Top Gun: Phantom| Rooster

Chapter 7.

"Alright everyone, you're probably wondering why we are on the beach instead of the aircrafts", Maverick greeted us.
The sun was shining right in my eyes which made me glad that I brought my sunglasses with me.
It was also quite convenient that I could walk here by foot, since my house was just a few minutes away and my car was still at the base.
"After yesterdays incident, I realized that before we go on with any other exercises, we should become a team", he explained.
"Boring", Hangman said as he fake yawned.
"So what's your favorite sport?", Maverick asked and completely ignored Hangman's unnecessary comment.
"What about you Bob", he said as looked at him.
"I don't know, Football I guess", he hesitated.
"Alright, I would've chosen Volleyball or something since we're on a beach but Football it is. Hangman and Rooster you form two groups and I'm gonna get a ball", he clapped his hands.

"You want to start Bagman", Rooster smiled at him.
"Sure", he smiled as he looked at me.
For a second I was scared that he would chose me.
"Fanboy", he said as he was still staring at me.
"Phantom", Rooster helped me out of this uncomfortable situation.
"Thank you", I whispered.
He acknowledged me with a nod.
After everyone had their team, Bob was the only one left.
Our team was full so he had to join Hangman's team.
At first I thought it wouldn't be too bad since Phoenix was there as well and at the end of the day its just a game.
"No I don't want the retard", Hangman rolled his eyes.
"What did you just say?", I asked and stepped a few steps forward.
Bob was a sweet soul, I don't understand how he couldn't see that.
Bob turned around to step in front of me as Rooster pulled me back by my hand.
"Knock it off", Maverick said as he threw the ball at me.
I took a deep breath to calm down.

"Is it too late to tell you that I have no idea how to play football", I giggled as I put the ball into the sand.
"Really, I would've picked someone else", Rooster said sarcastically.
Hangman stepped in front of me and smiled.
"Ready to get your ass kicked?", he laughed
"Like you kicked my ass yesterday", I asked.
His face got serious and he bend down a bit.
I could see that his nose was still swollen.
"Do you maybe want to switch positions and go a bit further in the back?", Rooster suggested.
"Come on Loverboy she knows what she's doing", Payback laughed at him.
"I just don't want her to get hurt", he explained himself.
"I'm alright",I replied as I stared into Hangman's eyes.
"If you say so", he said and stepped back.

Maverick blew in his whistle and the game started.
I immediately grabbed the ball and ran away by going underneath Hangman's arm.
"Phantom!", Payback waved and I tossed the ball over.
He went straight forward and scored a point.
Rooster ran towards them and they jumped against each other.
All of the sudden, Bob was the one who scored the next point.
"Hidden talent for football?", I laughed.
Even Rooster celebrated him even though he wasn't in our team.

After Rooster threw the ball to me and after I scored he did a little dance.
The admiral visited us and was probably wondering why we weren't practicing but Maverick must've said something convincing because he didn't stay or stop the game.

We were a few points ahead when Hangman tackled Rooster.
He straight up threw him over his shoulders.
"Ah", I could hear Rooster scream in pain.
"Are you alright?", I asked as I ran up to him.
"I think I fell on something sharp", Rooster answered as he looked at his bloody arm.
"You really don't know when to stop", I yelled at Hangman.
"Sorry man", he said.
"What happened?", Maverick asked as he bend down.
He examined Roosters bloody arm.
"I live just a few minutes away I can take care of his wound", I offered and helped Rooster to get up again.
"Alright", Maverick agreed.
"Hangman! You are coming with me", he continued.
-
"You can sit down. I'm getting a bandage", I said and went to get my first aid kit.
"It's not that bad. I'm okay", he said.
"Tell that my couch that you're bleeding on", I answered as I came back with a bandage.
"I've had worse injuries", he told me.
"Oh sorry tough guy", I giggled sarcastically.
"And you said you didn't want me to get hurt", I continued.
"It's really not that bad, Nicki. I'm alright", he said as he pulled his arm away.
"You're going to let me help you, I didn't take you to my house for nothing", I said as I grabbed his arm and started to wrap the bandage around it.
Rooster hissed in pain.
"You alright?", I asked.
He nodded.

"Thank you", he said when I was finished.
"No worries", I smiled.
"You have a really nice smile, you know that?", he asked.
"Wow, did you hit your head too?", I said ironically concerned.
"I mean it", he smiled.
"Rooster?", I asked.
"Mhm?", he mumbled.
"Don't", I said.
"What do you mean? I'm just trying to be nice", he giggled.
"Alright", I laughed and raised my eyebrows.

I stood back up to put the first aid kit back.
When I came back Rooster looked at me.
But it was different from the other times he looked at me.
He was thinking about something while he was looking at me.
His eyes were glancing over mine.
Then he giggled and looked at the ground.
"I miss you wanting me", he shook his head and smiled.
"Out!", I yelled while I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
"Hey, I am injured",he said sarcastically as he held him arm.

I walked to the door and Rooster got up.
When he stood in front of me he looked me in the eyes and smiled.
He was a bit taller, so I had to look up at him.
"Get home safely", I said as I opened the door.
He looked away and left.

I sat back down on my couch right were Rooster just sat.
I liked him once.
A lot.
I never thought he knew because I never told him.
We grew up together and it would've made things weird if I told him how I really felt.
If he knew why'd he tell me now?