Telegraph Ave: Final Chapter

Chapter 9: Run It Back

I'm quiet as we travel to Oakland High on this cold Sunday morning. When I woke up after 4 hours of sleep, I thought I'd be sleepy after the night I had. However, that wasn't the case.

I'm fully awake, and Candace's voice remains in the back of my head like an alarm clock. Markus and Jordan did most of the chatter when we first got in the car—barely—yawning as if they didn't get an ounce of shut eye after last nights party. They probably stayed up a bit later, and forgot we had Sunday practice. I only say that because I'm the only one fully awake, and Markus is barely driving with Jordan in the passenger seat—eyes closed

Silver clouds painted the blue sky, and frost covered a small portion of grass, but it's beginning to melt away. I'm back in the center of my thoughts and think about Candace, and her heartless eyes from early this morning.

I take on her burden and my heart is broken for her. I tried to focus my attention to the upcoming football workouts on today, but my thoughts are back to her, like a magnet pulling at metal.

I exhale laboriously, placing my hand amongst my head.

"You got a headache too?" Markus ask to me, and I look up to see him glancing in the rear view mirror.

Looking back out the window. "Something like that?"

"How you feel about playing Oakland Tech again?" Markus asked, and I'm immediately reminded.

In high school football, it's normal to play the same team twice in one season—especially if the district is small. We just do happen to be going against our biggest rivals, twice. Last time we played them, I felt as if I was in a coliseum—fighting for my life as a gladiator. The game was so close that we ended up making history that night, and the relief of being victorious over our opponents was such a relief. However, we were too close in the term of points on the scoreboard. I know that flame from Oakland Tech has grown hotter since then, and I'm not afraid to admit I'm a bit nervous.

"It's just another ball game." I expressed to him. "Don't mind giving out two ass whoopings in one season."

He laughs at my response, turning onto the main road that leads to Oakland High. Traffic isn't as busy this morning. It's Sunday and a lot of people are off work today, leaving us some room to travel smoothly on the road.

"Love the confidence." He replies, yawning in the same sentence. "They were our toughest rival this season so far, but now that I look back on the battle we had... it was beautiful." He looks to me in the rearview mirror. "Not trying to be poetic or anything, but that was some mythical shit we pulled on the field that day."

"Even the rain made that night what it is now.." I join in, glancing back out the window. "I'd kill to relive that evening."

"Well... you're in luck." Markus answered, pulling up on the street that gave a destination to our high school. "Cause this upcoming Friday, we'll be given that opportunity to do so"

"Although we're guaranteed to make it in the playoffs." Jordan entered the conversation, inducing Markus and I jump from the sound of his voice. "I don't wanna end up having to lose to those assholes, just to mess up our record."

"And nigga when did you wake up?" Markus asked.

He looked to Markus. "I never fell asleep."

* * *

When it comes to living in the Bay area, it's hell to stay warm when the seasons change. Living close to the water makes you feel as if you're up north during a cold winter, with the ocean's endless gust of wind.

With that being commented, we made it to the back of the school building. The parking lot was completely deserted, but that's because we're always early.