Chapter 43

Everyone used to crave being older. As a little kid you always wanted to be 10, get into the double digits. Then you want to 13, finally a teenager. And then as a teenager you crave becoming an adult, hitting 18. But then it gets slow from there, there's nothing more to look forward to. No more hopes of freedom or respect, just responsibilities, stress, decisions, and life will be dull at some moments. That's life.

As a little girl I always wanted to become an adult. I was one of those whack kids that actually watched the news, was into politics, and already planned who I would vote for in an election even though I was two elections early. I was eager to become eighteen, I thought I would finally have more freedom. But then my parents died and I couldn't look forward to freedom anymore, with all the responsibilities being thrown in my face at once. But they were also thrown at Nathan. I was pronounced under his custody until I turned eighteen, and well now I am.

But I don't feel free or anything like that.

I can sense the responsibilities preparing to attack me.

"Happy Birthday!" Spencer and Lily yell eagerly to me, the person still three quarters asleep.

"Yay....." I pump my fist up in the air, giving them a tired look. "Thanks guys."

"Jess you're eighteen!" Lily happily cheers hopping on the spot beside me on my bed.

Spencer places the delicious looking chocolate cake on my bed side table. "Yea she is, so technically our relationship isn't weird anymore."

"I never thought it was weird in the first place." I frown at him.

"Oh no that's not what I meant," Spencer quickly denies, sitting on the spot beside Lily, and grabs my hands. "What I meant was-"

I giggle and ruffle his already messy hair. "I know what you meant Spence. I was a minor and you are eighteen."

"And now you're eighteen." He smiles and pulls me in for kiss, ignoring my most likely gag worthy morning breath.

My eyes flutter open as he stares at me.

"Happy Birthday kitten." Spencer gives me the smile I once told him I thought was perfect. And it really is.

"Why thank you." I smile back at him.

"I'm with Nathan on this one, yuck." Lily spits out as she sits beside us, her six year old eyes not liking the moment.

I laugh. "Did he tell you when he is coming today?"

  Now yes, normally for a soccer game Nathan would have to come just to watch the soccer game, but this is obviously different. And for a dozen of reasons.

"I think he is picking me up from school." Lily jumps off my bed, showcasing her clothes she already changed into for school.

Speaking of school, Spencer, the rest of the team, and I all get the day off. But with a little catch. Coach is making us all go to a practice at 8:15 this morning, though I don't think it will be too much. He wouldn't want us to be tired or sore right before a big game, especially one against SouthWood High.

"Okay, so you will be watching too?" I smile at her.

"Duh." She smiles back at me, showing off the gaps in her teeth where some of her first baby teeth have fallen out.

"So I see you're ready for school." I motion to her adorable outfit.

"Yep!" She squeals jumping up and down. "Spencer chose the outfit."

I giggle, looking once again at her small track pants, just like the ones I wear, and the traditional sporty sweater. "I can tell."

Spencer lovingly grins at me as I place a kiss on his cheek.

"Oh oh! Can you open your presents now! I'll go get them!" Lily rushes out, getting off my bed.

She's about to run away out of my room, but Spencer stops her by carefully lifting her up off the ground and onto the bed again.

And right now I don't even have to worry about him making fun of me for ogling at his arm muscles, because that's just how close we are. We might've just had our three month dating anniversary, but it really has been longer than that. We've known each other about nine months now, and we probably know more about each other than we know about ourselves.

"Oh no you don't little flower." Spencer laughs as Lily and I giggle. "This beautiful big grown up flower, as known as your sister, has to wait until after the victory party to get her presents."

I would usually gush if Spencer calls me a beautiful big grown up flower, I know right, aren't I odd? But this stirs up the pot in the pit of my stomach.

Beautiful big flower.

  The name I called mature Lily ten years into the future, at my possible wedding. But all in all that could just be some freaky dream I had. But then again it just so happened this morning, the day of the game that will lead to certain persons fame.

I roll my eyes,  not only at Spencer saying I will have to be patient. "I see your future prediction now...... NorthWood High creams SouthWood High with a whopping score of 5-0."

I use all the fancy hand signals and commentator voice.

"You bet, and the only way we will achieve that awesome score is by practicing, which we have to go do in...." He peers over at my clock. "In twenty five minutes."

