Broken

• Chapter 30 •

"Minty sweetie, where are you?"

I walk to Aya's window and glance back at her, holding the phone to my ear. "I'm at a friend's house. We're going to catch the football game at school in a bit," I tell mom.

"Okay, I need you to come home for dinner straight after alright?"

I frown but shrug anyway, "Um, sure. Okay."

"What's wrong?" Aya asks me as I hang up the phone.

"Nothing. Just have to be home right after the game," I tell her.

"But they're probably going to have a party after!" she pouts and whines.

I roll my eyes, "I'm sure you'll do fine without me at a party, Aya."

She finishes applying her lipstick and grunts, "Ugh, whatever. We should get going, Hana's already there and waiting for us."

___________________

"There's your man," Aya points to the middle of the football field where Adrien, Arin, Dustin, and a couple other football players are chatting.

"Go ahead. I'm gonna find Hana," Aya tells me as she sets off for the bleachers.

I walk up towards the group of guys, "Hey guys."

"Hey, Clementine..." Arin says with a giant grin. Adrien looks panicked.

"We were just talking about you," he continues.

Adrien glares at him and nudges him in the stomach.

"Oh were you now?" I play his game, a small smile on my face at Adrien's embarrassment. He was talking about me? That's kind of cute.

"Oh, yeah. Adrien wanted to ask you—" Adrien shoves him before Arin has a chance to spill the tea.

"Shut the hell up, Arin."

Arin starts laughing, then winks at me, "See you guys later."

I laugh. "I kinda like him," I tell Adrien.

"Should I be worried?" Adrien cocks his eyebrow.

I shrug, "Maybe you should."

He grins at me. "You ready for your game?" I ask him, scanning the huge crowd in the bleachers. Damn. A lot of people have shown up.

He inhales deeply and holds his breath for a while, looking up at all the college scouts. His face loses a bit of color. He's obviously dreading it.

"Hey... You okay?" my voice softens in concern.

He looks at me and shrugs. "I'm fine, it's just a big game. Lots of pressure, you know?" his eyes scan the crowd again.

I press my lips into a thin line and see that I have to reassure him. "Hey, look at me. You'll do great," I turn his face to me.

"You always do. I've been watching you practice every day for a month, I think I'd know. You're a beast on the field, you truly are great at it. And you love it, which is even cooler. So don't stress about the scouts," I wave my hand dismissively to the crowd and make a face.

"They don't matter. Play it because you love it, not because you have to. Not for them. When you're having fun is when you do your best. Just do you, okay?" I give him a genuine smile, I can't read his expression.

I probably suck at this advice shit. I glance back at everyone and realize the game is about to start, "I should probably go find a seat. You gonna be fine?"

He nods slowly. "Yeah... Thanks, Clem. You really are amazing," he gives me a small smile.

Little butterflies begin floating around in my stomach. I grin and pull him in for a quick kiss, "Good luck babe."