CHAPTER 16: YOU'RE NOT UPSET?

Jax sat with Bridgette and Yvonne though he blocked his ears with his earpiece  and locked his eyes on his phone's screen, two palms from behind blindfolded him.

JESSICA: (Whispers) Guess who?

He holds the wrist of the yet to be known feminine personality and turns to see her, he is shocked but managed to smile

JAX: Hi...

JESSICA: (Smiling) Surprise! Come join me here.

(He stands up and moves a step higher to reach her)

JAX: (Sits) What are you doing here?

JESSICA: Remember I told you that my school would be having a soccer match today?

JAX: whaaaat! Your school is playing with mine?

JESSICA: (Nods) Yep!

JAX: I never thought I'd bumped into you,

JESSICA: Me either. I was granted the permission to be off duty.

JAX: It's good to see you, at least I could talk to someone now.

JESSICA: You're not a fan of soccer are you?

JAX: Not at all!

JESSICA: (Chuckles) unlike me, I love soccer, I enjoy playing with my twin brothers.

JAX: Is any of them here?

JESSICA: They're both here.

JAX: You know I also thought of how having a second me would feel like,

JESSICA: I bet he'll be a good you.

 (Both laugh)

JAX: Nah...that can't be, he'll be my apprentice.

JESSICA: (Chuckles) You can't be serious.

JAX: What do you think about this match?

JESSICA: We will win today's game for sure!

JAX: Hah! Your boys doesn't have what it takes.

JESSICA: What makes you think so?

JAX: From the little I know, we're the current defending champions of last year's tornament making it a three consecutive win! Can your boys ever?

JESSICA: It doesn't matter, we'll beat you guys this year starting from this match.

JAX: What's your bet?

JESSICA: A hundred bucks.

JAX: Deal!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

         FIRST HALF 25 MINUTES

A player from Goldstein college is on the run, he begins his run from the left defence wing moving to the middle and gives a cross which was intercepted by a midfielder from Saltsman highschool. The ball gets to Josh who makes a swift dribble past the defender at the right wing, he then makes a cross to Chris who bolted a powerful shot right into the left top corner. The keeper was smart enough to punch it out on time.

JAX: Damn!

JESSICA: That kinda shot is almost very easy for my bro, your boys should think of something else.

KIM EVA: Oh my, that was close.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

       4 MINUTES STOPPAGE TIME

The bears again began an uncertain counter from the left, they seemed to be unstoppable with the ball as they find their way through the defenders leaving the striker and the keeper to a one-on-one attack. The keeper is tensed , the crowd cheered as they also waited for a grand result from the fine play. The striker produces a low but rapid shot at the bottom right corner.

  (There was a roar of jubilation)

G O O O O A A L L ! !

JESSICA: I told you!

JAX: It's not yet over.

JESSICA: You think so? That's just the tip of an iceberg comparing to the real deal.

JAX: You shouldn't count your chicks before they hatch, consider it an advise.

KIM EVA: This is a poor start! (Disappointed)

The referee blows his whistle for a half time. 

(Rex's eyes meet Olivia's which was already gazing him)

REX: Oh no!

KIM EVA: What?

REX: Olivia, I've been avoiding making eye contacts with her and now that I  just did, she's probably coming here soon.

KIM EVA: (Smirks) You should get used to it.

REX: I don't like her,

KIM EVA: Then tell her to stop bugging you.

REX: But I can't!

KIM EVA: You see? That exactly, is your problem now. I'mma go grab myself a drink rather than keep listening to this annoying thing you just said. (Stands up and leave)

FEW MINUTES LATER

OLIVIA: Hi handsome,

REX: (Doesn't bother to spare her a glance) What do you want?

OLIVIA: You! (Sits on the empty seat that was supposed to be Sylvia's) You owe me.

REX: How? I don't remember owing you anything, when was that?

OLIVIA: (Snatches his phone from him) you owe me your heart, you should give it to me!

REX: Why should I? (Looks at her)

OLIVIA: 'Cause I want it, all to myself and I won't let go till I get it, if not peacefully then forcefully. (Winks)

REX: (Mute)

OLIVIA: I'll give you time to think about it, because I won't relent, I'll do whatever it takes to get it. You should trust me on that, I never loose. (Stands up and she sees Kim Eva who just got to them with two can drinks in her hand, she winks at her before passing her)

KIM EVA: (Settles down before handing over a can to Rex) Here,

REX:  Thank you.

