The Offside of Love

" Stop crashing my feet, Kelly!", I cursed my best friend, Kelly Marshy as she wasn't showing any sign of stopping. Well, I couldn't blame her entirely. Not only she but the entire gallery was holding their breath in anticipation. My anxiety hormones flew upwards so wildly that I forgot to pay attention to my nails which had been eaten like a delicious candy during this time.

50 || 50

The red-screened scoreboard was hanging at the top of our gallery like my death bell. Just a change of number could take my breath away without any delay. It was my other year in this same Waterlodgh Gallery. Each year, the state organized the yearly basketball match among the universities. Though more than 130 universities participated each year, the finalists remained the same, Sunblock & Rainbow University. Simply because they had the best player of the state on their team. The two potential stars would be offered to play nationally anytime soon. It was the public's thoughts since both of them had achieved several trophies during the past few years. Their clubs treasured them like a gem but I didn't care about one of them at all because my focus was always on Finn Hansley.

Finn Hansley, the captain of Sunblock's basketball team, and the most wanted bachelor of Sunblock currently stole my heart last year. We had been dating for a year roughly and as a loyal girlfriend and die heart supporter of Basketball, I came to cheer for my boyfriend and his team. Finn doesn't potentially look like the heartthrob honestly but he had a pair of grey eyes, light brown hairs, and that little cut over his right eyebrow which defined him more like a decent, athletic guy. His countenance was always very tender, and elegant which could attract anyone easily.

A round of high-piercing cheers put my imagination back on hold. I jerked off in my spot, my eyes following the court where Finn was flipping the ball, heading for the basket. The match had only 5 minutes left and here, we were still in a time with Rainbow. If the score stays the same, we will have to share the trophy with Rainbow. That was the rule for local matches like this. In no way, I would like to see my boyfriend sharing the prize with his enemy.

All the expectant eyes were on Finn who was enormously passing the defenders with his skilled dribbling. The entire gallery including me was hoping for a high jump shoot, almost losing our minds in anticipation. Finn was only one step away, his body flipped in the air as his other palm toyed with the red basketball skillfully. Just one shot, another story would be written in Sunblock's history. But then all our anticipations were killed off when other long slender arms blocked the ball, forcing it down.

I didn't have to look at his face. His tattoo behind his back was enough to notify me who was the culprit. The supporters of Rainbow chirped after the ball was blocked. There I saw the face of our enemy!

Ares Thatcher whirled around to flash a stupid grin at the girls of Rainbow. His one hand held the basketball whilst he raked his other hand through his dark tousled hair. Dark blue eyes framed with thick eyelashes, a strong jawline, straight nose everything about him was so profound undoubtedly except his character. Ares was known as the sex God whose room was the sex dungeon for the young girls of Rainbow that he used for pleasure. After that, he never looked back at them and for this reason, she never had my admiration no matter how good a player he was. Sometimes I pitied another best friend, Aria Thacher who came each year to support her brother. Unfortunately, yes. Our monarch enemy, the captain of Rainbow's basketball team was none other than my best friend's older brother, Ares Thatcher. It was hard to pretend that I liked him in front of my best friend. But whatever my feelings were, I couldn't reveal them in front of my best friend who played a major part in my lonely nights.

Ares and Finn shared a lot of common things. Both had 29 goals in their bags but hate to mention that Ares had just shot one more last week during their match between clubs. Naturally, the national team sends their offers after surpassing 30 and I was looking forward to the day when Finn would run to me to share the news that he had been selected to participate in the next national-level match.

The gallery was once again in a full cheering mood. Pushing my thoughts back into my mind, my eyes followed the Number 10 Jersey which belonged to Finn. In my bizarre thoughts, I failed to notice that the ball had once again been in Sunblock's control. Finn was bouncing and dribbling quite roughly. His countenance was mortified when he focused on the basket sharply. Even though he was far away from me, I could tell that he was determined to break the record of Ares Thatcher.

Anxiety crept through my mind again. I gripped the hem of my mini skirt as the tension was reckoning my nerves badly.

Two more minutes left...

It was a breathtaking moment when Finn launched himself in the air, his right arm outstretching and the ball finally had its way inside the basket.

GOAL!

The entire gallery burst into laughter, and screams of people engulfed the air. I was so lost in happiness that I forgot my place and was standing over the seat. At the same time, the bell rang, announcing to the over-excited audience that they had a winner now.

Sunblock's basketball team! Finn's Winning!

A step closer to joining the national team!

Around 45 minutes later, though half of the gallery had emptied, I was still there for Finn to show up. The trophies had been given to the team, boring speeches ended and all there left were players and his family members, close friends.

Finn was making his way toward me with a smile. I returned him a big smile before jogging over to him, jumping like a school kid. I pressed our lips together for a brief moment, ignoring the eyes around me. My boyfriend had just won a trophy and it was time to celebrate, bitch.

Finn grinned down at me, patting the side of my messy hair,

" You have been waiting too long, huh?"

I pouted childishly,

" Yeap because you took too long to win!"

My compliment brought a big smile to his face which I could stare at for eternity. I spotted Aria behind them, coming with her brother with a disappointed look. Though they lost the game, Ares had no remorse visible in his expression. Instead, he was laughing with his friend open-mindedly.

Aria and I made brief eye contact. I flashed her a smile which she returned with a stiff one though I didn't mind. My conscience told me to console Aria a little and I followed, leaving Finn behind to celebrate with his teammates.

Ares raised his brows once I made my way over to Aria. He tossed his hair playfully, funning at my approach,

" I thought, enemies, don't share their concerns."

I glared at him hard, his laughter erupted annoying me over and over again. Once I went closer, Aria pulled me into a tight hug, murmuring through her sadness,

" Congratulations!"

I smiled against her skin. This girl was different from others. Elegant, and always put others over her own choices and it was the reason that we were bound gloriously as soul sisters.

Ares left no chance of teasing me. His eyes hooked on me as he spoke unaffectedly by his sister's sadness who was much more unhappy than him,

" I heard that you have a party at your house, tomorrow?"

I scoffed at my irritation. Adjusting the strap of my bag on my back, I replied through my gritted teeth,

" Yeap, it's my birthday and you aren't welcome at all."

I was trying to be polite here but he had to provoke me at any cost. His lips twitched, one hand gripped the side of his dramatically replying,

" Ouch! That hurts, Princess!"

I hated this nickname more than anything else. He was an annoying big brother in my life who would tease me without any reason. Every year, I celebrate my birthday quite lavishly. My parents tended to give me all my freedom on that particular day and they kept their promises. Even I made a personal card to send those invitations to my friends personally.

Ignoring his lame jokes, I pulled my attention back to Aria, asking her softly,

" Aren't you coming?"

Aria appeared hesitant for a while. Her long eyelashes fluttered a few times which she did often when she got nervous. Aria parted and closed her mouth, struggling to find a suitable reason but I cut her off, tugging on her arms impatiently,

" Don't you dare, Aria! You are coming or else I am not going to cut my birthday cake. This is your card.."

I spoke and reached out to pull out the card that I prepared for her. It was in my out pocket. My fingers stretched inside the pocket and I found nothing except the slight wetness from yesterday's soaking under the rain.

As I pulled on my strap, bringing the bag under my eyes to get a closer look, a domineering, playful voice rang from the distance,

" Hey, Princess!"

My eyes followed the voice blankly. His eyes switched aside, gesturing at something that had in his grip up the air,

" Thanks for the invitation! I am more than willing to crash your party!"

I stood frozen, trembling in rage after the hearing! All I could yell at him out loud,

" Jerk!"