Luca was happy to say that Ashton played very well and their team came home with the victory.

He had a wide grin on his face as he anxiously waited at Ashton's car, as the team celebrated in the change rooms.

People passed Luca in order to get into their own cars, and he watched in boredom but was surprised to see Betsy among them.

She was walking with a couple friends and Luca almost reached out to go over to her but decided against it. She had avoided him the whole morning, he didn't think she was going to ease up anytime soon.

Sighing, he watched her walk off and he wasn't completely sure, buy he swore he noticed the sadness etched into her joyful smile.

Luca turned back around and casted his gaze on the ground, his mind falling back to a pool of regret.

He got not a blink of sleep last night—too busy feeling like the worst person alive and crying.

He was sure Betsy was going through much worse.

"Hey," a voice greeted.

Luca shot his head up to see a smiling Ashton standing in front of him.

"Hi," Luca said back, "You played really good out there."

Ashton's smile turned into a grin and a sense of pride washed over him at the compliment.

"Thanks," he mumbled, looking down to his the slight blush crossing his cheeks.

"I'm not usually into sports but watching you wasn't boring in the least," Luca told him, stuffing his hands into his pockets and shuffling on his feet.

Ashton laughed, "Are you sure you're not just saying that?"

Luca cracked a grin and shook his head, "No. I'm serious Ashton, watching you made me kind of proud."

Ashton swept his blond hair away from his eyes and stepped forward, leaning in closer towards Luca.

"Proud to be my boyfriend?" he asked, giddily.

Luca rolled his eyes and met Ashton's gaze, "Yes."

"I'd kiss you right now but there's people around..." Ashton's voice trailed off and he sounded nervous in revealing that.

"If you're not ready to be out, don't worry. I don't think I'm quite ready yet either," Luca replied truthfully.

Ashton nodded and just sent Luca a sad smile before stepping back again.

"Oh, I must be taking up your time. I know you probably want to go celebrate with your team," Luca said, pointing a thumb at Ashton's teammates who were nearing the two boys.

"No actually I-"

"Ashton! There you are!" someone in the team interrupted, jumping on the back of Ashton.

Ashton stumbled forward in surprise and the boy fell off, landing back up near the rest of the team.

"What are you doing? Are we going out for drinks or what?" Mateo sneered, stepping forward.

Ashton opened his mouth to speak but Benji got his word in first, "Boys, Ashton doesn't have to come. He might want to do other things.."

"Like what? You going to a strip club or something Ashton?"

Ashton scrunched up his face and glanced back at Luca who stood watching the scene anxiously.

"No, I think I just want to go home," he grumbled, but instantly regretted his words when his friends began cheering.

"Party at Ashton's house! Fuck yes!" Shawn exclaimed, jumping up and down in excitement.

Luca's eyes widened and he exchanged an amused glance with Benji.

While Ashton was busy arguing with Shawn that there was going to be no party, Luca leaned forward near Benji and whispered in his ear.

"Tell him to go have fun and stop worrying about me. I'll be fine."

Benji nodded and Luca quickly slinked away while he still had the chance, leaving Ashton to celebrate with his team.

He knew it's what Ashton wanted and he obviously felt bad to leave Luca alone after everything that happened.

But Luca needed to be alone and Ashton needed a sense of normality in his life again. He needed his friends.

Luca walked out of the car park, ready to make his way home but was stopped abruptly by a grip on his arm.

"Luca."

He knew that voice all to well. He gazed up to see his sister standing beside him, her smile gone and the red in her hair fading into a soft pink.

"Walk home safely," she said, avoiding his eyes and moving past him, her hand slipping from his arm.

He turned and watched her get into her car.