Page 84 of Matched Up

I nodded, too scared to speak.Unsure how my voice would come out.‘So don’t mess it up with Megan, you need to make it work, at least one of us should be happy and not screw up everything.’

We watched the rest of the movie in easy silence.When it was almost over, my phone buzzed.

ZOE: Hey, I heard about what happened.Are you OK?♥

I stared at it for a few seconds.When I saw her name flash up on my phone, I was expecting some essay of hate, so it took me a while to get my head around the kindness.

Niall looked at me with concern.‘Who is it?Is it him?’

I shook my head.‘Zoe.’

Niall pulled a face.‘Oh shit.’

‘It’s fine.She’s asking how I am.’

ME: I’m OK, won’t be playing football for a while, though.How come you weren’t at the match?

ZOE: Honestly?

ME: Go for it

ZOE: I was too upset about Hunter

ME: Can I just tell you again that it was him who kissed me, and I didn’t want it at all …

ZOE: It wasn’t just him.I think it all got on top of me.Hunter, Shane and even Megan

ME: Megan?Why?

ZOE: You guys have such a great friendship.I’ve never had that and it looks like so much fun.But seriously, I am glad you’re OK

ME: Maybe we could hang out when I’m back at school?

ZOE: Sure, I’d like that :)

Over the next few days and weeks Niall kept to his word.He helped me do my exercises every day.He was enthusiastic, he measured my progress, and it felt like I’d got my brother back.Mum was super attentive and one day she sat with me for hours watchingModern Family.And it was nice, knowing that with her I didn’t have to do anything.I didn’thave to be the best at anything.She loved me anyway.Even Dad had chilled out.When he wasn’t working, he’d started hanging out with Niall, just the two of them, going to the cinema or out for dinner, and one night MumandDad playedMario Kartwith us, and I hadn’t laughed that much in a really long time.

Megan helped too, making me laugh when I was falling back into my own head and thinking about football or Shane.She’d pull me out with some stupid joke or dance.

Sadie came to visit one afternoon.The same afternoon Niall and Megan had gone out on some mystery date.

‘How are you doing, Lexie?That was some injury.’She pulled a face.

‘I’m OK.I’ve got physio to do and painkillers.’

She nodded.‘I’ve come to give you something.You know the awards ceremony that we have in the summer?’

I nodded while she looked for something in her bag.

She pulled out a trophy.‘This is for you.Manager’s player.For the player who tries the hardest, who always gives one hundred per cent.An absolute credit to the club.’

She held it out to me, and I took it.My eyes welled up as I read the inscription.

Manager’s Player

Alexandra Ryan

2024–2025

---