Try and Catch Me: A Young Adult Fiction Read online

  “Greg.” He pointed at a short guy holding a red solo cup. He gave a cheer and ran to embrace his new teammate.

  “Shit,” Vinny mumbled. “Okay.” He nodded and stared at the crowd. He rubbed his tan hands together. “All right, I pick David,” he said.

  “Great choice, man.” David smirked and slapped hands with Vinny.

  Aspen locked eyes with me suddenly. I tensed. He was looking at me. Or maybe at someone behind me. I turned to look behind me and saw that there was no one else but me. Was he going to choose me? Out of all the amazing players on his team, was he actually going to pick me?

  “Ella.” He seemed to have whispered it.

  Suddenly, the world belonged to only me and him. There was nobody around us. Just him. I stared at him with my mouth agape. He was still wearing his wet t-shirt, but somehow, he made it look so goddamn sexy. It clung to his stomach and emphasized his steel abs.

  I heard my name being called again. But it wasn’t Aspen who called me this time. “Ella!” a girl said one more time next to me. I felt a poke on my shoulder.

  “Sorry,” I whispered. Everyone was looking at me, and they had a right to. Why was soccer star Aspen Carder picking me, a nobody, over everyone else? I was, by far, not the best out of the rest of the players. Shannon was still in the crowd, and believe me when I say that she was much better than me. I was ready to be picked last, like in gym class.

  I walked over to my new teammates and practically fell on my face on the way over. A hole caught my foot and I stumbled a few steps forward. Aspen was only five feet in front of me and was quick to put his hands out to catch me, but I managed to catch myself before I could embarrass myself. One of my first interactions with Aspen and somehow, I managed to almost break my face. What a catch. God, I was such a klutz. It was mortifying.

  “Welcome to the team,” Aspen whispered in my ear when I finally joined him. His minty breath tickled my ear. It felt warm against my bare skin. My heart fluttered in my chest, and my cheeks were immediately flushed.

  “Thanks.” I fawned. It was so clear that I had a crush on him. Why was I such an obvious person?

  When Aspen and Vinny were done picking teams, we both stood on our sides of the field. The field was much smaller than a normal one since it was only our backyard, but it would do. We had ten people on each team. Our team was decent, given the players we had in it. We didn’t get Shannon, but we got Maddison, who, despite all her talking, was a good soccer player herself.

  “We’re totally going to crush them!” Maddison squealed next to me. We were both playing defense. I was sweeper, and she was the right defender. “Wait,” Maddison said and threw her hands out to her sides. “Why are you here? Aren’t you, like, not supposed to come to your sister’s parties or something?” She looked at me with a pretty dumb look. It didn’t help that she was actually dumb in the first place.

  “This is my house too, Maddison,” I pointed out. Maddison just shrugged and then focused back on the game.

  Aspen had just passed the ball to a kid named Jason which signaled the start of the game. Jason turned quickly and shot the ball to Greg. Greg beamed at the pass and began to dribble over to the side of the field.

  That was when I saw Sam standing on the side.

  My sweet sister was glaring right at me. Her eyes were practically clawing mine out of their sockets. She was standing off to the side, acting like the cheerleader that she was. Her black skirt clung tightly to her hips, and it was all her tiny red crop top could do to cover her boobs. It didn’t look very comfortable, but the way the guys were looking at her, they thought she looked hot. None of the guys looked at me that way. Especially not when I was sweating on the soccer field wearing a dress. There were probably pit stains on it already and I hadn’t even touched the ball yet. I knew I should’ve kept to wearing soccer clothes. They were far more comfortable. I was only really wearing the dress because it was my first party. I was much more of a leggings person.

  “Ella, heads up!” Someone shouted from across the field.

  I turned my attention away from Sam to see a neon green ball flying toward my head.

  I know what you’re thinking. I got hit. I got hit and now I’m lying on the floor unconscious. But don’t worry, Aspen’s coming. He kneels next to me and kisses me softly on the lips. Then I wake up and everyone chants my name as Aspen and I walk into the sunset.

