[Complete] Ariel and the Bandits

35 - When You're Ready

This year's Super Bowl is in Chicago. The burst of confetti and the loud victory cheers aren't for us. The Bandits are silent in their defeat. I slowly walk over to Washington Goldfinch's QB and give him a congratulatory embrace. The media surrounds us like a white blood cells fighting an illness.

When I let go of him and step away, the media remains the focus on him. I catch up to the guys whose faces express distaste and defeat. Liam shakes my shoulder before slinging his arm around my neck.

As I said before, "ready" really is a strange word. People in sports can be ready for a game and still not win. Nobody is ever ready for loss.

I guess that's a good thing. It tells me that by nature, people are optimistic-- always hoping for the best. Or maybe we're not. Maybe all we're really doing is trying to avoid the pain that comes with loss. But pain is life's way of saying I'm not okay now, but I will be later.

And this was kinda painful.

The locker room is quiet. Anyone who speaks, speaks in low tones and avoids speaking about our game.

Once we change, pack up our stuff and exit the room, we stand outside for a minute just to talk.

"You know I made a bet with my brother over this game," Luke says. "Guess I'll be rocking a buzz cut soon."

"Well if you go, let me know. I've been meaning to get a haircut." I say. My hair has grown longer than I usually allow it to. Just the other day Naz managed to place part of my hair in a tiny little man bun so we could do facials.

"I want to know why your brother rooted against you," Jake says.

"I actually like your hair like that," Liam says to me. "It looks good."

Luke and Jake nod in agreement.

"I like it too." Ariel's voice startles us. We turn to see Ariel, Uriel, and Elvi.

"It's kinda 90's heartthrob. But the 90's style is making its comeback." Elvi side-hugs me and ruffles my hair.

I look at Ariel before looking away. I rub the back of my neck.

"Oh he's nervous," Liam loudly whispers.

My face feels hot. I am more embarrassed than nervous. If Ariel saw that trainwreck of a game, I'm sure she had thoughts about what we could have done better. Or maybe she knew we needed her out on that field. Would she then feel guilty for not being able to play?

Then my thoughts snap to concern. "Are you even cleared to fly on a plane?"

"No she isn't but seeing that the game was only halfway across the country, she made us take an Amtrak," Elvi answers.

"I was definitely expecting to see a murder mystery," Ariel smiles.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you were the murderer," Uriel mutters.

"What was that?" Ariel turns to her brother.

Uriel looks at me with pleading eyes. "I can't tell if she actually didn't hear me or is challenging me to repeat myself."

"Oh it's definitely a challenge," I answer. "If you respond you might have to consider yourself the victim of that murder mystery."

"Well I figured since we're in Chicago, I'd pay a visit to a couple of college friends so I'll see you guys back at the hotel. Have a safe flight home Oliver." Liam salutes his goodbye.

Luke nudges Jake. Jake then gestures to Uriel and Elvi to walk ahead with them. Ariel and I prolong getting to the parking lot, walking at turtle speed.