36. Hell Week

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The soft patter of water filled the air as I brushed my teeth. The weight of drowsiness tugged at my eyelids as I invested all my weight into the sink ledge I was leaning on. A dull ache was branching out between my eyes and pressing into my temples and my body felt disconnected. I hadn't got more than a blink of sleep last night or the night before. I was afraid he'd wake up alone and scared, haunted by memories from the past and predictions of the future. And every moment between seconds that Sleep did find me and hold me in her sweet embrace, I'd wake up, hearing Tyler's breathing getting too heavy, or feel his muscles twitch beneath his skin.

It was tiring work, but worth it without a doubt.

Discomfort still etched itself into every step that I took, however, after nibbling on some crackers and downing some pain pills, I was starting to feel a bit better, minute by minute.

The cadence of falling water continued on for a few more moments, accompanying the sound of me brushing my teeth, before it was cut off. I instantly tucked away all signs of fatigue and weariness; sitting up straighter and opening my eyes wider. I didn't want Tyler to feel any trace of guilt or shame.

As I finished brushing my teeth, Tyler stepped out of the shower. I watched his reflection dry himself off, however, it was blurry and distorted due to the fog on the mirror. After a few moments, I forced my eyes away and spit all of the toothpaste out of my mouth before I started rinsing my toothbrush. We still had a good hour before we even had to get on the subway and head to school, which would give us plenty of time to relax our minds and prepare for the day. Our first day officially out as a couple. It was crazy.

I was suddenly pulled out of my thoughts when I felt a tug on my hips, causing me to jump as I straightened up. Tyler laughed. "Relax, Addi, it's just me."

I weakly chuckled, though my heart was hammering in my chest. In those short ten seconds I wasn't looking at him, I'd momentarily forgotten that he was there. "Oh yeah, sorry. You scared me."

"I can tell," Tyler said as he sobered up and reached past me to clear off the mirror with his hand. "There, that's better," he said as he wrapped his arms around my waist right over my towel that was hanging around my hips and rested his chin on my shoulder. His freshly washed body felt warm against mine as his chest pressed into my bare back. We looked at ourselves in the mirror and I couldn't help but imagine us going through this routine every morning for the rest of our lives. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," I said. "A bit tired, but good." And that was the truth. I felt good, amazing as I stood there in his strong arms.

"Good," he affirmed before he pressed a kiss into my cheek, "because we have a long day ahead of us."

"Long indeed," I agreed as I turned to face him. He leaned in so that he had his hands on the sink ledge on either side of my waist.

"Are you ready for it?"

I nodded. "Are you?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I mean, so much is happening at once, but I'll get through it. I've done it for all of my life so far and I'll keep doing it."

I grinned as I cupped his cheek. "That's my boy."

He put his hand on top of mine before he kissed my palm, his deep eyes locked with mine the whole time. He gave my hand a squeeze before he stepped away. "Alright, get out of here. I need to finish getting ready and you're too much of a distraction."

I rolled my eyes as I made my way to the door. "Sure, you tell me to leave my own bathroom. That sounds right."

"That's right," he said before he delivered a firm slap to my rear, causing me to squeal as I jumped. He laughed as I flipped him off before I hurried back into my room to start getting dressed. Or I would've started getting dressed if some invisible force hadn't pushed me onto my bed and forced me to lay there and not move an inch.

It was me. The force was me.

And despite how desperately I tried to will my arms to at least hoist me into a sitting position, the warm embrace of the sheets wouldn't let me go. I allowed my eyes to flutter shut, and though my thoughts were moving way too quickly in my brain for the possibility of sleep, I felt at ease. My body sank deeper and deeper into the cotton and polyester as my muscles loosened themselves.

I barely noticed when the bed dipped next to me and Tyler's familiar body found itself on mine, our legs tangled like wires. "I guess you were more than a bit tired, huh?" Tyler lightly jabbed as he rested his cheek between my backbones.

I hummed in response.

He lightly chuckled before he settled his body deeper into mine, the material of his shirt rubbing against my back. "But you know you have to get up, right?"

I groaned in response.

"Come on, Addi, you're a big boy. Use words."

I groaned again, louder this time.

