Spencer

Halls that swallowed the meek and quiet Caleb were wholly obliterated by the force now battling his way across the sea of deep green. A tempest of speed and aggression, tempered by precise calculations that snatched the ball from completely unprepared players and drove it hard into the opposing net. His shorter height used to be the reason people wrote him off, but years of fierce battles against the little guy on the field quickly changed the tune of their dance. Even then, they weren’t ready for the swift bob and weave that left them confused in the dust. Reflexes honed by time outmaneuvering the few that managed to catch up.

Caleb shot just under forty percent of the team’s goal freshman year, an impressive feat that automatically cleared a permanent spot for him as Blue Fields ace striker. Now, as a senior, he dominated at a cozy eighty-seven accuracy, easily making him one of the region’s best strikers. And he knew it, too. Already, three scouts had come to him with an array of offers for their teams. Full-ride scholarships, free on-campus housing, the works. Every offer he assured would be taken into consideration, and none of them from Spencer’s two top college choices.

That information hung cozy in Spencer’s head but had been delegated near the back, where he didn’t have to think about it often. Instead, his attention stayed on those mesmerizing long strides that painted Caleb as nothing more than a colorful streak across the field. He looked like some lingering spirit, gliding over the immaculately kept grass with calm ferocity. Rays of gold speckled the wisps of his messy hair, setting the chestnut locks ablaze.

Entranced by this beautiful, graceful form in front of Spencer, it took a moment to notice the huffs of his mother’s snickering laugh. Her eyes watching him knowingly.

He turned to her with an indignant scowl as heat flared in his cheeks. “Can I help you?” he nearly snarled, barely containing the bashful anger gathering beneath reddened cheeks.

She waved a white napkin in the air in a truce. “Nothing. It’s nothing,” she assured as her pearl teeth bit into her greasy piece of pizza. “You just look like you’re enjoying the game,” she teased with a widening smirk. “You enjoying the game, Spence? Liking the view?”

Spencer choked. “Mom!” he hissed quietly. “Shut. Up!”

She only responded with another quiet chuckle before her voice rose to a cheering shout. Following her gaze, Spencer caught Caleb’s perfectly executed corner shot just in time. The goalie hadn’t stood a chance at blocking it. Caleb’s fake-outs were indiscernible from his true objectives, and he could change his aim in a split second. Spencer almost felt bad for the opposing player as he threw his head back in frustration.

On Caleb’s end, the Blue Fields Blue Jays flocked around him. Whooped and hollered and gathered the small figure in a massive team hug as three whistles sounded. The game had ended nine and two. Spencer was legitimately surprised the referee had even bothered letting the game continue.

The Snow Owls barely acknowledged their defeat, packing their bags and walking with sour expressions toward their waiting bus. For the Blue Jays, however, it was much different. Tidal waves of adoring parents and fellow peers flowed effortlessly onto the field. Tackling players in excitement over another game won. The should-be star managed to wriggle his way out from his teammates and quickly skirted around the crowd. Slinking around them, sticking close to the shadows. He responded politely to the few individuals who acknowledged that he was the key to the team’s success, a few going as far as to give him friendly pats on the back.

Spencer didn’t miss how Caleb flinched at every contact, how he shrunk back from their reaching hands.

“Why are you just sitting here?” Spencer’s mother asked, her eyes inquisitive. “Let’s go, shall we?”

“Yeah…” Spencer murmured, watching Caleb finally break free from the congratulatory group. “Yeah, let’s go get our boy.”

He stood to his full height, stretching stiff limbs as he locked eyes with Caleb. Caramel pools filled with a soft, amber glow like streetlights in the fog. A light that kissed Caleb’s relieved smile and smoothed out the tension crushing his small frame.

My mother and I wasted no time skipping down the steps and meeting him halfway down the bleachers.

“Caleb! My sweet,” Jenny squealed, wrapping Caleb up in a tight embrace. “You were brilliant out there! Absolutely incredible!”

Dusted clouds of red shrouded his cheeks, but Spencer couldn’t miss the beaming smile casting warmth over his olive skin. It was an expression saved only for Jenny and Spencer whenever Caleb’s games ended. As though he felt pride only when it came from them.

Made sense, considering how the rest of the team treated him when there was no game to shine in.

