Lake Larson

The icy wind picked up as the lights for the field flickered on. The mist in the air froze to my face with the clouds threatening to rain. With the night sky, a gray shadow masked the metal stands with people filling in. Rain and soccer always set the scene for drama movies, but truthfully, it was like skipping a rock across a lake.

The grass soaked my soccer shoes as I jogged in place, rubbing my hands together. I pulled on my socks, lifting them over my knees to feel the warmth.

"You look freezing," Ian said while I jumped in place, stretching my legs.

I glanced across the field to the rest of the team as I rolled a ball under my foot, getting ready for the game away from others. I needed to warm up, but my body only wanted to cuddle in a bed curled in the fetal position.

"Y-y-y-yeah," I stuttered to Ian with my bottom jaw chattering.

"Okay, well, you need to warm up your body," Ian said, jumping up and down, doing a half-jumping jack. "Let's jog around the field."

He took off running before I responded, waving his hand for me to follow. I huffed in annoyance but dug my cleats into the grass, catching him. With my hands rubbing together, I breathed on them, seeing my breath float around my face. The water splashed around my ankles while we rounded to the front of the bleachers.

"Lake!" a voice yelled from the crowd of students.

I glanced around the faces, not seeing anyone I'd want to talk to.

"Who is he?" Ian asked when my eyes lingered on Jacob, the creep on the men's soccer club.

"Jacob," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Oh," Ian watched Jacob. "And judging by your expression, you don't like him." He jogged ahead of me, glancing back as we passed the bleachers.

"Right on the target," I giggled with Ian as his eyes widened.

"Well, prepare yourself because here he comes," Ian said, surprising me.

I glance behind, seeing Jacob stumbling toward us. "You got to be kidding me," I whispered, wanting to run.

"Lake!" Jacob waved his hands above his head. "Hey, wait up."

I fake smiled at him as he rounded to the front of me with a mirroring grin. He brushed his hand on my head, patting it while looking over my shoulder at the bleachers. I stepped back as his hand fell from my hair, sloppy. He chuckled to the ground as I glanced behind at the stands to see his friends fist-bumping each other while watching us.

"What do you want?" I rolled my eyes, keeping my distance from Jacob, but he kept stepping closer.

"Coming in hot already," Jacob replied. "I like my woman spicy."

Ian chuckled as I glared at him. His eyes widened as he zipped his mouth with his fingers before smirking.

"I have to warm up for my game," I said, bobbing my eyes between Ian and Jacob.

Jacob slouched forward, looking at his friends with a chuckle. "Lake, I know you are the ice queen, but how about you make yourself available and show me what you have under that uniform?" His hand grabbed mine quickly, bringing my body to his.

In shock, I glanced at Ian with a worried expression. I yanked, but Jacob kept his hand tight on my wrist as the scent of alcohol floated into my nose. His other hand entangled with the jersey on my backside, and I felt his icy fingers on my skin.

"Fuck off, dude!" Ian yelled, attempting to shove Jacob, but his hands went through him.

"Let me go," I said through my teeth.

Jacob chuckled as he leaned his face close to mine. His eyes rolled as he couldn't focus on one thing. His body stumbled slightly into me while the grip on my wrist tightened.

"Dude, listen to her," another voice said behind me.

Jacob let my wrist go, prompting me to shove him away. He staggered backward as I glanced over to see Hudson running toward us. His blue eyes met mine before he glared at Jacob.

"Are you okay, Lake?" Ian's voice echoed beside me. I glanced at him as his eyes told me he was sorry for not helping.

"Why don't you go back to your friends," Hudson said with a deep voice as I looked at him, away from Ian.

Hudson placed himself between me and Jacob, shoving his chest. Jacob fell back into the grass before standing and waving his middle finger at Hudson.

"Whatever, bro," Jacob said, laughing everything off and walking sideways back to the bleachers.

I bit inside my cheek, glancing at Ian. He smirked at me, raising an eyebrow. "Now it's time to talk to your Prince Charming."

Hudson stepped closer to me, leaning his head in. "Are you okay, Lake?"

"Yes," I replied, shaking my head. "Drunk college guys." I looked at the bleachers, seeing Jacob high-fiving his friends like I was some joke.

"No." Hudson arched his brows. "There is no excuse for his actions."

"Y—" I said, looking at my feet, but Hudson placed his thumb on my chin, prompting me to look up at him.

"Too bad I wasn't five minutes earlier." He smiled, removing his hand. "I'll be cheering for you." Hudson walked backward, jogging to the stands.

Hudson's rear swayed as he slowed to a walk, gripping the guardrail. He brushed his hand through his hair, smiling at his friend. He shook his head, leaning to glare at Jacob and his friends. A whistle blew, causing me to jump, bringing my palms to my face. Ian chuckled, shaking his head while pointing at my team.

"See you at the end of the game," Ian said as I ran to my coach.

The rain picked up as the game started. Cold to the touch, the ball moved slowly down the field, skipping across the wet grass. We played like we had broomsticks taped to our legs, stiff and freezing.

"Here!" I yelled. "Open!" My voice croaked out, not relaying to my teammate across the field.

I slipped on the grass, landing on my palms as the icy liquid soaked my front. With the ball near, I jumped up, racing toward it. The girl tried to fake me out, but I stole the ball, sprinting toward their goal.

As their goalie jumped out, I passed across the field just in time for the defense to read my mind and take the ball.

The final whistle blew as I glanced at the scoreboard, reading zero for both teams. I placed my palms on my forehead, feeling the sweat.

"Good job," a voice said as I spun around to shake the goalie's hand.