"Woah, Addi, you might wanna slow down before your family gets the wrong idea," Tyler joked, causing me to lazily flip him off again. He kissed the back of my neck below my hairline before he made a move to climb off of me but I flipped over and wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into me. "Romeo, I really wanna stay in bed with you, trust me I do, but we have a football meeting before school, remember?"

I groaned. "Ah, I almost forgot. It's hell week."

"That it is," Tyler said as he looked up at me. I grinned at him, as I took one of his twists between my fingers. "A new style, huh?" Usually he let his short twisted hair fall freely, however, today, they were tucked up into a bun with a few stray ones hanging down.

"Yeah. This past week has been full of changes so I figured I would change my hair too," he said. "You like it?"

I nodded as I let the piece go. "Love it."

He kissed my chin before he broke his way out of my grasp, grabbed my hands, and pulled me to my feet. "Come on, babe. The quicker we get this day started, the quicker we can end up right back here. Plus, you gotta make me that coffee your dads told me about last night."

I groaned one more time before I allowed him to lead me to my closet. Deciding to save all of my energy for the day, I allowed him to choose out my clothes– he settled on a black sweatshirt and grey sweats obviously– before I led him downstairs. Once again, the house was still, likely because my siblings were taking the day off from school to catch up on sleep since their trip had ended so abruptly and they got home so late.

As Tyler ate a few donut holes as he watched me brew the drink that practically flowed through my veins. "Sometime you gotta let me do something for you," Tyler said. "You're always making the good stuff and I feel so useless."

"Babe, don't worry about it. You being here is doing more than something for me. I think we're even."

"Hmph," Tyler said, not satisfied with my answer. I rolled my eyes before I handed him a cup of fresh coffee. I all but held my breath as I watched him drink it. I didn't know what kind of coffee he liked, so I just went with my favorite. But what if he hated it? What if it was awful? Was the foam light enough? Was the coca rich enough? I tried to put the right amount of espresso, but what if I did too much? Too little? I was starting to curse my fathers for bringing up coffee last night and putting me on the spot.

Tyler took a sip of the beverage before he closed his eyes and put the cup down, letting out a breath. My heart was racing as an apology formed on my tongue. "Addi, this isn't fair. For once, can you make something that's not delicious? Please?" He opened his eyes and looked at me.

And there went all of my anxiety.

I let out my breath as a grin spread across my lips. I shrugged. "What can I say? Nothing beats that authentic italian touch."

I turned back to my work station and started brewing my own coffee. I needed to hurry if we were going to make it on time.

"What is it called?"

"A marocchino," I said. "Basically, if cocoa and espresso had a love child."

As I started prepping to male my own cup, I felt Tyler's arms sneak around my waist as he rested his chin on my shoulder. I looked at him and raised a brow. "Don't mind me, I'm just watching," he casually said as he used the hand that wasn't wrapped around my waist to take a sip of his coffee. I playfully rolled my eyes as I continued what I was doing.

"Someone's awfully touchy this morning, huh?"

"I'm just making up for all of the time I'll want to hug and kiss you at school and I can't."

"Why can't you? We're out now, no shame."

"I know, but I think it would be best for both of us if I get most of it out now rather than at school." To seal off what he said, he kissed my neck.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes before I continued my work.

"Now, show me how you made this coffee."

***

My heart was beating out of my chest as I parked the car in the parking lot. It was a rare luxury that I'd get to drive to school, mainly because the subway was efficient enough, however, the anxiety that was eating away at me caused me to crash at nearly every street corner.

I really didn't want to mess this up.

Tyler let out a low whistle as I put the car into park. "Remind me to never ride with you again," he said though there was a teasing tone in his voice. His single dimple made an appearance as his lips tugged up slightly.

I let out a chuckle though it was pretty obvious it was forced. "Yeah, sorry, I'm just nervous."

"If I'm being honest, I am too," he admitted, his voice soft. "I'm glad we're out, like super glad, but...I have enough hate and hassle at home, you know? And the last thing I need right now are some haters on our backs."

