress was and how great his aunt was, followed by a similar story from Cassidy. Even Beat said she was really happy with hers. Finally, there was quiet. I heard someone clear their throat and looked up. They were all looking at me expectantly.

“Oh, mine’s good too,” I said.

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” Cassidy asked.

I shrugged. “It’s really good? Fits me great, looks stunning, can’t wait for Kelly Preston to see it and get all jealous?” I’m not sure why I said it like a question…

Cassidy sighed. “Better, but-”

The bell rang and we packed up our stuff, Cassidy still chastising me. I nodded as I listened to her. She was still going, calling after us, by the time we split at the gate and Cole and I went to find our brothers.

“God, I’m looking forward to the holidays. Two weeks of not having Cass talk incessantly about dresses or how amazing Trudy is, as much as I like her,” I said.

He smiled, taking my hand. “I get it. There’s still three weeks to go though.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.”

“I thought you loved school?”

“I like school, not quite the same as love,” I replied. “Besides, I don’t like it so much that I need to be here constantly.”

“Fair enough.”

“You’ve got a family thing tonight, don’t you?”

He sighed. “Yeah, Grandma’s enforced ‘let’s all spend time together’ nights.”

“I think it sounds nice.”

He scoffed. “You can come to one sometime, trust me, they’re not great.”

“I think your family’s great.”

“You haven’t met them all,” he replied softly.

I put my arm around him and we walked along in silence.

Ben and Matt were waiting when we arrived. Matt was bouncing on the tips of his toes.

“What has you all excited?” I laughed.

“Grandma said we could get take away tonight and watch movies!” Matt smiled.

“That she did, buddy, but we have to get home to do that, so try to hold onto your pants ‘til then,” Cole said.

“Then, let’s go, let’s go!” Matt said and he and Ben raced off.

Cole sighed, running his hand through his hair, as we followed them home.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, yeah, fine,” he said, but he sounded distracted.

“Are you sure? I mean, you don’t have to, but you know you can talk to me if you want?” I said hesitantly, watching Ben and Matt up ahead pretending the cracks in the pavement were tightropes.

He put his arm around me and smiled. “I know, Hannibal, thanks.”

We walked along in silence for a moment, and then he surprised me by talking.

“The police had a car watching the house, you might remember it?” he asked and I nodded. “Our dad… He’s been making some trouble. But, he went away for a while and they took the car away. There was… We had another car back for a bit, plain clothes, but they’ve removed that as well and it’s got me a little tense, that’s all.”

I wasn’t quite sure what to say to that. I knew enough about Cole that he wasn’t going to go into any more detail, even that much was rare, and me asking questions wasn’t going to change that. So, I nodded.

“That sucks, sorry. If I can do anything…?”

He shook his head. “Nah, it’ll be okay. They keep telling us it’ll be okay.”

It didn’t sound like it was going to be okay.

We walked on, changing the subject to nothing in particular. But, as we walked, a thought occurred to me. But, I didn’t want to voice it aloud. His scars… The doubt that seemed to plague him sometimes… Maybe it came from home? Did it come from the one person who was supposed to protect him against all that?

I could do nothing but stew in my suspicions and hold him tighter. Maybe his dad wasn’t quite as bad as my imagination was making out. Cole got in a lot of fights and, by all accounts, had got into more and worse before he moved in with Phyllis. Those scars could have come from anywhere, from Cole’s own recklessness.

Surely, maybe, that’s all it was.

 

¢

 

I’d mostly forgotten about my worries over Cole and Matt’s dad. Cole seemed to pick up a bit and his brighter mood made me forget there was much to worry about except final exams, final soccer matches and Cassidy’s constant talk about shoes for the formal.

“We should go on Sunday,” Cassidy said again.

“Do we have to? Can’t I find something at home?” I asked.

“No, we need new shoes, and they’re going to be perfect. This is our last school dance, guys; we have to make the most of it.”