  That didn’t happen, though. I headed the ball and passed it off to Maddison quickly so I could get back to daydreaming. I probably should’ve let the ball hit me, and then maybe that entire scenario would’ve come true. Unfortunately, though, my soccer skills kicked in, and I was able to pass the ball off.

  I really should’ve rethought that situation.

  “Nice header, Branson!” I heard Aspen say. I turned to see him give me a quick smile before receiving the ball and sending it directly into the goal.

  “Nice goal, Carder!” I shouted back to him with a wave. Aspen didn’t hear me, though. He was too busy embracing Taylor McClain, the other forward player who assisted the goal. I tried to play off the wave and just scratched my head. Maddison was staring at me though, and I knew I had blown my cover.

  “Stop trying, Ella. It’s pointless,” she said with a frown. She attempted a look of sympathy, but it didn’t work.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumbled before walking off the field. That shouldn’t have bothered me, but for some reason it did.

  I was done playing soccer. It was stupid of me to think that I could try and fit in for once. I didn’t hang out with the girls from soccer. The only friends I had were Caleb, Becca, and Quinn. The soccer team was filled with girls who were all forced to hang out with each other. It’s not like any of the players on the team actually like each other. Maddison’s behavior earlier is one proof of that. So much for the spirit of camaraderie.

  “Don’t come to any of my parties ever again.” Sam gritted through her teeth as I walked past her.

  “Go to hell,” I snarled and kept on walking.

  As soon as I walked in the house, Caleb was there to meet me. “There you are, princess,” he said and embraced me instantly. “Want to go get some ice cream?” he asked. It made me smile. He always knew how to make me feel better. And ice cream was always the answer.

  “I’ll go get Quinn. She seems to be having a rough night too,” he whispered and began to walk to the stairs.

  “What about Becca?” I asked.

  Caleb nodded to the dance floor. There she was in the center dancing with every single guy in the room. She shouted the lyrics of the song playing in the background, smiling and jumping up and down. Becca was having a wild time.

  “We’ll leave her be.” I giggled and ran to the front door.

  “I. Need. Ice cream,” Quinn said as soon as she hit the first floor. I smiled.

  “Good, because we are all in some desperate need of it too.” I laughed.

  “Why do I need it?” Caleb asked and he pushed open the front door for Quinn and I to walk out. Immediately, hot air surrounded us.

  “Because your crush is out on the dance floor with a billion other guys!” I answered and then ran over to his car, eager to get some ice cream.

  “I do not have a crush on her, Ella,” Caleb said very sternly.

  “Sure you don’t, buddy.” I rolled my eyes and ruffled his hair.

  Caleb rolled his eyes as well and yanked open the car door. “I don’t know why I’m friends with you.”

  “I know! It’s because you love us!” Quinn shouted and jumped onto his back before he could get into the car.

  Caleb stared at me at that moment, the moonlight twinkling in his eyes. “I do.”

  Chapter 3

  What Are You Doing Here?

  “Two scoops of chocolate chip, vanilla, and java chip,” Caleb rambled off Quinn’s and my ice cream orders.

  I thanked Caleb while Quinn and I sat on a bench outside the store. The air was heavy with heat and, e
ven with the wind blowing, it still felt humid. Ice cream was needed, especially considering this weather.

  “I can’t believe I got sick.” Quinn sighed and slouched onto the bench.

  “I can’t believe Becca was having fun.” I laughed.

  Becca was the kind of girl who studied 24/7. She was always looking for extra credit and trying to do whatever she could to get ahead in classes. Her dream college was Harvard, so it was necessary for her to try so hard. But even if she didn’t, she still got amazing grades. Quinn and I always tried to tell her to stop worrying so much about her future and just live in the moment. I guess tonight she did just that. Life was hard on her too, so she deserved a night off.

  “That was kind of crazy.” Quinn chuckled. “I figured if anyone would be the party animal first, it would be me.”

  “Hey! Why not me?” I demanded with a smile. My finger tickled her in her side, and Quinn practically fell off the bench.

  “Stop!” she screeched. Her hands cupped her sides to protect them from any further tickling. “I was just thinking because of Sam and everything,” she explained, laughing, still slightly out of breath.

