*NOT EDITED*

Chapter 19

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"So, how was it?" I asked them once we met outside.

"Uhh, it was . . . easy," Drake said with a wince.

"You probably got stuck on the first question," Damon said with a laugh and I laughed along.

"The first question was to fill in my name," Drake said confusedly.

"Exactly," Bex said with a laugh.

"You guys are such bullies." Drake crossed his arms childishly.

"Only true friends are the real bullies." I winked at him.

Emma laughed before giving Drake a kiss. "Come on, Ash. We can't be late for our big game."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Big game? I thought that was next week."

"No, it's today. Restwood High is coming today," She said slowly.

My eyes widened. "But I have't been practicing the past week because of my punishment."

   "Yeah, that's why I was surprised. Don't worry, you're probably one of the best players in this town. You'll be fine," Emma said reassuringly.

   "God, no. I'm so doomed." I shook my head. Emma ignored my words and dragged me away from the rest to the locker room.

   "Are they good? Are they really good? I mean, I haven't practiced in a while, what am I going to-"

   Emma stopped my ranting with a slap across my cheek. "You will be fine. Just calm down. You're Ash Brooks. Say it."

   "I'm Ash Brooks," I said with a nod.

   "Louder." She shook my shoulders.

   "I'm Ash Brooks!"

   "Good. Now go get your butt in there and change into your soccer clothes." She pushed me into one of the stalls and I obliged.

    I hurriedly stuffed the other change of clothes that I was wearing into my duffel bag, and left with Emma to the field. Thankfully, we weren't late and some people weren't even there yet. It was faint at first, but then I heard it clearer by the second. Tracking the sound, my eyes caught Bex, Ryder, Drake, and Damon cheering our names at the bleachers.

   I laughed with Emma when I saw Damon jumping up and down with an A4 paper that read 'You Go Ash & Emma'. I guess it was a last minute sign.

   We did a few warmup exercises until the opposing team arrived. I started feeling my nerves on end as I started jogging in place.

   You can do this.
 
   You can do this.

   You can do this. 

   After the introductions were made, we all gathered for the referee to flip a coin. The winner of the coin flip was the opposing team so they the chose the end for the first half and we kicked off.

   I got a feel for everyone; saw who was in control, who wasn't afraid to attack, and tried to pinpoint their point of weakness. The first half went well, but no one scored. It was easy.

   Then, the second half began and things got spiced up a little. Celeste almost scored a goal and was very close to doing so if it weren't for the goalie. To her defence, the goalie was very tall and very broad. Honestly, she looked like she could eat you.

   After Celeste tried to score, one of the girls from the opposing team, Veronica, I think was her name, was able to score a goal. So now, it was 1-0, and we were losing. That didn't worry me, though, because we still had half an hour left.

   I pushed my thoughts aside as Emma passed me the ball. I dribbled it to half-field before passing it to Bonnie. Then, Bonnie passed it to Ally who passed it back to me. We've done a dance across the field, and I was now close enough to the net to shoot. So, I did and I scored a goal.

   The crowd roared as the first goal of our team was made. I smiled proudly and high-fived everyone. Emma pointed at the crowd to where Damon and the rest were cheering. Damon was screaming at the top of his lungs 'that's my sister right there', making me laugh.

   We continued playing and no one scored for a while. Some tried, but the goalies would always block it. I was starting to think that the game would end as a tie. It wasn't a loose, but it also wasn't a win which wasn't enough for me.

   It came down to the last 3 minutes when I was loosing hope, that Christina shot a goal. I cheered at the top of my lungs along with the crowd before giving Christina a clap on the back.

   The game ended with the scores being 2-1, our team the winner. Of course, I was extremely happy, but I denied the offer of getting celebratory pizza due to the fact that I was exhausted. Running around and doing so much effort after not working for a week was tiring, and I was sure that I'd wake up with sore muscles. Emma, however, went with them after trying to convince me to tag along, but failing.

   After the crowd died down and we were able to leave, I went to the locker room to take a shower. Usually, I'd never shower in those disgusting things, but today was an exception. I smelled like utter trash.

