Chapter 15 Thank God, I'm not dead.

Chapter 15 Thank God, I'm not dead.

Asher

“All I'm saying is, you're not going to die today if you believe it. There's nothing anyone can do to make it happen if God doesn't want it to. You gotta have faith, man.” Ivan said as we walked down the hallways leading to Coach's office.

“Dude, that literally makes no sense. I don't think you're helping him by saying he's going to die. He's not going to die. Coach just wants to speak to him about something important.” Josh said from my other side.

The three of us were on our way to see Coach. He had sent Ivan and Josh to summon me during lunch break.

Coach Baker rarely invites players into his office. He took care of all team business on the pitch or in the locker room. If he invites you into his office, it usually meant you were in trouble. Which was why Ivan was trying to ‘calm me down'. He wasn't doing a great job.

“Come on, Josh. We all know what it means when Coach says he has ‘something important’ to discuss. Ash is definitely busted.” Ivan added.

“Guys, I can't be in trouble. I've barely been to practice since school resumed. And I've been on my bestest behaviour. No scandals, no parties, I'm basically a model student now.” I scoffed.

“True.” Josh nodded his agreement. “I'm actually surprised you lasted this long without causing any mayhem, Capta… I mean Asher.”

After my hangout with Ivan few days ago, I've been spending some time with the rest of the team off the pitch, and to be honest, nothing had really changed. None of them mentioned my injury or the possibility that I might not join them on the field anymore. We've all just been enjoying our company.

Sometimes, I would forget that Josh was my replacement on the team. I had no hard feelings towards the guy, he was a great player even if he was clearly still struggling to build up to the team's momentum.

But it was clear Josh felt uncomfortable around me. He was the only one who wouldn't stop calling me ‘captain’ even in the presence of their new captain. Thankfully, Ivan didn't find it offensive.

“Speaking of parties, it's been a whole week since school resumed and we haven't had a single party. What is happening?” Ivan asked.

“How about Asher finishes this meeting with Coach first before we talk about parties?” Josh said.

“Right.” Ivan nodded. He clapped me on the back. “Sorry man, I forgot you were about to get your ass cooked.”

“I'm not getting my ass cooked.” I pinned him with a glare, but the asshole smirked.

“I'll pray for your soul.” He muttered.

We stopped in front of Coach's office. I didn't want to let it, but Ivan's words started getting to me. I mentally went through all my activities since school resumed to see if I had accidentally did something wrong.

I had showed up to tutorial like I was told to. I paid attention and answered all the questions I was asked. Granted, I had only gotten one right, but at least I answered.

When I couldn't come up with anything I did wrong, I knocked on the door.

“Come in.” A thick voice came from the other side of the door.

“Don't die.” Josh muttered as I pushed the door open and stepped into the office. I rein in a flinch when I heard the door close with a soft click behind me.

Coach Baker was watching a game film on his tablet when I entered. He gestured to me to sit down and returned his attention to the film he was watching. I sat quietly and waited. I couldn't see the video from where I sat, but I heard the commentator's voice clearly.

He was watching the last game between our school and Adler High last season, probably in preparation for next week's game. I had scored the winning touchdown during that game. It had put me on the list of so many college scouts.

I blocked out the memory of that day, the cheers, the feeling of victory, I pushed every feeling that resurfaced to the back of my mind. The game happened months ago, there was no use thinking about it now, not when I had lost all the opportunities that single touchdown brought me.

After a few seconds—or minutes—Coach finally paused the film. He jotted down a few things before turning to me. His fingers were laced together and he put his hands on his desk. I shifted uncomfortably as he pinned me with his death glare.

“Henderson, do you know why I called you here?” he started.

“I'm pretty sure it's not because of my amazing personality so—- No sir, I don't.” I replied instead when his gaze hardened.

Maybe Ivan was right and I will die today in Coach Baker's office as a nobody.

