Chapter 6

Gunther tells me a little about the Saturday game's tactics and what he is doing to get better and I tell him about the incidence with Raven.

He doubles over in laughter when I tell her about spitting on her because he is the one who taught me that tactic.

"I hope you made a nice generous gob and spit it like you are tired after an exhausting game."

"Oh, trust me, I did."

Then suddenly, his face grows serious, "Was she right?"

"About what?"

"You know, about you being too pretty for us poor black boys?"

"That's the stupidest thing. You know I like black boys plenty. Just not Henry."

"Oh, okay, just checking."

We talk about everything but Sky. We never talk about her. But a sense of shame and guilt always overwhelm me at the triumphant feeling I experienced when I first saw his face at the hospital. I had thought it served him right for not choosing me, for backing up the losing side. It was the cruelest thing a sister can ever think of her dead twin, and I thought it.

My call with Gunther lasts for almost two hours. When it comes to an end, I call two of my other players who have their senior debut this weekend and talk to them briefly.

The Pierce phone buzzes but I make no move to take it. I know Pierce can chat all night and honestly, I don't want to talk or hear about Raven anymore than I have tonight.

The next day at school, Raven goes around telling people of how I almost choked her in her own car and how she fought me off, grabbed her phone and called her mum, who in turn called 999 and my dad was almost arrested.

The story is ridiculous, but as usual people believe it.

"I always said she was a bit creepy."

"Paige is only her friend cause of pity."

"Her dad always stares at my thighs funny during cheer practice."

"She was expelled from thirteen schools in England, they all wrote to the principal."

Paige gives me a pitiful look but says nothing about it. She is trying to remain on both Raven's and my good side I guess.

Pierce has stated clear of me since morning, and I find it a pleasant surprise when he texts Sky during lunch break. He is nowhere in sight so I take out the phone.

Pierce: Do you think bullying is okay?

Sky: Who are you bullying?

Pierce: Nobody. Answer the question.

Sky: No. Are you bullying somebody?

Pierce: No. There is this girl at school and Raven is spreading all rumors about her and I don't think they are true. Does that count as bullying?

Sky: It depends. Is she affected very much?

Pierce: No, I don't think so but I just don't find it fair. Do you think I should do something?

Sky: Probably not, they will just die out.

Pierce: But what if they die out when it's too late? This girl doesn't have a lot of friends and her best friend isn't standing up for her like she should.

Sky: Leave it alone. She isn't worth all the trouble.

Pierce: Of course...

The typing symbol remains there for some time before it disappears to show that he stopped or changed his mind. I quickly put the phone away when I see him enter the cafeteria.

Raven is with him and it looks like she is trying to convince him to sit at another table, however he waves her off and takes his usual seat next to Cory. Raven shoots me a glare before she walks away.

"What really happened yesterday?" Pierce asks me.

I focus my attention on my plate, "You heard Raven."

"Yes and now I want to hear you."

If it is possible for a heart to stop, and still keep your brain alive with excitement, mine just did.  Pierce wants to hear my side! That's something that not even Paige had granted me.

"Well?" Pierce says when I remain silent.

I nervously look at Henry, "She wants me to start dating Henry."

Cory and Henry look up in surprise, but Paige's eyes remain fixed on her plate.

"That's ridiculous," Pierce says looking from me to Henry, "You guys don't want to date, do you?"

"No," we both reply.

"So she is saying all those things because she wants you to date Henry? How does she hope to achieve that?"

"But Pierce, you have to admit she has a point, and I always thought you liked Henry," Paige says.

"What's her point? And I can't even believe you thought Araya can like Henry, no offense Henry but they are just too different."

I didn't think it was possible to love Pierce more but now I do.

"And you can't bully people into liking each other, that's just stupid," Pierce continues.

"Well, if you are with her and I am with Cory that means..."

"It means nothing if she does want to be with Henry. I thought you were smarter than that Paige."

"Whoa, calm down," Cory says throwing Paige a nervous glance, "Since when did you start standing up for Araya?"

"Since her best friend become too cowardly to do it."

Okay, as much as I am thrilled that Pierce is defending me, he is just making things worse. I have never seen Pierce exchange words with Cory or Paige, or anyone else for that matter.

"Pierce, it's okay, really," I say.

"No it isn't, Raven is an idiot, and I am going to let her know exactly what I think of her behavior."

"No, please don't. I don't want to come between you two."

"There is no us two. There is Raven and there is me, and honestly she isn't the girl I thought she was."

Of course she isn't, Raven is faker than her extensions.

"Thank you Pierce but I really don't need your help. I am fine. It takes a lot to get to me."

"Probably, but I am still going to do something about it."

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you have a thing for her, man," Henry says looking up from his phone, his expression curious.

"I don't have a thing for her, but she is out friend and I think we should do something about the rumors."

We remain silent for the rest of the meal, and when we part for the afternoon classes, we don't say much to each other either. When classes come to an end, I am surprised when I see Paige with Raven, walking towards me.I know Paige has cheer practice so she can't drop me home today, I had been planning to take the bus.

"Araya, I am so sorry," Raven says.

I give her a contemptuous look, "What are you sorry for?"

"Everything. I am going to confess that I lied about the whole thing to my mom tonight. And I am sorry about the rumors too. You were right to spit on me," she says. There are tears on her eyes and she sounds genuine even though I know she is faking it.

"Please Araya, you have to forgive her. Pierce is threatening to dump her if you don't," Paige begs, clasping her hands together in front of her chest.

"And how exactly is that my problem?" I ask raising an eyebrow at Paige.

"It isn't but I didn't think you will be the kind of girl to ruin a relationship."

I roll my eyes at Paige. Relationship my foot. They have kissed twice and they haven't even been out on a date. Plus Pierce isn't even sure if he likes her or not.

"Fine," I say to Raven, "but if you pull something like that again, I am suing you for libel."

I can see that Raven is struggling not to say what she really wants to say to me. I am sure she wants to tell me I can't afford a lawyer or something. However, she keeps her mouth tightly shut and I really appreciate the effort.

Paige claps her hands, "See problem solved. Araya can you please tell Pierce that she apologized?"

"Okay. No problem."

"Like right now? They had a date planned for tonight and he said he will cancel it if he doesn't hear from you."

"Okay. But isn't he at soccer practice already?"

"Yes. The better. You can come to the pitch with us and tell him after practice."

"No thanks. I really have to go Paige."

"The bus already left," Raven says smugly.

I curse under my breath. She is right. The bus left, and I am now stuck here until dad or Paige finishes with practice.

"Come on, you never come to the pitch. You can do your homework in the stands."

I look at the two of them and groan. I really am not in the mood to watch a couple if half naked girls throw each other in the air and sing a cheesy song while waving pom poms. I have  business calls to make, homework to complete and a dead sister to think of. Plus dad will be at the pitch and I really don't want him to rope me into coaching.

But I really don't have much choice, do I?

"Fine. I will come with," I finally say, resigned.