The Fated Match

I actually forgot how intense football training was. Since 5 this morning i have been out with the boys trying to get some practise before their game this week.

It’s definitely been a great outlet for me. Elle made sure to distance herself from me which was probably the better choice because there are still feelings there.

I can’t even look at my own son without feeling pissed. But just like every time she was right. Elle was right, my ex did still have feelings for me and made it her mission to make excuses to have us altogether.

Dillon was happy, no that was an understatement. He was fucking estatic. But me, no i was definetely not happy knowing that Elle is always so close yet so fucking far.

I stood underneath the shower in the locker rooms when i heard one of the guys call me. The guys were much more quiet now ever since that training session we had with elle’s team.

They try to act all hard and cool but in reality they are just a bunch of pussies.

“Theo”

I stopped the water poking my head out to find kyle standing there.

” what is it” i asked with irritation.

He scratched his neck ” there’s something going down at the pool, Tina said its coach’s father”

Oh fuck.

” Call Ryan” i said calmly as i quickly rinsed the shampoo out of my hair. I grabbed a towel and ran over to my gym bag. I shoved a tshirt over my head and wore my fitness joggers before running over there.

“You cant come here to my work, just leave you are embarrassing me”” i heard elle say to him as he was held back by security.

He was getting even more aggresive by each minute. I watched Elle close her eyes and flinch back. I barely had any control over my mind as i walked over to Elle. I wrapped my arm around her waist pulling her back to me.

She turned her head to me, relief in her eyes after seeing that it was me. I can’t deny, that brought a smile to my face and filled my chest with passion.

It was a relief to everyone that he decided to leave on his own. Ryan took control of the situation by leading most of the students out leaving just us here with Elle.

You could clearly see that Elle was trying to keep it together.

“I hate how you see me like this” she said already halfway to distancing herself from me.

I had no other choice but to let her go, I know Elle well enough not to control her. She is her own woman abr I can’t do anything.

But that doesn’t mean I won’t try.

“Like what” I asked her even though I already kind of knew the answer.

“Weak” she mumbled before silently walking in to her office and closing the door.

I heard Tina sigh next to me as she watched elle.

” c’mon, come with me” I said to her as I walked towards the exit.

“You’re not gonna leave like that are you?” Ryan asked me as I made my way to the door.

I watched Elle through her office window. She was staring at nothing. She did not need to be surrounded by friends. Elle was a unique character.

She just needed to know she had the support and that didn’t mean we needed to watch her every move.

” I’m not her favourite person right now. She doesn’t want me right now so”

I didn’t get to finish my sentence. Her office door opened.

“Theo”

It surprised me that she was calling for me. I imagined that would be the last thing she would do.

” can you give me a lift home?” She asked me. I was surprised at her request.

“If you’re not busy that is, I don’t want to intrude of you need to be with dillon” she added.

I shook my head

” I don’t have him this week” I said offering her a smile.

God, I just want to see her smile again.

“This week? this whole week?”

I stepped forward ” yes so , how about we get some food I think the markets are still on” it was brave of me to suggest more than taking her home.

But if I wanted us to work again I needed to make those steps.

Tina and Ryan looked between us wondering what was going to happen.

Heck even I was wondering.

“Okay, but you’re paying” was all I heard as she disappeared back inside her office.

I think we were all stunned.

10 minutes later we arrived in town. I was right the food markets were still on and I think Elle was excited.

We exited the car and headed to the entrance.

” what food do you want?” She asked me as she came to walk next to me.

The urge to reach out to her was almost too much.

“I’m paying, it’s up to you I don’t mind ” I told her.

She stared at me before looking away at all of the market stalls.

We walked around for a bit. Looking at each of the stalls. I paused when she stopped walking.

I knew exactly why.

We ended up at a small Japanese stall. They were selling desserts and small bites of food.

“Is that dango?” I asked the woman who was displaying it all. She was a tiny lady.

She glanced up nodding “yes… this dango and this mochi” her English was clearly not perfect but we didn’t care. I took one for each of us. Turning to Elle and handing it to her.

