Love Me, Please
20. Get That

"Fxck, man. Where have you been? Coach has been raging from just now do not see your nose stem!" Gyan caught up when he saw us approaching the dressing room reserved for the visitors at Palmdale High.

"Sorrys. Car trouble" replied Kayden.

Of course he knew that West had just lied. Gyan then glanced at me. "Yeah, right," he said in a somewhat scornful tone. But maybe it was just my feeling. "Come on, then. Install the gear lo before Coach really explodes. I can at least if that old man's mood breaks before the match."

"One second," Kayden's permission on The Lions' linebacker. He turned around and put me in his arms. "You sure you'll be okay?" whispers in my hair.

Kuhela deep breath. "I'm fine, I promise." I let go of our pagutan. "Yes already. Change clothes there. I'll get you out of the audience seats. Look for the only girl who wears a straw uniform like this," my slurs while showing the end of a skirt full of dirt stains that pop behind the number Kay's back that I had taken in the locker earlier.

She smiles. Kayden admitted he liked it a lot when I wore his clothes. "There's no need to be loud, Yang. I'll know where you are. You see, you and I are like two different poles of a magnet; pulling on each other."

"Eeew," I cut my nose. "So that's the most terrible fight among your collection of juicy mobs, you know, isn't it?" However, this self cannot resist the pull of happy seeds on the corners of the lips.

"Come on, Kay, sneak! We don't have much time left before the game starts" urged Gyan who sounded more than riled up.

From the beginning of getting acquainted, indeed Gyan was impressed not too fond of me, let alone my relationship with Kayden. Don't know why.

"OK, okay, calm your***, man. No wonder why there are so many girls who like the same patient attitude." Kayden quipped the team member who was arguably closest to him. He nodded before looking at me again. "I love you, remember that."

I nodded, trying to convince him. "I'll try. And I love you."

After peeking at my forehead, Kayden stepped back. "See you later, dear."

****

Kayden—as usual—leads the team with great. His ability to analyze the ability of opponents, learn their techniques and strategies, find a way to achieve victory while focusing on catching the ball and scoring numbers is truly astounding. No wonder Coach Jordan was so careless when he did not see the presence of his best players before the game.

The team really depends on him. And he almost let the school down by not coming. Just because I want to be with me.

My heart felt squeezed to realize this.

"Hey, lo Nikita, right? The captain of the Rockefeller High cheerleading team? How come you're not coming down, anyway? Are you hurt again, huh?" Just one girl my age stopped next to me. His hands were full of food and drink. Without hesitation, he watched me from head to toe, then shrugged his shoulders once. "Sorry really is that. Uh, I went there first, deh. My friend called. Yea! Quickly recover, yes, your injury."

I can only be stunned after. Well. That's pretty ... I don't know, strange? Could an unknown person come, then casually comment like that, and then leave as he pleased without caring about the effects caused?

Is the current generation really this broken?

****

Rockefeller won 42-17. As expected, Kayden's five touchdowns accounted for 30 points from overall points.

He was being contacted by team members, coaches and cheerleaders to celebrate the success. Usually, in the middle of the crowd there was me; the first person he looked for after the referee declared the game over. Win or lose, Kayden would run to me and express his gratitude through our lip meeting.

Win or lose.

The except for today.

My observations have never escaped a little bit of Kayden throughout the game to date. I knew that he had extraordinary abilities, but for the first time I realized the true meaning of his abilities.

For the first time I understood that he could be more than Kayden James Ford, the sole heir of Ford Investment and Securities, a giant corporation in American investment and securities.

For the first time I have admired the value of a Kayden on that stretch of green field. In the midst of team members who have the same vision and mission; give the best effort they have.

For the first time my eyes were opened to one side of Kayden that he almost sacrificed only for one me. Just because he loves me more than anything, willing to sacrifice to give everything for me, today I almost snatched away the thing that—if for him is no more important, no more, but still crucial in his life; his dream.

And I almost ruined his future.

In that case, it's fitting that Gyan never liked me. It's just right they thought my presence wasn't healthy for Kay's dreams.

Me ... I ....

Maybe they were right.

I caught a wave of Kayden's hand from the edge of the field a few meters ahead. His wide smile featured a row of clean, well-groomed white teeth. However, that was not what made his face glow, but rather the happiness he felt deep down.

I think someone is cutting my heart.

I waved back at him while blowing a kiss. I congratulate you through lip gestures. Kayden replied by saying I love you.

It feels like this heart is becoming more painful.

****

The corridor connecting the stadium and the players' changing room seemed empty, making a shudder. Never before have I seen a situation like this after a game.

Ah, maybe because this was also my first time being a casual spectator, not part of the crowd. Okay, then.

It's a hard pill to swallow, but what can I say? There's always the first time for everything.

At the end of this hall is an elbow that leads to the left. Sounds started to be heard as I approached the turn. Thank God, the atmosphere was not as scary as before.

"You almost ruined your future, Kid."

The sentence stopped my steps not far from the corner. The seriousness that lines the tone of the voice of that person makes me misbehave. I just stole a very private conversation. What am I supposed to do?

"Sorry, Coach, but I'm not sorry for that."

The voice ....

Oh, no.

"What do you mean? You mean you're willing to throw away a precious opportunity just because of a girl? Huh!"

"Take care how you talk, Coach. I wouldn't hesitate to act if you were still talking about my lover in such a tone."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. But, Kayden, hear me out. This is your last season at Rockefeller. You've hinted that talent seekers are watching your game right now. I deliberately did not tell you in detail because I was afraid this would make you nervous. Some scout guys came to the game earlier, you know? They're from the universities in Division-1. Now you imagine for yourself what it would be like if you hadn't come just because of the turmoil of your young blood, your stupid recklessness, and the blindness of the lust you consider love!

"Conscious, Young Man, sober! You're seventeen years old, not thirty-seven. It's not time you think about marriage and dedicate your life entirely to a woman. You should be busy looking for experiences, exploring the world, have some fun. Not like this. You know Nikita is your friend from childhood, your boyfriend and your first love, and your parents support the closeness that I don't know what her name is, yada yada. You know that Nikita needs your whereabouts because she's still grieving. However, that doesn't mean you can let it be an excuse that can ruin your own life, does it?

"In the world of sports, Kayden, there is no such thing as a second chance. Right now is the only chance you'll get. One time you made a mistake, no matter how small it is, boom! Your career will be ruined before you even get started. Think carefully about what Father said. Not only do you and your other friends think of you as the students you train, but also as your own children. And as parents, you want your children to get all the opportunities they deserve.

"Remember that. Your credibility as an athlete is at stake in every decision you make. Think everything mature. Don't let you take the wrong step. You know you don't need a scholarship and your parents can give you anything you ask for in the world. However, as a man, I'm sure you still have your pride. And what more proves that than realizing a dream with your own efforts, hm? What is more proud of a man than to build a life of his own sweat, blood, and tears? Take that, Kayden. You'll never repeat it again."

Oh. My. God

To be continued ....