“Can’t we just enjoy being together?” Beat groaned.

Cassidy glared at us spectacularly.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Beat chuckled uncertainly.

“You do that.” Cassidy grinned.

“Cole!” Declan came running across the courtyard.

“What’s up, man?”

“I need to ask you a massive favour…”

“I already feel inclined to say ‘no’,” Cole said warily, but he was smiling.

“I know, I know, but… Luke broke his arm at practice last night and we need someone who can play,” Declan said, giving Cole the most pleading look I had ever seen.

“Play what? The formal?” I asked and Declan nodded.

“I hate to ask man, but there’s no one else on such short notice.”

“Oh! You have to, Cole!” Rachel squealed.

“Rory and I can keep each other company while you guys play.” Cassidy smiled.

Everyone was looking at Cole with either massive excitement or, in Declan’s case, pleading that I felt compelled to be the bad guy.

“You totally don’t have to if you don’t want to, Cole,” I said. “I know it’s not really your thing.”

Cole sighed. “No, it’s fine man, I’d be honoured. Have you got a set list?”

Declan nodded, relief flooding his face. “I’ll send it to you along with the rehearsal schedule. Let me know if any times don’t suit.”

Cole nodded, smiling. “Will do, but any time should be fine. Electric or acoustic guitar?”

“You’ve got a choice?”

“I’ve got a choice,” Cole laughed.

“Do you mind bringing both?”

“Totally fine.”

“Great, thanks, man. I owe you one!” Declan shook his hand, then pulled out his phone – presumably to tell the others Cole had agreed.

When the others went back to talking, I turned to Cole.

“You didn’t have to do that, you know,” I said. “I’m sure Declan wouldn’t have minded if you’d said no.”

“I’ve no doubt, but why not?” He shrugged. “He’s your friend, I’m your boyfriend. It seems normal to do things with your friends.”

“You don’t have to do things with my friends,” I said.

“I know, and I’m not just doing it for you. I’m doing it for me, too.”

I smiled. “Oh really?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I figured why not make my own friends, do something that makes me happy, carve out something for myself.”

“That is terribly optimistic and very unlike you.”

He put his arms around me and smiled. “I’m trying new things. Speaking of, I was wondering if you could read over my Dorian Gray essay when it’s done?”

“You’re actually going to do it?”

“I am actually going to do it.”

“It’s due Week 10, you can finish it in two weeks?”

“Babe, I’m slack, not an idiot.” He smiled.

“Prove it.” I smiled back.

He shrugged mock-arrogantly. “Like, I said, trying new things. You don’t mind reading it?”

“Of course not, although, I can’t promise I’ll be much help.”

He sniggered. “Seriously? You’ve been helping me most of the year.”

I nodded. “Well, true.”

“So, it’s decided then,” Cassidy said and I held back the urge to groan at her, not wanting to know what had been decided while I was distracted. Declan was gone, so he’d hopefully been saved from the decision-making process.

“What’s been decided?” Cole saved me from asking, pulling a box of blue vines from his pocket and holding them in front of me. God, he knew me so well. I smiled at him in thanks.

“The boys will meet us at the mall on Sunday at one, by which time we will all have a new pair of shoes. We’ll have some lunch, maybe go to the arcade,” she looked less than thrilled as she said that, but I was quite excited, “and then…whatever.”

“You mean there will be a part of the day not planned out?” I said, mock horrified.

She stuck her tongue out at me. “I am capable of relinquishing some control, you know.”

“Are you though?” Beat asked.

“What God awful time of the morning are we meeting to find said shoes?” I asked.

“Ten,” Rachel answered.

“I can walk you over?” Cole said.

“And risk having to spend three hours following us around shoe shopping?” Beat asked.

Cole shrugged. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“That right there,” Beat pointed at Cole and looked at me pointedly, “that right there is a keeper. Even I wouldn’t risk getting roped into three hours of shoe shopping with you, and I already have to go!”