"That means we have to get Lily to school in less than ten minutes." I make an unimpressed face. "Thanks for the heads up."

"We just didn't want to walk you up, you looked so peaceful." Spencer fakes his innocence.

   Oh yes, I probably looked so peaceful, watching myself ten years into the future talking to my fifteen year old sister while I drink wine, kick a soccer ball around, oh and wear a wedding dress! I most likely looked like I was having a heart attack in my sleep.

"Okay, let's go then." I slowly get up, my eyes half open. I'm not a morning person, not even on my birthday.

  Spencer and Lily leave my room going downstairs, so I can pack my soccer bag and get dressed. I tiredly put on a thin pair of track pants and a fuzzy hoodie. It may be soccer season here, but it's still fairly cold.

As I brush my teeth I look at myself in the bathroom mirror, scanning myself. The same way I looked at myself the night of Clarissa's pizza girl attack.

I remember exactly how I felt that night. I felt broken, pathetic, worthless, and dead inside. I thought I looked horrible, I thought I was done. But boy, things sure have changed.

I stare at myself, my blue eyes actually full of life, my cheeks reddened due to the permanent blush Spencer has created there. The slight smile on my face, a smile showing through all the toothpaste. The only bad thing in this picture is the slight look of tiredness on my face. But that's just because I talked to Spencer all last night on the phone until midnight, for my birthday.

I don't feel like a loser, a geek, or a pathetic wannabe. I feel like me. The girl who lost her parents and couldn't handle it, so she moved to Eberly to get a new start. And sure, that new start was hard at first but it came out to being the best thing in the entire world for me. I met friends, a family, and my future. And Spencer of course.

"Happy Birthday kitten." A voice appears once I walk out of the bathroom and into my room.

There stands Spencer looking ever so perfect leaning against my doorway.

"What if I was still changing?" I place a hand on my hip.

"Well then lucky me." He smirks.

I throw my heavy soccer bag at him, right in the chest.

"Thanks." I shortly reply for the birthday wish, and for carrying that massive bag down the stairs.

"I made you a breakfast of the champions." Spencer hands me a plate of pancakes. "But I don't think you'll have time to eat it."

I laugh at him, looking down at the three pancakes covered in syrup and rainbow sprinkles. "I'll eat it in the car."

"I helped too!" Lily adds as begin walking out the door, me carry my plate of pancakes, Spencer gladly carrying my soccer bag, and Lily with her backpack around her back.

"Really?" I fake surprise. "That must be why it looks so yummy and pretty!"

"Are you saying I can't make pancakes look pretty?" Spencer frowns jokingly as Lily grins.

"I'm not saying that you can't," I say to him through a mouthful of pancakes as we all sit in the car. "I'm just saying that Lily can make anything prettier, especially that dog collar we got Pizza a couple of weeks ago."

"Well duh." Spencer replies in an obvious tone as Sam comes into the car and sits in the backseat beside Lily. "She made it rainbow coloured too and added glitter."

"I love glitter!" Lily squeals happily.

I grin back at her then turn to her best friend.

"Good morning Sam." I smile at him as he smiles back showing me his happy green eyes. The same eyes as Spencer.

"Happy birthday Jess." Sam says, making me melt.

And I really hope it is a good birthday. And I really only have one birthday wish. For that certain person to become successful to be a certain person I know very well. That's all I have to say.
🌸🌸🌸🌸
"Hello Bennett." A familiar disgustingly hoarse voice says. "It's been awhile hasn't it?"

  I look up from the position board that Spencer holds out to see Coach Bradford. The yucky looking guy on steroids that coaches SouthWood High.

"Ah no not really Bradford, it feels like just yesterday we beat you guys at the beginning of the season." Coach fires back, but in a much kinder tone.

I watch as the other coach frowns, I notice his eyes flicker over to our team.

"I see you still have that girl on your team." He snarls. I give the grown man a disgusted look,

"And I see that there are some scouts here that I have to go talk to." Coach replies shortly before walking off into some direction near the bleachers.

Coach Bradford clenches his fists then walks back to his bench where his team of crazy maniacs is situated just about ten metres away from us.

"Scouts?" I turn to look at Spencer behind me.