“It’s a shame your parents weren’t able to make it, but I’m so proud of you!”

Darkened clouds attempted to smother the gentle light Caleb had accumulated at the mention of his parents, but his smile stood firm. Never wavering.

“Thanks, Jenny! But, uh-you know…. it’s not really a big deal. ‘Sides, I think I like it more when it’s you instead of them.”

Jenny’s expression darkened. She’d expressed her theories about Caleb’s odd behavior with Spencer on several occasions. Maybe because she’d already witnessed it with her own son, but she felt strongly that something was wrong. And Spencer full-heartedly agreed with her theories, even though he kept his opinions to himself.

The Kowalczyk household was generally a nice place to be, and Mrs. Kowalczyk never missed a chance to serve her delicious chałka bread. Not only that, but Caleb refused to speak ill of his parents. He often grew defensive over them whenever Spencer drew near to the subject, so…Spencer stopped trying.

Sometimes, though, Spencer felt as though he shouldn’t have given up so easily. The signs were there in more ways than one. But he couldn’t lose Caleb because he pushed too hard. He wouldn’t.

Caleb’s eyes flicked up to Spencer’s. “Did you see that last shot, Spence?”

Spencer’s heart fluttered at the sudden attention, dusting his thoughts under the carpet for another time. He could barely calm himself enough to ruffle Caleb’s wispy hair without completely crumbling from his affections. “I almost missed it because someone was distracting me, but yes! It was amazing, Caleb, really! Just, you know. Remember me when the fame comes to take you to the top.”

Spencer grinned at the baffled expression pushing Caleb’s cheeks hard enough to create the delicate crinkles at the corners of his lustrous eyes. Jenny only shook her head, eyes rolling at her son’s garbage attempt at flattery.

But that mattered little to Spencer as the beautiful chime of Caleb’s delicate laugh hung in the air between them. The soft sound sent waves of affection drifting through Spencer’s bloodstream, pooling at his core. Warmth bloomed in his heart and relayed that same heat to the crimson blossoming over his cheeks.

“Oh, stop! I’m not that good, you moron,” Caleb retorted with an incredulous snort. He might have acted like he genuinely believed he wasn’t great, but Spencer could easily spot the beaming pride hiding in Caleb’s expression.

Spencer merely pouted at Caleb’s disingenuous outburst. A second later, Caleb was being crushed into Spencer’s chest, hiding the sun-touched blaze on the latter’s expression. Fuck, Spencer was blushing so much. Felt like a furnace pumping heat through every fiber of ivory skin. Spencer couldn’t help it. Caleb just looked and sounded way too cute in that exasperated sort of way for Spencer to not crumble under that caramel gaze.

It wasn’t just to hide his abashed expression, though. Spencer desperately sought moments like these. Seconds in the space of time where he could explain the sudden closeness and hide his desire behind a thick wall of playful friendship. In some ways, it was everything Spencer could want. In others, his heart shattered along with the illusion of a continued future with a boy who wouldn’t ever see him as anything but a childhood friend.

“You’ve always been that good,” Spencer retorted, being careful not to tighten his grip too much. The sincerity in his voice would be enough of a tell in and of itself. He didn’t need anything else to give him away.

“Alright, children, children,” Jenny intervened, grabbing them both by the shoulders. “Time to get you back home, kiddo. We all know how fussy your parents get when you’re not home on time.”

Spencer knew his mother didn’t mean any harm, her tone woven with humor. He was sure Caleb knew that, too. But the second his parents were mentioned, dark clouds of trepidation trampled Caleb’s expression once more. Perhaps he didn’t look so much angry as he did…scared. An expression that did nothing other than cast mists of concern rolling down Spencer’s spine like a chilling storm.

“Oh, uh…y-yeah. Um,” Caleb swallowed hard, trying to clear his shaking voice. “You’re probably right.” With a light shake, Caleb freed himself from Spencer’s grasp, forcing a smile as he walked swiftly toward the locker room. “Let me just grab my bag.”

“Okay, sweetie! We’ll be right here!” Jenny said though the bright cheerfulness that usually accompanied her honeyed voice was lackluster. Dull with worry.

Spencer merely watched with an ache forming in his heart. How did he even go about broaching that kind of subject? Especially when Caleb had such defensive reactions to anything involving his family?