Only she was already filling her cheeks with mochi already and my God she was adorable.

“So so good”she said her mouth full. The lady laughed as she put more on display replacing the ones Elle took.

I chuckled trying the dango. It’s been a long time since I had these and even though you can get them from many Chinese and Korean supermarkets it’s just not the same.

” Elle” I exclaimed seeing her hands full of mochi.

They aren’t cheap.

Elle just thanked the lady before walking away. I paid for what we ate and also the pack I took for later. Elle sure does love her mochi.

I caught up with her at another stall. This time it was a small jewellery stall.

” did you make these yourself” Elle said to the boy behind the stall. The boy grinned but winced suddenly.

I looked behind the stall and saw a little girl sitting sorting out more of them.

” lying isn’t nice young man” Elle commented putting the pieces together.

The boy just laughed it off, but he ended up giving us a bracelet for free. When Elle left I grabbed a fiver from my Jean’s pocket and slipped it into his sisters hand.

” keep it up , and don’t let your brother boss you about” I said giving him a hard look.

I caught up to Elle again. She was bent over looking at a menu for this hotpot place.

I wrapped my fingers around her arm and led her inside.

“Hey I was just looking I haven’t made my decision yet ” she koaned to me but I already knew of this place and it was amazing.

” so you don’t want a hotpot then” I asked her with my brow raised.

She wavered slightly and sighed ” I do” she pouted.

I grinned ” I know this place, you wont regret it” I said as I pulled her over to a empty table.

We sat down opposite each other and a small Chinese lady came over.

” good evening, welcome to chaangs hotpot can I take your drinks please”

Jesus, we barely had time to sit down.

” Just a iced tea for me” I said before motioning to Elle.

” same for me thanks ” she said

The lady clapped her hands ” lovely well I will soon be over with your meats please enjoy” she said as she ran off to fetch our food.

” i would’ve been fine with the mochi you know” Elle said after we were finally able settle and actually remove our coats.

” yet here we are”

Her reaction was just as i suspected.

” you were the one that dragged me” she exclaimed.

It took her a few seconds to realise i was messing with her.

” you’re still so annoying” she mumbled.

I aim to please.

When our food arrived we ate in silence mostly. Grilling the meat and cooking the vegetables together.

I was enjoying my food a little too much I hadn’t noticed her staring at me.

I swallowed my food quickly ” I wanted to ask you a favour that’s why I asked you to drive me home tonight”

This caught my attention.

“A favour what is it?” I asked her.

She placed her chopsticks down. ” I agreed to meet my father today. I don’t know if it’s a terrible idea or a really really terrible idea but I think it’s the only option if I want him to leave me alone” she said.

I knew that she decided that, I was there when she told him. I hated the idea of them being that close but she was right.

He wasn’t going to stop until he got to speak with her properly.

” originally I was going to get my friend William to come with me, but I don’t think i can do it with anyone but you”she declared to me.

I just had to stare at her.

She wanted me to be the one that accompanied her to meet her dad.

Well that’s not what I expected at all.

” you know I’ll be there Elle, along as you are comfortable I don’t mind” I said to her. That was the honest truth.

I would feel way better knowing that I was there by her side whilst she does this.

Seeing her first reaction to seeing her dad that day at her house has my guards up about this man that claims to be her dad.

We all know the only real man that could call himself elle’s dad and that is Jai.

” Thank you , i was worried you’d say no” she admits to me as she picks up her glass.

Me, say no. Not a chance.

“The only thing close to me saying no is if i tell you i don’t want you going at all but i know that you want to do this so I wont get in your way elle” I said.

Bravely I reached over the table placing my fingertips against hers.

” just name the time and place and I will be there” I said offering her a smile.

If we can’t be together I don’t mind. But I promised myself that I would always be her friend for when she needs me

I can hope that one day she will let me in again. I’m not giving up on us, I may have made a mistake the other day with that girl but elle needs to know that I am not giving up on us.

She’s way too fucking special to me.