“Aww man, I would, but I’m a bit busy today. I have some good news,” he started.
“Yeah?” I replied.
“It sounds like I’m going to be team captain, isn’t that great?” he said.
“That’s great,” I said, gulping down my sadness.
“So, maybe I’ll see you later, and we can talk; maybe get some food?” he said.
“Yeah, sure,” I replied then clicked off the phone.
He had taken the deal. He really was just using me as leverage to get what he wanted. I didn’t want to tip him off, and I didn’t want to answer any more of his calls.
I returned to my dorm room and buried myself in my books.
7.
It had been a couple of days. Jeff continued to call, but I didn’t have any interest in talking. Today was the day of my mock trial, and I had to be alert and prepared. I spent most of the afternoon with my classmates getting ready.
No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get Jeff out of my head. It was an odd thing too because I really hadn’t had this feeling with any of my previous ex-boyfriends in the past. Breaking up in the past was easy; like changing out the ice in the freezer.
I was surprised at how attached I had become to Jeff in so short a period of time. But, at least, I could work on getting over it now. I wouldn’t need to worry about being close to him again. That ship had sailed. I couldn’t even come up with the courage to hear him break up with me, either. I knew it was coming, considering the conversation he’d had with Matt.
Matt made me just about as angry as Jeff right now. Who would go behind their friends back and offer a deal like that? I wanted to punch him, hard. I knew he could take it, but, all the same, I figured taking some time away from both of them would be good. I could get back to being the person that I was before this awful week started.
The classroom was setup like a classic courtroom. The teacher sat behind her desk as a judge would. Several tables were shoved together to make a prosecution and defense table. There were members of the class representing a jury, and the remaining members of the class were considered witnesses with roles to play in the upcoming trial.
I was excited for it to start.
But, then I saw Jeff and Matt sitting in the front row behind the prosecution desk. My heart sank, and my brain went completely blank.
Both of them stood up as I entered.
I ran up to both of them, grabbed them by the wrists, and led them to the hall.
“What the hell are you two doing here,” I said, seething with anger.
“We’re here to find out why you haven’t talked to us the last couple of days,” Matt said.
“Yeah, where have you been?” Jeff asked.
I rubbed my temples trying to drown out the headache that was coming to the forefront of my skull.
“You guys know where I’ve been,” I started, “I’ve been avoiding both of you.”
They looked at each other.
“Why?” asked Jeff.
“Oh, I think you know why,” I replied.
“Enlighten us,” Matt said.
“I saw you guys talking. I heard the deal that Matt proposed. The one that said that you would stop dating me and in return he’d cede team captain to you,” I said.
“I had a feeling you did,” Matt said, “I thought I saw you running away from us the other day.”
“Yeah, well it was me, okay? When I got the call from Jeff that he had become team captain, I knew he took the deal. I just didn’t want to even bother with either of you anymore.”
“He didn’t take the deal, Holly,” Matt said.
“Then how is he team captain,” I asked.
“Because I let him be,” Matt replied.
“Why?” I asked, becoming more confused by the second.
“You left before our conversation ended. I proposed he stop dating you and in exchange he’d get to be team captain. But, he said it was no contest. He wanted to keep dating you,” Matt said.
“Holly, you’re probably the most amazing woman I’ll ever meet in my lifetime. I would rather quit the team than quit dating you,” Jeff added.
“When I heard how genuine he was, I had a change of heart. He’s a good guy, Holly,” Matt said.
I looked at the two of them. They both looked like they were ready to break down and cry; a very unbecoming look for two giant footballers. I laughed when I looked at their puppy dog faces, and they just looked back in confusion.
“I’m sorry. You guys are just the most ridiculous looking people when you get emotional,” I said.
I pulled them in and gave them both the biggest hug I could manage.
“Hey Holly, we’re about to start, you comin’?” said my class-mate poking her head out the door.