  I furrow my eyebrows as he gently grabs my hands, taking me a few feet away from all the loud boys on our team.

"There is a couple of scouts here looking to recruit me." Spencer looks down at me speaking softly, as if I'm about to either break down in shock or break down in happiness. "For a scholarship."

"From which university or college?" I feel the giddiness over take my body as I grin up at him happily.

"NYU." Spencer watches me.

New York University.

If they are looking to recruit him, does that mean?

"Did you get accepted into NYU?" I yell loudly at him, but in the most excited, ecstatic way possible.

Spencer places his finger on my lips. "I did, but they might reconsider if they can hear you yelling about it all the way from over here."

"You did!" I smile up at Spencer, touching his cheek. "I did too."

Spencer widens his eyes, the ecstatic vibes from me cascading over to him.

I feel him smash his lips into mine as I rise onto my tiptoes. 

I hear the SouthWood High players making gagging noises since we stand directly in between our bench and there's. And because of that I can also hear our players whistling and laughing.

"Go and get your scholarship." I breathless say to him once we break apart.

"Are you sure I should go over there right now?" Spencer mumbles to me. "Coach seems to be having a serious conversation with them. "

I smile up at him. "They are probably talking about what a phenomenal player you are, the perfect time to introduce yourself to them."

Spencer gives me an uncertain, worried look.

"Think of it as the best birthday present to me." Is all I say making him certain.

This may be it. He may be it.

  Spencer may be the certain person, the person to get the fame. Meaning he could get the scholarship.

"I love you kitten." He grins at me, making me instantly grin back.

"And I love you too Spence." I begin to shoe him off. "Now go get get that scholarship."

  With that I watch as he jogs off over to where the scouts and Coach are talking, and I'm waiting for him to introduce himself to them.

But of course Spencer being Spencer, has to turn around to look at me.

I send him a loving smile and he turns right back around to the scouts.

  He is probably going to start worry about what I'm going to do to pay for the tuition of New York University. If he hasn't already.....

I just have to tell him my own exciting news.

About how I got my own Academic Scholarship.
🌸🌸🌸🌸
It's tied.

1-1.

But that score appearing on the scoreboard is more than just two numbers.

  It is putting stress on both sides of the field, causing a certain team full of giant dudes and no girls to act a bit rougher than usual. And that's saying something.

"Oh come on ref, I barely pushed him." Number 13, named Luke, complains to the kind referee.

  The referee just looks at him, before signalling the beginning of the free kick with the sound of his whistle.

  I run up from where Parker is about to take the free kick and closer to the net. I'm currently playing right forward with Spencer playing striker right beside me and on Spencer's other side is Dean playing left forward. Coach of course had to put us in those positions together, just like the first game I ever played with them. And now I'm pretty sure he calls us the fearsome forwards.

  Parker kicks the ball up and into the air, quickly sending it up to where us forwards and some midfielders are.

I watch as it goes to Dean as he successfully controls the ball, bringing it down to his feet.

  I sigh as two giant defenders are immediately on him, giving him no where to go and not letting him pass it either.

  One of the two defenders kicks the ball up and into the air again sending it up to their own forwards and midfielders.

I begin running back as Dean gets the ball away from one of their forwards.

I run past their forwards, making sure I'm completely open before yelling. "Here!"

He instantly notices me and quickly boots it up the side of the field, sort of close to where I am.

  I sprint to the ball, feeling the chilly April wind blow against my face as I make contact, sprinting up the side with it.

I don't even need to look back to know that many of the defenders are trying to run after me.

  I spot Spencer out in the crowd of their black jerseys waiting by the net, wearing our red jersey and his captain band around his arm.

  Even over the screaming of the students and family in the bleachers I can hear the heavy foot steps of a huge defender catching up to me.

I get close to the side of net before curving the ball into where I see Spencer running past them for it.

I feel myself getting smashed into the ground by the giant defender who was once trying to take to the ball from me. I don't hear anything snap though as my shoulder and side collides with the ground.

I oddly smile to myself, satisfied that I managed to beat him, but I then turn my eyes over to Spencer.

He is about to head it in, but then.

  I watch in slow motion, the yelling of the crowd going silent to me, as Luke their midfielder sprints forward before attacking.

