30th September

"You're such an idiot," I snap.

"Right, like you're Alberta Einstein," he mocks.

"It was a simple goal, Walsh," I deadpan.

"In what world is dodging three defenders simultaneously simple?!" He cries in exasperation.

"I was right there! You should've made the fucking pass!"

"I was surrou-"

"Enough!" A sharp voice booms and I cringe. Coach Reed glares at us and we immediately shut up. "You are not kids anymore. Grow up!"

"But-"

"No buts, Eleanor. Both of you, take a five to cool down and get back on the field. GO!"

I huff and stomp towards the bleachers where Roman is sitting. He's my brother, but still looks like Hulk's cousin twice removed. Very unlike me. I am like five foot five and he is already six feet. And to think he's only a year younger than me.

"Water?" He smirks, throwing the sipper to me. I catch it and thirstily drink some. I make sure to not overdo it. I want to be able to practice without having to feel that slush of water moving in my stomach at every move.

"I see practice is going well," he teases. I glower at him.

"Don't test me," I growl.

"Adrian really gets on your nerves, doesn't he?"

"That guy has a death wish," I mumble.

"When are you guys going to let it go?"

"He replaced me with a hoagie-eating monster at the first chance he got. So, never."

"He is a boy, Ellie. He needed more of his kind to make him feel normal."

"Basically, I wasn't good enough."

"You also hadn't started to high school then."

"So? You're telling me that when you should make new friends and forget old ones?"

"I didn't say that," he sighs.

"He could've stayed in touch but he chose to ignore me."

"Eleanor, boys are a little dense," he says. "He probably didn't even realize it."

"How can you not realize that you're blowing off your best friend?!" I snap.

"God, I give up."

"Good." I breathe.

"Just try to-"

"Not another peep, Roman."

"Fine," he grumbles.

"I'm sorry." I sigh. "I didn't mean to snap."

"It's okay." He smiles easily and I kiss his cheek. He pretends to be disgusted and wipes at it furiously. I laugh. I love him. We aren't much far apart so we're basically twins. We are very close.

"They're looking!" He protests.

"So?"

"You'll ruin my hall cred, Ellie."

"If anything, I just bumped it up a notch, you bug."

"Is that how you express your gratitude towards your confidant and brother?"

"Shut up," I roll my eyes and he chuckles.

"Back on the field!" Coach Reed shouts. I throw my sipper back to Roman and jog back to the field, joining the semi-circle around Coach. I stand beside Jordan who gives me an amused smile in greeting. I smile back as I let my eyes wander. They land on those familiar bright forest green ones and my gaze hardens as I glare at him. He responds immediately, glaring back.

It's going to be a long afternoon.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"That cheating, disloyal, good-for-nothing piece of shit!" I scream in frustration. 

The car doesn't waver even a fraction at the sudden outburst. Roman has gotten too used to me venting out after practice.

"He thinks he's a God doesn't he?" I continue. "Well, news flash, Walsh! A set of six-packs and messed-up blonde hair do not make you a God. Those green eyes do not work for me either! Who the fuck does he think he is? Conceited, arroga-"

"Are you sure this isn't because of your crush on him?" Roman interrupts with a secretive smile.

"I. Don't. Have. A. Crush. On. That. Fuckface!" I grit out, hating the look on his face.

"Well, you did." He smirks at me.

"Note the past tense. And eyes on the road!"

"Well . . . " He obliges.

"Roman, sweetheart," I smile a fake sweet smile, "For the last time. My feelings for him died when he made me realize how replaceable I was to him."

"Taco Bell?" He changed the topic.

"I want to eat pizza," I sigh, drinking water.

In case you missed it, I had a terrible practice. Like always. I wonder how our team manages official games with Adrian and I always ready to rip each other's throats out. Roman always stays back to watch practice. Mostly because his debate team meeting ends an hour before we're let off. We drive back together. He also has to bring up Adrian and I at least once a week on our drives.

"You know, he probably liked you too," Roman says as we open the boxed of pizzas in the back of the car. I ignore the flutter in my stomach.

"Right," I scoff. "That would explain why he's a fuckboy." I blow on my pizza and take a huge ass bite, distracting myself with its delicious flavor.

"I'm serious." He says. I feel the heat creep up my cheeks despite my best efforts. "And he doesn't do that anymore."

The last line makes my blood boil again. Didn't look like that at lunch when he had Valerie on his lap.

"Roman, I really don't want to hear it. I'm fucking exhausted and I'm famished. Save this for some time else." I manage to say tiredly. "Or better yet, forget it. I really don't mind."

He simpers at me but drops it nonetheless.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *