Chapter 9

- I think he worries about you, Vic. Sometimes you act recklessly, you know that yourself. Remember the story with the rock festival you ran away to with a stranger? Alex did not like that either.

- I was only fourteen, and I did not know that guy was already an adult. I got scared myself when I ended up outside town. It is a good thing Carter and Chris found me, but still, my brother could stand to say less often that if he sees a hard dick near me, he will tear it off with his bare hands. At this rate no one will want me at all!

Vic first wrinkles her nose in disgust, and then, seeing my stunned look, laughs.

- I told you, he is an idiot! But a gorgeous one, my Carter! Do you think the girls on the cheer squad would be friends with me if he were not my brother? Pff! Look, there are Tiffany and Donna, staring at him without blinking, hoping he will notice them. But personally, I will be very surprised if Carter invites either of them to the Winter Ball. Unless they do not mind moving straight to a horizontal position!

At the edge of the field stand the cheerleaders, and Pilar waves to us, bouncing.

I wave back too, and Vicky suddenly digs her fingers into my elbow again.

- Oh, Lena, look! Nicholas is looking at us! At me! Oh, God, he is so amazing! Especially when that nasty Alicia is not beside him!

She jumps up from the bench and shouts, throwing her arm over her head:

- Hey, Nick! We believe in you! Golden Eagles are champions! Come on, kick everyone's ass! Ni-ick Holt, you rock!

Vic calls to me again, but I am not going to pay Nicholas any attention. Pilar is much more important to me. And despite everything, I smile at my friend, letting her know she did wonderfully with the dance.

Today is a school scrimmage. The result does not matter to anyone; what matters is the overall spirit of team unity, the mood, and meeting the Golden Eagles' starting lineup--the boys who will defend our school's honor in the town lacrosse championship this year. And, if they are lucky, in the state championship too.

And everyone in the stadium understands this well and raises a roar, finally truly welcoming the players.

Coach Hurley divides the team into two groups, blows his whistle, and starts the game.

Over the past summer the guys have noticeably grown up, become stronger, and it seems it is not only me who thinks Carter and Nicholas meet each other especially roughly on offense, shoving shoulders.

If they are friends in life, today's lacrosse game does not look that way at all.