My worried eyes seeing him slide tackle from behind my boyfriend.

Spencer falls back onto him and the ground as I jump up from my spot on the ground.

  The only thing I hear as I sprit over is the sound of the referees whistle. The ball falls limp to the ground as well as everyone stops.

Spencer slowly gets up, glaring at Luke as me being concerned, checks him over.

"Are you alright Spence?" I scan him as I touch his cheek.

"Gross." Luke the player who caused all of this spats out from the ground, looking back and forth between Spencer and I.

I clench my fist. "Don't test me. I could easily rip that captain badge right off your arms and shove it right down that nasty mouth of yours."

Everyone's eyes widen at my very graphic threat. Everyone but Spencer and our teammates on the other side of the field since they can't hear me and Spencer of course knows how protective I get.

I look over at the ref waiting for him to declare that Spencer gets a plenty kick, but nothing. Except for this.

"Half time."

  My slightly drops at the referee who is already walking off the field. And to think at the beginning of the game I thought he was going to be a fair referee, calling everything necessary and this is necessary.

Luke the loser smirks at my reaction. "Half time." He mouthes to me.

"Let's go kitten, we are going to win anyways." Spencer places a hand on my back coaxing me to walk off the field with him instead of blowing up at that idiot.

"Okay." I sigh.

  Once we walk off the field and back to the bench I straightaway take a drink of water from my water bottle.

"We've playing great everyone. Just keep doing what you're doing, you are all playing aggressively and intelligently, that's what you need to win."

"And the only way we are going to do that is if those assholes ever stop trying to kill us out there." Jace grumbles and I watch as he acts completely like himself. Not fake trying to Nova and everyone else back, and not trying to fool Nova anymore, just Jace.

  I'm pretty sure Nova told Brian what happened between the two and he wasn't mad at all, at her. And from what I've heard around in the halls Clarissa is definitely going across the country to Los Angeles. Jace is going to New York City, just like half of the senior class. The other half is like Clarissa, wanting to get the heck away from anything related to Eberly, including New York City.

"Anyways, we will win." Coach says the same words Spencer said to me less than a minute ago. "Oh gosh I better not have just jinxed it."

"Knock on wood!" A few boys including Brian and Parker yell, I rapidly run over to the wooden bleachers nearby, laughing at our antics.

I knock on the wooden plank at the bottom of the small bleachers on our side and I immediately look up at the sound of a voice.

"Jess?"

"Clarissa." I see a familiar blonde standing in front of me, wearing a pair of expensive heels, a designer outfit, and a fancy coach purse on her arm, all just to a soccer game.

I expect her to verbally slap me right then and there like usual, but there is something off about her.

"Can I talk to you?" She speaks in a voice I've never heard before. A real personal voice.

"You already are?" I furrow my eyebrows.

Could this be another one of her sick games?

Clarissa awkwardly looks around us, watching the dozens of people walk around or sit down right beside us. "I mean in private."

To say I was confused would be an understatement. I was beyond weirded out. This is never one of her games, her signature public himation is what she is know for to me. And now she wants to talk in private?

I shift back and forth on the bottoms of my cleats as I feel someone's eyes watching us. I look over at the person, knowing fully well who it is.

Spencer looks at us from the bench.

I pry my eyes away to look back at Clarissa's usually venomous eyes. "Sorry, not right now. I have to get back to the team." I pause unsure I should say the next sentence, but I say it anyways. "Maybe later?"

She tightly nods her head. "I understand. Later."

With that I ghee away back to bench, but I don't make it there without running into another person.

"What did she want?"

I shrug. "She just wanted to talk in private Spence, I don't really know what her motive is this time."

"Well I do, it's probably to trick you into thinking she's finally changed." Spencer has a sour look on his face.

"I know, that's why I said we could talk later." I grab his hands in mine. "But I don't want to talk about her right now. We have to focus on getting you that scholarship!"

Spencer grins at my smiling face. "Okay okay...."

"So every time I pass it to you you have to take the shot, okay?" I pause dramatically. "Oh and whenever everyone else passes it to you, because we might've all agreed to!"

I happily skip away with a smirk on my face, knowing Spencer is probably running after me in disagreement.

