That One Quaterback || Darnell Hayes AU

Twelve

Yesterday was probably the longest day of life, trying to save Coop from jail. It is sad that Ms. Ruth ended up getting arrested, but she did do it and at least she took responsibility. I'm glad that hopefully things can go back to normal soon. Summer is coming and I cannot wait for it.

I wanted to make up for yesterday, so I'm on my to Darnell's. I even wore some athletic clothes so I can make him happy for once. He is going to be completely surprised for what I have planned for us. Honestly, I'm glad he understood that I needed to take care of Coop first, I just still feel bad that I completely forgot about our plans. When I arrived, I walked in and saw Darnell at the table eating some cereal.
"Hey homie," I said.
"Hey–," Darnell stopped, "You're in athletic clothes, why?"
"I have a surprise for you," I stated with a big smile.
"Okay, I like the sound of that," Darnell said and took his bowl to the kitchen.

He walked over to me, and gave me a kiss. I grabbed his hand so he knew I was in charge of today. We walked down the street, and took a few turns. He seemed confused, but we made it to the football field and I saw his face light up a bit. He still seemed a bit confused.
"I'm going to run some plays with you," I stated, "you have been begging me, and I feel bad about yesterday, like really bad"
"Oh, your serious," Darnell said.
"Yes sir," I stated.
"So I'm quarterback, and your gonna have to be wide receiver," Darnell stated, "Ever play that position?"
"Once, after I forced Spencer to let me," I laughed, "He always made me QB, so if you let me, I can show you some throws"
"Oh, so now you think you all that?" Darnell joked.
"Maybe a little," I chuckled, "So are we just gonna talk or play?" I asked.
"I have a better idea, let's call up Spencer and play two on two?" Darnell answered.
"Okay, but if that's the case, we better practice because Spencer is a beast," I stated.
"Bet,"

Darnell called Spencer, and Spencer said yes, and even got Jordan on board. While we waited for them to get ready and show up, Darnell and I warmed up and started to practice. We made a great team. I worked on my catching, but honestly I don't think Spencer and Jordan have a chance against us. With my speed and Darnell's throws, we might be able to beat them. I ended up inviting Coop to have her keep score, and she showed up before they did.

Spencer and Jordan showed up, and they started to warm up. Coop brought us water and a small score board that I keep in my room, which I stole from middle school. It was already almost one in the afternoon, and we were ready to play.
"So is this a full four quarters?" Spencer asked.
"Hell yeah, go big or go home," I answered.
"Well, I think we should make it one hand touch, just because of Spencer and his shoulder," Jordan stated, "Plus I don't want to hurt you, Janeari,"
"Boy, you have no idea how much football I've played before, I can take tackles," I stated, "But, because of Spencer we can do one hand touch, Spence you good with that?"
"Yeah, Jordan asked me on the way here," Spencer stated.
"So then what are doing standing here? Let's play ball," Darnell stated.

Since it was Darnell's idea, we started off with the ball. I was on his left shoulder waiting for him to give me the queue to start. I know how Spencer can be on defense, but little does he know, I've done some practicing. Darnell gave me the queue and I sprinted past Spencer and had a opening for Darnell to throw a fast one, and I caught it. I tucked it under my arm and ran as fast as I could to the end the zone and made it.
"TOUCHDOWN!" Coop screamed, "seven points for Team D.J."
"Team D.J.?" I asked as I walked back to the starting position.
"Yes ma'am," Coop answered, "Y'all didn't give me any team names so it's Team D.J. for Darnell and Janeari and Team S.J. For Spencer and Jordan, very original,"
"You couldn't have thought of Beverly versus Crenshaw?" I asked.
"I like my names better," Coop stated.

Once I was back to the starting position, I gave Darnell the ball so he can start. I started on his left shoulder again and he gave me the queue. Instead of running straight, I went to right, and right past Jordan, who almost got whiplash trying to touch me. Before Spencer could catch up to me, Darnell had ran backwards a few yards and threw the ball, high up but long so I can catch it at the eighty yard line, and I ran to the end zone.
"ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN FOR TEAM D.J.!" Coop screamed, "Hey, S.J. y'all are down fourteen points,"
"Hey Coop, shut up," Spencer said.
"I'm just spitting facts, and y'all aren't even half way through the first quarter," Coop stated.

