The sky outside the locker room is dark.I check the time on the cracked screen of my phone and feel my stomach drop straight to the floor.Shit.Nora.The dinner I planned.I was supposed to be therethirtyminutes ago.
Coach was on edge tonight – more than usual – and I have no clue why.He had us out on the field way past the usual time, running drills until our legs burnt and the air turned thick with humidity and sweat.No explanations, no breaks, just a whole lot of yelling, whistle blows and more yelling.
I should’ve found a way to message her.Ducked out, borrowed someone’s phone, literally anything, but I honestly didn’t realise the practice had gone so far over.I already knew it would be tight making it, but I didn’t realise I’d miss the entire dinner.
I shove the rest of my stuff into my gym bag and take off at a sprint, skipping the shower, shoes barely tied, ignoring the curious looks from my teammates.I cut through the carpark, heart hammering.I hate this feeling.Knowing I’ve let her down.
By the time I make it to the restaurant, I know it’s too late.The table’s empty.I know because I’d picked the one near the window, which has the view of the high-rises.
The waitress glances at me as I step through the door, half out of breath and still in the shorts I wore for training.I head over to the table and stare down at it.
‘She already left,’ the woman says gently, wearing the restaurant’s uniform.‘About twenty minutes ago.’
‘Right.’I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.‘Thanks.’
I stand there for a second, pretending to check my phone again, like maybe she’s texted something in the last thirty seconds.Still nothing.My hand drops to my side.I know it’s just dinner, we’re pretending, just part of the arrangement, but I always show up.Now all I can do is picture her, sitting alone at that table, trying not to look like she was waiting for someone who forgot her.
My stomach sinks.This will have hurt her, because this isn’t a game, or a lie, or a simple, fake arrangement.Honestly, it’s never felt like that.I already had real feelings for her before we started this, making this entire situation so much worse.
I pull out my phone again and call her.The phone doesn’t even ring and I’m met instantly with her voicemail.I start typing a message, hoping she hasn’t blocked me.
Zayden:Nora.I’m so sorry.Training ran late.Coach was on one tonight.I couldn’t get to my phone.I didn’t forget.I swear I didn’t.Please let me explain.
I hover over send.It doesn’t feel like enough but I send it anyway.
Dragging my feet, I collapse into my car, feeling unbelievably exhausted.I’ve never had to train so damn hard.Football feels like it’s consuming my life right now.My best guess is that Coach thinks there’ll be talent scouts at the next match.
By the time I get back to the house, the street is quiet.
The glow of the porch lights splashes across the front steps, and a mozzie buzzes near my ear.I stand there for a second with my keys in hand.She lives here now, so there’s no avoiding this.
Nora felt uncomfortable where she lived before and I don’t want that to happen to her again.The door creaks as I push it open.The hallway’s dim and the kitchen light is still on.I flick it off and creep up the stairs.Her bedroom door is closed, which is no surprise.
I hover outside it for a second, then knock softly.I knock again, a little firmer.‘Nora?It’s me.’
There’s a pause, then the door opens.She’s dressed in trackies and an oversized tee.Her makeup’s off.Hair tied up.She looks … tired.
‘Hey,’ I say quietly.
She steps back just enough for me to come in.The room is neat.Much neater than mine.There are books stacked beside the bed, her laptop open on the desk, music paused mid-song.A hoodie – mine – draped over her chair.
I stand near the door, unsure of what to do with myself.I feel awkward and tense, which are two things I never feel around Nora.
‘I’m sorry.’
She doesn’t say anything.She stands before me, arms folded across her chest, a stony expression on her face.Yup.She’s pissed.
‘Coach kept us late.I don’t know what was going on with him, but we ran until half the team looked ready to vomit.I couldn’t get to my phone and he does not tolerate any excuses to pause practice.I wasn’t trying to blow you off, I swear.’
She leans back against her dresser, arms folded, watching me with an unreadable expression.‘You could’ve told me earlier in the day that training might run over.That you might be late.’
‘I’m sorry, I should have communicated better with you,’ I say cautiously.‘That’s why I said I’d need to meet you there, because I wouldn’t have much time.We very rarely run over that late though, he has been hard on us lately.’
She looks down, then back up, something sharp flickering across her face.‘I’ve been stood up before, Zayden.More than once, also by people Itrust.’She sighs, looking a little teary, and I hate that I’ve caused this.‘It just … it felt like the online thing again.Waiting for someone who never intended to turn up.James really hurt me with all the games he played.’
I take a step closer.‘This wasn’t that.I’m not James, or anyone else who made you feel like you didn’t matter.’
Nora stands there, arms folded, eyes fixed on the floor.