"Kitten!" I hear him yell.

But I don't look back.
🌸🌸🌸🌸
Same score.

But time is running out.

Right now we are in over time. But only for five minutes. And that five minuets started awhile ago.

"Control the ball Dean!" I hear Coach yell from the sidelines. Even he is feeling the pressure.

The whole second half was boring and long. It was back and forth, we would get it then their defenders would take it away and kick it up to their forwards, then our defenders would get it and kick it up to us. A never ending cycle.

I watch as a forward takes the ball away from Dean, making our defenders rush back.

I sigh as Jonah takes the ball away from the forward and boots it up the field.

Brian gets the ball and quickly makes sure the ball isn't taken away by the SouthWood High midfielders, and he kicks it up to Daniel.

I run up my own side, knowing Spencer is doing the same, running up the middle trying to get open.

I feel my blood boil as a defender blocks my view completely, I trying running faster but he keeps up to me, making sure I don't see what's happening.

I hear a whistle blow. And the whispers in the crowd.

"Shootout." The referee declares and I finally see what's going on.

I guess someone kicked it out, and the time must've ran out for over time.

Everyone here knows the deal. Us being the players who were on the field when the time ran out have to stay on the field. But we don't have to worry because Coach already put on everyone he needs in case this happens.

Coach Bradford and our coach both walk onto the field.

The two goalies go to the side beside the chosen net.

Coach walks over to where our team has situated into a small circle.

"It's going to go in this order, first to kick to last to kick. Daniel. Brian." He pauses to look at the two.

They firmly nod their heads.

"Parker. Jess. Spencer." Coach closes his book looking at all us.

"Wow." Is all I have to say. My eyes widen as the sound of my name.

"Don't be shocked Jess, you'll score don't you worry."

I really wish I could get off of the field right now, just to go knock on that wooden plank, hoping he didn't jinx it.

"Who wants to shoot first?" The referee asks once both coaches are done talking to their teams and have picked their players.

"We can." The two coaches say in unison.

  I watch back and forth as the two stare at each other. And they aren't looking at each other like Spencer and I look at each other, more of the way Clarissa and I look at each other. Deadly.

"Rock, paper, scissors then." The referee states and I almost laugh at how childish this has become in less than five seconds.

Coach chooses Spencer to play as does Coach Bradford chooses his own captain as well.

All I have to say about this is that the two played in a mean match of rock, paper, scissors.

And we will be shooting first.

Daniel makes a perfect goal into the bottom left corner, a goal almost no one can save.

  But it's not over yet, SouthWood Highs own version of Daniel also makes a quick goal into that same spot, making Dominic slide to the ground and making the score still tied.

  Brian makes his different strategy and at first I'm thinking it won't go in, but it definitely does making us all cheer, I could even hear Nova going crazy from the bleachers as the soccer ball curves into the top right corner.

    After the next we are winning, since Dominic the best goalie ever saves a powerful shot made by the 6'5 defender. The defender that push me into the ground at my first game, making my head hit the ground. I will never forget that day.

   It's Parker's turn and we gruesomely watch as Parker makes a strong kick sending it into the air... I frown as it hits the cross bar.

Parker sighs but we all encourage him and tell him not to worry.

"Yes Adam!" Luke the loser cheers as their own shooter makes a perfect shot into the left corner.

Well, that's where I'm going to shoot now.

I take a deep breath about to walk over to the spot I have to shoot from.

"I love you kitten, you got this." I hear Spencer say behind me, making me turn around.

"I love you too." I mouth before turning back to walk to the spot.

"They seriously picked this little twelve year old to take a shot instead of the guys on their team? Wow, pathetic much."

SouthWood snickers as I turn back around to glare at Luke.

They always say to put your anger and emotions into sports, well that's exactly what I'm going to do.

I take a few steps back, waiting for the ref to blow the whistle before I'm able to shoot.

I hear the whistle that's all, no whisper, no snickering, and no cheers from the crowd.

And I almost make a dent in the ball as I kick it, sending it through the air at full speed.

  I smile in accomplishment as I almost also make a whole in the net as well as it flies to the top left corner of the net, just like I said it would.

