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“I’ve stopped buying any athletic clothes that aren’t navy or black,” I tell him. “Usually solves the problem.”
Matt grins. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
We stand around for a few more minutes, with no sign of Mrs. Jones.
“Sorry about lunch,” Matt finally says. “I know me and Sam were giving you kind of a hard time.”
I shrug. “The rivalry with Alleghany is far from news to me. I get why me going to one of their parties bothered you guys. I appreciate you apologizing, but you don’t need to.”
“It feels even worse this year,” Matt replies. “This is our last chance to finally beat Alleghany. To beat Cole. Liam’s last chance. My last chance. Add in the fact Cole seems to be poised for one hell of a season, and—”
“What can I help you two with?” Mrs. Jones chooses this moment to join us in the office, and I send her an extra-wide smile in appreciation of her timing. “Oh, hello, Maeve,” she greets when she sees my face. “How are you, dear?”
“I’m well. How are you?” I reply.
“Just wonderful; thanks for asking. Hard to believe you’re a senior this year. It seems like just a few months ago you were in here collecting the paperwork to run for freshman student council.”
I laugh. “It does.”
“I’ve got your cleats right here. I heard you were selected as captain, which is just mighty impressive, dear. I don’t know how you juggle everything.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Jones.” I smile as I take the plastic bag containing my soccer cleats from her.
“What can I help you with, young man?” Mrs. Jones turns her attention toward Matt, who’s giving me a bemused look.
“I’m Matt Crawford, ma’am,” he replies. “There should have been some shorts left for me?”
“Oh, yes,” Mrs. Jones replies, handing Matt a heap of folded white fabric.
“Thank you.”
“Have a good afternoon, Mrs. Jones,” I say as I follow Matt toward the door.
“You too, Maeve.”
Matt holds the door open for me, and I raise my eyebrows as I walk out of the office.
“Since when are you a door holder?” I ask.
“I figured it was the least I could do for Mrs. Jones’ favorite student. An in with the school secretary is an important one to have.”
I scoff. “Whatever you say.”
“I’m serious. I went there at least once a month last year, and she didn’t even remember my name!”
“Guess I’m just more memorable than you are,” I tease.
“Yeah, I guess you’re pretty special,” Matt replies. But his voice isn’t teasing. It’s serious.
I glance at him in surprise, but his gaze is fixed ahead on the crowded hallway we’re walking through. I experience an uncomfortable twinge.
“Thanks, Crawford,” I keep my tone light, studiously ignoring any underlying meaning in his words. “I’ve got to stop at my locker before practice, so I’ll see you.”
“Bye, Maeve,” Matt calls as I head to the right, down the adjoining hallway lined with lockers, including mine. I try to shake off the lingering uneasiness Matt’s words left me with.
The girls’ locker room is loud and raucous when I enter it. I spent the summer playing with these girls, and there’s no awkwardness or repeated queries of “How was your summer?” as I navigate through the boisterous crowd to my locker so I can change.
“Hey, Captain,” Becca Collins greets as she takes a seat on the bench across from me.