"Hey," I gently said as I reached over and cupped his cheek. "I know this is scary, but as long as we're united and keep our heads up, we'll be solid, ok? Plus, you can always talk to me if anything happens. We've already established that I can kick some serious ass, ask Tommy Booger and his respiratory problems."

"If the Tommy you're referring to is the same Tommy on the soccer team, he has asthma–"

"Asthma that I gave him!"

He laughed. "Addi that's not how it–"

"Or the boys and Coach can take care of it, and you know how unstable Coach is so I wouldn't want to get on his bad side, the poor bastards."

Tyler scoffed and rolled his warm, deep eyes.

I laughed at my lame joke. Despite how nervous I myself was, it wouldn't do us any good if we were both freaking out and afraid, we'd both might as well go back in the closet if that was the case.

And like the saying goes, fake it until you make it, right?

"But in all seriousness, babe, I got you and you know I won't let anyone hurt you, physically or verbally. And I know you'll do the same for me. And just remember that we have a great support system in the boys and Coach and my family. And remember that I love you a lot. That helps me, knowing you love me."

He grinned and nodded, not needing to say anything more. As an act of reassurance, I leaned over the middle console and kissed him, ignoring the hoards of kids walking by the car on their way into the building. However, the tender moment was ruined by a loud banging on the window, causing me to jump and accidentally bite Tyler's bottom lip yet again.

"Dang, Addi, do I need to start investing vervain for you to stop biting me?" Tyler said as he wiped the blood from his bottom lip.

"Sorry," I bashfully apologized before I turned to see who'd so rudely interrupted us, and of course I was met with Ian hysterically laughing outside of the window with one arm wrapped around his waist as he laughed and the other securely around Lelani's waist who was shooting me an apologetic look.

I gave her a friendly wave to show there were no hard feelings toward her, but the moment Ian sobered up, I flipped him off.

After a few moments he caught his breath and beckoned for me to roll down the window which I reluctantly did since I knew there was a 99% chance that he'd say something mildly inappropriate, embarrassing, or both. "Sorry, man, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity."

"I tried to stop him," Lelani said, "but the boy's too hardheaded."

"I know," Tyler and I said in unison.

"Awe how cute," Ian dramatically said as he put his free hand over his heart and make a mock "awe" face, "but if you don't want Coach to cut your butts off, roast, them, and send them to your families for thanksgiving dinner, then you saliva buddies need to hurt up, we only have–" he checked his watch and lowly cursed, "–five minutes. Come on. Up, up, up."

Though I didn't want to leave the safety of my car with Tyler, I reluctantly got out and grabbed my stuff. Tyler and I walked side by side, trailing a bit behind Ian and Lelani. My hand itched for his, but based off of the traces of anxiety that were still etched behind his eyes, I resisted.

After a few moments, Ian softly said something to Lelani before kissing her forehead and letting her go, though I could tell that he really didn't want to say goodbye. After she was out of ear shot, I approached him with a raised brow. "So, uh, when did that happen?"

"When did what happen?" He asked though the grin that tugged on the edge of his lips told me he knew exactly what I was talking about.

"Um hum," I skeptically said though we all knew that this conversation wasn't over, not by a long shot.

We all went to the meeting where Coach ran through the logistics of the all-state game: the teams, our known rivals, et cetera et cetera. We left right before the five minute warning bell rang, and thankfully, our teammates didn't put us on any kind of pedestal or treat us differently in the slightest bit. It was just another day with the boys, and that was something I was thankful for.

Everyone quickly dissipated and I hurried to my locker to grab a book that my writing teacher Ms. Jean had lent to me. "Are you ready for hell week?" Tyler asked as he leaned against the locker next to mine.

I put in my combination and yanked it open. "Of course. But knowing Coach, it's definitely going to be hell for sure." Just then the five minute warning bell rang and the multitude of students that had been lounging around quickly filled the halls. Friends yelled their goodbyes, couples shared kisses, people shoved passed one another. "You should head out, Ty. Your department is all the way on the other side of the school, I don't want you to be late because of me. I'll see you at lunch, okay?" I grabbed my book and closed my locker.

"Yeah, ok." With those two simple words, he gently pressed his lips to mine in a quick yet intimate kiss. Once he pulled away, a grin spread across my lips, and though I desperately wanted to kiss him again, I could still see traces of nervousness swimming in his brown eyes.