I feel a rush of adrenaline, and don't even know what I'm saying when I turn around and look at Luke. "I'm totally pathetic, aren't I?"

  Our team in next one to snicker as I walk back to beside Spencer. He doesn't even have to say anything to me for me to know that he is proud of me.

  After the next word on misses the goal, the whole intensity increases since we are winning right now, but by now we each only have one player left to shoot. The two captains.

  But we only need one more goal to secure the win. Since it's already 4-3 we just need Spencer to score. And if he doesn't we better pray that Luke doesn't either, because then we will have to continue the shootout with the rest of the players on the field.

I smile at Spencer encouragingly before he begins walking to the soccer ball.

  My heart rapidly beats because this goal could not only determine whether or not we win this game, but it also could determine if Spencer will get the scholarship. And he probably knows this too as he sends me his own nervous smile.

  I scream along with the rest of the team as it happens.

Spencer scores.

  No one can even hear the referee say that we won over all the cheering of the team and the NorthWood High students and family cheering in the crowd.

I wrap my arms around Spencer's neck as I give him a passionate kiss on the lips.

"I did say we would win anyways."

I giggle at his remark as we walk over to the centre of the field.

  After we awkwardly shake hands with the SouthWood High players who are totally pissed, we finally get off the field. 

"That's my son alright!" I hear a mom cheer. A very special mom might I say. "Oh and that's his girlfriend there too! What a power couple, am I right?"

I laugh as Spencer rolls his eyes. "Hi mom."

"Oh no! You don't have time to talk to me!" She yells at him, then lowers her voice down to a whisper. "It's your time to shine. Go talk to the scouts."

Spencer finally listens to his mother and at that moment I finally realize it.

  That certain person is Spencer. But Coraline Sarafian and I both thought that it was only one person. But really it's two peoples certain fame, Spencer and I. Spencer will be known as the amazing soccer player, and I will be known as the amazing girl soccer player. And Spencer will get that Athletic Scholarship. I've got my own different Scholarship.

"Hi Mr and Mrs. Guinness, long time no see." Spencer grins as he shakes hands with the scouts.

Mrs. Guinness chuckles, showing off her deep dimples. "It seems so."

"Oh and this is Jess, my girlfriend." Spencer motions to me as I shake their hands.

"It's a pleasure finally meeting you Jessica Michaels." Mr. Guinness says, making me feel a little creeped out.

I must've shown it because Mrs. Guinness immediately begins to explain. "Don't worry, we aren't some crazy stalkers, we've both seen your application, which was perfect by the way!" She looks over at her husband.

"It's such a shame you already got an Academic Scholarship, heck we would've given you an Athletic Scholarship in a second." Mr. Guinness snaps his fingers at the end, smiling at me.

My heart goes limp as Spencer's eyes stare me down.

"An Academic Scholarship?"

I nervously look up at him. But I see the shining look of pride in his magnificent green eyes and I relax. "I was going to tell you today, think of it as my present to you for getting me a birthday present."

"Who says I'm going to give you a present?" He looks at me jokingly. "Fine it wasn't even that good though, I've already given everything you've ever told me you wanted."

I smile at him then back at the Guinness'. "Yes he has."

We chuckle and make a few more seconds of small talk before I hear the same voice again.

"Jess?"

I turn around. Again.

"Can we talk?" Clarissa worriedly says staring right at me.

And I know we are going to talk.

I just didn't know it would be about a month later. On my parents death date.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey perfect people!

Guess what, guess what? It's ma birthday! ITS MA BIRTHDAY! Actually wait, it wasn't even really that big of a deal, just turned 14, it's not like I'm officially a teen. Or officially an adult like Jess is! And I did manage to post a chapter on my birthday after all!❤️

However, I find it completely cool yet freaky that the day I've set for Jess' birthday, and the day very important things happen, I write on my own birthday! I love it ahh!

Anyways, what did you think of this chapter? Isn't it amazing they both get scholarships? Oh wait, they never did officially say that Spencer got one.... What will happen? Will he get the Scholarship? And what will happen with Jess and Clarissa? Is Clarissa really wanting to talk seriously? Or is it another one of her games? Let me know in the comment section! Please don't be a silent reader!

Bye for now my lovely bookworms,
                                                                   Ashley🌸