Page 65 of Through My Window
“Good evening! Welcome to the opening game of this year’s municipal soccer championship. Give a warm welcome to the guest team, the Greenwich Tigers!”
The opposing team’s fans are howling, yelling, and partying, while we just boo.
The announcer continues. “Now let’s give a round of applause in support of our home team, the Panthers!”
Everyone is making a scene, screaming and jumping up and down, including me. I take advantage of the guys leaving and slide down to stand next to Apolo. Dani sees me and immediately grabs Apolo by the shoulders to shuffle in between us.
Dani whispers in my ear. “I get why you were going to practice. Everyone is hot. With the exception of my brother, of course, because, gross.”
“Where is Dean?”
Dani takes my chin and moves my face in the direction of the goal. “There. You’re too focused on your Voldemort to notice my poor brother.”
I’m saved from answering by the announcer. “Well, it’s almost time for kickoff, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s give both teams a round of applause and wish them all the best!”
The crowd screams, raising their hands in the air. On my side, everyone starts shouting, “Panthers, Panthers!” Excitement seeps into my veins and for a second, I enjoy it fully, forgetting that arrogant captain who has my heart in his hands.
You can feel the rivalry between the two teams in the air. Greenwich is the closest town and they always belittle us, claiming we’re talentless villagers. We’ve made them swallow their words over and over. The Panthers have won several regional championships, and we’ve even gone to state while they haven’t made it past the first play-offs.
The teams take the field, each player to his position, and the stands vibrate with excitement. I clap loudly, my eyes falling on Ares again. How can I not look at him when he looks so confident, so excited?
You’re an idiot, Raquel, my brain reproaches me. He has hurt me so much, but I can’t stop looking at him and sighing like a stupid girl. I wish feelings had an On and Off button. That would make things easier for so many people. Because I know I have feelings for him, I know I’m fooling myself by saying, “I’m falling in love with him,” when the truth is that I’m already in love. There’s no turning back, even if admitting what I feel doesn’t change anything. He doesn’t feel the same way, so I have to swallow my feelings and go on with my life as if nothing happened.
Yoshi appears next to me, and Carlos takes the seat next to him. Yoshi offers me his soda. “Are you sure you don’t want some? It’s Coke, your favorite.”
“Just a sip.” I drink a little and give it back to him.
Yoshi adjusts his glasses and throws a glance my way as if he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. Our eyes meet.
“Raquel, is there something going on between you and that Hidalgo guy?”
“Apolo? Of course not, he’s just—”
“I don’t mean Apolo, and you know it.”
“No, of course not.” Why am I lying to him?
Yoshi opens his mouth to protest, but the referee blows the whistle, starting the game. I smile at Yoshi and turn my focus to the match. The beginning of the game is really lively. Carlos whistles with excitement. “Did you see how hard he ran to get that pass? That guy is really good.”
Ares is playing well, which doesn’t help me. All I want to do is scream like a fangirl every time he gets close to the goal.
Dani hits me with her elbow. “You have good taste. Not only is he cute and smart, he’s good at sports.”
And he is also very good at sex.
I want to say it, but I just smile. Nearly halfway through the first half, Ares is running with the ball, approaching the goal. Everyone in the stands is standing up, cheering him on. But then the goalie comes out and runs at him, crashing into Ares with a thud. A scream of horror leaves my lips as I see Ares on the ground, writhing in pain, with his face in his hands.
Without thinking, I jump to my feet and almost run to him, but Dani grabs my arm and stops me, reminding me of the situation between us. Marco helps him up, and a couple of the other players half carry him to the edge of the field, near the bleachers. I grow even more alarmed when I see blood coming out of his nose.
The announcer comes over the speakers again. “It looks like there was a big collision between the striker and the goalkeeper. The referee gave a yellow card, but the Panthers are not happy.”
The trainer passes Ares a rag and he takes it, wiping away the blood. His blue eyes meet mine, and I can’t help but try to ask him, moving my lips in the hope that he understands the question despite the distance between us, “Are you all right?”
He just nods.
I sit back down, relieved. Yoshi rolls his eyes, and Dani gives me a knowing look. I notice that Apolo isn’t in his seat.
“He ran the other way when you got up,” Dani explains. “I think he’s making sure his brother is okay.”
