Chapter Nine—A Touchy Situation

*A little personal business. This will be my last entry until I get back. When I call Liz, she will update for me and keep you all informed of what is going on. Anyway, here is Chapter Nine. I finally had the motivation to write it up again :-P. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!* BTW, the other thing about what I write is that I will use Claudia and Victor in first person perspective. When you see the line break, that will indicate a new speaker. This is to make it a little more dramatic :-P.

“What I find truly amazing, is how much I love Claudia.

“I was very skeptical about true love at first. When Claudia and I first met, you couldn’t have guessed we would be totally in love today. We have gone through a lot of stuff together but that makes us stronger. She means everything to me: she’s caring, she’s loving, she’s supportive, and she’s someone I can trust.”

Today is the big game vs. our big time rivals, Clarkston High. We are the two best teams in our region this year (our record is 9-0 through 9 games and their record is 9-0) and this will decide who will have the home field advantage throughout the playoffs. On an added note, my parents and Claudia will be at the game.

“Just think: I play the game of my life, we win and I have my g/f to celebrate with once the game is over–sounds great to me!”

“Hey Victor, you’re ever the dreamer aren’t you?” Troy playfully socks me in my arm.

“Nah, I’m not a dreamer, I’m a believer!” I return the exchange back. “Truth is, a lot of people picked us to win our region this year because we have a better team than Clarkston.”

“True, but I heard Clarkston has a mean defense and can light up the scoreboard better than anyone.”

“You’re right because every time I read the paper, Michael Turner, their tight end, is always in the paper. Their quarterback is amazing; I love their offensive line and their wide receivers! Gosh, imagine how great I would be with that kind of offense.”

“Get real. You’re just as great with your current offense as anyone. Face it Victor, you are this team.”

“No I’m not. There’s soo many other guys who contribute to our success; it would be hard to pinpoint one guy who has had the most influence on our success.”

“I know that Victor. I was just sucking up to you.”

“Oh is that so? How are things between you and Elizabeth?” Troy’s face darkens. He clinches his hands together in disgust. “Oops, I shouldn’t have asked anything.”

Troy looks at his hands, then up at me before shaking his head, “You didn’t know.”

“Didn’t know what?”

“We broke up.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. I will say this though: she found out something about me and broke up with me.”

“Just like that?”

“Yup, she dropped me quicker than a second.”

“That’s cold.”

“Yeah it is. I was beginning to love her too.”

“Hey, Allison has been here the past few days.”

“She did?” Troy’s eyes light up a little. “Wow what has she been up to?”

“She’s engaged to be married to her fiancée.”

“Fiancée?”

“Yes, she’s a lesbian.”

“Oh…I see.”

“You sound disappointed Troy.”

“Yeah I am. I thought I would get the chance to talk to her.”

“You still do; she’s still around here and goes to school here now.”

“Wow! Thanks for the 411. Speaking of which, it is 4:11 and I need to go.”

“Okay Troy, later.”

“Later.” When Troy left, I decided to take a quick 30-minute nap. I figured I would need all the rest I could get because that place will be rocking!

“Hey Allison,” I said cheerfully.

“Hey Claudia,” Allison answered with a slight smile. We’re walking along in the park together. The atmosphere is serene.

“I’d like to apologize to you for my actions lately.”

“Why?”

“For being judgmental, I was going with my emotions rather than my gut feeling. I should have known that you wouldn’t want to take my Victor away from you.”

“Oh, it’s alright. Current girlfriends and ex-girlfriends don’t mix too well do they?”

“Hey you’re right! I would like to try another crack at our friendship. What do you say?” At this point, Allison shrieks. I turn and look where she points and I hear a thud. Turning around, I see Allison lying on the ground. Someone had struck her from behind! Trusting my senses, I get in a fighting stance to confront Allison’s attacker. “Show yourself!” I yell. I scan the park in front of me, but find no one. Disappointment creeps in and I turn around towards Allison but someone comes up behind me and covers my mouth with a handkerchief! I try to elbow them, but my arms are trapped! Continuing to struggle, I feel my strength diminishing with each passing second. Finally, I collapse and fall into the arms of Allison’s attacker.

Man, where is she? I ponder to myself. It’s unlike Claudia to be late. Usually, if she say she will be there, she will be there. No matter what the circumstances, she will be there. However, it’s nearly 5:30 and she still hasn’t shown up. Maybe she got stuck with some unfortunate last minute assignment or something. Dismissing the thought, I get in my car and head towards the school for what will be the biggest game of my life.

Time stood still while I slumber. My eyes slowly open and my brain is bombarded with questions. Where am I? What time is it? I think to myself. Groggily, and very meticulously, my eyes take in my surroundings. I’m back at Troy’s house! “How did I get here?” I ask.

“Take it easy Claudia! You’re safe now.”

I look up at my rescuer “I’m safe? Safe from what?”

“From whoever attacked you and Allison,” my memory flashes back to the scene at the park what seemed like forever ago.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know, but I did see you collapse into his arms.”

“Then what?”

“He slung you over his shoulder and took you away, but he never touched Allison.”

“Where is she?”

“She’s fine. The doctor gave her an ice pack to put over her head; she’s not supposed to do anything anytime soon.”

“How did you find me?”

“Easy. All I did was attract attention to that masked man who had you. I couldn’t risk tackling him because you would have been crushed under our combined weight. Instead, I brought attention upon him by yelling at him causing a scene. He was confused and dropped you before coming after me. He was too strong for me as you can see,” he accentuates the point by pointing to his ribs.”

“Oh my god you’re hurt!” I exclaim.

“I’ll be fine. The important thing is this: you are safe with me and Allison is safe as well.”

“What about my would-be kidnapper?”

“Oh, well I don’t know. Apparently no one had a good look at his build or anything.”

“Do you know what time it is?”

“Actually, I don’t. Why?”

“The game!” I completely forgot!

“What game?”

“Victor said that he has a big game today and he wants me to go! I can’t believe I forgot!”

“He did? It’s tonight? I thought it was next week.”

“Are you sure?” I narrow my eyes at him.

“Yes, I wouldn’t lie to you know would I? Besides, I need to talk to you about something.”

“No, you wouldn’t lie to me. Okay what is it about?”