❝Where there is unity there is always victory.❞

 - Publilius Syrus

[ H U N T E R   W I L L I A M S ]

The last couple of weeks have been stressful as hell, but today, the stress was immeasurable. It was November fifteenth, the date when the last soccer game of the year was scheduled. The amount of practice I had to endure over the last couple of weeks was absurd, my muscles were practically screeching out of pain.

Hopefully, all that practice pays off today. It was around five and three quarters in the afternoon, I could hear the stadium buzzing with liveliness from the locker room. We were supposed to make our exit at six and I couldn't be more anxious than I was right now.

Today, Lockwood's signature soccer team would face their arch-nemesis Silver Spring Academy.

I had been so anxious for the entirety of the week, I think I started pissing people off with my behaviour. I could barely focus on my studies, could barely keep cool in conversations, despite the encouraging words everybody sent my way.

At least I felt a little reassured, knowing that my best friends would be present - including Mr Featherhead. He'd promised me that he would be present to cheer for me, just thinking about that made me smile to myself and I fidgeted on the bench, ignoring what the coach had been saying.

No amount of pep talks could prepare me for what was happening outside, the amount of pressure I felt was palpable, goosebumps present all over my body. I had to stay focused and positive, I'm here to win this, I know I can do it and I will succeed.

The fifteen minutes felt like five seconds and before I knew it was time to rush out into the fields. When we made our appearance on the field, the crowd went wild - the sound was almost deafening and I regretted not bringing earplugs. 

The stadium was filled to the brim, I assumed there were over a thousand people here, which was crazy when you thought about the fact that it was a high school soccer game. I scavenged the crowd until I spotted my friends, they were at the first row, premium seats for the event. Evelyn was practically screaming her lungs out. I saw River waving over to me alongside with the cheerleading squad.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar feeling of confidence rushed over me, I took a deep breath and focused on the game that was soon going to take place on the fake grass. The coach had set up on the benches on the side of the field and gave us a reassuring smile and a thumbs-up.

Unfortunately, I couldn't quite find Blake in the crowd, but I figured he'd be here, he promised me he would.

The referee blew the whistle and with that, the game has officially begun.

By the time this first half was over, Lockwood was up two-nil over Silver Spring, the path to victory seemed clear, but I didn't want to get too cocky. Cockiness at these sort of moments quickly eats up your confidence and makes you drop your guard, I couldn't lose it now. I couldn't afford to lose it. I was not going to be a disappointment tonight.

As I was coming back to my coach for a gulp of water before the second half commenced, I spotted a familiar stranger sitting next to him.

Blake had a scarf with our school's insignia and colours. He was wearing a leather jacket with a black tee underneath, casual jeans and sneakers - the third time I'd seen Blake out of a suit, fourth - if you counted the towel moment. That was not the point though, I was just happy he kept his word and came to cheer me on.

I was a sweaty mess and kind of wished he didn't have to see me from this close, but I couldn't get self-conscious now. Focus on the game, Hunter, your taboo crush can assault your head later. I mentally scolded myself.

Mr Featherhead gave me a reassuring nod, a beautiful smile dancing on his face. My pulse picked up and blush was slowly creeping up my body, fortunately, the referee came to a save and I was forced to run back on the field.

The second half was about to end, I figured there was around a minute remaining, the score was three-three and the pressure has never been higher. This was a do or die moment, Eli had the ball and I looked at him, gesturing that I was available for a pass. He looked at me and sort of had a moral dilemma before passing the ball to me.

I focused my gaze on the goal and gave it my all, I kicked the ball with the last remaining energy I had, plummeting to the floor and spraining my ankle. At first, the stadium was silent, I felt failure wash over me.

But suddenly, the crowd and my teammates erupted in cheers and I smiled to myself, knowing that I made the win happen. The sheer amount of adrenaline coursing through my veins made me unable to feel the pain radiating from my ankle, but I knew it was sprained, there was no way in hell that such a sudden turn from my foot wouldn't have consequences.

I lifted my head off of the ground and looked around me, my teammates were hugging, some rushing to aid me, the crowd supporting Lockwood was going wild and if I thought I should've brought earplugs before, I practically needed them now.

I looked over to the benches and saw Blake staring at me with a worried expression, but smiling nonetheless. He mouthed 'are you okay?' at me and I nodded with a small smile of my own. I could see him release a sigh of relief and chuckled to myself.

Troy Beckett soon ran into my vision and helped me up from the ground, slinging my hand around his shoulder for support. We made our way to our coach, who was all giddy, practically doing a victory dance. Quite the sight to see honestly. 

"Boys, I'm so proud of you! You are the best team I've ever coached, period!" Coach suddenly paused and looked at me. "Hunter, son, you just did the unthinkable and I don't I could be more proud of you. You for sure are the MVP of this match." He added and it made me feel content with my performance.

When I said I wouldn't be a disappointment today, I meant it. "Thanks, coach." I mustered through a strained smile, I was beginning to feel the dull ache coming from my ankle.

"Let's get your leg taken care of-"

The coach was cut off by Evelyn screeching like a mad-woman, she crashed into Troy and captured his lips into a kiss, while I was sort of standing there, trying to keep my balance. I guess this made Troy and Evelyn an official couple and I couldn't be more ecstatic about it, Evelyn deserved a good guy - and by the looks of it, she got one.

Suddenly, she turned to me and engulfed me in a hug. "I'm so fucking proud of you, Hunt. You were so amazing this game, god, I'm going to cry." Evelyn was getting all emotional on my shoulder and I chuckled in response, still struggling to keep my balance due to my ankle being sprained.

"Thanks, Eve. I'm happy that you were here to support me." I thanked her as she was practically sobbing on my shoulder.

"You made me ruin my make-up, consider this wholesome moment over." She suddenly exclaimed, sardonically of course. I laughed in response. "You know, your teacher boyfriend looks like he's ecstatic to congratulate you." She whispered in my ear.

"Come on Eve, he's not my teacher boyfriend." I mocked her but felt the blush creeping up to my face regardless.

"I know your secrets." Was all she said and I stiffened as if I had gazed at Medusa herself.

"H-how?" I managed to stutter.

"Oh, well now I know." Evelyn laughed at me and I realized how badly I had fucked up, she was just joking around at first. Now the secret I didn't want anyone to find out was on her shoulders as well.

To say that I was embarrassed would have been a tragic understatement. "Please don't tell anyone, I beg of you." I pleaded her, my eyes filled with fear, although I knew Evelyn wouldn't do me dirty like that. 

"Your secret is safe with me. But you know you can't keep it forever, right?" She said under her breath, making sure nobody could hear.

"I can sure as hell try!" I exclaimed sarcastically, clutching onto her for support as the pain radiating from my ankle was getting worse and worse by the minute.

"Geez, Hunt, let's get you fixed up, yeah?" Evelyn's voice was laced with a hint of fear and I nodded in response. "Could someone help me here?" She raised her voice, asking for help, as strong as Evelyn was, I don't think she could've supported my weight alone.

I didn't know whether Blake volunteering to help me was a curse or a blessing, but he was already by my side, helping me make my way back into the locker room where the first aid kit was. My muscles were stiffer than metal and it was getting difficult to breathe in his presence. Damn, he smelled good, meanwhile here I was a sweaty, breathless mess.

"Relax, you're gonna be fine." Mr Featherhead whispered in my ear reassuringly, a sudden chill rippling throughout my entire body.

I rolled my eyes, although I didn't think he could see. This was the second time he would tend to my injuries. My knight in shining armour, I sarcastically thought to myself.