13 Chapter 12 – Proving My Worth
Anxiously stood behind the cage surrounding the school pitch, my hand wearily encloses around the wire whilst I carefully rest my head against the cage and breathe in some much needed H2O; Resigning myself towards my unavoidable brief return to the unforgiving, soul-destroying sport known as 5 a side football. The increasingly incessant orders bellowed from our beloved School Captain Scott towards his team (who seem to be missing a player), is tainted with an unpleasant familiarity.....I truly hadn't missed his win at all costs attitude.
"Oh Shit Scott look it's that loner freak, the one with the suspiciously recurring stomach aches during PE sessions. I'm in such a giving mood I'll even allow this footballing maestro to join your team, no matter how unfair he makes the teams!!"
That overly confident A-hole snidely grinning like a constipated hyena is Alex...Something.....I prefer not to acknowledge any evidence in relation to his meaningless existence and therefore never cared to learn his last name. In this school's infinite wisdom, Alex's sporting ability as opposed to his wonderfully endearing personality, sadly alluded towards an entitled popularity status, (yeah go figure).
Alex's friends were busy whooping and hollering at his apparently hilarious comment; However Scott remained unwavering silently staring towards me deep in thought, whilst the wind whisked through his silky-smooth golden locks. For a split second (missed by everyone except myself) his lips pursed into a knowing smile before disappearing as quickly as it had appeared, whereupon he motioned towards me to enter the cage.
"Shimon joins my team and we start from 0-0. That OK Alex my boy??"
The unexpectedly confident tone purveyed by Scott clearly annoyed Alex as he swore under his breath and quickly began barking orders to his team. For roughly two years myself and Scott trained together on Saturday morning's, seamlessly combining in tandem to annihilate any and all opposition, (Scott, Rea, Eve and Joe are the only people in school who know). Being a naturally gifted midfielder able to slice defences open, (particularly with a phenomenal striker like Scott playing just in-front of me), I quickly earned the name Zizou (after the legendary Zinedine Zidane). Sadly I hadn't played football in years and though my occasional morning routine of push-ups and a weekend jog with Eve maintained feasible stamina levels, a seriously hard-fought match was an altogether different kettle of fish...To say this wouldn't be easy would be the understatement of the century.
All things said and done; For the very first time in my life I was aiming to persevere towards goals beyond my own selfish conjectures and therefore I absolutely couldn't afford to fail. Just prior to kick-off, Scott turned towards me and whispered into my ear, "Let's see if you still live up to your old nickname Zizou."
Choosing not to acknowledge Scott's obvious provocation, I instead imagined myself joyfully celebrating once this was all over. Visualising your goal is one step towards accomplishing them and regardless of my own inhibitions I refused to fail Eve again. Momentarily closing my eyes whilst tightly clenching my fists, I began feeling the adrenaline pump through my veins as I forced myself into a fight or flight situation...When push comes to shove no longer will I cowardly back down, I'll stand up and be counted.
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3-3 with a minute to go and to say I had nothing left in the tank was an understatement, Eve's previous sarcastic quips regarding my declining stamina definitely weren't baseless.
"ZIZOU HEAD IN THE FUCKING GAME!!!!!!!"
Scott screamed towards me whilst tirelessly running into space. Coolly placing my foot above the ball, I narrowed my eyes towards the area he'd eventually be and begun filling my lungs with the cold harsh air in deep preparation. One of Alex's friends saw my current intentions as he desperately ran to close me down. However the side of my lips pursed into a wry smile as in one slick move; I confidently dragged the ball to the side before flawlessly slamming it towards the desired destination allowing Scott to finish with aplomb. As soon as we scored the ref blew the final whistle whereupon I mustered enough energy to silently raise my fist in victory....WE FUCKING DID IT!!!!
Unable to hear my own thoughts over my team's inaudible cries of victory; I wearily hunched over with my hand across the wired fence, desperately aiming to relieve some of the lactic acid build-up. However my momentary respite didn't last as a strong pair of hands callously grabbed me and flung me hard against the fence, instantly winding me as a sharp pain surged directly through my body.
"You think your good now because you got lucky having Scott on your team????? Do you know WHO I FUCKING AM!!!!!!!!"