After quickly, but thoroughly taking a shower, I changed into clean clothes and left the bathroom. I easily found my baby in the parking lot and got in. No, I am never gonna stop calling it my baby. This is how much love and attention it deserves.

"Hello."

My heart almost stopped at the voice and I jumped in my seat so high, my head bumped the ceiling.

Rubbing my head, I turned around to see Ryder laughing his butt off in the backseat. I threw my keys at his face, making him stop laughing.

"Oww, not the money maker, babe. Anything but that." He winced as he rubbed his nose.

"Call me babe one more time, and I'll aim for the baby maker." I winked at him from the rear view mirror and his eyes widened. "Why are you here?"

"Because I wanted to congratulate you. Emma told me that you were gonna take a shower so I decided to wait for you here," he explained as he climbed to the passenger seat.

"Thanks, I didn't think our team would win." I started the engine, and back out of the parking space.

"You did great out there. So, I'm going to pick my brother up. Mind giving us a ride?"

"No, not at all. He's in school, right?"

"Yeah, I'll give you the directions."

"Tell me about him," I said.

"He's one of a kind. The school's in front of the local library. With just 12 years, he has the brain of a 20 year old. He's very  mature and smart. Smart as in brains and in smart-mouthed." He laughed.

"He sounds cool. I can't wait to meet him. I thought he'd be brainwashed by video games and whatnot."

"Oh, he's not. Turn left. He thinks it's a complete and utter waste of time and that it acts as a drug and kills your brain cells by the second. His exact words."

I laughed. "Your family is a family that I'd love to meet."

"You won't be saying that once you meet them," he said with a chuckle. "Okay, just keep going straight . . . Yes, that's it."

After parking in front of the school, we got out of the car and waited for the kids to start rushing out. Ryder walked to one of them and gave him a high-five. Obviously, it was his brother. Based on his looks, I could tell that he'll have girls falling for him when he hits puberty. He had the same chocolate eyes as Ryder, the same handsome features that would sharpen when he grows up, and soft brown hair. He had on thick-lensed, circle shaped eyeglasses that were the cherry-on-top of his looks.

Once they walked over to me, I gave him a smile.

"Hi, I'm Ash Brooks." I reached out my hand for a shake and he took it with a smile.

"Benjamin Adams, don't call me Ben. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," I replied with a laugh.

"So, is she the one?"

"So, is he the one?"

Benjamin and I had both asked the question simultaneously to Ryder.

"Ryder's been telling me a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet the girl who's been the reason of my headaches. No offense," Benjamin said.

Ryder's ears tinged red at the top as he rubbed the back of his neck.

   "That was supposed to be confidential, Benjamin," he said through clenched teeth.

   "Doesn't explain why the whole house knows." He gave Ryder a cheeky smile as he pushed his glasses over the bridge of his nose.

   I laughed and got into the car.

   "So, tell me more about yourself, Ash Brooks. If you're going to be my brother's girlfriend, then I need to know more," Benjamin said from the backseat.

   I was unable to keep myself from blushing. "I'm not his girlfriend."

   "Yet." Ryder and Benjamin said simultaneously.

   "Oh, so the conceitedness runs in the family?" I asked with a roll of my eyes.

   "I'm afraid so. Now tell me more about yourself."

   "Well, I like playing soccer a lot. And if I were to choose between my books and human beings, then I choose books. Also, I think your brother is annoying and has too big of an ego. But wanna know something?"

   He nodded.

   I stopped the car at the traffic light and turned back to him.

   Leaning into his ear, I whispered loud enough for Ryder to hear, "I think I like him."

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Author's Note:

Hey, guys! I really like this chapter and how it turned out. The song at the side is Walk by Kwabs, and I want you to play it during the soccer match :)

So, what do you think of Benjamin? I think I like him ;). The party is coming up in the next chapter or the one after it, I'm not sure, but things will get REALLY JUICY. I can't wait!

Also, I entered my book into #ProjectGiggle and #ProjectFeelAwesome and I think it's great that people in wattpad are doing these kinds of things :)

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