Page 2 of Offside Attraction

“Why didn’t you fight back?” she demanded. “He’s just a boy, like you. And isn’t he just a few months older than you?”

“Carol, enough,” Derek cut in. “There are better ways to handle this.”

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Dakota muttered, tears spilling over.

“It’s okay. Go to your room. We’ll call you for dinner.”

Dakota rushed upstairs, trying to block out the sound of his parents’ argument.

Dakotahatedsummercamp.It was full of rich, entitled kids, including Hayes and his friends, Janice and Ezra. For the first two weeks, Hayes hadn’t tried anything, which made Dakota more uneasy than usual. Hayes ignoring him felt more threatening than the usual bullying.

Then, during a dodgeball game, Hayes had picked Dakota for his team. When an opponent hit Dakota in the face with a dodgeball, Hayes rushed to his side, even threatening the other kid. It was so out of character that it terrified Dakota.

Hayes was being nice. Too nice.

One afternoon, after a run, Dakota was catching his breath when Hayes approached him.

“Hey, you okay?” Hayes asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“What do you want?” Dakota asked, stepping back.

“I’m just checking on you.”

“Suck it. And stay away from me.”

Hayes chuckled, a small smile playing on his lips. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Yeah, well, you did.”

“I know. It was stupid. I shouldn’t have done it,” Hayes said, his eyes almost... sincere.

Dakota didn’t trust it.

“I like you, Miller. I really do,” Hayes continued, stepping closer.

Dakota’s heart skipped a beat. Was this a joke?

“I want us to be friends. What do you say?” Hayes offered his hand.

Dakota hesitated, searching Hayes’s face for the lie. But part of him—some small, hopeful part—wanted to believe it. So, slowly, he shook Hayes’s hand.

“Thanks,” Hayes smiled.

“What are you doing tonight?” Hayes asked.

“Nothing. Why?”

“The cool kids are hanging out at the shed behind the old building. You should come.”

Dakota felt uneasy. “Isn’t that past curfew?”

Hayes grinned. “No one has to know. It’ll be fun. Promise.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Dakota agreed.

Laterthatnight,Dakotaarrived at the shed early. No one was there. Just as he turned to leave, Hayes walked in, holding a bottle of vodka.

“Leaving already?” Hayes smirked, sitting on a log as he patted the spot next to him. An invitation.