"You think you'll get your Christmas present this week," Ash said, in an attempt to break up the weird mood. We were in the girls' locker room getting ready for football practice. The weird mood was more like the divide that was slowly forming between teammates.

Ash, Irina and I had all been nominated as potential captains for the season. The first phase was a vote where everyone on the team would nominate two people. We had already done that. We were currently in the second phase where the coaches would decide between the three of us who is the best individual for the position.

"I doubt it will be soon. I think his birthday mood will outshine his need for revenge," I replied. Ash had groaned when she found out that she had been nominated. She was already on the school council, a tutor and a valuable teammate. Adding captain to her list would just be an increase in responsibilities and less time for herself. Her protest had been vocal but everyone else swayed her from her decision to drop out. So truly, it was only Irina and me in the running.

"I think you're way too relaxed and should be thinking of your next move," Ash hinted. She loved hearing about the latest between Easton and me but stayed very far away from it all. She called it free entertainment and I had no reason to keep her in the dark. It's not like it was a secret and Ash loved to hear about it straight from the source.

"You have way too much time on your hands," Michelle added. Our conversation had caught the attention of most girls and it wasn't anything new. Everyone enjoyed the latest action and it just happened to our conversation. I am sure by tomorrow it would be some random fight or the classic he-said-she-said drama.

"I had to sacrifice some sleep for it," I argued. There was an assignment that was due today and I had been procrastinating so when I got home last night, I had no choice but to start and finish it in one sitting. Maybe I could've finished earlier if I hadn't made that trip to Easton's locker, or maybe I could've started the assignment two weeks ago when we received it. I guess we'll never know.

"She has too much time for Easton," Michelle remarked, ignoring my point.

"Do you like Easton or something?" Irina asked. This wasn't the first time I had been asked and I'm sure it wouldn't be the last.

"Or something," I replied sarcastically. I learnt there was no point in explaining to anyone because they would always stick to their opinions. There's no use wasting my breath.

"If you didn't like Easton then you would be with someone else," another teammate jabbed. Murmurs of agreement joined and I tuned most of them out.

Sure, I liked Easton.

I just didn't like-like Easton, as they all thought.

Our relationship was a little complicated but we had boundaries. A nice boundary was not interfering in each other's dating lives. Easton was perfect with Rayanna. Anyone with half a brain cell could see that.

Apparently not maybe people seemed to have that half-brain cell.

"I dare you to go on a date," Michelle said, adding fuel to the fire. Everyone hushed to see my reaction.

"Why would I do that when there's nothing in it for me?" I was not stupid. There was nothing I would gain except wasting my time on a date.

"You would be proving you're not secretly in love with Easton," Irina supplied, pointing out what the current verdict in the locker room was.

"Again, there's nothing in it for me."

Before either one could respond, we were summoned out onto the pitch for football practice. The main reason we were here. Today we practised our skills at different stations by splitting the team into three. Of course, this was a test to see how we interacted with our teammates. Despite my ever-growing urge to win every day, I admired Irina helped another teammate who was struggling with ball control by giving tips. While I know the team would be in good hands with her, I wanted to win. I wanted to be captain. So it was no surprise when practice finished and Irina approached me that I agreed to her bet.

"Don't do it, Maya," Ash warned. She had seen enough before she decided to give her opinion.

"I have nothing to lose by going on three dates in two weeks," I reasoned. Getting three dates couldn't be that difficult. I'm sure there a plenty of serial daters out there.

"You don't have to prove anything to anyone. I know you're not secretly in love with Easton," Ash replied, having known a lot of our history. I was glad to know that people whose opinions I cared about were actually right.

"It's not even about that anymore." Irina was a strong competitor and if she was out then Ash would easily decline the position if it went her way.

"Don't be a spoilsport, it's just a little fun," someone interjected. Ash threw a glare in her direction but continued with her plight.

"Mate, if you don't go on three dates, you'll have to confess feelings you don't even have."

"But she will drop out of the running, I'll be captain."

"The risk is too big." She shook her head.

"Well, it's a risk I'm willing to take." To win. I could taste my victory. Maybe I can go on three dates tomorrow. One at lunch, one after practice and maybe an evening stroll.

Ash gave me a look that had me avoiding eye contact. It was the look of logic and reason. The one your parents would give you when you were being irresponsible and you knew it.

"Ashton."

"Oh damn, full name. Fine, I'll stop for now. I'll be back though, just to say I told you so." Ash sighed, dropping the topic but I had to have the last words.

"You won't need to do so. I'll win."