I kissed Cole’s cheek. “Yeah, I think I’ll keep him.”

“Do I get a say in that?” Cole teased.

“No,” the four of us answered in unison and he grinned.

 

¢

 

Cole had indeed walked me to the mall and survived three hours of shoe shopping quite impressively. Much to the disappointment of Beat and I, who had tried to make it as painful for him as possible. I had paid him back substantially by letting him beat me mercilessly at table soccer, much to Declan, Mike and Patrick’s amusement.

The nerves and excitement had started to set in, tomorrow would be our last soccer practice for the season, and Saturday would be our last game. I constantly had to remind myself that it was my last practice and game at school at all. It freaked me out a little, to be honest.

I sat on our usual table, waiting for Cole to arrive before school, munching my way through my blue vines. By the time the bell rang, I still hadn’t seen him. He didn’t walk into any of our mutual classes.

He didn’t come to find me at recess or lunch and I didn’t see him after school to walk to the Middle School for my final coaching practice. I called and texted, but no answer. Beat told me not to worry; he was probably just sick and sleeping. Her words reassured me and I knew I could ask Matt that afternoon at practice.

I tried not to run too fast to the Middle School, I still wanted some dignity. When I got to the pitch, I scanned my waiting team but didn’t see Matt anywhere.

I caught hold of Ben before practice started.

“Matt’s off sick, says his teacher,” Ben said. “Why?”

“Cole must have the same thing. I haven’t heard from him all day.”

“He’s probably asleep, Aura, don’t stress.” Ben smiled.

“You’re right.”

“We’ll go past on the way home, okay?” Ben said, sounding much more like the older sibling.

I nodded. “Sure, sure.”

“Go to your team, Aura,” he said, pushing me.

“Right, yes, good.”

I headed back to my team and got practice started, managing to keep my mind on the task at hand – I owed these guys that much and more for how well they’d done all season. There were a couple of kids who still had to give me permission slips for the next week’s excursion, so I followed up with that before I let them go.

After I’d made sure all the kids were with their parents, I looked around for Ben.

“I’m here, I’m here, stop panicking,” Ben muttered.

I barely waited for him to catch up before I took off.

“Aura, seriously, you’re in crazy stalker mode right now. You haven’t heard from him all day, so what? It’s not the end of the world.”

I slowed down, realising he was right. It was so not the end of the world, and there could be a million reasons he hadn’t returned my calls or texts all day. Phyllis could have taken his phone off him, he could have run out of batteries and not noticed I’d called if he was sleeping, he could be busy with Matt.

“Better,” Ben said.

I took a deep breath. “So, ready for your last game?”

“Not really. But, it’s a bigger deal for you.”

I laughed. “True, but hopefully it won’t be my last game ever.”

“They have soccer teams at university, don’t they?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’ll play for one of them.”

“If I make the team.”

“How could you not make the team?”

“It’s not like I’m the best player in the world, Benny.”

Ben scoffed, “you totally are.”

I gave him an exasperated look.

“Okay, fine, you’re not the best, you’re not Messi. But, you’re damned good.”

“High praise coming from my own little brother.”

“I’m not the only one who thinks so.”

“Everyone else is also biased,” I pointed out.

“Nu-uh, I heard Kelly Preston once say you were the best player at the school.”

“You did not!” I laughed.

He crossed his heart. “I did too. She legitimately said something nice about you.”

“Well, what do you know?”

“So, you will totally get into a team next year.”

“Maybe I should have found a team outside school?”

“This again?” Ben sighed dramatically.

“What?”

“You’ve been saying that for years. I doubt it would have helped, plus you already spend three nights a week at practices and basically a whole Saturday in matches.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Aura, you’d have had no time for yourself, your friends, your family, or your boyfriend, not to mention all the study you do. You barely have enough time as it is.”

“Okay, okay, fine you’re right.”

