Apricity

Teams and Enemies

"Why in the world is he here?"

I ask, staring at Liam. Ashur's best friend stood in front of me, wearing an oversized T-shirt. Ashur was right by his side, wearing a neutral expression, save for the hatred in his eyes. A week after Mr.Hale lied to me, Ashur and I decided that we would search the mansion after the football game. The only time any of us was free, or to be honest, the only time Ashur was free. We would both attend the football game and right after, we would search for the figurine.

"Can I not go to a football game?" Liam asked, his hands full of a container of popcorn. I roll my eyes.

"You know that's not what I meant."

Ashur put his hands in his pocket, glancing at Liam. We were both walking. Trying to find seats for the game. Well, they were trying to find seats. I was looking for Oliver. He was the reason I came in the first place. Liam and Ashur came for Xavier. The name brings a bitter recoil. I hope he loses.

"I told Liam the whole story, and he said he wanted to help. There's no harm in it, especially since we need all the help we can get." Ashur said. I grit my teeth. There's no denying that logic. For some reason, I just thought it would be me and Ashur. But clearly, I was wrong. Which was fine with me. It was just a surprise to know that Liam knew everything. I guess I should've expected that, though. Ashur was blabbering about me to him since day one.

"You're right. You're right...." I said, looking around for Oliver, "Fine. We'll all meet after the game, and look for the figurine together."

I vaguely see Liam and Ashur nod before spotting Oliver. He was sitting near a seat with a bag on it. Probably saving a seat for me. Ashur follows my gaze and grimaces.

"I have no idea why you're so obsessed with him. Is he your boyfriend or something?"

"No. He's my best friend. There's a difference."

"Whatever. Remember, we're looking for the figurine as soon as the game is over. No detours with your....Best friend. Just follow the plan."

I mock him silently as he left. Just make sure to follow the plan. Idiot. I made the plan, of course, I'm going to follow the plan. I'm smart as hell, so I made the plan and I'm going to follow the plan, and damn him for making me feel like I won't. And why does everyone keep thinking Oliver and I are some kind of couple? Can't I just be friends with somebody? I've had crushes, but most of them were girls. Some were boys. But that was few. And even if I did, I didn't see Oliver that way. I feel happy when I'm with him, but not romantically.

I make my way to him and moved the bag off the chair. Oliver stared at me.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course. It's just that my cousins made me mad again."

He shifted in his seat, his eyes watching the field. The wind brushed us for a second and I shiver. Why is it so cold? Is it going to be like that for the entire game? It hadn't even started yet, but now I just want to go home and cover myself with blankets.

"What did they say?"

"They thought we were a couple again."

"Well, I did say that we were at that party."

"True."

Oliver sighed, before straightening in his seat. The game was starting. I saw Xavier and Oliver's brother on the field. I briefly wondered if they knew if they were friends with each other, but banished the thought. Xavier knows Oliver's brother, Jonathon, beat up Jason and the triplets. I wonder if he ever dealt with that. The game started out with the other team scoring a point first. I could hear cheering and then booing. I sigh. Football games are a kind of boring, aren't they? Or maybe it's the fact that I have no idea about the game is what makes it boring. I wouldn't know.

I glance at Oliver, who is clearly interested in it. His eyes fixed on the game. It must be me, then.

I zoned out for most of the game. All I know is that after, Xavier's team won. God has not answered my prayers. Oliver left to congratulate his brother, and I had a ride with Jason to catch. He was the one assigned to drop us home. But as I was walking to the car, near it, Jason was talking to another lady. Not a blonde lady, but a dark-haired one. Her hair was so long, it went to her waist, and she had dark skin.

Now, I don't mean to listen in on conversations. They just happen around me.

"Why would you think that I would do that?" She said, her voice was calm. Soothing. I ducked behind one of the cars next to Jason's. I swear, I am not an eavesdropper. I'm just waiting for my cousin to be finished with his conversation. It's not like I have anywhere else to go.

"You're the only one who knew."

"Look, Jason. You may not realize this, but the world doesn't revolve around you. Spreading rumors because you rejected me? Who says you're worth that kind of time?"

Oh god, is this Emily? Why are Jason and Emily having a conversation in the parking lot? Couldn't they have done it somewhere a lot more private?

"What are you doing?"

I turn my head; the voice sounds way too close to me. My eyes met with Ashur's and Liam's standing above me. Liam still had a bowl of popcorn in his hands. Did he get another one? I looked at Ashur, who glanced at Jason and Emily. His eyes narrowed.

"Were you listening in on them?"

"No. Why would I do that? I'm not that nosy," I whispered. Ashur crossed his arms. Emily and Jason, oblivious to the three kids listening in on them, continued their conversation.

"She's my best friend, Jason. I wouldn't have blamed you if I didn't think you weren't the cause. I'd never hurt her like that," Emily stated, calm and steady. But her voice wavered, just slightly, when she said, "Did you really think I would do that? That...I was that kind of person?"

Jason didn't reply, or perhaps his voice was so soft that I didn't hear him. Liam was already crouching next to me, eating a bowl of popcorn as he watched the spectacle with eyes of curiosity. This was wrong. I shouldn't have been listening in.

"How about we go somewhere else? Give them some space?" I ask, guilt already weighing me down. But Emily was already leaving, and Ashur was already walking up to Jason's car. He talked with Jason for a while and then got into the car. I stood up, and Liam followed close behind. Liam and I went into the back seat.

"Scootch over," I tell Liam.

"Alright. Ready to go home?" Jason asked, a smile on his face as he closed the front door. I looked away from him.

"Yeah," Ashur said. He sat in the front, looking out the window.

Liam was still eating popcorn. But this time, I asked him for some food. Jason put on some music while he drove. Ashur grimaced.

"Can you turn that down, please?" He said, his eyes still focused on the window.

"Why?"

"Because it's too loud?"

Jason groaned before turning the song down. But now it was too low for me to hear.

"It's too low. Can you turn it up, please?"

"There's nothing too low about it. It's the perfect volume." Ashur said.

"Is a dog's whistle the perfect volume, too?"

"You-"

"Okay! I'm turning it up. God..." Jason said, his hands already fidgeting with the controls.

"Well, now it's too loud." Ashur rolled his eyes.

"Too loud? I still can't hear it!"

"Are you deaf?" Ashur turned to face me.

"Are you dumb? I'm literally in the back! That's like trying to hear a mouse squeak in the basement!"

Ashur glared at me, and I glared right back.

"You know what?" Jason interrupted. He turned the music off and focused on the road ahead of him. "Now you both can't hear."