As the first half of the game continued, we would switch the ball every two plays. There were a few times that Spencer caught me, but it was almost hard for him to get past me on defense. The score was tied 35-35. We sat in the benches drinking water during our halftime.
"So what's the bet for losers?" Jordan asked.
"Losers buy dinner" I answered.
"Better have some money," Spencer stated.
"Oh yeah? How many times did my girl whip past you with the ball? Or how many times did we intercept?" Darnell asked, "I think we got you beat"
"Oh, I see we are playing dirty now," Spencer said, "okay, how about losers buy dinner and dessert?"
"What's a bet if we don't finish the game?" I asked.

We switched sides of the field, like in an actual game of football. The game started quickly, and there was no stopping us now. Darnell and I were on defense to start, and we picked up our game a little bit to stop Jordan and Spencer. The first few plays by them, Jordan kept the ball and Darnell was able to catch him before reaching the end zone and before we knew it, we had the ball back. We huddled for a second to get a play that would be able to get past Spencer and Jordan.

I positioned myself to the right of Darnell, already throwing Spencer off. Darnell gave his queue, and ran backwards with Jordan coming after him. I sprinted to the left then forward to throw off Spencer and when I was open, Darnell threw the ball. I caught it and went to the end zone before Spencer could even get close to me.
"YES A TOUCHDOWN FOR TEAM D.J.!" Coop screamed. "It's now 42-35"
"Favorite much?" Spencer joked.
"Hey, that's my sis, gotta support her," She stated.

Throughout the whole second half, we kept playing different plays to throw each other off and it worked. By the last play, we were tied again, while Darnell and I had the ball. I studied Spencer and Jordan for a second. I got close to Darnell on his left shoulder as he gave me the queue, before the guys could catch it, he handed me the ball, and acted like he had it. I sprinted down, while the boys were still focused on Darnell. It became too late for them to realize I had the ball and made the last touchdown.
"HELL YES! TEAM D.J. WON THE GAME!" Coop stood up shouting. We all walked to the center of the field.
"That was a good game," Jordan said, "Let's have you join our team,"
"She's good, we need her for Crenshaw," Darnell stated.
"Um no, I'm not joining any team," I said, "I play for the fun of it, not to compete like you three,"
"Shade," Coop said.
"Not to mention she's already spoken for," Spencer said, "She's already on my team, forever and always,"
"Hold on, no I'm not, I'm just the helper," I stated, "Now I'm hungry,"

We all laughed and packed up our bags. Darnell slung his arm over my shoulder and we walked out of the field. Coop didn't want to join us for dinner, so she went home. Before we reached Jordan's car, a man stopped us.
"Did you four just play that two on two?" He asked.
"Yeah why?" I answered.
"I'm the top football recruiter from UCSD," He stated, "After that game, I would like to see more, especially from you, young girl"
"Me?" I asked.
"Yes, I saw the way you moved on that field, and you would be a perfect fit for our team," He stated, "Now you two, I've seen your faces before, aren't you in the top three hundred?"
"Yes sir, I'm Spencer James, and this is Darnell Hayes," Spencer introduced.
"Spencer James? Weren't you recently shot? You shouldn't be on the field, yet," the man stated.
"Sir, not to be rude but we changed some of the rules to play around the fact that Spencer wouldn't get hurt," Jordan stated.
"Well that's good to hear," The man stated and handed each of us a card, "I want each of you to individually call me, we might be able to fit you on the team, what grade are you in?"
"We are juniors," Darnell said.
"Perfect, I can come out next year to see you guys on the field with teams," he said, "what about you young girl, are you on a team?"
"No, I just play for fun," I answered.
"Consider it, you have a lot of potential," He stated, "Now for you boys, I can tell you are on teams, give me a call, have your coaches give me a call, I be back next fall and see you guys,"

The man walked away, and we got into Jordan's car. We didn't really talk about this encounter until we had dinner, but today was a good day. I got all sweaty just for Darnell, and we still beat Spencer and Jordan. I get we did have the advantage with Spencer being hurt, but it was still a good day.