“I know I’m right.” He smiled as he knocked on Phyllis’ front door.

After a few minutes, Phyllis answered. She looked a little more flustered than usual, but smiled at us pleasantly.

“Aurora, Benjamin, lovely to see you both. Come in, come in.”

I smiled back. “Hi, Phyllis. I-” Ben nudged me, “we were just wondering if the boys were okay?”

“Ah…” Phyllis looked towards their bedrooms. “Well, Matt has a bit of a cold and Cole…got into a fight last night. He’s fine, but I…suggested he stay home today.”

“Do you think they’ll mind us going up?”

Phyllis looked unsure for a moment. “Go on and see if he’ll talk to you, dear. He hasn’t wanted to talk to me all day.”

“No, me either, apparently,” I answered. Phyllis looked at me sympathetically and motioned for us to go upstairs.

Matt’s door was open and he seemed pleased to see us. I sat with him and Ben for a bit, talking about practice and whatever else came up as I avoided knocking on Cole’s door. Matt was snuffly and coughed a bit, but seemed cheerful enough and quite annoyed he’d missed practice.

“I wanted to go to school,” he said through his blocked nose. “But, Grandma said, if I didn’t rest, I’d probably miss the game on Saturday!”

I nodded. “You might have. It’s not good to push yourself too hard when you’re sick.”

“I guess so.”

“We missed you though,” I said and he perked up. I patted his leg. “Right, I’m going to go see if Cole wants to talk.”

Matt’s face clouded again. “If the door’s not locked, you should just go in. He needs to see someone.”

“What happened, Matt?”

Matt shook his head, obviously not wanting to talk about it.

“All right, then,” I said, feigning cheerfulness. “I’ll see you boys in a bit. Benny, don’t wear him out.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” Ben saluted me and Matt giggled.

I smiled at the boys and left them. I stopped outside Cole’s door, not sure why I felt so nervous. Finally, I got up the nerve to knock.

“Not now, Grandma,” I heard him mutter.

“Cole? It’s Hannibal, can I come in?”

There was no answer for a while and I believed he wasn’t going to speak to me. I half-wondered about trying the doorknob like Matt suggested, but, if he didn’t want to talk to me, I didn’t really feel like pushing it. I waited a moment more, and then started to turn away. As I did, the door opened.

“What’s up, Hannibal?” Cole asked, his voice light and joking.

“I just wanted to… Oh my God.” I turned back to look at him and forgot everything I had been about to say. “What the hell did you get yourself into?”

His smirk was plastered on his face as though life was one big joke. He leant against the doorway, his arms crossed over his bare torso. Only his eyes betrayed his easy appearance; they were dark and glistened with rage. But, that wasn’t the worst of it. His stomach was bruised, as were his arms.

“Oh, you know, a few scrapes here and there.” He waved one hand about for a moment and I saw his knuckles were bruised and cut up as well.

“Cole…” I walked towards him and he stepped away from me.

“It’s probably best you go, Hannibal. I’m afraid I won’t be very good company.”

“I don’t care if you’re all beaten up and sarcastic. No, I do… But, I want to make sure you’re okay,” I said, crossing my own arms.

He sighed. “Fine, come on in. Don’t blame me if I get handsy, I’ve been drinking.”

“Haven’t you always?” I muttered, but I don’t think he heard me.

He uncrossed his arms, moving a little stiffly, and moved back into his room. I walked in and dropped my bag and blazer on the floor inside the door, which he shut behind me.

“I don’t know whether to hug you or add to your injuries,” I said, frowning as I looked him over.

He wore track pants and his feet were bare. At least, in my anger, I didn’t focus too heavily on his body.

“I’m fine, Hannibal. I’m always fine.”

“You’re not fine,” I snapped, stepping towards him. “I won’t ask you to talk about it if you don’t want to, but I am here if you need to talk about anything.”

He scoffed. “Some things are too dark for you, darling.”

