"Yeah right" Tim said sarcastically. "I know how stuff like this happens. I watch a lot of movies and I know how stuff like this goes. This is how it starts and before you know it, they are giving you a speech about how it isn't your fault and that sometimes things just don't work out. I just don't want to have that talk with my parents. I know how much they love each other"
Chloe nodded. "Okay" she said. "I can't say that I understand because I don't. My parents aren't... Divorced. But I'm certain that whatever it is, it's not your fault. And honestly, there is nothing you can do about it but hope that they find a way to fix their problems. And sometimes, they might just be going through a tough time. Doesn't mean they are gonna get a divorce, so you might just be worried for nothing. Come on" she nudged his shoulder. "You can't be worrying about this when nothing permanent has happened. Remember you have a game next week. One of you has been training for a long time now. You know you don't want to lose. So you better concentrate"
Tim smiled. "Yeah I don't want to lose." he agreed. "I hate losing." he stared at her for a moment then added, "Thanks for trying to make me feel better, Chloe. You are the only one who noticed I wasn't feeling too good. I really appreciate your concern"
"Well, what are friends for?" Chloe asked.
They stood up. "I'm still convinced that you only noticed because you have a huge crush on me though". He said grinning.
Chloe stopped walking, "Are you ever going to stop teasing me with that?" she asked. Tim rubbed his jaw, stroking some fake beard and pretending to give her question some thought. His face made her laugh.
"No. Not really" he said finally. "I'm not going to stop. I enjoy doing it. Plus, I can't stop even if I wanted to. it's our thing"
"Our thing" Chloe repeated. "We have a thing?"
"Oh yeah we do" Tim replied grinning.
----------------------------
"Hey Tim, congrats" Chloe said as she slid beside him on his way to the locker room.
He grinned at her. "Thanks," he said. "Although I gotta admit at some point I thought we were going to lose. That thought scared the crap out of me"
Chloe smiled. "As if," she said. "Well, I didn't think you guys were going to lose. Not with you on the team"
Tim stopped walking and faced her. "Wow" he said. "You have so much faith in me. That is, you know, for someone who isn't my girlfriend"
Chloe punched him in the shoulder and he groaned. "Owuch" he said. "That hurt"
"Good. I wanted it to hurt. I don't have to be your girlfriend to support you" she replied. "Anyways there's something I want to ask you, but I don't want you to be a total douchebag about it."
"Okay" Tim said, wondering what it was.
Chloe took a deep breath, like she was summoning courage. "It's about the dance next tomorrow" she began. "I ermmm...."
"Tim" a voice interrupted them. They both turned around. It was Jensen.
"Hey dad" Tim said, his face lit up immediately. He walked up to him and gave him a big hug. "You came"
"Yeah I did," Jensen replied. "I watched the whole game. And then before I could come find you after the game, the field got so crowded that I lost you".
"Oh I'm sorry dad. But I'm so happy that you came. Mom couldn't make it. She said she had some work stuff to handle" His gaze fell on Chloe. "Oh dad," he said. "I want you to meet my friend, Chloe Gilbert. Chloe, this is my dad"
"Hi Mr Packard" Chloe said. "It's really nice to meet you"
"It's nice to meet you dear," Jensen replied. "I'm a little bit surprised. Tim has never introduced me to a female friend before. This is nice"
Tim groaned aloud. "Please don't start now, dad," he said.
Chloe smiled. "I think I will be going home now," she said. "Nice to meet you once again Mr Packard. See you around.. I mean, later Tim"
"Yeah bye," Tim said. He turned to Jensen. "I have missed you Dad"
"I have missed you too soon," Jensen replied. "Why don't you go on and change, and then we can go grab something to eat. I will wait for you"
"Cool" Tim said, and he ran off to the locker room with the other guys.
------------------------
"So Tim," Jensen said as he popped one of the French fries into his mouth. "This Chloe Gilbert, is she your girlfriend?"
"No she's not" Tim said, as he lowered his gaze. "She is just my friend. But I wish she was my girlfriend. In Fact, there's a dance next tomorrow and I was about to ask her to be my date.. Before you showed up. It's probably a good thing you did, because I have no idea how to go about it and I'm very scared that she might say no or that I would just embarrass myself. "