A Show Stopping Story

On The Football Field

The early morning sun reflected on the damp, freshly mown grass of the field. A tall, dark-haired teenage boy gazes tensely to his team players, while he slowly lifts his hands in front of his chest. His breathing is heavy and his oversized shirt is drenched in sweat. "Come on guys, just throw it already!" a gangly player of the same age as him screamed impatiently. A vague blue speck on the other side of the field clumsily yanks the football from a surprised red player, and started running frantically in the two boys' direction.

The pair waits nervously. "Hey Henry," the gangly boy leaned toward the tense teenager, keeping his gaze fixed on the blue player who's now followed by a horde consisting of three red maniacs. Henry stiffens in his position as the horde comes running closer. The tall boy whispers, undisturbed: "When you get that ball, you run straight ahead to their side of the field and dunk it on the ground, while me and Stu will cover you up. Understood?". These instructions suddenly made a glimpse of panic flash by in Henry's eyes. Doubtfully he started turning his head to his right side, desperately trying to search for the boy's eye contact, only to then remember to turn back to the approaching horde right after. "I- I...I can't do it! You'll have to go with me, you know how bad I am at throwing!" His friend lets out a sigh.  "Look at me." Henry hesitantly turns around, not ready to lose the ball out sight, and meets the eyes of the fair-haired boy. "You got this. Have faith in yourself. Just run to the other side and let yourself fall on the grass with the ball and you've got us a point." The boy slightly smiled at his own wording, but stopped as soon as he saw the, now shaking, teen hopelessly staring at him. Their clumsy blue teammate was now only a few metres away from them, rapidly stumbling closer to them. The fair-haired boy resumed his old position and let go of Henry's eyes. "You can always just throw the ball back to us if you really mess up." Henry silently nodded and tried to swallow his nerves.

Followed by a soft summer breeze, the leather ball flew into Henry's arms with a perfect arc. Dragging his feet forward he tried to sprint as fast as he could, pushing the three red players aside as he quickly approached the white line with every leaping step. "WOOHOOO Henry!" He heard someone scream from the sideline. Henry grinned at the sound of his supporter. Suddenly, a red player with light brown hair caught up with him on his left side, trying to grasp a hold of the ball. Henry felt the hands grabbing hold of his arm. He turned away from him, only to find another boy in a red shirt on his right side. Slowly, panic got the upper hand of him. The goal still appeared to be so far away. And the grip of the left player seemed to pull him back. Where were Stu and Leighton to help him out? "I can't do it alone! STU, HELP!" He desperately cried out, tears welling up in his eyes. Aggressive clawing hands were now everywhere getting hold of him.

A blue speck popped up in the corner of his eye. Overwhelmed, Henry hurriedly threw the football to his left aiming at the speck. The pass was blocked by a short, grinning red player, while he was craftily running to the other side. He threw it to his acquaintance, making a flawless goal.

While the red team loudly celebrates their victory, Leighton and Stu start cleaning up the field and changing back into their clothes. Henry approaches the previously cheering guy at the sideline, emotionally defeated. The guy empathetically looks at him. "Why didn't you go through with it and score a touchdown? You could've easily done it!" Henry doubtfully stared in the teenager's beautiful blue eyes. "I-," He hesitated. "Good game ey guys?" The grinning red player who previously snatched Henry's ball loudly interrupted. "Especially you Stu, with your graceful movements on the field, resulting in you harshly smooching the ground multiple times" He said, playfully bumping Stu with his arm, making everyone laugh. Henry distractingly joined in.

As they walk away from the field reliving the game, laughing and joking around, Henry and sideline boy walk silently behind the group, holding hands. "Hey Chad, Henry, what's up?" a medium-sized teenager with black hair gave them a cute smile. The group falls silent, an awaiting air appearing between the teens. Henry and Stu awkwardly blush. The whole group stares hopefully at Stu. "Oh gosh this is embarrassing... I guess you're forcing me to do it now-...erm..." Chad clears his throat. "Henry." Henry looked at him in suspense. "Do you want to be my-," before he could finish his sentence he got interrupted by a late red player carrying a leather ball. "What did I miss- —OH MY GOD ITS HAPPENING" Leighton screamed excitedly after reading the room. The boys look at him, annoyed. Leighton's attitude changed immediately noticing the sincerity of the situation. "I'm so so sorry, please continue," he contained himself again, now smiling dumbly. Chad turned even more red and embarrassed than before. Then he scraped all his courage together, dramatically put one knee on the ground and resumed: "Henry Hidgens, will you be my boyfriend?" A moment of silence and suspense. Henry's excitement was so immense that he felt it could burst out of his body, but he controlled himself and put on a seemingly serious face. "Hmm... let me consider that for a moment- Yes! Of course, Chad, my one and only!" Before the group could react, Henry dramatically flew into Chad's arms, kissing him in front of the slowly fading orange sun.