Now, I did want to hit him. Instead, I crossed the distance between us, took his face in my hands, and kissed him. I didn’t care if he’d be sarcastic with me after, if he’d shrug me off. I just didn’t know what else to do, how else to show him I cared and I was there for him; he was obviously not listening to me when I said it outright.

He pulled me against him and kissed me back fiercely, running his hands through my hair and down my back. Our kiss grew heated; the kind of heated that could lead to more intimate activities, but, at that point, I stopped thinking. I just responded to him, sick of stressing about things, sick of being the good girl, sick of not knowing what to do to help the people I loved.

People I loved…

I realised, in that moment, that I might very well be in love with him. Cole Fielding. I think I loved him.

Cole pulled away a little to look in my eyes. “Aura…” he breathed hard.

I was shocked by the intensity in his eyes, the combination of fear and pure happiness that I saw there.

“Are you okay?” I asked him.

He nodded slowly, his smile growing. He pushed a lock of hair behind my ear and tilted my chin up towards him. He stared at me intently for a few moments and I was starting to worry he’d had a lot to drink.

“Do you need to lie down?” I asked him, my mouth running away with my thoughts before I realised I’d said anything.

He shook his head.

“Cole, say something. What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

He still didn’t say anything, just kept staring at me, one of those foolish grins on his face. I sighed and tried to pull out of his grasp, but he wasn’t having any of it and held me firmly.

“Either you let go of me, or you tell me what you’re thinking,” I said in my best ‘do as I say’ voice that was usually reserved for coaching when the kids got a little unruly.

His eyes flashed and he looked like he was trying not to laugh. Without a word, he swept his arm under my legs and picked me up. He carried me over to the bed and lay me down gently. I watched as his face made an almost wincing movement. He sat beside me, holding the bruise on his side for a moment then leaned over me. He smiled, his face hovering just above mine.

“I love you, Aurora.”

I had no time to register what he’d said before he kissed me. By the time I did register it, and worked my way through the butterflies hammering against my rib cage and the urge to giggle in excitement, I was lost in his kiss again. I felt his hand on my stomach under my shirt, my leg wrapped around his and my hands were all over his back. My hand trailed down his side and over his stomach. He sucked in a breath and pulled back.

“Oh, sorry.”

He smiled down at me. “I’m fine. No, I’m better than fine. I’ve somehow landed myself a great girl who I love.”

“I love you, too.” I smiled, wondering when I let myself get caught up in all this, but oh so glad that I did. Wait ‘til I tell Beat!

“But, I’m not… This is not how this is going to go,” Cole said, sitting up more.

I frowned in confusion. “How what is going to go?”

He smiled at me crookedly, making my chest flutter again. “How the first time we sleep together is going to go.”

I laughed, feeling nervous and excited at the thought. “And, who says I’m going to sleep with you?”

“Your body did, just then. But, not yet, when you know you’re ready. Besides, it’d be nice if I wasn’t bruised and slightly drunk.”

“You’re very sure of yourself.”

“I am,” he replied, nodding. “But, nothing’s happening until you give the word.”

“You’re that good, are you?” I smiled.

“I have been…” he stopped and looked at me, his face falling slightly. “Um…”

“Please don’t tell me you’re only now just considering what I think of the fact you’re not the virgin in this relationship.” I tried not to laugh.

His face coloured slightly. “That is a bold way to put it. You don’t mind?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about it. I mean, I did just assume you’d had sex before. But, I hadn’t stopped to think about how and if it affected me.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“Does it?”

I pulled him back to me. “There seems to be a lot in your past, Cole, and I’m not going to begrudge you any of it as long as I can call you mine.”

He laughed. “Definitely; I am all yours.”

“The feeling is mutual, Mister Fielding.”

My laugh turned into a squeal as he rolled me over on top of him.

“Good.” His voice was deep and his eyes shone as he pulled me down for a kiss.

 

¢

 

Our final match.

