That One Quaterback || Darnell Hayes AU

Thirteen

To join a team or not? After the recruiter from UCSD, I've had a lot on my mind about my future. I've always loved football, but I never saw myself as a football player, more of a coach. I called up Coach Baker to ask for some advice and he asked me to come to his office at Beverly. I took the bus to the school, and Olivia saw me there looking clueless. When I told her I was meeting her dad, she took me to the office.
"Janeari, hi, it was great hearing from you, here have a seat," Coach Baker said.
"Hi," I said nervously.
"So, let's talk about this recruiter, do you have his card?" Coach Baker asked, I nodded yes and handed him the card, "Well he is legit, I know him personally, but that's from being in the NFL, what do you need help with?"
"Well, he said I have potential and that I should join a team," I stated, "But, truth be told Coach, I've never wanted to be on a team, football for me was always to help Spencer, I never enjoyed it like he did,"
"Okay, so what would you enjoy?," Coach asked.
"Coaching, I love it, I've been helping Spencer ever since Corey left when we were kids," I answered, "But I always got on the field and helped him with plays, even when he got to Beverly,"
"Well, since you've clearly have never played on teams, let's have you come join our practice, just the next two days, see what you like and you can choose on a personal level," Coach stated.
"Isn't that like against the rules?" I asked, "I mean I go to Crenshaw not Beverly,"
"Since this isn't the real season, I don't care, and it's not like your playing a game, all your doing is seeing what it's like being on a team, if the boosters have a problem, that's on them," Coach stated.
"Is everything okay? Olivia told me about Asher and the steroids," I asked.
"Janeari, I get it, you're a lot like Spencer, but I will deal with that, and you need to worry about this recruiter," Coach said, "Do you have equipment?"
"Yeah, I'll borrow Spencer's," I said.

Coach Baker walked me out of his office. I found my way to the front of the school, and I have never realized how different public and private schools really are. On my way to the bus, Spencer caught me, and stopped me. He had me sit on a bench next to him.
"What are you doing here? Gonna transfer?" Spencer asked.
"Um, no, I was here to see your Coach, I needed some football advice and figured he would be the best one around, no offense but you quit football when your dad died," I stated, "but can I borrow your equipment?"
"You're joking right?" Spencer asked.
"I'm serious, I need it for practice with your guys, long story short, Coach wants me to practice with the team to see if I like it," I stated.
"Oh okay, well then, I will see you later," Spencer said.

I walked to the bus station with a million things on my mind. Riding to Crenshaw was a long ride that was needed for me to gather my thoughts. I need to know what to do about football, my future, and even Darnell. Honestly I want to be happy, and I'm hoping this practice opens my eyes for me.

After the bus ride, I went to Spencer's house since I already missed part of school, why not miss the rest. I also wanted more advice from his mom, knowing she has a way with words, I could use some. The door was unlocked so I walked in to see Darnell sleeping on the couch. Ms. Grace walked out of the kitchen.
"Janeari, what a surprise," Ms. Grace said, "Darnell is sleeping right now you can come back later,"
"I was actually here to see you, I need some advice," I stated.
"Okay, come sit," Ms. Grace said, and I sat at the kitchen table, "So what's wrong?"
"A recruiter from San Diego noticed me playing football the other day with the boys, and he said I have potential, however I don't know what I should do about football," I said, "It's fun in the pastime, but I don't know if I would like it as a full-time sport,"
"Why not try out for the team?" She asked.
"Well, so I went to Coach Baker, and he offered for me to practice with this team today and tomorrow, to see if I like being on team and like it general," I stated.
"So what seems to be the problem then?" Ms Grace asked.
"I don't know if that's what I want to do for a living, like NFL, I mean football is fun but I'd rather coach," I replied.
"Simple, go to these practices, if you like playing the game as a sport, do it, and when it's all done and over, you can coach, if not go for coaching," Ms. Grace stated, "You can do both, look at Billy, he was in the NFL and now he coaches, so think about it,"
"Thank you so much Ms. Grace, I really appreciate it," I said.
"Anytime," she said.