Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Blake's POV

The game started like any other game and to my surprise, Sky's team actually turned out to be pretty good. By halftime, the score was 21 for HOME which was us and 19 for VISITOR which was Sky's school.

While the cheerleaders went ahead with their halftime show, I scanned the crowd for Rylie. I sighted Olivia easily but Rylie was nowhere to be found.

I frowned. Could it be that she decided not to show up after all? Seems unlikely since I left her just outside the field. So where was she?

I couldn't dwell on that however as Coach called me off the field so we could discuss strategies to avoid losing the game.

However I struggled to concentrate on what Coach was saying. All I could think of was Rylie and the feeling in my gut that there was more to her absence than meets the eye. I couldn't do anything about it though because Coach would kill me if I left so I decided to do something else.

Just before the game started, I sent a message to Olivia to find out where Rylie was. When I jogged onto the field, she gave me a sign that she'd received the message and left her seat. This allayed my fears, just a little.

***

I let out a sigh of relief as the final whistle sounded just as the ball soared through the air and landed exactly where it needed to. We won!

But that didn't matter to me. While the rest of my teammates jubilated, I ran off the field and into the hallway, searching every room I came across. Even while the game was ongoing, my eyes kept darting to the bleachers for any sign of Rylie but I got none. Olivia came back but Rylie wasn't with her.

It took all of my willpower to keep from running off the field and search for Rylie and even though I didn't, I was constantly distracted and constantly kept missing shots. Our team only won by a slim margin.

I realised that Rylie's absence could mean anything but something in my gut just told me that she was in danger and I only could help her.

I combed the whole school, searching even the most unlikely places but still no Rylie. Olivia, Myles and even Sky had joined the search but we had had no luck in finding her.

"You know Blake, you could just be overreacting and Rylie could have just gone home. You never know," Sky was saying after we hit yet another dead-end.

I narrowed my eyes at him and fought to swallow the words I felt like saying to him, choosing instead to reply, "She didn't go home! I just know it, okay?"

"Well how can you be so sure anyway?"

"Because I'm her boyfriend, dipshit! And I know she wouldn't have wanted to miss this game," I spat in his face.

Before Sky could reply, Myles stepped between us to try and stop the confrontation that was about to follow. He went on to say, "How about this? Olivia and I will go home to check if Rylie truly went home while you two continue looking around for her. Preferably on opposite sides of the school."

"Okay. Anything for Rylie," Sky was quick to say. I said nothing, balling and unfurling my fists to dissipate my anger.

Myles and Olivia left, leaving Sky and I alone. Grumbling under my breath, I turned and walked away, not wanting to have to spend more time than necessary with the little punk. I continued my search for Rylie, my worry growing by the second.

Sky and I bumped into each other at few occasions and relayed our fruitless searches to each other before going on our way.

Just when I'd lost all hope and resolved to going home, I heard a scream from the girls locker room and instantly, I knew this was about Rylie. I turned on my heels and ran in the direction of the one place I hadn't thought to check.

"Hang on Rylie! I'm coming!" I muttered under my breath.

I barged into the girls locker room, not minding that the cheerleaders were currently in it, some of them naked. All I could think about was Rylie. And I found her!

She was laying on her back in front of a locker. Her nose was bleeding and I could see a few droplets of blood around her ears. She also had a few bruises on her face.

Rushing to her side, I gathered her in my arms and rushed to my car. Not this again!

***

While I impatiently waited for news about Rylie in the waiting room, Olivia, Myles, Sky and Mason rushed in as well. Only Mason wasn't alone. He was with someone, someone so very familiar.

"How is she? Has the doctor gotten back to you yet?" Olivia anxiously inquired, running up to meet me.

"No. Not yet," I answered offhandedly, my eyes still on the girl with Mason. "Mason, who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is Jessie. I was with her when Olivia found me. Jessie, meet everyone."

That's when it hit me. Jessie AKA one of my many exes. I remembered running into her at a cafe a few weeks ago and she was none too happy about Rylie and I.

"Jessie, this is Olivia," Mason was saying, introducing her to everyone until he got to me.

"Oh, we've met," Jessie waved Mason off.

"Really? How come?" Mason asked, looking between us.

"It's a... long story," I swallowed, giving her a long stare before turning my gaze to Mason. "Why did you bring her here again?"

Before Mason could reply, Jessie cut in. "I'm sorry if my presence isn't too appreciated at the time. I know this must be really hard for you, Blake. Mason was actually planning to introduce me to Rylie and her friends, me being his girlfriend and all…"

"Wait, you're his girlfriend?!" Olivia exclaimed, jumping up from her seat.

"Yes. We are dating, aren't we Mace?" Jessie turned to look at Mason.

"Of course," Mason slipped his hands around Jessie's waist and pulled her even closer. I glanced at Olivia who had a weird look on her face.

Just then, the doctor appeared before things could get too awkward. I rushed to him before he even got to us.

"So doctor, how is she?"

"She'll be fine. Just a few bumps and bruises on her face and those have been taken care of for the most part."

"What about her ear? She had a bit of blood dripping from it."

"That has also been taken care of. She probably shouldn't listen to loud music or anything of the sort for a few days but other than that, she should be fine. She will also need to put ice on her nose for a few days to stop the bleeding completely as well."

"So does that mean she can go home now?" I piped hopeful.

"Unfortunately no. I would rather we keep her overnight for observation but if nothing else goes wrong, she should be free to go tomorrow."

"And you're sure that her injuries won't have any lasting effect?" Jessie asked from her place beside Mason.

"No, she was pretty lucky considering the severity of her injuries last time."

"Great!" she smiled but from where I was standing, it didn't really reach her eyes.

"Can we see her though?"

That was Myles speaking.

"Of course. But not now though. She's resting."

"That's good to hear," Jessie chimed in, her smile this time, seemingly too bright.

After the doctor left, Mason and Jessie went to sit together on a separate chair. I watched them curiously. I think I have to keep my eyes on Jessie for a few days.