Chapter Fourteen: Nevermore

M A X

I was running late. Dammit.

The school parking lot is full of cars, students, parents, and teachers filigree up their space. Light illuminates overhead, from the floodlights, guiding me to the back of the school building where the soccer field is. After locking my car, I tug on my blue jacket (I duh through all the ball for something that notched the school colours) and start walking.

Next to me, Zahra is quiet. Ahead of us, Luke walks silently, stalking the shadows like the grim reaper.

It's partially their fault I missed the majority of the first half of the game. The three of us came together (Camilla and Alec couldn't make it) for the game, and on the way, Luke let it slip that I knew Argent. Zahra demanded that I pull over and give her an explanation. Generally, I would've ignored my best friend's theatrics, but I owed her this much information.

Half an hour later, and I was speeding through the streets in my car, Luke, and Zahra silent throughout the way. I didn't blame either of them. Luke felt bad for blurting out the truth, but I couldn't get a read on Zahra. Now, walking next to me, she still hasn't said a word, her face deep in concentration. My heart sank. She only knew that Argent tutored me. How would she react if she knew I liked him?

We get to the bleachers, and it's characteristically crowded. The atmosphere abuzz with energy, cheers disappearing into the night as the game occurs below. I spot Argent on the field instantly, the ball in his grip as he makes a run, number 10 visible in bold white on his back. Several other familiar faces cross my vision, and my stomach churns when I spot Anas in his blue, number seven Jersey.

I glance at Zahra. "Z, look ..."

Her gaze is devoid of emotion. "I'm not mad, Max if that's what you think. Only confused. Just ... just give me a moment to process this."

I nod. It's good enough for me.

"Yo, Max! Get your butt down!" Luke is already climbing the bleachers and taking a seat. He oats the empty metal spot next to him, and to my luck – it's Charlotte Hemsworth sitting by the empty space. Of course, I'd only find a place near Argent's best friends. I take a deep breath and exchange a look with Zahra. She shrugs.

Let's get this over with.

I rub my sweaty palms on my jeans as I sit next to Charlotte, my heart lurching in my throat. She's not looking my way, too focused on the game as she jumps up and down. On her other side, I see Argent's geeky friend James trying to make Charlotte sit still. Argent told me James usually misses the games but tonight – tonight is a big one.

"I forgot how cutthroat these games are," Luke says on my left, a grin on his face. "The team is looking awesome on the field. But coach is concentrating too much on defence."

My gaze drifts up to the scoreboard. 1-0. Home team winning but not by much.

"I can believe you're at a high school game," Zahra deadpans.

Luke gives her an affronted look. "You know our school only ever cared about soccer. They drilled it into our heads that the game was most important."

Zahra shakes her head. "You say that like it's a good thing."

"Fuck!" Luke swears, his attention on the field.

We turn to the game below. Purple shirts running with the ball, making a gateway. My heart drums in my chest. Thornfalls are close to the goal. None of our defenders can get through the train of strikers. They're moving. Our goalkeeper, Jack is ready and when the ball is shot - in that nail-biting moment the crowd quietens. Holds their breath. Oscar Woods releases the ball. And Jack saves it by a minuscule.

Our side yells in victory. So fucking close.

The referee blows his whistle for halftime. 1-0. We're still leading.

The stands begin to clear out as families make their way to the snack tables. The players exit the field, pulling their t-shirts over their heads and tossing water over their hair. I see Argent amongst the blue and purple sea of boys, pulling up the bottom of his jersey to wipe his forehead. Safe to say, I'm hypnotised by the lines of smooth, lean muscle on his torso. His tanned skin, and hard planes. Sweat dots his skin, and his white hair is a mess, but somehow, the combination of that, makes him look hotter.

Argent looks ups and my pulse roars in my ears when his gaze meets mine. He grins, probably from catching me looking, his hazel gaze intense. I roll my eyes but smile back, with a small wave. His friends catch up to him, and I turn away, suddenly thirsty. Thankfully, Luke and Zahra haven't noticed our little exchange, too busy discussing the game.

"Damn, man," Zahra releases a sharp breath. "That was nearly in."

"Yeah," I swallow, my eyes focused on Argent.

"Rays is doing a good job as captain," Luke comments.

I look over at him and Zahra. My best friend doesn't say a word.

"Argent is really good," The response comes from my other side, and I realise Charlotte Hemsworth is talking to me. She gives me a friendly smile, brown eyes earnest.

"Yes, he is," I agree.

