Just About Soccer

Just About Soccer Chapter 3


Thanks to Lukanicus for the great work as Beta!

Oh, and please remember to review ! Tell me what you think about it! ^__^


Nediar

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Chapter 3


On Monday, Zach and his Dad fetched Ray from his room and drove to the school grounds. Half the team was already there, and Brian was one of them. When his and Ray’s gazes met, Ray felt a sudden confusion that vanished as abruptly as it had come that reminded the brunette of their recent conversation.

The coach first sent them through standard training procedures such as jogging, stretching and some exercises demanding agility. When he got everyone totally incapable of moving any more he shouted “Let’s start the actual practice,” with a wide grin spreading across his features. He really thought he was being funny.

“It’s just a goddamn match. Why is he so proud of separately announcing it?” Dave, a dark-haired boy next to Zach, muttered.

Even Ray, who had been so looking forward to this, groaned in protest along with his strained muscles.

He, Zach and Brian decided to take turns as planned and Brian volunteered to be the first to sit out. He sat in the dewy grass and closely watched Ray run across the field. Every now and then, he found himself caught up in thoughts he considered rather inappropriate to the situation.

He liked Ray in more than one way, that he was very sure. He had from almost the first second, and Brian knew fairly well that either he would remain agitated by watching the brunette or get hurt trying to persuade him into things. Neither way appealed to him. But there was that slight chance that Ray would have opened up in front of Brian when he had faced Ray down in the lavatory on Friday night. Ignited by the fright shown in Ray’s eyes there was a tiny hope glowing inside Brian.

Brian forced his thoughts back to the match. Zach did not lie by promising his cousin was one of the best soccer players he knew. Ray was not as packed with muscles as Zach but he made up for it with agility and a feeling for the game, similar to Brian’s own style.

A little taller than Brian and with his dark brown hair, he gave the perfect image of a footballer. You could very well have guessed that he had always been an athletic jock.
Considering he had not been practising properly for the last few months, Brian was a little worried as to what Ray might be capable of when he was in training.

The blond grinned at that thought and motioned Zach to get off the pitch so he could replace him. When the son of their coach reached the edge of the pitch Brian dashed off to seize the ball.

“He found his rhythm. That’s the son of my sister!” Zach’s Dad said proudly and patted his son on the back.

Ray was in a very good shape. Brian was surprised at how cheerful he seemed to be. He unexpectedly felt like he needed to prove himself that he could play just as good and for once all the romantic thoughts were erased from his mind. All that counted now was skill. Brian was not a greedy person. He had already had enough riches in his life.

But this was different. By all means, he wanted to be better than Ray. It was simply his ambition pushing him without parents to tell him to be best or friends expecting him to be best. But a longing for an achievement he wanted on his own, for himself and for his victory!

Brian and Ray played side by side rather than with each other as a team. A pass was rare action. They both seemed eager to score a goal without each other’s help and of course, Zach and his Dad noticed that.

The coach got angry and shouted at them at the top of his lungs. His furious remarks apparently had some kind of effect because after a few passes the two boys were right in front of the goal. Ray centred and Brian converted.

A little surprised Ray stared at the ball on the ground behind the keeper and then grinned at Brian.

“Well done, mate”

“Thanks for the pass” Brian answered.

They walked towards each other to shake hands. The goalie finally picked up the ball and kicked it back into the penalty area. Ray stumbled over the ball, fell and pulled Brian down with him to the ground right on top of him.

Brian had reflexively wrapped his arms around Ray. The joyful laughter of everyone watching the scene drowned Ray’s appalled gasp. He was quite thankful for that. What the others could not see was Brian’s hand on his back that had accidentally slipped underneath his shirt. Why did this pathetic rubbish always happen to him of all people? And for the third time, a certain thought crept into his mind.

Ray tried his best to ignore it but that was rather impossible as long as that hand was…
‘Indeed, if it had not been for this warm, comfortable…’ Ray shook his head. What was he thinking? Anyways, he was sure if it had not been for that hand on his back he would not have blushed that furiously after all. He was certain of that…well…almost certain. His mind had never before been racing like this.

In some way, Brian was more confident to see Ray shivering uncomfortably under his gaze. And the way he blushed. This was worth memorising!

‘That is for helping me score,’ Brian thought evilly, ‘and not letting me take things on alone!’

But on the other hand, the brunette simply could not help his talent for the game, could he?
The very moment when Ray realised that the hand was on his back, Brian saw it in his eyes. The thing he would roughly describe as quickly concealed relief. It made his heart skip a beat in hope. Brian gradually took in his surroundings and finally realised where they were. He rapidly changed his probably rather thoughtful expression to a wide grin.

“Easy does it!” he tried to joke getting to his feet and pulling Ray with him.

“Sorry,” Ray started, “You alright?”

“Sure, couldn’t be better!”

Ray did not notice the suggestive tone to Brian’s voice. He did not want to. Instead, he was turning the scene over and over again inside his head and was sure it had taken several minutes. In fact not even ten seconds had passed. Ray wondered if Brian could hear his heart beating. This sucked. He had never felt this nervous before!

Both Ray and Brian were keeping their grin upright when the confused goalie approached them, not sure whether to laugh or to be worried.

“Are you guys alright there?”

“Aye, we’re fine,” Brian waved at him and Ray nodded.

He then tried to get away from the blond as quickly as possible and his heartbeat slowed down to normal speed.

They were done with the training for today and half an hour later Ray sat with Zach and his Dad in the car on their way back home. They talked about the match and Ray stated that apparently he and Brian were not good teammates. His intention behind that comment was never to have to play with Brian again which meant on one hand no real challenge any more but also no more embarrassing situations.

To his surprise, Zach and the Coach agreed completely.

“You never passed the ball, you always kept them to score, both of you! Like children who fight for a huge cake!”

“Your cousin is right, boy. That’s why I’ve got an idea for Thursday!”

‘Oh no,’ Ray thought and leaned back in his seat, eyes closed.

“You’ll be playing against each other!”

“You want me to join your practice again?”

“Yeah, I want you on the pitch again. Give them an incentive to improve!”

“I’m an incentive?”

The other two laughed.

“Well, have you ever heard about something called idol worship? My Dad hopes that everyone will try to stay up with you,” explained Zach.

Ray was not really convinced by that argument but said no more.