Song for the start of the chapter!
I gripped the metal railing and held tight as I looked out at the field in front of me. The air was getting cooler with the sun setting, but not cold enough for a coat. I could hear the roar of the crowd behind me as music blasted through the stadium, reminding me that I and the 100 other people were all here for the same reason, the opening Rugby game of the season.
This was my first school game and I don't think I had done something so exciting before. It was exhilarating as I fed on it, making me more excited than I already was. I tried to take in every second, even though I knew I would forget some moments, and that bothered me.
I looked around myself and smiled up at my parents, who were in the stands with Peter's parents. They waved down at me, no doubt trying to call me up to accompany them, but I had no plan on joining them up there tonight. I wanted to hang out with Farrah, but she was out with her new boyfriend, nowhere to be seen. She had been doing that a lot recently, and I wasn't a fan since she often was gone, leaving me alone.
Since Farrah left me, that meant I had to hang out with my parents by default. They were convinced that it wasn't safe for me to be on my own, but I was lucky enough to sneak off to the railing, telling them that I would be fine within eyesight. At least for a few minutes, I would not be the odd one hanging out with their parents.
"And here you go, ladies and gentlemen. The Rugby team of 2020!" a voice rang out over the intercom. At that moment, the team ran out onto the field and the crowd went wild and so did I.
My eyes scanned the team for Peter, wanting him to know that I was here in the front line and that I was totally invested in this new sport. Within seconds, I found his number and I screamed his name in excitement as I waved out to him, hoping to grab his attention.
He made eye contact with me and smiled at me with a wave as he went into a huddle with his team.
Breaking me from being that girlfriend was Farrah's voice. "Hey Clare! I want you to meet someone."
I looked at her with a smile, noticing the small hickey on the side of her neck. There she was and I had a good guess what she had been off doing. I wondered if she would stay around with me for a little or if she would be off with her boy toy for the rest of the night.
"This is Malik," Farrah said as she introduced her new 'friend' who was right beside her.
I smiled softly at him, trying to figure out why Farrah was interested in him, since I didn't find him handsome. "Hello." Now go away and leave my sister alone.
"Please to meet you, Clare. Farrah has told me so much about you," Malik said to me politely. He ran his hand through his dark hair as he talked.
"I hope good things." If she even told you about my cancer, I will tackle her right now. I forced a laugh at him as I looked nervously at Farrah to make sure she didn't tell too much.
She smiled at me as if to tell me she said nothing of importance.
"All good," he nodded and laughed with me, not catching my concern.
"Good," I said, and leaned over the rail to make sure I missed nothing more. I knew my sister and her boys, none of them ever lasted, and I don't know if it was worth talking to her new boy of the month. Anyhow, I imagine Farrah would whisk him away soon enough, since I was pretty sure she didn't want to be roped into watching me tonight. I always made an awful third wheel.
"You're into rugby?" he asked as he stood right beside me, trying to make conversation.
Oh boy, you're trying too hard. I looked at him for a second, amazed that he was still here. "Just got into this season. Are you into it?" I asked him.
"Yeah. I love it."
I looked at him and smiled politely, then turned my attention back to the field, not wanting to miss another minute of the game by talking to him.
Farrah gave a little cough, warning me that I was killing her mood, once again."Well, we should go, Malik," Farrah spoke up.
"Yes, it was so nice to meet you, Clare."
I nodded at him. Thank goodness you're leaving. "It was nice meeting you, as well. See you around." Not likely.
And with that, they both left. Before Farrah disappeared into the crowed, I winked at her, giving my stamp of approval. It wasn't the worst boyfriend that I met with her conquests. She smiled at me, then nodded. As much as I wanted to shout at him for taking away our time, I had to pretend that I was honestly happy for her.
By time half time came around, I took a seat back with my parents, too tired to stand up any longer. I still cheered on the team, but I felt like I had lost most of my energy and was feeling really worn out.
"Are you feeling ok Clare?" dad asked me when there were only 10 minutes left of the game.
I forced a smile that I almost believed myself. "Of course I am ok." In reality, I could feel my health declining quickly as the minute wore on.
He made a face, not believing me. "Somehow I don't believe that."
I pouted, feeling like my lying abilities had not been as strong as they used to be. Or maybe it was harder to hide what I was feeling now. "I'm just a little tired," I told him honestly.
"We can leave right now if you like."
I shook my head at him. "No, I want to be there for Peter after the game."
"He'll understand if you can't make it to the end."
I knew he would understand, but I didn't want to leave. This was my first game, and I didn't want the night to be over "No. I am staying till the end," I said firmly to him, not backing down.
He frowned at me, but didn't disagree as the rest of the game finished in a blink of an eye. Of course, our team won, don't ask me to retell the details because I still didn't understand the rules of the game. But then I saw the team rush onto the field in celebration. I couldn't help but feed into their excitement.