"Charlie. Nice to meet you," she holds out her hand. I stare at it for a second. She has bright yellow manicured nails like a summer sun and lots of colourful bracelets on her dark-skinned wrist.

"Max Ryder," I shake her hand warily.

"I know," she grins, all white teeth. "Argent tutors you, right?"

I blink. "You know?"

She laughs, gesturing to the geeky boy next to her. "James here saw you two studying at the library. He's always been quiet, so excuse him for being antisocial."

I nod. James looks over, his green eyes widening behind large, framed glasses. I notice he has a book on his lap and is dressed formally in a crisp white shirt and dark slacks. His blond hair is combed to the side in a neat path, making him look like a sports commentator for the EPL rather than an onlooker at a high school soccer game.

"Hi," he offers meekly.

"Hey," I tip my head.

"I'm getting something to eat. Max, you coming?" Zahra asks me.

"Yeah, let's go," I stand up, offering a small smile at Charlie. "It was nice meeting you. I see why Arge is best friends with you."

"And I see why he likes you," Charlie lowers her voice as she says this.

I step back, my cheeks heating up. "Not true."

Zahra gives me a curious look when I catch up to her.

"Was that ...?"

"Argent's best friends? Yeah."

"Huh."

We get to the stall selling food. Zahra orders herself a corn dog, and I take a packet of pretzels with a can of coke. Luke walks off, finding a couple of his friends. Or making new friends. With Luke, it's hard to tell, he's always been more socially inept than I. Zahra and I head back to the bleachers, munching on our snacks. Milton is climbing down the stairs as we pass, paper in his hands, pen in his mouth and money jutting from the pocket of his shorts.

"Hey, Max," Milton grins, uncapping the pen with his teeth. When he starts speaking, his words come out in a rush of breath. "Zahra. Interested in putting some dollars down? I have a nice one going for a draw. What do you girls say? One all?"

Zahra glances at me, and we're wearing identical frowns. "Um..."

"Ten dollars, for a draw," Milton goes on. His eyes dilate as he starts mumbling incoherent calculations. And then he's scribbling down numbers on his notepad, black ink scrawling across white paper. "Unless, of course, you're betting on a win. I'd say our side has a higher chance statistically, but not by much. And then there's –"

I clench my jaw. "Milton, we're not interested."

"Huh?" He looks up, shoulders bunching and shaggy blonde hair falling across his glasses. "Why not? This is a big game. Lots of money."

"Not interested," Zahra repeats.

"But –"

"Hey, Milton," Another voice interrupts, and this time it's a girl.

Tori Rays. Of course.

Argent's infamous soccer-playing sister.

She's dressed in her school uniform, powder blue t-shirt and white shorts, and she's even wearing her cleats. Brown hair tied in two plants on either side of her face, her cheeks smeared with paint. Unlike Rouge, Tori doesn't look much like Argent, her eyes are softer, innocent, and there's a youngish look on her face. Whereas Argent is all hardened edges and cold stares.

But that's what makes him hot, I think. That sharp jaw, burning hazel gaze, slight smile. It makes up the Argent I know and like.

"Sorry, we're you here to bet as well?" Tori creases her brows in a way so achingly similar to Argent.

Milton sniffs. "Unfortunately not."

"Well," Zahra says when we leave them to find our seats. "Fort his friend and now his family.

Argent isn't just tutoring you, is he?"

The pretzel I'm chewing on lodges in my throat. I swallow hard before speaking.

"No," I get out, unable to meet Zahra's gaze. "He's more than a tutor."

"Y'all are friends?" She says in disbelief, studying me. When I look back at Z, her dark eyes narrow. "You like him, Max!"

I duck my head, mumbling, "Yes."

"Fuck!" She swears and then some in Arabic. "Of all people Max. It had to be Argent."

I shrug, my gaze on my pretzel. "He's good in math. And then ... well, it sorta just ... happened, I guess. I didn't mean to fall for him."

Zahra nods a couple of times and rubs her hands on her leather pants. "Okay, okay. So that's a thing now. You and Argent."

"You're not mad?" I wince.

"I am, definitely," her laugh is dry and humourless. "But c'mon, Max. You haven't liked a boy in forever! And I mean if you're really into him I can kinda be happy for you. Right? That's what best friends do."

I grin, throwing my arm around her shoulders. "The fact that you didn't yell at me in front of everyone is more than enough."

Zahra scoffs. "Does this seem like some juvenile high school drama to you?"

"Yeah, pretty much."