FOUR

A month had passed and Dave was getting used to the ritual of taking a different route whenever he and Julie were close to facing each other. 

It was May 8th 2019 and the University was embarking on a mid-semester break. The school’s football team had planned a friendly football fixture with Cobra, a football team of the Division 2 of the England Premier League. 

Dave was also a player in the school’s football team. He played the defensive midfield role and was very good at his position. He was unlucky as he sustained an injury on his calf muscle, which made him to leap while he walked.

The match was played the following day after the break commenced. 

The kick-off time was 4:00pm. Dave was seated on the stands, with many of the female students dressed in multicolours of orange, green and blue as cheerleaders.

Julie’s eyes searched for Dave, who she knew also played for the team. It didn’t take long before she saw him dressed in jumpsuit and a white tee shirt, and she wondered if he would also feature in the friendly match.

She was also anxious to see how well Tom Jeremy would perform. The tall, slim, cute guy was said to be one of the best players and topped the goal scoring chart among his teammates. She was so much drawn to him, especially for the fact he was loved by many, as they had his pictures and name written on most of the raised placards.

“It seems you like him.”

Nancy whispered to her ears, making Julie startled. Nancy was her new friend who she now walked with after splitting ways with Dave. 

“Mmmh…yes.”

Julie turned to face her by her right side as she spoke directly into her eyes.

 “You seem to know him.” 

“He’s in his second year too; a student of Civil Engineering. We both finished from the same high school.”

Nancy added.

“Though we weren’t very close. He had all the girls around him then because of his football stardom, and because I didn’t want to look like one of his fans, I maintained my distance. But he’s a cool guy though. And I believe he’d like you too.”

Nancy was running her mouth like a tap, making Julie to turn her eyes back to the football match.

Five minutes after Julie had turned her attention, Tom netted a goal. He converted a beautiful cross that was squared to him by the defender from the right wing of the pitch. Tom carefully swung his body to the position where the cross had come from and in a reflex unknown to the opposing defenders; he placed the ball far beyond the keeper’s reach, at the tail end of the post. 

The students of Lex University were wowed as they celebrated and hugged themselves. 

They were now chanting Tom’s name and singing mockery words against their opponents. 

Julie was also very happy and cleaved to Nancy in a tight embrace. Nancy could barely breathe as she fought herself free.

“Please Julie don’t suffocate me; what if the other team equalises?”

Nancy said after gaining freedom from her friend’s tight grip.

“Even if they do, I’m just happy that my crush found the net.”

Julie said excitedly, holding her arms with her eyes closed.

“Did you just say crush? I thought you don’t like him, with the way you were ignoring me a few minutes ago.”

Nancy added mockingly.

“Accepted, I do. But I hope you’ll stop running your mouth, at least, until the match is over.”

 Julie now faced the players back, with Nancy raising both hands in mock surrender. 

The whistle was then blown for half-time. 

Julie turned back to Nancy.

“How do you get to connect us? I don’t want to look too desperate in his eyes. I wouldn’t want it to look as though I’m throwing myself over him. You know how guys can be.”

There was no response from Nancy, as she buried her head in her phone. Julie then looked playfully into her eyes, tickled her in the armpit to get her attention, but she remained adamant.

Nancy got up to leave, but she got restrained by Julie.

“I thought you said I was a ‘burst pipe’. Why then are you pestering me to know more about your new found love?”

Nancy spoke without facing her.

“Okay I’m very sorry. You know I didn’t mean all I said. I was just joking.”

Julie wrapped her hands around her back, and Nancy lit a smile on her face as she turned to take back her seat. They had barely started speaking before the boys resumed for the second-half of the game.

“He leaves the school late by 7:00pm every Wednesdays and Fridays after training with the school team.”

“And so? I rush towards him and scream in his face that I love him and get a ‘no’ for an answer?”

“When is your poetry slam coming up?”

Nancy tactically pretended to change the topic.

“It’s coming up on Saturday next week.”

Julie wondered why she asked such a question at this time.

“You can seize this opportunity to invite him to the contest. Print fliers and share them out to him and his friends. That way you two could establish a connection. Ensure you get his mobile number and remind him not to miss the show for anything in the world.”

Nancy ran her mouth once more. She was so good at speaking too many words at a time, demonstrating for each action she was describing.

“Such a great idea. How comes did you know so much?”

Julie asked as she smiled shyly.

“I read so many books on relationship. And trust me, guys are the easiest to woo. Especially for a beautifully well shaped girl as you are, no guy would relent in making you his in a micro-fortnight.”

“Stop the flattery. I might not be his spec anyways.”

Julie still blushed, but was distracted by yet another scream of a goal scored. It was Tom again.

She stood up and danced like the cheerleaders. While she still stood, he got his hat-trick. She was too surprised to celebrate, with the way he displayed colourfully. She sat back afterwards and bit her lower lips, with her eyes over him in a ‘I’m coming for you my boyfriend’ gesture.

When the match came to an end, Tom was recognised as the man of the match, as he scored the only goals of the day. 

Julie being in an excited state now held Nancy’s hand and spoke into her ears.

“Please wish me good-luck.”

Nancy only scoffed.