"Great game," I replied, hoping for more time to score on her.

I glanced at the bleachers, watching the fans exit the stands like Minecraft villagers on autopilot. Hudson walked with his friends, not looking up as they left. One of his friends grabbed his shoulders, friendly-shoving him. The rain picked up, causing everyone to run with their hands above their heads.

A loud giggle had me glancing over as Clair grabbed my shoulders. "Nice job, Lake."

"You deserved to start today," I replied. "Next year will be your golden year."

Her eyes smiled at me before she ran away, following the rest of the team.

Back in the warm locker room, the steam filled the chemical-smelling area while most of the team dressed up to celebrate the end of the season. Giggles echoed until it became silent as the last group exited the building, leaving me alone.

"That was fun to watch," Ian's voice chimed into my ears as I pulled a fresh shirt over my head.

"What part?" I leaned on my locker door, raising an eyebrow at him. "Me falling on my butt a hundred times, or neither team scoring a goal?"

He pointed at me. "Both, but you are good." Ian beamed his perfect teeth at me. "I had never watched soccer before, but I can tell you are one of the better ones on the field."

"Tha—" I said, but Ian shook his head no, pointing behind me.

I turned around, seeing Gabby stalk toward me with her soccer bag on her shoulder. Her hand rested nicely on her hip as she fake smiled.

"Damn, she is hot," Ian whispered, causing me to roll my eyes.

Gabby slammed my locker door shut. "Are you always such an idiot!" she barked.

"Ohhh," Ian hissed. "She is a bitch, though."

I slightly smiled at my feet before peeking over at Ian, hoping he would call her more unholy names.

"What are you smiling for?" Gabby yelled, while jabbing her finger into my chest. "I told you already to stay away from Jacob. I will not have someone as ugly as you talking to him."

I inhaled deeply, looking down at my feet. My mind went in circles of dark places while I let Gabby yell at me. I should have ignored her, but her hurtful words echo in my nightmares.

"You're an ugly bitch and nobody likes you." Gabby's face was near mine as I closed my eyes, hoping she would disappear. "See, you are weak," she whispered. "I would love to never see you again in my life."

Gabby's steps echoed away from me as I tightened my lids, letting the darkness mask me. I heard the door creaked open, telling me she left. I opened my eyes, relieved she was gone.

"Lake," Ian whispered with pity.

I didn't need this. An audience while Gabby bullied me. The idea of loneliness to escape this embarrassment seemed like heaven. Tears threatened in my eyes as I cupped my palms over them, hoping he wouldn't see.

"Lake, look at me," Ian said while I felt his icy fingers trying to pull at my palms, but only went through.

"Just leave me alone, Ian," I whispered.

"You can't let her get to you. Girls like her are mean and will always be—" he said.

"I said, leave me alone!" I yelled, staring into his eyes as tears poured down my cheeks.

I ran away before he could say anything else, locking myself into a stall. I quickly sat on the toilet with my palms on my forehead. Taking in deep breaths, I tried to stop myself from crying.

Why do I care what she thinks? I always have it in my mind that people hate me. I strive to be my best and to make sure everyone likes me. Constantly teetering on the edge and over-analyzing everything. Does she like me? Does he hate me? I am beating up on myself, but maybe because there are girls like Gabby in this world that put those thoughts in my head. The first spark of fire that lights up all the self-hate.

"Lake, I'm not leaving," Ian said from the other side of the door.

I peeked around my palms, seeing his bare feet on the tile floor. He had his back against the door, leaning on the stall while his legs crossed over one another.

"Mean girls like her are only insecure." He tapped his foot on the ground.

"That's what they all say, but look at her."

Within a split second, he was kneeling before me. His beautiful hazel eyes were level with mine as his face neared mine. "Lake, you are more than she will ever be. You are one of those bright things in the sky." He snapped his fingers, trying to figure out the word.

"A star?" I raised a brow at him.

He pointed at me, smiling. "Yes."

I glared. "Don't patronize me."

"Not just one of those dim ones either," he said, ignoring me. "But a bright one. The type men sail to the end of the world for." He tilted his head. "And that battery-operated flashlight sees that."

I giggled a little, feeling snot building inside my nose. I wiped my face, shaking my head at him.

"She is trying to put out your flame, and you can't let her do that," he said without breaking eye contact. "You are a locked-up firefly. Time to shine like one."

I couldn't help but smile at him with an exhaled laugh. Everyone needed an Ian attached to them, telling them how important they are and teaching them self-love. He picked up my shattered pieces and glued them together without a question.

"Thank you," I said.

"What are—" he froze, widened his eyes, and lost his thought. His hand brushed my knee, bringing warmth for a moment as he squeezed. "Friends for?" He finished his sentence, glancing down as his hand froze my knee.

Ian coughed, standing simultaneously with me. We stood in the tiny stall as his cold ghost body brushed into mine. He chuckled, prompting me to peek up. My cheeks burned before I walked through him, leaving.

"Ready to walk me back to my dorm?" I asked, almost running from him.

"Of course." He popped up before me as I jumped backward. "By the way, you impressed Hudson."

I smiled, walking around him. "Really?" I asked, grabbing my soccer bag from the tile floor. "Because, believe it or not, that day you decided to haunt my life was the same day he asked me about Gabby."

Ian looked at me, confused.

"The battery-operated flashlight," I replied as he awkwardly smiled at me.

"That's a nightmare."

"Yeah, you are telling me," I said, exiting the locker room into the frosty night.

Thank you for reading. Please share, comment, and push that beautiful star.