My lips tingled.

"Ti amo, il mio re," I softly said.

"Ti amo, Romeo," Tyler instantly responded with a smile of his own before he turned around and disappeared in the throng of students rushing to get to their classes.

***

I threw myself on a bench in the locker room, my body exhausted and sore all over. Every cell in my legs were on fire and my lungs felt like they were about to explode. Even though I'd been going through hell week for the past three years, this fourth year felt impossibly harder. It was like Coach was determined to work every muscle in our bodies and push us within inches of collapsing and falling apart at the seams. It didn't help that some discomfort from Tyler and I's "activities" from two days ago still lingered.

However, the coolness of the stone bench felt good on my bare stomach and cheek. But, unsurprisingly, that comfort didn't last too long before I felt pressure on my lower back. My eyes popped open to see Ian sitting on me, using the curve of my lower back as a chair.

"Ian, what the hell? Get off me, man!" I squirmed but it was no use since I was essentially pinned down.

"Man, today was something isn't it? If Coach keeps up at this level, he'll kill us before we even set foot on the field!"

"And if you don't get your fat ass off of me, Coach will be the least of your worries."

"Ooh, feisty. I like it," Ian said before he landed a hard slap to my butt, causing me to yelp.

"Ian!" I growled in annoyance as I felt my cheeks heat up.

He squealed as he jumped off of me and ran away, laughing as he did so. Despite the heavy ache that was quickly settling over me, I quickly got up and chased after him, muttering italian curses under my breath as I did so. He weaved between my teammates who seemed equally entertained as they did confused.

"Yeah, Addi, beat his ass!" Yusef cheered as we ran passed.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Addison! Please don't hurt me!" Ian pleaded as his playfulness turned into genuine fear. Good. He should be afraid.

"Tyler, please save me!" Ian said once Tyler walked into the locker room. Ian wasted no time hiding behind Tyler, who looked extremely confused.

"What's going on and why do I feel like I don't want to be apart of it?"

"Addi's trying to kill me!"

"Tyler, step away," I warned, my eyes trained on Ian. I didn't know exactly what I was going to do to Ian once I got my hands on him, but I knew that he was 100% right to be afraid.

"Ty, buddy, bro, pal, please, control your boyfriend, please," Ian begged, causing me to look at Tyler with a raised brow.

"Yeah, Tyler. I would love to see you try to control me."

Tyler, being the smart boy he was, put his hands up in surrender and stepped away from Ian. "Ian, do I look like I have a death wish to you? I'ma take a shower and let you two deal wit' whatever this is. But make it quick, I'm hungry."

"Thanks, babe," I said with faux over the top sweetness before my focus returned on Ian.

"No, Tyler, please don't–"

He was interrupted by a smack that was so loud that it truly gave the shot that was heard around the world a run for its money. Ian howled in pain before he clenched his butt and fell over. I grinned to myself before I turned and left him, throwing a sassy "Love you, Ian," over my shoulder.

I could practically feel him flipping me off.

Tyler raised a brow at me as I approached him. "Damn, Addi, did you have to hit him so hard?" He asked with a chuckle as he slung an arm across my shoulders and led me toward the showers.

I shrugged. "You know what they say, don't play with fire unless you're willing to get burned."

Tyler let out a low whistle. "Yeah, remind me to never get on your bad side, 'kay?"

I laughed before I pulled away and headed toward my locker to grab my towel. Once I got it, I stripped off my uniform and threw it in the bin with the other dirty uniforms so that our managers, a guy named Peter and a girl named Zara, could wash them, then hopped in the shower.

I had to admit that it felt extremely lonely in the shower stall. I'd quickly gotten so used to Tyler showering with me that showering alone now seemed weird and foreign. That feeling just motivated me to wash faster; the faster I finished, the faster I could have Tyler back in my arms and the faster I could feel his lips on mine and hear his laugh and tell him I love him over and over again.

Before long, I was out of the shower and putting on my clothes. As soon as I was done tying my shoes, Tyler rapidly approached me. He too was dressed but there was an unsettling look

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