Alex's arrogant rant barely lasted a few seconds as all of a sudden Scott grabbed him around his waist and effortlessly launched him across the pitch, silently meeting Alex's gaze as he lay sprawled out across the ground. Alex thought better then tangling with an infuriated Scott as he picked himself up, before shamefully spitting on the ground and motioning for his friends to follow him off. The remnants of an apparently hilarious joke (most likely at my expense), by Alex and his friends carried on the tailwinds of the cool breeze as they strutted fervently towards the school building. Meanwhile our team-mates came over to congratulate the two of us before Scott motioned to give us some space, a questioning look present across his face as he gazed towards me:
"I see you haven't completely abandoned your old skills then Shimon?"
"Don't think I'm here for a catch up session with an old friend Scott...I take it you heard what happened to Mia??" Scott's usual calm features took an instant nosedive as his cheeks turned an embarrassing shade of red.
"Yeah I heard.....I mean I haven't heard all the details exactly....Tell Eve...I'm sorry." Scott avoided my gaze staring sheepishly towards the floor, a far cry from the vicious captain who man-handled Alex just a few moments ago. Scott, Mia and Eve are all Student Council members and therefore I fully expected him to know.
"Your the boy's Student Council President Scott.....Saying sorry isn't good enough." Scott let out an exasperated sigh before angrily narrowing his gaze towards me, my unyielding convictions would count for nothing against Scott's overwhelming physical prowess. Nervously gulping I took a few steps back as Scott silently followed my movements with his frighteningly unwavering gaze.
"What would you have me do Shimon??? For one I don't own Ronnie and two I'm not going to turn in my own friends am I?"
"So what the hell is Mia??? Standing around and choosing to do nothing makes you just as culpable as your so called friends." Scott's expression softened, inhaling and then exhaling a huge breath whilst staring pensively towards the floor. Taking two bottles of orange juice out of my jacket, I carefully threw one to Scott who nodded his thanks.
"Ronnie and her friends tried to do a number on Eve at school the other day.....I won't let anyone hurt my sister no matter what." Scott's lips pursed into a wry smile as he quickly closed his bottle before heartily chortling to himself.
"Funny how circumstances change eh Shimon?? Eve told me how you spent years ignoring her and now suddenly your her eternal protector??"
The power dynamic between the two of us suddenly shifted, as I now found myself staring sheepishly towards the floor. Scott was rightfully questioning the sincerity of my actions due to my seemingly instantaneous attitude shift in regards to Eve, however my intentions were pure and therefore couldn't be perturbed.
"We all make mistakes Scott....I've just learnt from them.....I don't expect you to make the same mistakes I did." Scott nodded his head in silent approval as I suddenly felt the familiar vibrations of my phone in my pocket, however lacked the conviction to check who it was.
"Your confident tone of voice seems to suggest you have a plan, am I right Shimon?"
"Nothing concrete as of yet; However you, me and Eve can discuss a possible solution at Veno's tomorrow after school."
Wearily placing my jacket around my aching shoulders, I grabbed my bag and began slowly ambling towards the school gates. I have the feeling I'm forgetting something important, wasn't I supposed to go somewhere?? I couldn't remember for the life of me.
"Hey Shimon.....Perhaps in a different time and place, Shimon Creed and Scott Taylor could have been friends." Scott's outlandish comment caused me to stop in my tracks as I began loudly chuckling to myself.
"In all of the infinitely possible universes and realities, past present and future. There isn't even the slightest infinitesimal possibility whereby you and me are considered friends...And trust me, there never will be."
The faintest hint of a sarcastic guffaw was audible on the passing wind as I finally made my way over to the school gates. Though my own and Scott's methodologies maybe similar: Our social standings, personal goals, (temperament apparently) and most importantly our valuations of people and various aspects of life in general, were far too dissimilar for us to ever be considered more than basic acquaintances.
Suddenly remembering the message from earlier I finally decided to check my phone, a wave of anxiety washing over me upon seeing the name Reagan Sparks:
[I waited for ages outside but someone didn't show up....Mr Creed!!!! Luckily for you I met Eve and she explained everything that happened. However that's no excuse for not informing me and therefore you're taking me out tomorrow....No excuses :)]
The sinister tone to her message sent shivers tingling down my spine, I guess I have no choice but to make it a double date tomorrow at Veno's. Languidly slipping my phone back into my pocket whilst letting out an exasperated sigh; At the very least it's literally impossible for tomorrow to become any more complicated......Or so I thought.
