Hacking The Relationship Code

Chapter 21: Not a Great Move

Adrian just had one match left before the finale. That is; if they made it to the finale. I pray they do. They were going to be up against Ohio this time. It was going to be the deciding match. Everyone was well aware of the cut throat competition between Michigan and Ohio every year. The stadium was pre booked as soon as the tickets were out and this time, we were all going to watch the match. Andy, Cole and I had become regular spectators to all his matches. We would cheer for him from the stands along with other people who were friends with the rest of the team. Leslie and Mia were in for Saturday too.

Right after the match, there was going to be a party for the team. Categorically, it was for the team and the cheerleaders and other associated people. Most of the people were going to be seniors and irrespective of the result of the match, the party was a sure thing. Adrian had insisted I join him and meet his friends.

I hadn't been to any party ever since the freshers which is why I was pretty excited for this one. I was definitely not getting drunk at the party. I definitely did not make great memories after getting drunk.

It wasn't going to be an exquisite party. Just some guys, lots of booze and a temperature- controlled pool. It was an unofficial party at an off-campus location. I was a little nervous since most of the crowd would contain seniors, which intimidated me. Though I knew quite a lot of them who attended the games, it was going to be my first time hanging out with those people. I was a friendly person but what if that isn't my kinda crowd? The drugs and the wild games weren't my scene really. Adrian had warned me against getting too friendly with them. He said and I quote 'you don't want to get involved a lot but you can't avoid them outright.' We had planned to sneak out in a few hours when things started getting wild and they wouldn't even recollect our presence.

I knew one of his team mates, Logan's girlfriend, Alisha. She was sweet, short and had dirty blonde hair. Alisha wasn't from MSU. She would travel all the way from her university to spend the weekend with Logan. They were childhood sweethearts from what I had heard. She would often join me at the stands during the match. If not anyone else; at least I was going to have her company tonight.

The match with the Ohio Buckeyes was a tough one. There were so many moments when my heart was pumping in my mouth. Both the teams were delivering their A game. The score was tied up even after the over-time. The verdict now depended on strikes. To our utter dismay, we lost our game against the Ohio Buckeyes and I swear I saw a little tear swell from the corner of Axel's eyes when his strike didn't pass through. Having been so close to victory, the team was devastated from the setback. Half the audience went into mourning while the other half rejoiced their triumph. The defining moment when Axel wasn't able to deliver the shot broke millions of hearts.

A feeling of dejection was cast on the faces of everbody rooting for the team. I don't know when I got so attached to the game that the loss started feeling personal. We were so close to victory before it slipped away, right from beneath our feet.

***

We gathered around to console Adrian who had taken the loss at heart. He wasn't cranky but his face had become small. We tried to convince him that they had performed well and it was just a matter of luck. They will have many other chances in the future.

Adrian got summoned by one of his team members who informed him that they were supposed to gather in their common room and so he left to be with the others. He waved at all of us and he agreed to pick me up from my place for the party.

***

The party was on full swing. They had called the university band to perform for them. I was wearing this cute little yellow dress with a teasing neckline and white polka dots. A flock of people were playing pool games while the others rejoiced in drinking games. There were even some who alternated between the two.