I wanted to start by saying all you people are so lovely and nice. I don't deserve you. I updated after so long and you all were thanking me?! I felt so embarrassed. Thank you for being patient with me. Seriously, I am so grateful.

new obsession song mentioned above :)

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{NOTE: This is a filler chapter. Feel free to skip if you like.} 

Dylan's POV:-

"Now now, off you go."

I look up from where I was sprawled over a chair. Max was blocking the doorway from Lia who was trying to peak past him into the room. We won the first match and got a free day next day so we decided to spend the night drinking. 

Luke and Alex were sent to get food and more booze. Ian and Julian were lounging on the couch in front of me.

"Lia, it's an 'All-Men Zone'. You can't join," we hear Max explaining.

"Let her in, Maxie," I call out. We all liked her, and if Lia and Luke got drunk and did stuff then who's to blame for some free entertainment.

"Things might get brutal. I can't possibly allow you as your elder brother. And we really need to celebrate our victory," Max goads to an annoyed Lia.

I start to get up when Ian shakes his head, "Don't bother, dude. It's an elder sibling thing to kick away the younger one. My brother rarely let me hang out with his group. He used to shut the door at my face all the time."

"I kinda feel bad for her," I bite my cheek. "She came with us and now we're ditching her."

"Yeah, but Max is evil and he's angry with her which makes him petty," Ian yawns, getting up. He joins the brother-sister pair at the door and coos, "Lia, don't you see, you are free to go out now. You can actually hook up with guys here. I promise, no one would say you were fraternizing with the enemies."

"That is my cookie," Julian accuses. I maintain eye-contact and bite into the cookie I found on the table. Julian tries to kick me but I block it and continue chewing.

We startle when the door closes with a loud slam. Ian shuffles to the bathroom, and Max joins us grumbling under his breath. 

"Wait, where's Lia?" Julian sits up.

"She left," Max dismisses.

Julian pouts, then stands up, "You guys finish my share. I think I'll head out and join Lia."

The instant spike of jealousy I feel, makes me frown in surprise.

"Don't be silly," Max frowns. "She probably went to sleep. Stay, we'll teach you how to get better at poker. Last time you lost so much."

Julian laughs but he picks up his jacket, "Next time, Max. I'll get going. Bye."

I watch and I could not help but feel like he chose Lia over me. My brain wanted to stop him from leaving but I knew I had no right. When Alex and Luke come back I eat quicker than I should and drink more than my body could keep up.

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"Fuck," I slap a hand over my nose when someone passes by with a coffee cup full of whiskey. The party we were invited to was boring as fuck. It was a high-class dinner party that some boy, who was beyond school teams rivalry, organized.

My eyes drift to Julian. I know he and Lia also went out drinking cause I saw Lia today and she was pale as a ghost. But somehow Julian was downing shots like they were water and socializing with so many people. My hangover was still making it difficult for me to do anything. Just thinking of whiskey made me wanna puke my guts out.

To divert my brain I shove more food in my mouth and make small talk with some guys from Blue Valley. They were nice so I guess not the whole school is horrible. 

......................................

"You okay?"

Julian looks up and plasters a fake smile on his face and nods. I sigh and sit down next to him on the bench. My legs had immediately taken me to him when I saw him sitting alone, hair miserably dripping water from the shower and pulling on his socks with sad little sighs and pouts.

"You don't have to be afraid," I say softly.

His smile falters but he huffs, "I'm not afraid. Why would I be? I'm fine, Dylan."

"Hey, you know right, that I'll be there on the field with you." Julian's smile drops on hearing my serious tone. "Monkey, I swear nothing will happen to you as long as I'm there."

"Dylan-"

"DYLAN!!"

I turn around in surprise, and see Max motioning me to go to Coach immediately. I turn, "Julian, look-"

"Dylan, now!" Max snaps, his voice sharp above the quiet locker room. "Coach has few changes in plan."

Grumbling, I get up and shove my way through the team towards Coach. When I return I see Julian talking rapidly to Lia.

I ignore the stuffy feeling, that I know is jealousy, and convey to Collin Coach's plans about tightening our defense. Collin gives his own input but my mind keep drifting back to Julian and how he had no guards in front of Lia.

It bugged me way more than I thought because he chose to tell of his nerves to Lia. At breakfast, I knew he was putting on an act and whining that he's out of underwear. Ian had jokingly suggested him to borrow Lia's and Julian used it as an excuse to instantly run to her. 

