‘I’m not one to kiss and tell.’
Anya squeals, clapping her hands together.‘So somethingdidhappen?’
‘Coffee, anyone?’I ask, purposely dragging this out just to be annoying.
‘Tell me everything!’Anya exclaims.
‘You’ll have to ask her, and if she discloses anything, then that’s her choice.’
‘Ugh, you’re annoying,’ she huffs, and I grin.
After she leaves, hoisting her bag with her, Mason nudges me as he passes.
‘Good for you, man.I know you’re really into her.’
I don’t reply to that.Mason is observant as hell, alwaysnoticing the little things.I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew that I liked Nora before I even realised myself.
Not long later, both Mason and I are dressed and heading to practice.
The field is as wet as I expected.With each run, water and mud flicks up my legs, and with each dive, our uniforms become completely soiled, but I don’t care.It feels good to be outdoors again and in my happy place.
Everyone is complaining about the cyclone and how they were stuck inside, but I feel like it was the best thing for me to get my life back on track.I can’t complain, honestly.
‘Is the game still on this Friday, Coach?’Andy asks once we’re all back in the locker room, sweaty and slick with dirt.
Coach Kennedy looks at Andy like he’s a moron.To be fair, he is most of the time.‘Yes, Andy.The game is still on.’
Mason and I exchange an amused look before hitting the showers.The warm water sprays over me and I breathe a sigh of relief as the grime is removed from my skin, pooling in the water at my feet.
‘Anyone seen Parker?’I question, and the boys shrug in response.Since I have been focusing on utilising players other than Mason, I really felt Parker’s absence today.In a way, it yet again forced me to branch out to other players, but we had been meshing really well.I was looking forward to working on some plays before the game this Friday.
It’s not uncommon for him to miss practice – I don’t understand how he gets away with it and still has a spot on the team – but after a weather event like the cyclone, I’m worried he might be in trouble.
‘Coach?’I ask, knocking on his door after I’ve dressed, my hair dripping water droplets onto my shirt.
‘Yeah?’he asks, not looking up from his laptop.
‘You heard from Parker?’
His eyes slice to mine, face expressionless, not giving anything away.‘He’s fine.’
‘You’ve spoken to him?He’s all right after the cyclone?’I question.
Coach’s face softens.‘It’s nice of you to ask, Zay.He’s fine.’
Nodding, I turn to leave, but pause, unable to help myself.‘What’s going on with him?How come he keeps missing practice?’
Coach’s face hardens once more and I know I’ve overstepped.He interlocks his fingers together, fixing me with a stern look.‘Don’t worry about Parker, okay?Just leave it alone.’
Now that’s made me even more curious.I sigh, chewing on my lower lip.
‘Got it, Coach.Night.’
‘Night, Zay.’
The locker room is deserted when I return, and I check my phone, quickly clicking on the text message sitting on my screen from Nora.A photo loads after a second.It’s of my bed, with some of my favourite snacks on there and a little black box.I zoom in on the photo, trying to make out what it might be, but there’s nothing written on the outside, and no patterns or designs on it.
Suddenly, I can’t wait to get home.
