FOSTER GRAY
-the catch restaurant
-Coach Bombay's surprise
I walked into the fancy restaurant with Adam by my side. I was nervous. Why did Coach drag us to this crazy fancy and crazy rich restaurant? Was this the surprise he's been excited about?
Holly and Grace had spent half of the day picking out something for me to wear, and they took forever doing my makeup and my hair. I wasn't a big fan of makeup honestly, but it looked nice. Oddly enough, Holly had an extra dress. She said that she never knew when she was going to need one. She called it her emergency dress. It was a beautiful red dress that I could never see myself wearing, but I currently was.
I snuck a look at Adam as we stopped in the lobby. The walls were replaced with fish tanks. I sent Adam a look of surprise. He smiled at my amazement. He leaned closer to my head.
"You know, you look really really nice tonight," he whispered in my ear, sending chills up and down my body. I felt myself start to smile. I looked back up at him nervously.
"Thank you, cake-eater. As do you," I grinned. He sent me an irresistible smile. I mentally smacked myself. He's my best friend for goodness sakes, I can't like him!
I let out a small breath. I started walking forwards once I noticed Coach Bombay starting too. I felt Adam place his hand on my lower back, letting me walk ahead of him. I thanked him, feeling butterflies fly around my stomach again. I pursed my lips together.
The team and I followed Coach Bombay through the overly crowded restaurant to a back room, which I hoped was large because this was a big team. Eventually, we all got into the room.
The room was incredibly large. There were many tables lined up in three rows, and name tag on every table. I glanced up at Adam confused.
"Okay, everyone, take your seats!" Coach happily exclaimed, the biggest smile possible on his face. I slowly started to smile.
I broke away from Adam and went to go find my seat. I scanned the tables carefully as I passed them. Adam started at the other end of the row I started at. I kept walking forward until I found my name. I took a seat at the table.
Suddenly, Adam sat in the seat beside me. It was his table. I smiled wide at him, glancing at Coach, and then looking back at Adam.
"I'm glad he sat me by my best friend," I chuckled. Adam nodded his head in agreement.
"Me too," he agreed. Both of us glanced around the room. He spoke up again, "why do we all have our own table anyways?" He questioned.
I shrugged my shoulders, "honestly, I'm wondering the same thing. Coach is definitely up to something."
"I don't know if I should be scared or not," Adam said. I chuckled.
"Me too."
In front of the room, Coach clapped his hands together, trying to get our attention. I turned my gaze forward, feeling Adam's eyes on me. I shook the thought away and paid close attention to what Coach had to say.
"I have spent days planning this event for you guys," he started, "I'm so excited, I'm sorry," he apologized. We all laughed at the excited man, "the timing is kind of unfortunate, but I hope this night is very enjoyable for you," Coach suddenly turned back to the door, excitedly throwing it open.
A husband and a wife popped into the doorway with a teenage boy behind them, all of them gazing at Adam. I looked over at the boy whose mouth was slightly open, and his eyes wide.
"Mom, Dad, Kris!" He shouted. He was quick to leap up from the table and run to them. They ran to him too. I smiled wide. Behind his family, more people came running in and to my teammates, hugging them tightly.
I slowly started to frown. I didn't have family here. Who knew where my mom was. Even if Coach had somehow got ahold of her, she wouldn't have come.
My eyes traveled around the room awkwardly. I eventually caught Dean's gaze, who sat the table beside me. He was alone too. I sent him a small smile. I quickly looked away.
My face heated up in embarrassment. I slumped down in my seat and crossed my arms over my chest. Shortly, everyone was situated at their tables again. Adam took his seat beside me.
He pulled me in for a hug, holding me tightly. I felt tears start to form in my eyes. I hugged Adam back and shut my eyes.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. I pulled away and forced a small smile on my face.
"Thank you," I spoke just above a whisper.
Adam turned back to his family.
"Mom, Dad, Kris, this is my best friend Foster. Foster, this is my family," Adam introduced. I started to slowly smile again.
"It's nice to finally meet you, dear! You are such a great player, goodness! And you're so gorgeous! Thank you for being my sons' friend!" His mother exclaimed. I saw Adam glance down in embarrassment.
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Banks. Adam has been here for me this whole trip, and I greatly appreciate it," I said, quickly glancing at Adam. He looked away from me and looked down with red cheeks.
Suddenly, the door to the room flew open. Everyone's heads turned to the commotion in the front of the room.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry we're late!" The woman screeched, waving her arms in the air. I smiled wide. It was Mrs. Cameron. Behind her stood Mr. Cameron and Isaac, who nervously looked around the room from the scene Mrs. Cameron had just caused. She looked at me down at the table. She stuck her arms out in my direction, "oh, Foster sweetie, I'm sorry to leave you hanging!"
She rushed to my side at the table and took a seat beside me while hugging me. I continued to smile.
"You're fine, Mrs. Cameron. I promise," I told her. I pulled away from the hug, "thank you for coming. You're the best family I could ask for."
She gave me a sad smile. In front of us, Mr. Cameron and Isaac took a seat. Before Isaac could sit, I got up and reached across the table to hug him.
Eventually, we sat back around.
"Hey, Banksie!" Isaac exclaimed once he saw Adam beside me. Adam smiled back.
"Isaac, hey, how have you been since the last time I saw you.., two hours ago?" both of the boys laughed. As they continued their conversation, I looked back over at Mr. Cameron.
He looked at me with his usual emotionless face. A small grin then formed on his face.
"You know, Foster, I remember watching you run around in our back yard with Isaac in your diapers," he started. His face started to soften, "you have really turned into a beautiful young woman."
My smile grew.
"Hey, what about me?" Isaac asked his dad. I grinned at him. I knew what was coming next.
Mr. Cameron looked his son up and down, replacing his soft look with a hard one.
"What socks are you wearing underneath that?" He questioned. Isaac sent him a look of oblivion.
"My space invader socks, duh," he fired at him. Mr. Cameron rolled his eyes.
"Well, Isaac, you have really turned into a..., a complete dumbass."
My view shifted back over to Dean. Mrs. Cameron must've followed my gaze and saw the boy still sitting alone.
I frowned.
"Where's that young man's parents?" Mrs. Cameron asked. I shrugged my shoulders.
"I'm guessing the same place as my mom," I said, "not here," it became silent. I had a sudden thought, "can we invited him over?" I asked, looking down at Mrs. Cameron.
She quickly nodded her head, "of course," she smiled. She looked over at him, "sweetie!" she called, "Hey, sweetie!" Dean looked over at us. I could tell he was embarrassed, "come over here and sit with us, please?"
Dean slightly smiled. He nodded his head before getting out of his chair. He walked around the table. Mrs. Cameron quickly got out of her chair, making Dean sit beside me. Once he sat down, I gave him a warm smile. Mrs. Cameron sat in the empty seat beside him.
"Don't be upset," I whispered to him, "I've had to learn it the hard way, but you're better without them, okay?" I comforted, referring to his parents. He gave me a small smile and nodded his head.
"Thank you, Foster."