Nick's POV

"Nicholas, are you listening?"

I blink and rub my eyes. I look at Imogen and shake my head. "Sorry, I just have some things on my mind." I casually say as I swipe through my Instagram feed. We are sitting in my room, she's working on a dress drawing for her one class. She's dual majoring in fashion design and business.

"The first rugby match?" She asks, raising her eyebrows. I nod. My phone vibrates, Charlie's Instagram notification popping up. "Yeah and some other stuff." I say almost muffled.

"You are going to do great Nick. You always do. You've been practicing really hard these past two weeks and so has the team. We have watched you all at practice and you all are ready!" She stands up from my desk and walks over to me on my bed. She leans down and gives me a tight hug. I wrap my arms around the middle of her back. "Thanks Imogen." I say before letting go.

She crawls over my legs and sits down next to me. "What else is it?" She asks. I sigh and cross my arms tightly over my chest. "I just feel like I don't know what I want to do with my life, Imogen." I close my eyes and use my index finger to trace shapes on my upper arm. One of my nervous habits.

"I don't have a major. I don't know what makes me happy, career wise. I love rugby. I can't make a living out of being a coach. I don't want to own a team so I don't want to do business. I just don't know and I feel lost. I feel ..." I close my eyes and take a deep breath before continuing, "-like I don't know who I am anymore. I just have these feelings inside me and I don't know what to do about it."

I look over at Imogen, her eyes are wide. She has a soft smile. "I am sorry. I know that doesn't make much sense. You know without the extra context. I just don't feel like me. The old Nick from last year." She grabs my hand and rubs her thumb over my knuckles.

"Nicholas. I might not feel what you are feeling but I understand and can empathize." She nudges her shoulder against mine, trying to lighten the mood. "But I am here for you. To listen. To give advice when and IF you want it. You're probably my best friend, Nick. You are always in my corner and I want you to know I am in your's as well."

I wipe a small tear that falls down my cheek. I wrap my arms around her shoulders, pulling her into a tight hug. We sit there for a few moments, while she rubs her hand up and down my back. Our embrace is broken up by her phone vibrating. "It's Sahar. We are going for a late lunch before your match tonight. She just finished her band practice. Would you like to come?"

I chuckle. "No, I am not going to be a third wheel on your lunch date with you and your girlfriend, Imogen. But thank you." She climbs over my legs again. She throws her sketch pad in her bag quickly and slings it over her shoulders. She walks back to my bed and roughs my hair up. We laugh together before she waves goodbye and walks out of my room. I hear her exchange goodbyes to my flatmates before the front door shuts.

I look down at my phone and answer Charlie. We have been talking nonstop for the past two weeks. I haven't seen him outside of our elective class together but I want to. I just haven't asked. I don't know how to ask to hang out just the two of us.

"You ready for tonight?" Christian asks from my bedroom door. "Yeah, Mate. I'm excited. You?" I ask back as I climb out of bed. "First rugby match of the year!" Otis yells as he quickly walks down the hallway to the common room.

I check the time on my phone. "We should probably get to campus soon." I note and start to back my duffle bag with my rugby things. "Want me to drive?" Sai asks from behind Christian. "Yeah. Thanks." Christian says, patting his shoulder before they both walk away to their rooms. The ride to campus is pretty quick. The guys talking about the other uni's team. I guess they looked into the players on the team. I just sat in the back in silence. We are some of the first to get to the rugby field so we start to get the equipment out from the rugby field shed. When we are almost done, I hear-

"Oi! Captain."

I come out of the shed to see Harry and the rest of team are just sitting on the grass. Like last year. They never wanted to help. "Sup Harry?" He gets up from the ground and wraps his arm around me. He pats my chest quickly before speaking. "You ready for the 'W' tonight?" He asks, kind of smarmy. I just nod my head. "Mates, let's get something to drink and we will get warmed up in about 10." I say and walk out of Harry's grasps.

I head to our bench and grab my phone and water bottle. I squirt some water into my mouth while checking my notifications.

Instagram: The Dweebs:
tara_jones_: Nick! We will be at the match in a bit. We are getting some snacks! I think Elle might be there soon

"Nicky!" I almost drop my phone.

