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.”
“That was a really dirty move,” Carlos says.
Yoshi takes a sip of his soda. “I agree.”
Apolo returns, and his face is red but not with grief. It’s the first time I’ve seen him so angry.
Dani squeezes his shoulder comfortingly. “He’s going to be fine.”
Apolo says nothing, just clenches his fists at his sides and sits back, taking a deep breath. I think it’s extremely cute that he cares so much about his brother. The game continues, and the tension between the teams is palpable. The Panthers are angry. Ares continues to play, checking his nose from time to time. There’s no more blood, but I imagine it still hurts.
Poor thing.
No, poor little nothing, he broke your heart.
Get it together, Raquel.
It’s almost the end of the first half when the best play of the match begins. The midfielder makes a long pass to Marco, who, after outwitting two opposing players, passes it to Ares, who runs to receive it at the side of the goal. Everyone climbs to their feet in excitement. Ares kicks the ball diagonally and it goes into the goal from the corner at an impressive angle.
“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAL!” the announcer’s voice booms.
We all jump and scream like crazy. The place is going to explode.
“In your face, you fucking goalie!” Apolo shouts, surprising us all.
Ares runs with his arms stretched in the air, celebrating the goal. As he approaches the stands, he grabs the edge of his shirt and lifts it up to reveal something written on his stomach.
Witch.
I stop breathing, bringing my hand to my mouth in surprise.
The announcer speaks. “Wow, it looks like the scorer is dedicating his goal to someone. Who is the lucky witch?”
Ares’s gaze meets mine, and he smiles at me before being embraced from behind by all of his teammates in celebration. My heart beats wildly and threatens to burst out of my chest.
Ares Hidalgo is going to drive me crazy with his confusing signals.
Correction: he has already driven me crazy.
TWENTY-FOUR
The Confession
When the game ends, I’m still processing the fact that Ares Hidalgo dedicated a goal to me. A thousand thoughts have run through my head in the last ten minutes. Maybe he has a secret girlfriend that he calls Witch—someone who isn’t me. But he looked at me and smiled . . . at me.
I’m overthinking.
I shouldn’t let him get to me. I shouldn’t let one gesture break my resolve to stay away from him. Yes, he might have dedicated a goal to me, but that shouldn’t be enough, not after all the damage he’s done.
Part of me—most of me—wants to run into his arms, but the rational part, the part that has regained her dignity, doesn’t approve, and I decide to listen to her. Though I wonder if my decision is actually due to a different emotion, one that’s new to me: fear. Fear of letting him in and getting hurt once more. I can’t take it again, so I won’t risk it.
“Wow, that was exciting,” Dani says, pressing her elbow into my ribs playfully as we walk down the bleachers.
“Yeah,” Apolo agrees. “I loved the game. Three–nil. That goalie deserved it after what he did to my brother.”
“We have to celebrate!” Carlos tries to take my hand, but Dani, like an expert ninja, slaps him, deflecting him. “Ow!”
“You deserve it,” I say, “ I don’t like being grabbed like that.”
“Understood,” assures Carlos.
I look at Yoshi, but he’s looking weirdly serious.
“Guys, we should go congratulate the players,” Apolo suggests.
Apolo’s idea doesn’t sound too good right now. I don’t want to face Ares. It’s one thing to be strong enough to stay away, and it’s quite another to have that dedication when he’s in front of me.
Dani notices my discomfort. “Nope, we’d better go to the celebration party.”
“Celebration party?” I ask, confused.