The match had already started when we reached the soccer grounds. There were a lot of spectators both from our school and the opponent’s, though not as jammed as you would have on a finals game.

Thomas offered a hand to guide me as I descended the stairs and we located a vacant seat near the field. I pressed down on my buttocks and flattened out my blue-white plaid dress just before I took my seat on the benches beside Thomas. I scanned around the field.

Our team, the Tigers, had the ball and was pulling off an offensive, according to the commentator. More so, Andrei was up front, crossing the middle line of the field with the ball on his feet. He glided past attackers and lifted the ball with ease in the air and back down on the ground again, speeding down to the opponent’s goalie. Once on a good distance to hit the goalie, Andrei passed the ball to a stocky blond guy, who the commentator said his last name but quickly escaped from my mind. The blond guy caught the ball with his right foot, dribbled it past an attacker, knocked it on his knees and shot it right back to a bald guy with his forehead. At that instant, the bald guy threw a scissor kick and shot the ball in the goalie, but the opponent’s guard blocked the shot with both of his hands and toppled down on the ground. Andrei maneuvered from behind, slid fast on the ground and kicked the ball back up and into the goalie. The ball hit right on the left corner, clear and smooth. As people realized we had a point in, the crowd howled in surprise and joy.

I clapped my hands in delight as Thomas howled and cheered the team on. As Andrei made his way into his position he caught a glimpse of the crowd—caught a glimpse of me in the stands. He smiled and nudged his head a hello. I automatically gave off a small wave back. Seriously why was I here again? Pretending to be nice to people I really hate took a lot of energy.

“Hey, we’re winning,” Jayla shot out, competing against the cheers of the crowd. In a white shirt and shorts, she took a seat beside me.

“Practice over?” I asked her.

“I sneaked out,” she smiled mischievously.

I leaned back a bit and said, “By the way, Thomas this is Jayla. We’re classmates. And Thomas, Jayla. Thomas is in the council too.”

“Hey.” Thomas smiled at her.

“Did Andrei invite you too?” she asked.

“I’m just here for Snow.”

“Great,” she said, relieved. She turned to the game and howled, “Go Tigers!”

I looked over at Thomas and smiled, wanting to apologize he had to ever meet Jayla, who had only two things in her mind: volleyball and the man he was targeting.

Thomas replied with a snicker, slightly hinting that it was okay. “Hey Snow,” he said in a volume that only I could possibly hear.

“Hmmm?”

“My sister’s birthday is tomorrow and I have no clue what to get her. It’d be nice if you can come along and help me pick something.”

“Sure.” I smiled gladly, taking no hesitation in saying yes. I did have two younger siblings and I was an expert in picking out awesome stuff.

“Thanks.” He looked back at the game and somehow his face reddened a bit. And I got this feeling that he was somehow happy.

I shook the need to wonder why as I focused on the game. Andrei raced past the opponent and shot the ball into the goalie. The crowd went wild as I let my hands clap in unison and Thomas and Jayla both cheer their voices off.

The game lasted for another thirty minutes and ended with Andrei shooting another point for our school, not that he needed to do more. We already had enough points fifteen minutes before the end that assured us our victory. As the Tigers shook the hands of the losers the crowd cheered on for their almost flawless victory.

Jayla dragged me down with her on the field. She wanted to greet Andrei with open arms. Why would she want someone to hug some guy plastered with dirt, mud and sweat? Her ideas had always baffled me.

“You were awesome Andrei,” she said as she hugged him, making sure her bosoms squeezed tight against him.

“Thanks. But it really was a team’s effort,” he said in between huffs.

“I agree. But you really did a great job,” I said in a confirming, slightly reserved manner.

“Thanks Snow.” He made a sort of embarrassed smile that made his eyes show joy as well. Weird.

Thomas appeared behind me and said, “Yeah. The way you hit that last shot, really great man.”

“You’re here,” he said in a mild surprise. “Never picked you for a ball fan.”

“I catch it sometimes on TV. And I’m really here for Snow.”

“For Snow?” Andrei looked at Thomas and me quizzically. “You two…came together?”

“I invited him. We got into talking about it since you invited me,” I said in a way that seemed like it wasn’t the biggest deal on earth. Well, it wasn’t.

“Hey Andrei, you going anywhere after this?” Jayla asked at last—not like you had a shot huh?

Andrei’s eyes widened. “Uh—Victory party—Glenn’s house. You guys up for it?”

“I’ll come,” Jayla answered gingerly. “I’ll get the girls to come too.”

“Snow?”

Hell, no. I was only here to spy on you to check out how the number one harvests his corns and promotes his aura of greatness. Beyond that, I didn’t think any more unnecessary social interaction was needed. “I’m sorry but Thomas and I have something planned already,” I replied.

“You two? Together?” he asked, a little taken aback.

“We’re just going to the mall,” answered Thomas. “Nothing big.”

I checked my watch; it was past six already. “Come on Thomas. We should go. I don’t want to come home too late,” I said in my most lovable urgent manner.

“Nice game Andrei,” he said.

“Bye guys. Have fun at the party.” I turned around and headed to the exit with Thomas beside me. Somehow, as I stroll my way out, I felt this cold atmosphere behind me, like someone was watching me.

“Sorry for dragging you to my lame shopping errand,” Thomas breathed out. “What are you talking about?” I asked, ignoring the heavy feeling behind me.

“I’m sure you wanted to go to that party.”

I shook my head casually. “It’s alright. I’m not really great at parties. I’d rather go with you and find your sister a gift.”

“Yeah, parties and you don’t somehow mix,” he said. “But you know, if you were there I think that party would be a blast.”

Of course it would. Add another sensible mix in a bunch of whack jobs definitely decreased the number of people banging their heads on the wall when drunk or walking around the streets naked. “Why do you say that?”

He shrugged. “I think that you’d stand out or something in the crowd. Like you’re a flower in a sea of dead plants.”

That was so cryptic Thomas, really, really cryptic. “Flower?” I asked in a carefree attitude.

“I really don’t know what I’m saying.” He snickered shyly. “I guess I think you’re awesome.”

I already knew that, you didn’t have to remind me again. “Thanks.”

“Err..you’re welcome.”