Johny fell, scraping his knee and drawing blood. He did not let that deter him from the play at hand. Johny got up and ran full force into Bobby as he was the sole attacker left with the ball.
"Woah! Foul!" Bobby yelled with Johny a top of him.
Some cheering and jeering accompanied Johny's unusual play from the sidelines. Johny raised his hand in admittance as he got off Bobby.
"Hey, what was that, eh?" Tim ran over pushing Johny. "This isn't wrestling! What are you doing, eh?"
Johny shrugged, unperturbed by Tim's aggression. "That's a foul is what that is."
"He was one on one with the goalie!" Another player yelled. "That was cheap, Johny!"
Shouts of agreement erupted from the small group watching. Johny didn't see what all the fuss was about. It was a legal play and Bobby wasn't hurt. He said as much after another characteristic shrug.
"That should be a penalty!" Tim yelled.
"It's not. It's a free kick." Johny said.
Tim got right up in Johny's face. "Listen, you punk. If I catch you talking back to me again I'll draw blood. You hear me?"
Johny narrowed his eyes. "You already did, Tim." He gestured to his leg. "Should we get a penalty as well?"
Tim's face reddened like an apple. He stomped away mumbling profanities. Johny, of course, shrugged.
Looking to the sidelines Johny understood why Tim was so hot and bothered. Sophie was standing on the sidelines with her group of friends. Since when did they watch football? Johny suspected they were there to gossip about which boy looked cute in their shorts. Tim was acting tough for his crush. Was Johny supposed to back off when Tim tried to intimidate him? Funny.
"We get a free kick!" Somebody yelled.
"You better hope I hit this goal, John," Bobby said beside him.
"You alright?" Johny asked, genuinely concerned.
Bobby nodded. "But that was a cheap move."
"You would've done the same and you know it," Johny said leaving to see his goalie. "You think I did the right thing?" Johny asked.
Chris, the goalie, grinned. "Who cares, Johny? I would've saved that last one just as I'm gonna save this one," he approached closer. "I do like getting Tim mad though, so in that sense, it was the best thing you could've done."
Johny smiled at that. He stepped aside waiting for the free kick to commence. Tim ran over so he was guarded by Johny. He was gonna try something dirty and Johny knew it. Bobby lined up his shot, kicked, and - Chris saved it! The crowd booed as Chris cackled like a maniac.
Tim said something in Johnny's face, but Johny knew it was all a bravado for the ladies so he didn't respond. The game continued and eventually, Johny's team won.
As he was unlacing his shoes Johny wondered why Tim was so obsessed with impressing the ladies. He wasn't impressive, to begin with, why was he trying? Well, he might've impressed Sophie. Johny didn't know her, but from afar, she seemed as shallow as the rest of her friend group.
Outside the pitch gate, Tim, Bobby, and some other guys were chatting with the giggling group of females. Johny decided to go the other way.
"Hey, loser!" Tim yelled out.
Johny turned, stone cold. "Says the guy who lost."
"I only lost because you cheated!"
Johny shrugged and started to walk away. When someone grabbed his shoulder. Johny turned to receive a punch in the face by none other than Tim. Johny retaliated and a scuffle was born.
In the end, they were both bruised and bloody. Tim seemed surprised Johny fought back. His flusteredness only made Johny smile, which in turn only made Tim more agitated. Bobby just grabbed him by his scruff, however, and walked away.
Johny was getting his things as his bag got ripped open during the fight. When he raised his head he saw Sophie standing there.
"Come here to gloat?" Johny asked.
"Beg your pardon?"
"Isn't Tim your boyfriend?"
"Ha!" Sophie looked back at the retreating pair. "No, not really. I mean, we have fooled around but I wouldn't say he's my boyfriend."
So why are you talking to me then? Johny felt sad that his presumption was confirmed - she was shallow. "I got to get home."
"I never knew you could fight," she said. "I always thought you were a book nerd."
Johny shrugged. "I like reading, I like football." He looked her dead in the eyes. "I also am no one's punk."
Sophie nodded slowly. "I actually wanted to talk to you about Anne McAfee. I heard you like her."
That took Johny by surprise. "You can read?"
Sophie rolled her eyes. "You know, you can stand to be a bit more polite."
"Sorry, sorry." Johny smiled. "That came off wrong. You surprised me."
"You thought I was a shallow bitch, right?" Sophie said nonchalantly.
"Yeah."
"That was a rhetorical question, John! Jeez!" Sophie seemed annoyed but at the same time kept glancing at Johny. "Those bruises seem severe."
"I've had worse."
"I bet you have..."
Silence.
"Tell you what. My sister's a nurse. She's in a nearby cafe. Wanna go over there and have a drink? She can patch you up."
"Your sister carries a med kit everywhere she goes?" Johny raised an eyebrow. "Also I'm sweaty right now, I smell."
"I don't think you smell," Sophie whispered, but then said aloud. "And yes, Mr. She does in fact. She's not a nurse in truth. So she carries a kit around everywhere before she graduates." Sophie looked Johny over. "She thought me you never know what you'll end up in."
Why not?" This might actually be fun.
Now that he saw her up close she was very cute. And she read Anne McAfee. This wasn't something Johny had on his bucket list when he woke up this morning.
"Yeah? We're going?"
Johny, of course, shrugged. "Lead the way."
Obligatory shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
A relatively quick write-up. Hope it was enjoyable!
Cover image source.
I hope you are having a fantastic day! And if not, don't threat! The sun always rises. 🙌
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