Chapter 17: 10|Call me maybe?-1

Monday was the day when everything went back to normal. Almost. Everybody was whispering when I entered the school in my brother's car instead of Neal's. Classes were a blur and all I could focus was on ignoring the gossip and rumours. Everybody was wondering about the adventures of my weekend. The school routine was back to what it used to be, if you don't count Neal sitting with us at lunch. I forced him to sit with us despite my glaring brothers and for some unknown reason, irritated Alex. Rose was trying her best to tame him. I discreetly pointed that Aiden and Asher both let their new friends join us and thus it shouldn't be a problem if I do the same. They begrudgingly agreed. I admit that I tried to find Liam too but let's just say that the guy was amazing at hide and seek (I think Kim has a hand in that). Right now, I was at soccer practise, desperately trying to pick up shreds of my shattered confidence. I looked to my left and saw Alex. Giving him a small nod, I passed him the ball. Almost immediately, opposition team started chasing him as he started kicking the ball protectively. Dodging a few rivals, he passed the ball to Caleb, one of our team mates and Caleb wasted no second in kicking it towards goal. The kick was pretty amazing, right position and everything but it's a shame that goal keeper was my brother. We didn't score. Coach Andrew blew his whistle and we all stopped. I bent with my hands on knees and panted. "Astrid!" two voices hollered. Before I could make out which one to address first, a towel and a water bottle came flying on my face. "Gee, thanks." I rolled my eyes at Alex and Aiden's sheepish faces. Taking a large gulp of water, I gently swiped the sweat clean. Coach approached me. "Are you alright, Astrid?" I had a feeling about where this was heading but I played dumb and nodded. "Yeah. Why?" "Nothing. It's just that you seem out of form, lately." I looked away. I won't ever admit out loud, but my confidence is on all time low after the little incidence. "No need to worry coach. I was a little distracted for a while but I am getting myself together. I always do." Coach nodded and patted me on back. "You're one of the finest soccer player I have seen, Astrid and I hope you know that I have huge expectations from you. I believe in you and it's about time you start doing that too. If you need to talk, you know my cabin number." I gave him a genuinely grateful smile. "I will keep that in mind, coach." He smiled and jogged back. "You okay?" I turned on my heels and saw a hesitant yet worried Aiden, with Alex behind him. I gave him a small smile and a thumbs up. "You did a great job." He messed his hair up and sighed. "Thanks, squirt." I smiled at my name and before I knew, I engulfed him in a hug. "I missed you." I felt him smile against my shoulder. "Me too, squirt. Me too." I pulled back and saw Alex watching us with a strange expression. I opened my arms and he blinked as if not believing his eyes. Can't blame him for that. I chuckled and tugged him. He hesitantly hugged me and Aiden back. "I won't bite you, you know. You both are forgiven but an ice-cream treat will be very lovely." They both laughed and hugged me tighter. Just like that, everything was alright. ~~~~ "Why am I helping you, again?" "Because you love me, Astrid-bear." Asher replied with an adorably cheeky smile. I rolled my eyes and focused on scraping gum off the teacher's desk. I was on my way to exit after showering and changing from practise when I saw Asher struggling with a mop. I was ignoring this sight for 2 weeks, but now I couldn't stop myself from brimming with sympathy for him. So here I am helping him with his punishment. My brother is a manipulative a-hole. "I threw a wish in the welldon't ask me I'll never tell-" "What the-?!" I screeched as Asher broke the peaceful silence with his horrible singing. He gave me cheeky smile and started twirling the mop around while sing- no not singing! Screaming! "I looked at you as it felland now you're in my way I trade my soul for a wishPennies and dimes for a kissI wasn't looking for thisbut now you're in my way-" I laughed as he did the parody of car washing scene on one of the desks. I blew him a kiss and he literally fell down, pretending to faint. "Oh god! Ash you ok- Aaaaaah?!" He jumped back on his feet and almost head butted me in process. "Your stare was holdingRipped jeansSkin was showingHot nightWind was blowingWhere you think you're going baby?" He did some crazy dance moves and approached me before tugging me forward and forcing me to dance. I obliged and gave in to the craziness. "Hey I just met youAnd this is crazyBut here's my numberSo call me maybeIt's hard to look right at you babyBut here's my numberSo call me maybe!" We screamed on the top of our lungs. Claps resounded in the room and we immediately shut up. Alex and Rose were standing on the doorway with amused smiles. I flushed immediately.