“You have been blowing off practices for almost a week now. I've sent you tons of emails and reminders, yet you didn't show up. Why do you have a phone if you don't read your emails?” He asked, his arms folded in that way that usually meant he was about to lose his shit.

In my defense, it had been a while since I checked my emails, and I had turned off the notification. I had done it to put off the visit to Mrs Grubb's before resumption, and to also avoid anymore bad news since that was what I was used to receiving lately.

“I'm sorry, Coach. I really didn't mean to ignore you. I haven't really been on my phone lately. The doctors told me to reduce my screen time.” I said.

Not truth, but entirely a lie too. The doctors did tell me to reduce my screen time, but that wasn't the reason I had completely abandoned social media.

I couldn't tell if he bought my story because his his facial expression didn't so much as shift. He was just silent, and somehow, that was scarier.

“Can you tell me why you've been blowing off practice then?”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “You said I had to wait for the doctor's clearance before I can start playing again. Don't you remember?”

“No, I remembered what I said clearly. I said you wouldn't play until the doctors say it's safe for you to do so again, I didn't say you shouldn't come to the field at all. There are other kinds of training you can do. Football isn't just about running and tossing a ball. I expect you of all people to know that.” He said firmly.

“I do know, sir. I just assumed your condition applied to all parts of training.”

“Unless you don't want your spot on the team anymore, you assumed wrong. Or is that what you want?”

“No,” I half yelled, almost jumping out of my seat. I recomposed myself when Coach raised an eyebrow in question. “What I meant was that, I still want my spot. I won't miss anymore practice, I promise.”

“Good.” He nodded. “Because your training session for the next week would also involve an hour volunteer work after practice hours. It's your punishment for slacking off in the past week.”

I wanted to plead my case at first, but seeing the firm look on his face, I knew there was no changing his mind. And to be fair, it could have been worse and more gross. Volunteer work on the field usually just met picking up trash after everyone was done. Or sometimes, wiping off the sweat on each instruments after use.

Knowing Coach, he could have come up with more worse punishment, but he hadn't. Maybe today is my day after all.

“I understand sir.” I nodded.

“You can go.” He waved his hand dismissively.

I rushed out of my seat, more than eager to be out of this room. I love and respect our Coach but the man was scary as hell.

“Henderson,” He called before I got to the door. I plastered a smile on my face and turned to him. “Injuries suck, especially if they happened at the peak of your career, but don't let that feeling control other aspects of your life too. Don't neglect everything that mattered because of it.”

My smile softened. “Thank you, Coach.”

He gave me a subtle nod and I walked out of his office. Ivan and Josh were still pacing in the hallway.

Ivan saw me first. “Okay, you're not dead. That's a relief.”

“Perfectly alive. The only thing I see in my future is possible death from volunteer work.”

“So you're not in trouble?” Josh asked. I shook my head in response.

“Nope.”

The three of us began walking out of the building. I still had a few classes and a tutoring session with Harley before I could leave school today. I was exhausted just thinking about it.

“Now that we know Ash is not in trouble, let's talk about what's really mportant. The first party of our senior year. Who's hosting it?” Ivan said.

“You've been so pumped about this party. Why don't you host it?” Josh asked.

“Can't. My parents sold the cabin house. I'm under strict instructions not to host a party at our house even when they were away. They still haven't forgotten the priceless antique that broke during my last party. ” Ivan sighed in exasperation.

“I'll host it.” I said and they both turned to me.

“Seriously?” Josh asked.

Ivan's brows furrowed. “Didn't you say your brother complains about your parties and that he reported you to your parents?”

“My brother isn't home anymore and my parents are going away for the weekend. What they don't know won't kill them.” I shrugged.

There was still Harley, but I was going to find a way to convince her. Maybe I'll ask her to bring the boy she's been all smiley about. My chest tightened.

“Okay then, Asher Henderson will be hosting the first party of the year. Make sure it's memorable.”