Free The Clique by Valerie Thomas Page B

were going to make it to state.”
                  Kate rubs her eye. “Yeah, Sean’s probably gonna be the same way.”
                  “He didn’t talk it up the way Gabe did, though. He was like super invested in this.”
                  “I know, Aude.”
                  “Hey, I have an idea! Let’s take them out for ice cream, to cheer them up!”
                  Kate laughs, shaking her head. “Alright. You wanna wait for them in the parking lot?” They shuffle out with the other spectators. After a half-hour, the soccer team walks out to the emptying lot.
                  “Catch you on Monday, guys!” Gabe doesn’t look angry or depressed at all as he walks up to the two girls. “Hey, babe. Sorry I didn’t score that hat trick.”
                  “It’s okay.” Audrey runs a hand along his cheek. “I’m sorry you didn’t win.”
                  “It’s—whatever. I’m cool with it. Resolution’s the second best team in the state. We just couldn’t compete.”
                  “You did so well, though. You were even winning, for a while.”
                  Gabe snorts. “Yeah, for an entire ten minutes.” Audrey’s known him long enough to recognize that he’s putting up a façade.
                  “So, listen, Kate and I had this great idea. Do you wanna go get ice cream?”
                  “Why would I wanna get ice cream?”
                  “To help cheer you up.” Audrey gives a cautious smile.
                  Gabe sighs. “Fine. But let’s go in separate cars.”
                  “Okay. Kate, you can go with Sean, right?”
                  “Yeah. I just have to find him first.”
                  Gabe jerks his head toward the field. “He’s back there. Coach wanted to talk to him, about his free-kicking.”
                  Kate starts walking. “See you there, Aude.”
                  “See you.” Aude watches Gabe’s expression fall as her friend strides farther and farther away.
                  “We—lost,” he whispers. “I thought we were gonna win, and we lost.”
                  “Aw, it’s okay.” Aude puts both arms around him. “It’s okay, baby. We’ll get some ice cream, and then I can give you a backrub, or you know, whatever.”
                  “Okay.” Gabe pulls out the key to his car and presses the button to unlock the doors. Audrey climbs into the passenger seat.
                  For a few moments, Gabe just stares at the wheel in silence. “I don’t want ice cream.”
                  “You don’t?”
                  “No.” He shakes his head. “It was a childish idea. I don’t want ice cream.”
                  Audrey swallows back her emotions. “But it was my idea. I thought that—“
                  “Well you thought wrong!”
                  “Please don’t yell at me.”
                  Gabe takes a few deep breaths. “I’m sorry, babe. I’m just so passionate right now.”
                  Yeah, passionate. “I know, I know. It’s ok to cry, if you want.”
                  “Why would I cry? I’m not some—some—pussy!”
                  “Gabe, it’s just me. You don’t need to act tough for me. I know that game meant a lot to you. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I’m right here.”
                  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you! You’re so into that touchy-feely shit, Aude.”
                  Don’t get mad. He’s already mad. Don’t let this turn into a fight. Aude takes a deep breath. “Alright, you don’t feel like crying. And you don’t feel like ice cream. What do you feel