I bounced with nervous energy as I passed the ball back and forth with Beat and the Kezler twins. Three things had me worked up further than it being my last match for the school. Firstly, if we won this match, we’d win the season and that was quite possibly the best way to go out. Secondly, I had to nominate my choice for the next team captain – the next Hannibal, since the title seemed to have stuck. And, thirdly, Phyllis, Trudy, Matt, and Cole had decided to join my parents and Ben in the crowd.

I checked the time. We still had a bit of time for warm ups. I studiously ignored my rabid fans in the crowd, despite the parents hooting every few seconds. I looked up; it was the kind of day where the threatening storm clouds could open up or drift away on the breeze. I preferred opening up, since it usually gave our team an advantage. We weren’t known as dirty players because we cheated.

The referee called us to take our start positions. We did a quick team huddle and break – I even locked an almost friendly look with Kelly Preston – then lined up. I wriggled with restless energy, my eyes focussed on the ball.

I was well on my A-game that day; directing players, getting into arguments with the referee, clearing the ball. Even Kelly Preston called me out on a good clearance – why the girl thought about being nice now after five years of nothing but snark, I didn’t know, but I guess there was something nice in it.

Half time came around and we were still at a nil all draw.

“Okay girls, huddle up,” Coach called. “We’re doing well, but a lead would be good.”

“They’re terrible at penalties, all we need to do is hold out,” Kelly said.

I shook my head. “We all know we can beat them in a penalty shoot-out, but there’s still extra time before then. If we can pull ahead by full-time, it’ll be better for us.”

Kelly nodded. “You’re right. But, at least we know we’ll win eventually.”

I laughed. “True that.”

“Right,” Coach nodded, “I’m thinking to switch out Kristin with Amy at about seventy-five minutes, and possibly Jenna and Mary. With a burst of energy on the field, we might be able to get the advantage if we don’t already have it.”

“Surely, they’ll be thinking the same?” K2 asked.

“No, they switch out at half-time and leave the rest for injuries,” I replied.

“Question?” Beat put her hand up. Coach and I nodded. “Who’s Kristin?”

The whole team burst into laughter as K1 put her hand up.

“Right, sorry.” Coach smiled. “K1 for Amy?”

K1 nodded. “I’ll get the chance to play next year, Amy won’t be so lucky.”

“Maybe I’ll fail my exams so I have to come back?” Amy teased.

“If only we could,” I said.

“Any last words, Hannibal?” Kelly asked, smiling as though we were old friends.

I felt it was only polite to return it. “Keep to your man, they’ve been pushing heavily; I know we can beat them if we get passed them. But, be on your guard, Number Fourteen is looking for every free she can get and I know from experience she’s not above making her own. Keep your eyes on each other and on the ball. Man up, but, forwards, keep yourselves open to passes. I’m looking at you Kezlers.” They nodded. “All right. I don’t need to wish you luck, guys, we’ve got this.” I put my hand in the middle of the circle and everyone piled theirs on top.

“Oorah!” we yelled and broke.

The second half was much more eventful than the first. Damned Number 14 was giving it all she got, sliding in front of us as we made for the ball in the hopes we’d get caught up and called out.

At one point, she succeeded in almost getting past our defence, but I tackled her, sending the ball over to Beat to clear. Number 14 called for a free, as did most of her teammates, but the referee wasn’t an idiot.

“Clean play, play on!” the referee called, shaking his head.

“You watch yourself, captain,” Number 14 snarled at me as the game headed back down the pitch.

“I don’t need to watch myself,” I replied, “I don’t cheat.”

I knew I shouldn’t have said anything, but I was sick of her recklessness; she was either going to get herself injured, or she was going to get one of my players carded for something that wasn’t their fault.

She shoved me and I pushed her back.

“Hey, whoa!” Sarah, our goalie, called. “Hannibal, now’s not the time!”

Number 14 shoved me again and I heard the referee call a warning. She smiled at me before she trotted back up to her end of the pitch.

