The Humans of Manhattan Ch. 13

((Got the soccer facts from here))

Skipper and his team were thinking about how they were going to get Ash and Zayn back together again. "Kowalski, options." Skipper said.
 "Well, we could try and see if Ash has let go of his grudge."
"Hm, what else?"
 "We could tell Ash about the nightmare."
"Tricky, tricky."
 "Indeed it is. We need more options."

Private raised his hand up again. "Private? What are your thoughts?" Skipper asked.
 "I say option B. Ash just doesn't seem like the person to hold grudges."

Kowalski tapped his chin with his pencil and nodded in agreement. "He has a point there. If Ash were to be told that Zayn does care, he'd have a whole new approach towards him." Skipper nodded as well.
 "Hm, point taken. We'll meet Ash at the park. Roll out!"
---
Kowalski received a text from Sophia. He giggled insanely. Skipper looked at him confused. "Sorry, Sophia sent me a text." It read,

Skipper told me about the plan. Count me in!  

Kowalski gasped in joy. "SHE SENT ME A SMILEY!!!" Now everyone looked at him in confusion. Kowalski blushed and cleared his throat. Skipper rolled his eyes. "Get your crush on Sophia under control, soldier!" He said in annoyance.
 "Uh, aye Skipper."

A few minutes later, Kowalski was the first one to spot Ash. "Look! There he is!"
 "Remember the plan, Kowalski?" Skipper asked him.
He nodded his head.
 "Good. Now strike up a conversation with him while we wait for Sophia and Zayn."
"Aye, Skipper!"

Kowalski got up and walked towards Ash. Ash smiled and waved. "Hey Kowalski."
 "Hello."
"So, you wanted to talk?"
 "Yes I did."
"About...?"
 "About..." He nervously looked around and saw a soccer ball. His face lit up. "About soccer."

Ash grinned. "Well you came to the right person! What's up?"
 "Was... Was soccer ever illegal?"
"Yes, actually."
 "Seriously?"
"Dead serious. In Mississippi. When the year 1991 came around, soccer became legal."
 "Wow. What else?"
"Hm, before 1908 the soccer ball was usually made from the pumped stomach tissue."
 "..."
"More specifically, from Irish prisoners. Executed ones at that."
 "Astonishing. What else? Something that's below... Sickening."
"Um, most countries call the soccer uniform 'kits'."
 "I did not know that. You really adore soccer, don't you?"
"Soccer. Is. Life. End of story."

Kowalski chuckled lightly. "I think I could name someone you like more."
 "Really?"
"Yes."
 "Who?" Ash seemed skeptical.
"Is that Katie George?"
 "WHERE?!" Ash excitedly asked.

Kowalski smirked as Ash's face burned. "I-I'm just surprised she'd be here!"
 "At the park? I thought you said she was just like you."
"W-What do you mean?"
 "You're an outdoor person, she's an outdoor person..."
"S-Shut up..."

Kowalski laughed. Ash smacked his arm, only to get another round of laughter. Ash then felt a light bulb turn on. "Is that Sophia?"
 "SHE'S HERE ALREADY?! Quick, does my hair look okay? Does my breath smell bad?"

Now it was Ash's turn to give a smirk. Kowalski blushed. "She's not here, is she?"
 "HA! NOPE. :bademoticon:"
" Seriously?"
 "Yup."

Sophia and Zayn then showed up. "Finally! Don't you have a car, Sophia?" Skipper asked.
 "Sorry Skipper."
"Just go talk to Ash..."
 "Yes Skipper."

Sophia and Zayn then walked to Ash. Kowalski saw them and stood up. He patted Zayn's shoulder. "Good luck."
 "Thanks."

Ash crossed his arms with an emotionless face. Zayn gulped and Sophia sighed. "Hey, buddy." Sophia said awkwardly.
 "Hey."
"Er, what's up?"
 "Annoyed."
"Why?"
 "Because he's here." He replied as he pointed to Zayn. Zayn winced.

He finally asked Ash to sit down on the bench together. Ash hesitated but he agreed. "What do you want, Zayn?"
 "I want to apologize."
"Apologize?"
 "I've been selfish."
"Selfish?"
 "I've been drinking my myself stupid."
"Drinking?"
 "Why are you repeating everything I've said?"
"'Cause I'm surprised you're admitting your mistakes. You've never done that before."
 "Well, I'm doing it now."
"So, does this mean what I think it means?"
 "Yes it does. Ash Vincent Maxenburg, I've known you my whole life. I don't know what I'd do without you. I'd take a bullet for you, I'd lose my eyesight for you. I'd even lose my humanity just to keep you safe because I know you'd do the same. Nick, Rick, nor Vic can't make me as happy as you do. You're my little brother that I don't deserve. An acquaintance I don't deserve! I just want you to come back home. With me, with dad, and... Walter. Please come home. I miss you. I... I love you."

Ash felt his eyes water. He grinned and pulled Zayn into a tight hug. Zayn felt himself cry tears of joy. He hugged back tighter. Skipper and his team smiled. "Isn't that just the cutest thing you've ever seen?" He asked them.
 "Awwww~" Sophia and Private said.
  "I feel like we've accomplished something grand." Kowalski said.
  "Uh-huh!" Rico agreed. Zayn chuckled as he ruffled Ash's shaggy hair.
    "That's because you did. Thanks, guys. I mean it."

Skipper gave Zayn a noogie. "No problem, soldier." He then looked at Kowalski, Rico, and Private. "Well?"
 "Well, what?" Kowalski warily asked.
"Don't you boys have something to say?"

They all had guilty expressions. "I'm sorry, Zayn." Private said.
 "Agreed. We didn't know you suffered from horrible heartache." Kowalski said. Rico nodded his head, meaning he was sorry too.

"Skippah?"
 "Yes, Private?"
"Does this mean we're all friends now?"
 "It sure does."
"Just like the telly! The bad guy admits his mistakes and accepts the good guys as friends and become a good guy himself!"

Skipper chuckled as he wrapped an arm around him. "You and your TV shows."