KIM EVA: What did she say?

REX: She said I owed her my heart and I have to give her peacefully or she'll take it forcefully.

KIM EVA: (Laughs)

REX: Is it funny?

KIM EVA: Yes! Really funny,

REX: well I don't see it that way.

KIM EVA: Spare me that Rex, I see you can't just tell her what she deserves to hear but trust me I'll help you tell her, I just hope she crosses my path again. (Opens her drink)

    The referee blows the whistle to commence the second half...

The Ravens are looking forward to seeing they make an early comeback following the interception of the third pass of the second half. Paker an attacking midfielder from the Ravens' side sets a rapid pace before delivering a cross which successfully reaches Chris who wastes no time in launching a short range shot but the keeper was at it again as he punched the ball out of play making it a corner kick for the Ravens from the right corner.

KIM EVA: I hope this is the goal! (Clenches her fingers)

Josh takes the cross as defenders battle in the penalty box to protect the post.

Rex looks at the ball intently as it moved freely in the air, his eyes turns yellow as he mutters some words silently. The ball changes direction and escapes the heads of the defenders who tries to head it in defense as it swings into the goalpost.

    There was a brief silence in the stadium followed by a tremendous noise.

KIM EVA: (astonished) Damn, shit! Did you see that..? Did you, just fucking see that? That, (pointing at the field) was awesome!

REX: (Smirks)

KIM EVA: Shit! I didn't capture it on my phone.

REX: Sad!

KIM EVA: (Screaming) Go Ravens! Show 'em who's there championship tries consecutively.

Rex turns to Sylvia's direction, she was already staring at him but expressionlessly. She turns her gaze back to the field but Rex kept gazing at her for more 30 seconds before looking away slowly.

     FINAL MINUTE OF STOPPAGE TIME

The away team begins a last minute counter attack which was cut short by a heroic interception from a home defender, the ball was immediately cleared out of danger into the opponents half. Chris gets the ball with ease and is about to release another shot before he was badly tackled by an opponent. A unanimous "NO" sounded all round the stadium. He can't continue playing as he is quickly substituted.

JAX: You guys can't stand the big finish and decided to attempt murder?

JESSICA: It's actually you guys who tremble at the slightest touch and decides to commit the suicide. I think your school should include provision of recommended healthy diets to their budget for the team.

JAX: (Places his hands his jaw like he is thinking) That was deep!

JESSICA: I know right? (Smiling) You started it.

The defender responsible for the tackle was sent-off without any caution by the referee.

KIM EVA: (Yells) Yes baby that's what I'm talking about, the whole team deserves that card.

 (Josh sets to take the free kick)

Everyone is put to suspense as they wait for the result of the free kick.

JESSICA: This kick decides whether or not you receive 100 bucks.

JAX: I'm definitely taking your 100 bucks!

JESSICA: We'll see about that.

Josh takes a spin shot which dived into the top left corner of the post, it was a last minute goal; the whole supporters soon grew wild with jubilation

JAX: Alright game over! (Mockingly) I guess your bro didn't see that coming. (Opens his palm)

JESSICA: (Gives him a hundred bucks) Fine! I must say, your school is just too unpredictable.

JAX: Oh yeah... always!

Everyone seemed to be in good spirits it was just the opening game after all but no one would have offered to miss the epic moment of the make out session of Chris and Sylvia.

KIM EVA: Oh..... (Uses her palm to cover Rex's eyes) didn't see that coming.

REX: (Removes her palm from blindfolding him) It's fine, he's her boyfriend after all!

He stands up to leave.

KIM EVA: You're not upset?

REX: (Hoarsely) No... I mean why should I? (Sniffs, a tear drops. He touched his face and noticed he was crying)

KIM EVA: (Raises his head and sees he was crying) You definitely are upset! (He leaves quickly) W...wait, (He keeps going) Rex! (She runs after him)

                          OUTSIDE

KIM EVA: Rex wait, we should talk,

REX: (Stops) I don't want to talk, just please leave me alone for now.

KIM EVA: Oh really? Are you being serious right now?

Rex walks into an area packed with several school buses, Kim Eva follows him only to find out he wasn't there. He had turned invisible and kept moving towards the dormitory leaving Kim Eva clueless of where he might have entered.