-Insert Quirky Title Here- {Private with Nakinagara}

[Lady Odyssey]

“So, tell me if I’m right or not. You think that I’d rather spend time with those guys over you?” David asked, brow furrowed. “Hell no. Let’s just say I don’t quite enjoy being in their company most of the time. Though, I do admit they have a great taste in movies. But that’s just about it, really. Too obnoxious and dumb for me to be able to tolerate them for more than two hours at a time.” All of it is true. David didn’t particularly hate any of them (with the exception of Nathan, of course), but he didn’t particularly like any of them either. Sure, the guys cracked him up at times, but they never know when to be goofing off and when not to. At games, he’d occasionally catch them messing around behind his back, and would royally piss off David when Coach found out and blamed David for not keeping the team in line. And though it hadn’t been David’s fault, he had agreed with Coach. It had been partially his own fault for not disciplining the team enough so they wouldn’t be goofing around all the time, whether its at practice or a game.


David pinched her right arm lightly, leaving behind an irritated patch of skin. Their shoes squeaked as they walked in the rain, inching closer to her house. He could see it now as they turned on the corner of the street. “I know, I know. I just don’t fancy the idea of disturbing you in the middle of the night when you’re sleeping,” he shrugged. “Yep. That’s exactly what you do. Make me uncomfortable. You’re still the best, though. Even if you do have a mud-covered-boys fetish.”


Rose’s house is somewhat large. Large enough for him and Mason to live with them, even. David knew the inside and out of the place. He knew where to find batteries if the TV remote died--hell, he knew their pantry as if it was his own. Every dancing scratch in the wooden table in the dining room. Every little detail of her room. It could have been his own home, really, as he thought about it. He couldn’t recall how many times he had been in her room to hang out with her after school, or after a Game. Too many nights spent watching horror movies, chick flicks (he hates them, though), and action films. Too many pun-battles held in the living room that ended up with laughter and a bad case of hiccups. David smiled at the memories swirling in his mind. He wished Mason could have a best friend like he did. But Mason didn’t. Mason preferred to be on his own, but loves spending time with David. Ever since their mother left, the two had grown pretty close. Almost closer than he was with Rose. Almost.


“I know. I told you I’m an asshole when I’m pissed,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. They were just about at her house by now. He couldn’t wait to be indoors and warm up. Hoping her uncle would be home, he glanced at her. Slowly nodding, he lulled over her words. How could he tell if it was important or not? Sure, his father beats him, and occasionally locked him in the Basement. But it never was or is life-threatening. Just a whole lot of physical pain and mixed, screwed up emotions left behind. For a while, he walked in silence as he thought about it all. He couldn’t tell her right now. He told himself he’d tell her soon. Soon. How soon was soon? He didn’t know. Could be a day, a week, a month. A year, even. He didn’t know. David wasn’t sure if he’d ever tell her at all. Mason didn’t know, either. He knew Mason would be mad. But would Rose be mad, too? David sighed.


“Alright, then,” he paused. “I was just wondering.” No matter how many times he did it, he hated lying and keeping information from her. He felt as if he had just committed a crime every single time, punching him with guilt that often kept him more awake than he already is at night. “Yeah, I guess so.” David didn’t want to talk about it anymore. He had said too much. Maybe she suspected something was up already, but she showed no signs of concern or worry as they walked up to her house, up the slippery driveway. A terrible thought dawned him. What if he hadn’t packed a long-sleeved shirt? Oh shit. He’d have to come up with some excuse. Maybe tell her he forgot to pack some clothes. He couldn’t wear anything by a long-sleeved t-shirt around her. Not when the bruises haven’t faded just yet. Biting his lower lip, he glanced at her. “You know when your uncle will be back?” he asked, quickly changing the subject.

 

[Lady Odyssey]

David, along with most of the school, knew the team was immature. And though most of the guys are naturally talented just like he is, they tend to goof off more than anything, and not just with sports. Frank had nearly failed sophomore year, and is currently struggling with World Literature. A few had come close to failing pre-calculus, too. And though David isn’t better off than them, he at least tries his best to cope with school, and the burden of homework, assignments and quizzes instead of blowing them off and not even trying like most did. By no means is he good at academics, but he pours his heart and soul into it, as if it was football. It did help he had Rose, too. Rose helped (most of the time) to keep him focused and awake during class, and chides in to do homework with him. David couldn’t ask for more, really. “Yeah, I know. Bastards can barely pass most of the classes. Though I’d be a bit hypocrytical to say that. I feel like I’m barely passing, even with a few A’s.”


