Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 13

I toppled forward, out of balance.  Cameron immediately ran over and helped me up.  I sighed putting my head in my hands.  "I can't do this Cameron.  I know I'm the fly half and co-captain but I how am I supposed to be what everyone wants me to be when I can't even kick one fucking ball through the shitted posts!" I ranted feeling like tears were welling up in my eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's alright.  Natalie, listen to me!  You're an amazing player!  You're the people that the other teams are TERRIFIED of!  Not because you're big like the forwards, but because you're a clever fly half, you're strategic, and you're quick.  That's what leads your team into victory.  The kicks aren't going to define what you're actual position is.  You're job will." Cameron said holding my face in his hands and I nodded slowly.

"I want to be able to kick though.  I've done it before but it's been lucky, and I want to be there for the team, and be a role model." I said biting my lip, before closing my eyes for a moment, trying to refocus myself.  "Alright so shake off the past, shake it off.  Literally.  Do it now." Cameron said as he began to pull me a little.  "What?  Right here?" I asked before Cameron said "You heard me.  Shake it off!"

He started to help me move a little before I giggled a little and we began to move around, arms waving in the air, because we didn't care.  We started dancing in the worst way possible, before suddenly he said, out of breath, "Alright you ready to do it now?"  I nodded pushing back some of my curly hair and I lined up again.

"Alright this time I'll walk through it with you." Cameron said as we began to work through it.  Finally just as I was about to go into the kick, Cameron put an arm around my waist and said "Hold up, just adjust here...."  He helped turn my hips, and he put a hand gently on my stomach to help do so.  I felt the butterflies fluttering around.

"Alright so we just have to make sure our hips are square to the posts at this angle, and then when you kick, you have to make sure that you swing, and that your foot is pointing to where you want the ball to go." Cameron says, guiding me through each step.  I nod, before I break away from his grasp and he puts the ball in the tee and I line up.

I stare at the ball, lining up to get enough power to head right in.  I look at the posts.  I can do this.  I bite my lip, the breeze whipping my hair slightly, before I finally head right into it, and I kick the ball.  I see it sail through the air, and it goes perfectly through the posts.  

"YES!" I scream as I go to Cameron and hug him, as he picks me up and twirls me around.  "I did it!" I say as I grip onto him tightly, and he holds me in a strong grip before I pull away and laugh "Thanks....I mean it."  Suddenly we both realize what position we're in and he gently lets go of me and I stand back and say "So....um....."

"Actually I uh....I had something for you." he says blushing a little.  "Oh you did?" "Well I just was about to say um we should uh practice your catching....ya know of the kicks....." "Oh....yeah we can do that." I say nodding.  Did he just brush that whole twirly thing as nothing?  I felt slightly frustrated.  

"Just wait here." he said as he ran all the way to the other side of the field.  I see he grabs a rugby ball, and he holds it, before nodding at me.  I give him the thumbs up to let him know I'm ready.  He then backs up a little before swinging right into the kick. 

The ball goes flying through the air and I get under it to catch it, before catching it perfectly in my arms.  I look down at the ball however, and see that it's not like the school balls that we usually have.  It's customized and I see that it's a mostly white ball, with teal accents and designs.  I turn the ball to see where the usual "Gilbert" logo but I see something else.

Prom.

I blink.  This can't be happening.  Cam....he's not actually asking me out to PROM is he?!  I thought I was dreaming.  I pinched myself, counted to three and opened my eyes again.  Prom.  Prom.  Prom......

I looked up to see that Cameron was a couple feet away.  We were silent before I swallowed and said "I uh.....you actually....."  Cameron came over and gently pulled the ball from my hand, and got down on one knee and said "Listen Natalie.  I looked at you and I knew that I wanted to have you.  I didn't want to ask you out, because I was scared, and I had heard you already had a massive breakup.  But I want to be able to have the wonderful honour of being able to take you to our graduation."

I swallowed the fear in my throat and then said "I know.....I know."  He looks up at me and I kneel down beside him and then said "Cameron, I'm not gonna lie.  I did have a break up.  I get what it's like being scared when you're liking someone.  I was.....terrified when you came along.  I thought I was setting myself up for failure, and even if I do, I can't be bothered by being scared.  Cause I know that I only have one shot at a lot of things in life."

Cam looked up at me, glancing at my lips before he said "Well I hope I don't just have one shot at this."  He leaned in and kissed me and I immediately melted into the kiss as I felt Cam's arms wrap around my waist, holding me steady.  When he finally pulls away he then looks at me and says "So what do you wanna do?"

I smiled and said "Well considering I'm not with anyone, and considering I have no one to go with...."  I looked at him and giggled.  "I'm kidding with you about the stuff.  Yes.  I'd love to go with you to prom."