  I wanted to protest. Sam was not able to control me. Sure, she hated when I went to her parties, but she never dictated what I did. I could do whatever I pleased, and Sam couldn’t do anything about that.

  “Girls, please.” Caleb trotted to us and handed us both our ice cream. I smiled at him, indicating my gratitude. “Let’s get something straight. I’m the real party animal.” He plopped in between us.

  “Yeah right!” I laughed and whacked him in the arm. He made a face, but I just stuck out my tongue.

  “All you do is play video games, Caleb.” Quinn pointed out. “I was honestly surprised you even came today. Whenever we want to hang out, you just play on your computer,” Quinn finished her point and then stuffed her face with her vanilla ice cream.

  “It’s true,” I said with a mouthful of chocolate chip, nodding at Quinn who also nodded back.

  “Hey, I’m here, aren’t I?” Caleb said and wrapped his arm around both of us as he squeezed us into him for a hug.

  ***

  Thankfully, Quinn let me stay the night at her place, so after ice cream, Caleb dropped us off there. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with the party anymore, so a sleepover at Quinn’s sounded perfect. Besides, I didn’t want to face Sam again. She was just going to scold me for coming out of my room, and I was only going to ignore her like always. And she hates it when I ignore her even more than when I talk to her.

  Early the next day, Quinn drove me back home. We both had lots of work to do before Monday rolled around. “Thanks again for allowing me to stay the night, Quinn,” I told her as I hopped out of her car.

  “Hey, no problem.” Quinn smiled. “If Becca’s still at your house, send her home.” We laughed, remembering our friend might still be in the house as she didn’t update us on her whereabouts last night. I promised I would and waved goodbye as Quinn drove off.

  Becca wasn’t at my house, though. Strangely, it was just Sam and my parents.

  “Mom? Dad?” I said when I walked through the door. They were both in the kitchen drinking coffee as they read the paper. “What are you guys doing here?” They were supposed to be spending the weekend on a romantic getaway, not sitting at the table in the kitchen.

  “Well, Sam called us and claimed that her sister was nowhere to be found,” Dad spoke up. His glasses fell to the tip of his nose as he looked at me.

  “What?” I demanded. I spun around and saw Sam sitting at the kitchen island.

  “You disappeared!” Sam exclaimed. “One second you were hanging out with my friends and me and the next you were gone!” She put on a shocked expression, but I saw right through it.

  “Are you serious, Sam?” I gaped at her. Excuse me, but who threw last night’s party again? Was she seriously trying to get me in trouble?

  “I’m sorry.” I smiled and turned back to my parents. “But was she also able to tell you that it wasn’t just a couple of friends? She threw a whole party last night.” Sam squeaked behind me.

  “Sam, is this true?” Mom said. Her eyes were cold while she eyed us.

  “No! She’s trying to change the subject.”

  “Oh yeah?” I spat. “Go check the garage. I’m sure all the garbage is still there.”

  “Mom, you can’t be serious! Don’t listen to her.” Sam jumped off her seat and blocked the exit.

  “Samantha, if she’s lying then then we’ll know. Just let me go check.” Mom pursed her lips.

  “It’s a violation of trust!” Sam shouted. “Just listen to me,” Sam pleaded. Her eyes now looked sad as if she was about to cry. She was good at that: crying on cue.

  Mom looked confused at that moment. She didn’t know who to believe. To be fair, we were both her daughters and she was supposed to love us both equally. I’ve always tried to believe that I was loved more, since the other twin was the devil herself, but now my mother can’t even tell who to believe. I felt like somebody just yanked my heart out.

  “That’s it,” Dad said and stood up. “I’m going to check, and this discussion will be over.” Dad walked right past Sam whose lip appeared to be trembling.

  It was about time she got caught for having one of her bangers. I was already sick and tired of them.

  “Wow, Sam. This party must’ve been huge considering there are still about five kids sleeping in our garage,” Dad shouted from the other side of the house.

  “What?” Sam yelled. She ran out the door to see what Dad was talking about followed by me and my mom.

