Chapter Seven: Nile
"How did you go from not playing a single game last school year to the school's hockey star?" The question rang out from a few of the guys from the hockey team. This school year we have a new coach and he wanted to meet a few of the guys from the team. So here we are in the old locker room everyone exchanging stories about our summer. Most of the guys were in the hockey camp but we all weren't on the same team so it's been an interesting summer hockey wise, to say the least.
"Austin did his thing this summer." Slapping me on the back Casey smiles before swallowing the weird green liquid in his bottle.
"I heard that stuff slows your boys down." Ace pointing to the bottle.
"Nothing can slow these boys down." Taking yet another sip from his bottle. The air in the locker room is stuffy at best but when you add fifteen guys and entirely too much sweat its almost inhumane.
"So Austin, are we going to see some of those skills this season?" Nodding I finish writing my name on the piece of tape Coach's assistant gave us and sticking it on my locker. It's still weird having all these people talk to me, let alone have them congratulating me. Trying not to be awkward I try to respond as best as I can. Truth is when you spend so much of your time trying not to be heard it's hard when people actually start listening. The volume in the locker room continued to rise as the conversation shifted from how much hockey we played to what girls they hooked up with. Never took much to distract teenage boys.
"Okay, gentlemen! On your feet." His voice boomed through the locker room before any of us could see him. "Let me see who my men are." Ever seen six-foot-something teenage boys stand tall? It's almost as though we take up too much room all at the same time.
"Not bad. Not bad. I was a little scared when I took this job but you lot look like beef and potatoes kind of men." The lean man with a beard that makes me feel insecure stood tall. His eyes examining each of us before smiling. "Boys it's going to be a good season! We start tryouts next week so If you spent the summer dicking around. I'd start putting in work."
"Wait we already have spots," Casey yells voicing what we were all thinking.
"Not on my team you don't. No one's position is guaranteed. It's all up for grabs." He continues to fill us in on protocols for the tryouts before heading towards the door. "Oh, by the way, get your names off of those lockers you haven't earned them yet." With that, he left.
" Did anyone even get that guy's name ?" Casey asks checking to make sure he was actually gone.
"It's going to be a hell of a season ladies." Ace yells. "Austin let's walk together." There it is again, being included. Choosing to stay quiet I grab my bag and rip the tape off the locker before following behind the rest of the guys. Last year I finished the rest of the school year being homeschooled because everyone feared it was too much too soon. Walking through these halls feels different for more reasons than I can count. At least now when people stared at me and whispered there were a number of things they could be talking about. None of which really mattered to me.
For the first time in a long time, I'm in a good place. I'm not scared to go home and I have a real family. There honestly is not much else I wanted or needed. Truth be told I never imagined I would be here but this was now my normal.
"Hi Nile."
"Uh hey, Sasha." Pushing herself in between me and Ace she stood by my side. Her heavily floral smell tickled my nose and I have no idea how she got so much of it on. Fighting the urges to cough I glance at her momentarily before focusing my attention ahead.
"I'm excited to cheer you on this year." She said. Proudly holding her gym bag up to show me the pom-poms attached to it. Nodding I keep walking towards my first period class. Luckily I don't have a homeroom so being here during zero period is not going to be a normal occurrence. My schedule this year is packed and for the first time I am happy that it still leaves room for me to help Uncle Mike out.
"Bro!" Jake yells from down the hall.
"I still can't get used to two Niles," Sasha said adjusting her shirt and hair. Introducing Jake to the rest of the guys he falls in with the rest of us. If she thinks she can't get used to it then she should try being me.
"Well Nile, I'll definitely be seeing you." Touching my arm lightly she maneuvers herself between me and Jake. Jake shakes his head before taking a step back.
"Why aren't you guys all over that?" Casey asked.
"I want no parts." Jake's response comes out quickly as though needing to make sure everyone knew what was up.
"With Woodside closing I'm guessing there's gonna be way more girls for the picking." I wonder if he hears himself when he talks. Shooting a text to Curly Sue I wait for the bell. The last time we saw each other was two days ago but when you grow used to seeing someone everyday it makes a difference.
"Austin you gonna tryout for captain?" Ace asks. Shrugging I pull the vibrating phone out of my pocket.
Meet me by 102?- Curly Sue
See you in 2 mins.
Leaving the guys I head down the hall. There is way too much excitement happening around me right now. The first day of school is probably the only time everyone is truly happy to be in this building. The rest of the time we're all in agreement that high school sucks. Rubbing my arm slightly I ignore the dull pain in my head.. Just one of the reminders that last year really did happen. Normally when I just stop for a bit it disappears but my constant movement seems to only be aggravating it.
"Hey!" Manny calls leaning against the wall by her homeroom. Stepping closer I take hold of her waist. Almost instinctively she steps closer to me. Her arms resting on my forearms. Moving her fingers lightly she stares at her moving fingers focusing on whatever pattern she's making.
"How long you been waiting?"
"Long enough to want a new boyfriend." Smiling up at me she looked into my eyes only for a brief moment before returning her focus to her fingers.
"Too bad that's not going to happen."
"Says who?" Releasing my hold on her waist I touch the collar of her shirt and don't miss the fact that the first two buttons are unbuttoned.
"Me."
"And who are you?" Standing up straighter she folded her arms. If this is supposed to make her look intimidating it was doing everything but. In fact, instead of wanting to back down I wanted to pull her back to me. Folded arms, unbuttoned shirt and way too much ammunition for my imagination. I'm not blind neither am I a saint. She's beautiful and definitely blessed.
"You really want to know ?" The shock registering on her face. Reaching out I try to grab hold of her hands but she evades my grasp. Moving further away she sticks her tongue out at me. "Do it again."
Hands planted firmly on her hips with challenge written all over her face. Damn it she's cute. Moving towards her the sharp pain in my head intensifies. Closing my eyes for a second I try to let the pain subside.
"Hey what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Keeping my eyes closed for just a little longer I lean against the wall. "I'm fine."
"Liar. What's wrong?"
"Shouldn't you two be in your second period? I would hate to give you detention" Grabbing my her hand I pull her behind me before either of us can get in trouble. Probably not the best way to start the school year. I keep walking pulling her behind me, I can feel her eyes burning a hole in my head. Once we were out of Miss. Thorne's line of vision her arm pulled me trying to make me stop. I don't.
"Where's your next class." I ask.
"What's wrong?"
" Not the question I asked curly sue." Pulling her hand out of my grasp she stops. Closing my eyes I try to calm my annoyance down. I know she means well but the constant worry, I can't handle it. I'm tired of everyone worrying about me. "I'm fine. Drop it." The words come
Her eyes search my face. Folding her arms once again she nods her head.
"Dropped. I'll see you later."
"Manny."
"Got class." Before I can get to her the bell rings signaling that we were late. I guess we'll argue later.