Lia takes the top spot in his life. Which is cool, absolutely okay. I would never want such a huge responsibility, not that he would give it to me but..... BUT 

It made me angry. It made me sad. It made me everything I should not be.

I try to ignore it but the feeling returns tenfold, when in the game Julian scores. It was made in the last second of the match, when we all thought the game was lost. I could not even reach him because everyone on our team crowded around him yelling and hugging the hell out of him. 

We return to the locker room to change and Julian seeks out Lia first. When Coach settles us down for our after match meeting I see Julian holding Lia's hand and squeezing it. 

I silently wonder how bad I have fucked up, and if I could still take that position in Julian's life. 

And then as if my brain wasn't already fucking me up, Luke decides to drive the final nail by saying he's leaving.

Lia and Julian join us as Luke says, "...And the team made it to finals, so you all will be staying here longer. My mother told me that, I should catch the evening bus today, and come back, since I'm not playing."

"Nooo..." Lia howls before anyone could react. We all look at her amused.

"I-I mean," Lia gulps. "I think he should stay back. I talked to him and found out, he's an interesting guy. Plus he's a good company in the bleachers. So.." 

"Did you hit your head anywhere today?" Max asks in genuine concern. We snicker at Lia's flushed face. Max ignores her and frowns at Luke, "Bro, you got to stay."

"Yes! It's an unreasonable demand from Jane," Ian protests.

Sure, a mother asking her own child to return home is unreasonable, I think dryly. But my mind kept racing to find ways to get Luke to stay back.

"You can't just go alone. Sir, he can't go alone," Alex turns to Coach. "He's helpless, and will get robbed and beaten in the bus. He's like a small baby who needs constant care and attention."

Luke gives him a 'What-the-fuck' look.

"Luke," Coach finally says to him. "If your mother wants, you can go. I'll drop you at the bus stand. But personally, I think you should stay."

"See! The Coach wants you to stay!" I point out eagerly.

Coach frowns, "I said-"

"Where is your phone?" I ask impatiently and fish out Luke's phone from his back pocket. "I'll talk to Jane. We are not letting you go." 

I know Luke has his mother on speed-dial and quickly call Jane.

Jane picks up on the second ring, "Luke, stop badgering me. Come home-"

"Jane, this is Dylan. Hi!"

"Oh. Hey, sweetheart," Jane greets back. I instantly smile and melt a little.

"Jane you love me, right?"

"Wuh? Uh, yes child.. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, yes. But if you love me, you have to let Luke stay. Please, Jane. Please let him stay," I am begging but I never really try to be tough in front of Jane.

She sighs on the other end, "Dylan, we have to go to a wedding. It's important and the only reason we let Luke go was because he fought with both of us." I blink, hearing this for the first time. 

"I-I didn't know," I stammer.

"It's okay. We weren't really mad and we understand it's his final year and everything. But now that he's not even playing we would really like for him to join us. We won't be here and he'll have to come back to an empty house."

"He can stay with me! Or Max! Jane honestly that's the last thing you need to worry about. But please let him stay. We all really wish for him to. Like you said it's our last year. Who knows when we'll get another chance to get together like this."

It's quiet for a while and I bite my lip in anticipation. When I hear Jane's long drawn out sigh, I grin.

"Ugh, I shouldn't have picked up the phone, or hung up when I heard it was you. You're a cunning little devil," Jane scolds. "I can't say no to you, kid... Fine. Just take care of him for me, okay?"

"Always. You're the best!"

Jane laughs and tells me to go away. I return to the group with a triumphant smile.

"There you go," I say smugly, tossing Luke his phone back. "Jane says you can stay. You're welcome," I finish with a wink. We huddle around Luke happily, shoving and smacking him. Luke finally allows himself a boyish smile and gratefully nods in my direction.

"Sap," I mouth at him.

...................................

The other day I was telling my friend/wife how I could not open my laptop because I had to go to the bank. When I started writing I was so free and responsibility-less (college days). Now the story continues but I have to do adult stuff. Which is also how I tell you all I got a job. 

Wish I could say it's a writing job but I'm an engineer, sadly. Didn't wanna do it, but parents forced me cuz its money and job fetching field. Still writing is my love and I will keep writing. Thank you for supporting me. 

Dms are open if you guys wanna talk to me :)

Hope you liked this update!!

Will make the next update better <3