  There were definitely people in our garage. James was there along with Greg, Becca, Aspen, and another kid who I didn’t know. Aspen looked so perfect sleeping on the ratty couch that was pushed up against the wall. His curly hair was ruffled. He was shirtless and his abs were glistening in the faint light above him.

  God, that sounded lame, but it was so true. Aspen could lie in a dumpster and he’d still look perfect.

  I couldn’t focus on him, though. Becca was there, and as much I liked Aspen, friends came first.

  “I told you all to leave before nine!” Sam shouted and kicked James up. Besides Aspen, the four kids were all sleeping on the ground in sheets.

  “Becca!” I exclaimed and shook her awake. Her eyes peeped open but then squinted at the light. “What are you doing here?”

  “I like parties.” She smiled.

  I laughed at that comment. It was simple, but it explained everything. “All right, let’s go get you showered up.” She allowed me to help her up and together, we walked up the two steps leading back to the house.

  “Wait a second,” Dad said before I could get to the door. “This means you, Sam, threw a party.” Dad pointed at her. She was sitting over her very hungover boyfriend. “But you,” Dad then turned to me, pointing his finger at me, “attended it and didn’t tell us.”

  “All right, you’re both grounded,” Mom declared and threw up her hands. “One week. No hanging out with friends.”

  “Whatever, Mom.” I sighed. I couldn’t fight. It wasn’t worth competing with Sam, so I continued to help Becca to my room.

  ***

  Rebecca went home after I filled her up with coffee. She still wasn’t looking all that good, but she wasn’t as hungover as when she woke up. I couldn’t believe she had stayed over. Who knew she would turn out to be a wild party animal? She had said that she was hanging out with a kid named Tristan Jones. He was the kid who I didn’t know in our garage. Apparently, she had a glass too many to drink and after hanging out with Tristan for a little, they both passed out in the garage. I asked what they did together, and she just claimed they only talked. I knew that two drunken people did not just “talk” at a party.

  “Hey.” I heard from my doorway.

  I looked up, and I swore my heart stopped beating.

  “Aspen,” I whispered in shock. What was he still doing at my house? Why was he at my do
orway? His hair was wet and a towel hung in his hand.

  “What are you still doing here? I expected my dad to kick you out.” I stared at him, slightly embarrassed. If I knew he was coming to my bedroom door, I would’ve cleaned up a bit. Instead, I had bras lying all over my floor and my seventeen-year-old teddy bear on my bed. The walls were covered of pictures of my favorite soccer players. I couldn’t believe he was seeing my room.

  “Your parents let me take a shower.” He raised his towel to indicate his point.

  “I forgot. They’re practically in love with you.” I laughed.

  Whenever they come to my soccer games, they’d always ask where the famous Aspen Carder was. Whether he was practicing or playing in a game, they were desperate to watch him. I didn’t blame them. He was an amazing soccer player. Watching him was like watching a professional.

  Aspen nodded with a smile. “During the soccer banquets, they always come up to me.”

  “Yeah, those are my parents for you.” I laughed. I still couldn’t look at him directly in the eyes. It was way too embarrassing, especially now that my parents offered to let him shower here. They truly were in love with him.

  “They’re cool. Don’t worry.” He smiled. I shrugged, not knowing what to say anymore. “Where’d you go yesterday?” Aspen suddenly asked to break the silence.

  My heart jumped. He actually noticed that I left.

  “I went out with Caleb and Quinn,” I said. Finally, I met his eyes. They were the incredible brown eyes that I grew up to know. They always reminded me of Hershey’s Kisses.

  “Cool.” Aspen nodded. Aspen looked around my room, and then smacked the wooden doorway. “So, I’ll see you around?”

  “Yeah.” I smiled, still stunned from his presence.

  Aspen smiled back and then left my room. I let myself relax and closed my eyes. My head was pounding from his sudden appearance. “Breathe, Ella, breathe,” I whispered to myself as my fingers massaged my temples.

  “Oh, Ella!” I heard Aspen’s voice again. My eyes opened immediately and I threw my hands back down to my sides. My body stiffened. There he was again, standing in my doorway. “We should totally play soccer sometime.”