All the Little Secrets

CHAPTER 10. HUMAN

Chapter 10. Human

Spirit Week comes in full force, and I participate in each Spirit Day like always. Monday was Wacky Socks Day; my mom and I spent hours designing my socks with pompoms, eyeballs, and other crafting materials. Becca even joined us to do her own socks, and it wasn't terrible having her there. I mean, it was awkward and forced, but we were able to have real moments. I caught Becca even smiling a few times.

In my excitement of Spirit Week, I signed up for Powder Puff, where the Junior girls play the Senior Girls in touch football the day of the Homecoming game. We have practice every day after school this week, which interferes with my one-on-one with Mrs. Leyva. She agrees to give me this one week off.

Liam and the other Juniors who play varsity football are in charge of teaching the Junior girls how to play for Powder Puff, but I don't care about it. Ever since that night by the pool, I became hopeful that there could be healing between Seth and Liam, maybe a possible friendship with the three of us together. I'm willing to risk my pride in order to make things right between them. I know deep down, as I walk towards the football field on Monday afternoon, that it could all be wishful thinking; but I'm not ready to give up wishing.

Morgan and her cheerleading friends stretch each other on the football field. Others circle them, hoping to be a part of their world, but afraid to approach them. Some of the football players watch them bend, their eyes hungry and their mouths salivating. Seth and Farrah sit up in the bleachers, and they wave as I approach the field in my running attire. I wave back as a girl approaches me.

"Avery, right?"

I recognize her from my English class. "Yeah. You're Jasmine."

The girl flips her long, black hair to the side and smiles very prettily. "So cool that you're doing this, being new and all! I did it the last two years – the Senior girls are actually pretty intense. We lost to them Freshman year."

I enjoy her company as we chat a bit before the football players approach the field. Liam and Peter call us over into a huddle. Liam smiles at me as he begins to talk. I ignore the dirty look from Morgan and the loud pounding in my chest.

"Alright, ladies - we're gonna own it this year and crush those Senior girls!"

All the girls cheer after each sentence that Liam says, and most flash their best smiles at him in hopes of his attention. I, on the other hand, have to work hard on not overthinking the attention Liam continuously directs toward me.

"We get this half of the field--" Liam motions to one side, "because the enemy is taking that half of the field to practice."

As Liam points to the other side, Tyson and the other Senior Varsity football players approach the Senior's side of the field. Becca and the other girls make faces and nasty cheers to taunt us.

Liam laughs. "Ignore them, ladies! Let's start with suicides. Then we will run some plays."

The workout is hard, but I enjoy the challenge. I run fast, finishing my suicides before the others. Liam decides to place me as a Running Back, which means I take the ball and run. I'm a bit nauseous by this decision. I try a few plays with Jasmine as Quarterback, and we both do well. The boys are impressed, but not more than I am for not dying on the field.

Morgan is assigned the Wide Receiver position. She looks smug as she walks by me.

"Surprising that I would have this position." I glance at her as Morgan waves to Seth in the stands. He glares at her. "Seth played this position, just like I played him."

I resist the urge to tackle her.

"Let's go," Liam shouts.

"Ignore her," Jasmine whispers as we take our places on the field. "She's just jealous because Liam only has eyes for you."