“You right?” Beat asked.

“I’m good, I’m good,” I said, shaking it off.

There was a cheer and I turned to see K2 assist Jenna with a goal. We had our lead.

After a short celebration, during which it started raining, we were back into it with renewed vigour as we pushed for a bigger lead. Unfortunately, they were pushing for an equaliser. They almost got it too; one of their players – not Number 14, thank God – got through all our defences and Sarah was the only one left to handle it.

I ran as fast as I could, but there was no way I was going to get there in time. Luckily, I didn’t have to. Sarah launched herself at the feet of the attacking forward, landing squarely on the ball. I thought for sure there was going to be a collision and broken bones, but the forward flipped right over Sarah, even landing on her feet. Sarah got the ball away and down the other end before I had time to turn around.

I high-fived her and ran back to my position.

Five minutes later, K1 scored another goal. We had our changeover at the seventy-five-minute mark, and the team was even more invigorated than after K1’s second goal. By the end of ninety minutes, Jenna had scored a third goal for us, while the other team only managed one.

We’d done it; we’d won our final soccer match for our school career and won the season. I hadn’t thought it would feel so amazing. Although, I hadn’t expected to feel so drained and bittersweet either.

“Hannibal, who have you deemed worthy to take your place next year?” Coach asked dramatically after the hand shaking and trophy awarding had been done.

I laughed. “I’ve narrowed it down to two choices. Well, it is sort of one choice…”

“I think we all know who you’re nominating,” Jenna laughed.

“Kannibal One, Two!” Sarah shouted and the team cheered.

“I can’t decide between you, Kezlers, I’m sorry.” I shrugged. “You guys are going to have to fight it out between you. Fight to the death!” I cried, pumping my fist into the air.

The team followed suit as we all laughed.

“We could just have two captains?” Coach suggested.

“Are you mad?” Beat laughed.

“You know what? We’ll sort it out next year.”

“Unless I fail all my exams, then I’m going to want my spot back.” I pointed at them all, mock seriously.

When I nodded, thinking I had their agreement, a silent signal seemed to pass between them and I found myself buried under bodies. Hugs and cheers came at me from all angles and I had no chance to say anything in return. It was bloody good we had the dinner next week that would give me a chance to thank them all properly.

Finally, I was let up, wetter and dirtier than I’d been after the game. A great cheer of “Hannibal!” went through the team and we started dispersing.

“I am going to need a shower when we get home,” I said to Beat as we trudged over to our fans; Beat was coming back to mine and we were vegging out for the rest of the night.

She laughed but didn’t have a chance to say anything more as we were enveloped in hugs and congratulations.

“Why are you always so dirty after these things?” Ben complained, trying to wipe it off himself.

“That girl was so mean. I bet you could have taken her, Aura!” Matt said.

“It was a very good performance, Aurora, you’re every bit the player I expected.” Phyllis smiled.

Mum and Dad crushed me and Beat in a hug.

“Well done, girls.”

“So proud of you both.”

“The team love you!” Trudy seemed to marvel, but I saw respect and pride in her smile.

“I love you,” Cole whispered in my ear, setting the butterflies off, before he swung me around and gave me a kiss. He put me down. “So, Saturdays are mine now?”

I laughed and swatted him. “After this one, yes.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that. I envy you getting to hang out with Beat.”

“You envy me playing games, eating junk food and lazing around in my pyjamas?” I asked, sarcastically.

“Yes, I do. But, Grandma insisted we go with her to this thing. If we behave, apparently we get to come home early,” he said conspiratorially.

Beat smiled. “Well, you’ll have to stay home, because we’re having girls’ night!”

“Yeah!” I agreed.

Cole held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I promise I will not encroach on girls’ night.”

Beat nodded.

“All right, gang, let’s move out!” Mum called and we all headed for the cars.

I was really looking forward to a good girls’ night in.