“I know I can. It’s just… hard to. I can’t really explain,” he stumbled over his words, lost in thought as they walked. Though he knew she wouldn’t be mad if he texted or called in the middle of the night, he could never quite bring himself to. The thought of disturbing her as she slept made him want to cringe. Sleep is a privilage to David, so why take away someone else’s sleep, knowing how precious it is? Many nights he had spent awake and pacing in his room, but he never called. Couldn’t bring himself to disturbing her, possibling waking her hard-working uncle at one o’clock in the morning. Mason sometimes woke up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water, and ended up in David’s room, where the two would talk until one fell asleep.


David isn’t much of an asshole. He knew it. But he couldn’t help but to feel like he’s one at times. Some days he’d get irritated at everyone and everything, and the next day he’d end up feeling worse than he had been when pissed. So, he simply shrugged, not finding the energy to correct Rose. Her fingers twisted and pulled his sleeve, and for a moment, his whole body tensed. Once he knew she was just playing with the sleeve, and not actually trying to reveal the fading bruises, he let himself relax. Dropped his hand that had been rubbing the base of his neck, too. “Yeah. I do. Just forget I said anything, for now,” David glanced at her, blinking as water rolled down from his hair and on to his face. Thankful they had finally arrived at her house, he gingerly took his shoes off, not wanting to track water and mud into the house, and stepped inside.


“Oh. That’s a bummer,” he spoke with a soft frown, stepping inside to take shelter from the rain. Dripping wet, he removed his soaked socks, and put both his shoes and socks by the front door to let them dry. “Uh, Rose. I kinda forgot to bring a change of clothes. Again.” He hated himself for lying.

 

[Lady Odyssey]

“You sure he won’t mind?” he questioned hesitantly, suddenly wishing he could just head on home to grab some of his own clothing. It almost felt rude to show up at the house and immediately put on clothing that isn’t his own. But he knew her uncle well enough to know that he certainly wouldn’t mind--he is a kind man, and definitely wouldn’t mind at all. Still, he felt uncertain about it all. David was just as tall as her uncle, so he figured he could possibly fit into one of the long sleeved t-shirts he owned. “Wait, Rose, will I even fit into his stuff?” David stayed put by the front door, shivering slightly as he waited for her to return from the bedroom. Normally, he would follow her to look himself, but he didn’t want to make the place a mess with his mud, now quickly turning into a brown-ish water mixed with a few pebbles and stray strands of grass.


David caught the warm set of clothes, glancing down at his arms. A sweater, and some sweat pants. Perfect. She knew him too well. With a lopsided smile, he nodded. “Alright then. I’m going to shower. I might need to wash my shoes, too. It’s impossible to get the mud out,” he winked, disappearing down the hall as quickly as he could without slipping upon the tiles that lead into the small bathroom. Small was a bit too nice. It’s a somewhat large bathroom. Almost half the size of his own room. It had a shower, two sinks, and a decent toilet along with a large mirror covering the span of the two sinks. David shut the door behind himself, twisting the lock. Shortly after setting the dry clothes on one of the sinks’ surface, he began stripping down and turned the shower on.


After a good ten-minute shower, he shut the water off, and stepped out of the shower. Drying himself off with the spare towel, he attempted to comb his messy, wet hair to no avail. He eventually gave up, and moved on to getting dressed. The sweater was comfortable, and the sweatpants fit almost perfectly, though just slightly large on him. He didn’t mind--he didn’t have socks, either, but he’d have to do without them until morning. Taking a quick glance at himself in the mirror, he let out a sigh, and hung up the damp towel, took his wet clothes, and exited the bathroom. The wet clothes now stuffed in his backpack, he walked down the hall. He didn’t see her in the kitchen, so he assumed she was in her bedroom. Approaching the bedroom door, he softly knocked with the tips of his knuckles, and waited with a small smile.

