Short Stories (1)

Co-captains

"Jackson! Jackson! Jackson!" The crowd cheered for the best player in the team as Chase rolled his eyes. They were a team and yet the crowd were only pleased with the efforts of one key player, Jackson Henderson. It wasn't his fault yet the favoritism set him out as an odd spot in a team of the best. They were created to bring the best out each other yet with Jackson Henderson there was no change needed.

"See that, that's what the crowd wants. . . that's who the crowd wants so we give it our all," The coach said to them giving an encouraging speech as the boy rolled his eyes at his father. "Now go out and give it your best, show them what the beavers are made out of," A series of 'Yes coach' followed as the team was led out by Jackson.

"Chase, I - never mind" His dad looked at him with an expression he couldn't read, there was something in his eyes. "I'll see you out there coach," There was a silent agreement as if his dad knew what was running through his head. His dislike towards Jackson was one-sided he knew that much and the reason behind it was stupid too.

Jackson was a team player and the man of the last games match, his fans weren't just his they were the team's fans. His dislike for Jackson was purely on the fact that his dad preferred him as the team's captain. It was his insecurities that filled his mind with a certain bias of negativity towards the brown-haired boy.

Walking out he took in the feeling of excitement as he could hear the crowd cheering on his team. "Where did these thoughts come from?" He asked himself as he walked on the field before inhaling the scent of freshly cut grass.

"This field is your home, these team members your family and the crowd are those that can make you or break you. . . so go out there and give it your all," It was moments like these where he felt like his father all over again, tall, built, lean and athletic but had this voice inside of him trying to take control. Except his father had his mother by his side whereas he didn't, his ex-girlfriends didn't seem to like the vulnerable side of him.

His eyes glanced at the crowd before resting on the cheering figure of Jackson Henderson's sister, Bianca Henderson who seemed to somehow understand what he was feeling towards her brother and yet she didn't push him away from her. He knew that she must have felt similar feelings because she'd told him how her parents had always looked at Jackson and compared the two of them together.

Adrenaline flowed through his veins as he jogged towards his team and took his position. The familiar sound of the whistle rang loudly in his ears as the teams got to play, the rugby ball flew in his direction as Chase sprinted to get the ball. His footsteps were heavy and even as he caught the ball before dodging and side-stepping two players and sprinting towards the first third of the field. "Chase, I'm open," He could hear the voice of Jackson Henderson as he was grabbed by one of the opposition players.

Instructing his body to curl up in the fetal he secured the ball tightly in his grip before reaching out and placing it on the ground knowing that their receiver number 9 would take the ball out. He could hear the blood rushing to his ears and bodies piled on top of him, the weight pulling him down as he blinked the pale dots away.

The bodys slowly moved away as an arm reached out from above him, an arm to give him a hand up. It was Jackson who was giving him that knowing smile, the smile that told him that it was going to be fine. Accepting his hand he got to his feet. "They know our strategies, they know that you're one of our fastest and that you're light on your feet." He could hear the words coming out of Jackson's mouth and yet all he could do was nod.

"Bianca wants you to kick their arse," Seeing the smirk on Jackson's face he knew better than to ask questions. "We're a team Chase, I know it may not seem like it at times but we've got each other's backs covered." He knew that the boy that was his captain was correct.

"And besides, as co-captains we share equal responsibility," He paused as if letting the words sink in as Chase looked at him in confusion. "Coach saw potential in you and Bianca may or may not have pulled strings here and there to show that we're what the team deserves as captains. . . so co-captain let's get to work," All Chase could do was silently thank Bianca and Chase as well as his dad.

"Alright, co-captain let's give em the show they want," The whistle blew again indicating that time had resumed as Harley Benson was given the all clear from the medical team.