Chapter 10

“You wanted to see me?” I asked, walking into my dad’s office. My parents were sitting behind his desk.

“Yes take a seat.” Dad said seriously.

I frowned. “Is it serious? I have a game to be at in 15 minutes.” I said, sitting down. My parents exchanged looks.

“Honey, you know we love you no matter what, okay?” My mom said softly. I just looked at them nervously.

“We were going to tell you on your 18th birthday, but we feel we should tell you now...” My dad said quietly.

“What’s going on?” I asked nervously.

“You were adopted.” My mom said.

“Excuse me?” I whispered.

“You were -”

“No I heard you but what the fuck!” I exclaimed.

“We were in Italy for a vacation 10 years ago, doing some charity at a local orphanage.” My dad started.

“You looked so helpless, this little 5 year old girl, not knowing where to go...” My mom said, tears in her eyes. “It was like a message, I had to do something...”

“We didn’t speak Italian, and you kept saying ‘Alexandra’, so we figured that was your name. So we took you home with us.” My dad explained.

I just looked at the people in front of me. The people who I called my parents, but we had no biological connection.

“Who are my real parents?” I asked quietly.

“We don’t know.” My mom said.

I just nodded and stood up.

“I... I’m um, I have a game, and uh, don’t expect me to be back tonight.” I said, my voice cracking. I ran downstairs to my room. I threw random clothes into my bag, along with some other necessary stuff, then I went up to my car. I felt numb. I just couldn’t process the words in my brain.

I was adopted. Adopted. My own mother is out there somewhere. Someone who looks exactly like me. Maybe she has that nervous twitch in her eye when she lies. Maybe she squeaks when she laughs. Maybe she’s allergic to pineapple and coconut too... Maybe she’ll love me.

I didn’t even realize that I’d been parked in the parking lot for 5 minutes already. I quickly jumped out and grabbed my bag. I ran into the locker room, knowing that I was late.

“Where the hell have you been the game starts in 5 minutes!” Coach yelled as I walked past him.

“Fuck off.” I muttered, putting my bag down on the bench.

“Hey.” Dylan grinned, walking over to me. “Happy one month.” He laughed.

I ignored him.

“What’s the matter?” He asked, putting his hand on my shoulder. I shrugged him off.

“I’ll explain later, I’m spending the night.” I muttered. Dylan just nodded. I quickly changed into my uniform and walked over to coach, as everyone was crowded around him.

“You.” He said, pointing at me. “Why are you late. You’re never late.”

I ignored him, not trusting myself to speak normally.

“Sam. When I ask you a question, it means answer it!” Coach said harshly, crossing his arms.

I felt tears fall down my cheeks and I pulled off my helmet. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and took a deep breath. “It’s nothing.” I said, putting my helmet back on.

“Are you okay to play?” Coach asked.

“Yea.” I mumbled.

“See. This is what I’m talking. Girls get so emotional when they’re on their period.” Nate said, laughing.

For once, I didn’t react to his lame jokes.

“Alright. Let’s go.” Coach said, clapping his hands and walking towards the door.

I usually was one of the last people to leave, and Dylan hung back with me.

The door shut behind the others and he turned to me.

“Hey... is it something that I did? Please tell me...” Dylan asked.

“No. Babe it’s nothing that has to do you with you at all.” I said, looking up at him.

“Then what is it?” Dylan asked.

“I’m adopted.” I said, my voice cracking.

Dylan gasped. “Adopted?” He asked in shock. I nodded, shaking my arms out.

“Adopted.” I repeated. “I’m Italian, did you know that?” I said, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

“Wow.” Dylan said. “You know, I’m here for you... If you need anything. Anything at all.”

“I think I’m going to need a place to stay for a while.” I said softly.

“Of course. Absolutely.” Dylan said, without missing a beat. “Baby you know you’re always welcome at my house.”

“I love you.” I blurted out. My eyes grew wide when I realized what I said.

Dylan pulled his helmet off and just looked at me.

“I love you too.” He said, his face breaking into a huge smile.

No matter how mad I was at the world, I felt an undeniable happiness build up in me. I pulled my helmet off and gave Dylan the biggest kiss I could.

I never thought saying ‘I love you’ for the first time would mean so much, but wow.

Dylan smiled and kissed me back, wrapping his arms around me.

“I love you I love you I love you I love you.” He said in between kisses. I just hugged him tightly, burying my face in his neck.

“I love you.” I whispered.

“Come on.” He said, grabbing my hand. I laughed and we ran out to where the rest of the team was.

I waited for the lineup to be called, and smiled as usual when they called my name.

“And the quarterback and team captain, Sam Carson, number 27.” The announcer called. I ran out onto the field, pretending to be ecstatic.

We better win this.

******************************

“Hey ma? Is it alright if Sam stays with us for a bit?” Dylan asked, walking into the kitchen ahead of me. I nervously hung back.

“Of course! Is everything alright?” Kate asked quickly, concern in her voice.

“Yea... Uh, she kind of just found out that she was adopted...” Dylan said awkwardly.

“Oh... Yes of course she can stay with us.” Kate said seriously.

“Thanks.” Dylan said, then walked out to me. “You can stay.” He said, kissing my forehead.

I nodded and turned to go up the stairs. When we got into his room, I felt like someone pulled the plug. Everything just came out. I felt myself falling, and Dylan caught my in his arms, holding me close to him.

“Shh....” He whispered, rubbing my back as he sat down on the bed with me. I sat sat down next to him and just cried into his shoulder. “Don’t cry...” He whispered, kissing my cheek.

“Dylan! Did you win the game?!” Noah yelled, running into the room.

“Noah not right now.” Dylan said softly.

“Did you win?”

“Yes we won, Noah can you leave us alone for a minute please?” Dylan asked.

I felt a little pair of hands on my arm, and Noah climbed up to give me a hug.

“Don’t cry, Sammy.” Noah said, hugging me tightly.

I laughed, still crying, and hugged him back.

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These chapters are so short I apologize :/

But ahhh drama in this chapter huh?

When I started rewriting this book from where I left off, I debated taking this part out, because I had absolutely no idea where I'd wanted to go with it, but it's all making sense now. 

Update: Later today

-Panda