It took little convincing on my part to convince my parents to let me stay until Peter came out of the locker room. As I said my goodbyes to both sets of parents, I waited by the locker room, thinking about what I just witnessed.
I was shaking from excitement, and I felt like every bone in my body was vibrating with energy that I didn't have. I didn't think Peter could be so talented, but as I watched him play tonight; I realized he had a gift for rugby.
For being my first rugby game, it was obvious that I was hooked and was on a fast track to becoming the biggest fan the team ever knew. I had a smile plastered on my face. This night was so amazing and I wanted to tell Peter how good he did.
Breaking me from my joy was shouting coming from inside the locker. I watched as a few boys walked out of the locker room, casually throwing smiles to me, knowing that I was waiting on Peter.
The shouts only grew as more boys left, and just when I thought it couldn't get any louder, Peter and Robert burst out of the locker room in a full shouting match.
"This is your fault! You shouldn't even be here!" Robert yelled at Peter.
"I just wanted to play the game. I wasn't trying to attack you!" Peter shouted back.
The boys were unaware that I was close and consumed by fear; I backed myself into the corner between the locker room and school.
"But you ruined everything! In my senior year? I was going to get a scholarship! But you crushed my chances!" Robert said and threw a punch at Peter.
I saw his fist impact Peter's face, which caused Peter to stand staring at Robert, dazed for a second. Before Peter had time to react, Robert punch him in the gut causing Peter to cripple over.
I felt my eyes well up with tears as I stood, too scared to move. I let out a small scream, unsure what else to do, hoping it would distract them. However, it did nothing as Peter got up from the ground, ready to attack. Robert was just about to throw another punch when I found my voice. "Stop!" I shouted at them.
Robert stopped to look at me, as if only now realizing that I was here however Peter either didn't care or notice when he regain himself and threw a punch at Robert in the face. Robert took a few steps back, and Peter threw another punch, and then another.
Robert tried to swing again, but Peter dodged it, then threw another punch at Robert. It didn't matter if Peter had the upper hand; I didn't want to witness these two men battle it out to the death. "Please stop!" I yelled louder.
This time, Peter looked back at me and frowned with blood running down his nose, dripping onto his shirt. He looked messy but not as bad as Robert looked. "Don't Peter!" I begged.
He put down his fists, realizing what he was doing and who he was in the company of. He sighed and said, "Ok. I'm done with this Robert."
"I'm not done until I say we are." Robert threw one more punch at Peter which hit him in the side.
Peter grabbed his side in pain with a yell, but then turned around and pushed Robert hard enough to fall on his butt. "I say we are done." Peter said in a fierce voice that terrified me.
He turned to face me, ashamed as he wiped his bloody nose with one hand and with the other he held it out for me to take. I eyed it for a second, questioning if it was safe to go with him. What I just saw terrified me, and maybe it would be safer if I went home alone. "Please, Clare?" he asked, still holding out his hand.
I swallowed my fear and took his hand, knowing that it was still Peter that I was looking at, then walked away from the scene.
As we drove home in silence, my hands were still shaking but but this time not from excitement. Not wanting him to notice, I shoved them under my legs. My mind recounted what I witnessed, and it made me dizzy. Just when I thought I would have one perfect night, who was I kidding? Something was bound to happen.
As we pulled into the driveway, Peter sighed, breaking the silent drive. "Sorry you had to see that."
I looked at him and stayed silent for a minute, knowing that I said something to him I would break down in tears that I wouldn't be able to control. "I didn't think you would stop," I choked out finally, letting out the tears that I was holding back.
"Oh Clare." He pulled me into a hug, however I felt stiff in his arms, like it was like something foreign. "I'm so sorry. I just..." his voice trailed off as he tried to think of something to say to me.
"Robert threw the first punch," he tried to explain himself.
I sniffled as I pulled out of his hug. I nodded at him. I knew that. But what scared me the most is that for a minute, Peter lost control, and it didn't look like self-protection, it looked like something else. "I know he did. But I didn't know if it would stop. I was afraid you would get hurt, or Robert. I hated the whole situation. Please don't let something like that happen again." All I knew was that I could never see him like that. Not now, not ever again.
He nodded at me. "It won't. I promise."
I took a breath and let it out as I tried to regain myself. "Ok."
"Want to go in?"
I shook my head. My parents would notice my red face from crying. I didn't want them to ask questions. "Can we go on a walk instead?"
He nodded and got out of the car to open my door. "Yes, we can do that."
We walked down the road in silence again. "Tell me something you enjoyed about tonight." I was trying to make this situation better.
He looked at me for a minute and then gave a small smile. "That you were cheering me on in the crowd. I could feel your energy and that was my favorite thing about tonight," he said, grabbing my hand gently.
I looked at him and blushed, noticing his white shirt that had spots of blood on it. "What will your parents say about that shirt of yours?"
He frowned. "Let's hope they understand."
"You can use my nose bleed as an excuse."
He chuckled, finding humor in the statement. "Thanks for the offer but I feel like I should own up to what I did."