Mr. Masters (Mr. 1)

“Because my eyes aren’t bionic.”

Jeez. Touchy.

“I think they go to her school, yes. One of them used to be a good friend of Willow’s, but she hasn’t been around for years now.”

“Oh,” I reply, distracted as I turn my attention back to the girls. Willow’s teammates come out of the sheds, and one of the girls says something to the three girls that were talking to Willow, and then one of them snaps back. Nope, definitely not friends. That is a hostile exchange.

The coaches come out and the teams line up to run onto the field.

Rebecca arrives back, struggling with her chair before she sets it up next to Mr. Masters. He rolls his l

ips, as if he’s unimpressed. “Hello, Rebecca,” he offers.

“Hi, Julian, how are you?” She leans over and kisses him on the cheek. I have to bite my bottom lip to hide my smile. I keep my eyes on the field in front of me.

I think Rebecca is a bit sweet on Mr. Masters.

The whistle blows and the game begins.

“Willow is playing centre forward?” I whisper to him.

“Yes.” He frowns, turning to me. “You know football?”

“I know most things,” I whisper back as I keep my eyes on the game.

“I seriously doubt that.”

“Julian, I called you this week about the fundraiser. Did you get my message?” Rebecca asks in a high-pitched voice, trying too hard to sound casual.

He hesitates. “No, I didn’t sorry.”

“I wanted to see if you would to go the fundraiser together. We could carpool. I can drive so you can have a few drinks.”

“Erm…” He hesitates again, and I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling as I stare at the game.

“I’m sorry, I already have a date for that night. Some other time, perhaps?”

Awkward.

“Oh,” she sighs, dejected. “I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone.”

“It’s new,” he says quietly.

I smile on the inside. I’m happy he isn’t interested in going on a date with Rebecca. She’s just too ‘blah’ for someone like him.

They fall into an uncomfortable silence until I can’t take the awkwardness of it anymore.

“I’m going to go and get a coffee.” I stand.

“I’ll show you where to go,” Mr. Masters immediately gets up, too.

I smile at him knowingly, and he widens his eyes, silently asking for me to rescue him.

“Okay, lead the way.” I hold my hand out.

He looks down, and his good manners prevail. “Would you like a cup of coffee, Rebecca?”

“Yes, please, darling. Just white.”