I look up quickly and see my Mum come waking up the sidelines, against the bleachers. I throw my phone on my duffle before running to her. I wrap my arms around her shoulders tightly, holding my emotions in. "Mum, I didn't know you were coming!" I let her go and place my hands in my shorts pockets.

"I wanted it to be a surprise! It's your first match as captain. I wanted to come see you." She says, a bright smile spread across her lips. "Thanks Mum." I say. "Also, I have a friend that just moved about 30 minutes away from here and I am spending the weekend at her's." I can't help but laugh before giving her another hug. "I love you." I whisper. I rub her shoulder before nudging my head to the field, telling her I have to go.

I run back to the field, calling the team out to warmup. We run through our warmup routine and by the time we finish, the other team shows up. We clear the field for them and sit on our bench. I drink some water and check my phone to see if Charlie messaged... he didn't. I put my phone back in my duffle and sling it over my shoulder. I head towards the changing room and spot Elle walking through the parking lot.

I quickly put my bag in my locker before jogging back outside. When I step out of the changing room, my heart skips a beat. "I brought Charlie, if that's okay?" Elle says, raising her hands towards him.

"Hi." He says, waving his hand shyly.

"Hi." I say with a small laugh.

I clear my throat. "Yeah, that's great. Thanks for coming guys." Stop smiling like a goof... "Everyone isn't here yet but my Mum is. You can sit next to her." I suggest. "I love your Mum. Charlie! She is such a sweetheart." Elle says, grabbing Charlie's hand and dragging him towards the spectator bleacher. I watch them walk away, almost unable to move.

When I get back to the bench, we do our team cheer and head to the field. Coach Singh shouts encouragements from the sidelines. I take the ball from the referee and look at the spectators. All my friends start running from the far end of the stands towards my Mum. They hug her quickly before sitting down all around her.

Then I look at Charlie. He has a brilliant smile on, his teeth showing. I see him laugh when Darcy roughs his curls up. I can't hold back a one sided smile as I look down at the ball, fidgeting slightly. I look back up and Charlie's eyes catch mine. I put my hand up quickly to wave. He smiles and waves back.

____________________

"Oh Nicky! That was fantastic." My Mum says as I come out of the changing room. "You have improved so much since last season." She hugs me tightly, kissing my cheek. "Thanks." I chuckle. My friends all come charging up to me, patting my shoulder or giving me hugs. Until I get to Charlie.

"Thanks for coming Charlie." I say as I cross my arms tightly to my chest. "I didn't really know what was happening unless you scored." He laughed. "Which was like, a lot. What was the score?" He adds. I can't help but smile. "35 to 4."

Neither of us say another word. We just smile at each other. It's not awkward. He feels normal, right even.

"Its half passed 7. I have to get going so I can get to my friends for dinner." My Mum says, patting my shoulder. I turn around and hug her tightly. "Thanks for coming Mum. You coming for Parents Weekend?" I ask after our embrace. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She says, pinching my cheek almost obnoxiously. I smile and wave as she starts to walk away. "Goodbye everyone!" She waves at my friends. "It was nice to meet you Charlie." She specifies before walking down the path to the parking lot. I turn back to Charlie, his face slightly blushing.

"Did you get a haircut?" I ask, grabbing the front curls of his hair. "Is it bad?" He asks, a small smile creeping over his lips. "You look... it looks great!" We exchange another smile between each other before I feel Darcy wrap their arm around my shoulder. I look over at them, my arms still crossed.

"We were all talking and it's a great Friday to go out! Especially since you won. Did you want to go out for some drinks? Maybe some bar hopping?" They ask which I can't help but smile and roll my eyes. "As long as you all don't black out and I have to take care of you back at my flat." They pat my shoulder. "I can't promise but I'm sure we can try." They say sarcastically.

I look back at Charlie, who is holding onto his one arm, nervously. "Would you like to come out with us?" There is a pause. "I would really like it if you came out, Charlie." I add. He gives a small smile. "Sure. I am not dressed for a bar or club so I need Elle to take me back to my flat."

We look into each other's eyes one more time before he smiles and walks away with Elle.

Tonight will be interesting to say the least...