 

[Lady Odyssey]

David reached for the door knob, slowly twisting the round, golden handle and entered hesitantly. No matter how many times he had been in her room, he could never shake the feeling he was intruding upon her, or interrupting something important. Like he’s a burden of some sorts, like he is to his father. To Coach. Trying to push the thought out of his mind, he walked inside upon seeing her. Offering a small smile, he rose an eyebrow. “Whatcha doin’?” he asked curiously, leaning against the doorpost. “I, for one, had the best shower I’ve ever had in my whole life.” Exaggerated, of course. But it had been a good shower for sure; warmed him up for one thing, and cleaned the rest of the mud and grass off.


“Want me to help with dinner?” David is no real cook. Not like Rose or Mason, for sure, but he always tries to offer help whenever he sees needed. And though he liked to help, the two usually ended up goofing off more than actually getting work done. Just as if they were in class--though Rose kept him alert and awake, the two goofed around here and there, just to keep things not so serious all the time, and a tad bit interesting, even. David took a glance at the clock standing on her nightstand, wondering how Mason was holding up back at home.


{writer's block}

 

[Lady Odyssey]

The big day is finally here. Saturday morning, and David still can’t wrap his mind around it. How had the days flown by so quickly to lead up to the day of the big Game? He pondered over this silently as he went about his daily routine of awakening, taking a quick shower, getting dressed, and eating a solid breakfast. Coach and Mason were silent at the table. Although Mason didn’t like sports, he was expected to attend the games. Especially the large Games. Coach said it was to “support his family and team”. And though David understood why Coach wanted Mason at the game, he felt bad for the guy. Mason deserved a day to relax.


His equipment felt heavier than it had just yesterday at practice. The field is most likely still slick with mud, even though the rain had stopped Thursday afternoon. David groaned inwardly. Undoubtedly he would slip a few times while being tackled, and fall right into the mud. So would everyone else; they’d all be covered in mud by the end of the game. Of course, then David would have to spend more time cleaning his uniform and equipment, taking more time away from spending time with Rose. Ae he calculated the amount of time he’d need to clean everything, he exited the small bathroom, fully dressed and ready to go.


Mason nearly was smashed as he exited, resulting in a small yelp from the both of them quickly followed by nervous laughter. “Jesus Christ, dude. Watch it,” Mason teased, gently fistbumping his older brother. David smiled at him, giving a small nod. “I was just kidding, in case you didn’t notice. You alright?” David laughed. He should be the one asking if he was alright; he had nearly smashed the poor guy. Although Mason is beginning to hit a growth spurt and catch up with him, David has a lot more weight on him compared to Mason. He assumed it was because of the “diet” Coach had put him on.


“Yeah, I’m fine,” David responded with a small shrug. “Why would you ask? I should be the one asking if you’re alright; I just about squashed you like a wee little bug.”


“Never mind. You just seem… nervous,” Mason spoke carefully, offering a small smile and a gentle pat on the back. “Better get going now. Don’t wanna be late to the big game, now do we?” David nodded, letting out a long breath.


“I don’t know how I’m going to do this, Mason,” he began on their way out. “I’m not sure if I’m the person to be captain anymore. If we lose… well, I’m sure I won’t be captain any longer. Coach has been pissed at me recently for not keeping the team in line.”


Mason frowned. “Really? I think you’re a great captain. Like you’re born for it, almost. If Coach demotes you, well, that’s his own loss. No one is more qualified to be captain than you. And besides, so what if you lose? You’ve had a good few years going to the championships and winning, too. Coach can’t be that pissed, right?”


Right.


David walked with Mason the rest of the way. The two talked about everything and nothing. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he found himself feeling more and more confident as Mason made him laugh at lousy puns and jokes. Mason sure knew how to lighten David up and give a small pep talk. He would have made a great captain, he thought. Of course, not that Mason would ever consider playing. Not with Coach. And certainly not with the team. Sure, the team was great. But only when they are focused and not screwing around all the time.


Walking upon the field, David made his way to the locker room to get changed and equip his gear. Mason now gone, he’s on his own. He had seen Rose, but hadn’t had the chance to say hello. Coach was practically barking at them to change quickly so they could do some warm-ups, like they always did. The other team is already ready, and that pissed Coach off more than ever. David hustled, changing as fast as he could. He was the first one to be fully changed and dressed, too. Didn’t seem to ease Coach’s nerves, though. Never did. With his stomach churning, he exited the locker room, and out onto the field under the lights, shining brighter than the night sky.