The Seventh Grade Wars

CHAPTER 31: Cricket

American football was a big deal here at Emerson, probably more than any other school in the district. It was so big, they had two teams here: one for the high schoolers and another for the kids in junior high. 

"Check it out," said Marcus one day. "Football tryouts! Finally! Man, I can't wait."

"Really?" said Harley excitedly. "When?"

"Next Tuesday, according to the school webpage," said Marcus. "Says so right here."

"That must be why those A Siders are practicing so hard," said Pete.

"Huh? When did you see the A Siders?"

"When I walk home after school, I sometimes take the route through the football field. They're practicing more often than they normally do."

"That's probably why," I agreed. "They're probably hoping they'll be able to make the entire team out of A Siders."

"We should totally go for it!" Peyton cheered. 

"Peyton," said Harley, "this football team is only for guys."

"So what? I could tuck my hair in my football helmet and nobody would know—"

"I don't think so," said Harley. 

"This might not be such a good idea," Asia said suddenly. 

"What? Why?" demanded Marcus. 

"We placed last in the football game against the other Sides," she explained. "What makes you all think you can beat all of them for the team? I'm sure nobody's going to want to play now."

"We're going to practice," Pete said determinedly. "And round up as many C Side boys as possible."

At that, Marcus flagged down a guy passing by. I vaguely recognized him from my math class. 

"Oy!" called Marcus. "Logan!"

He turned around. "Sup, Marcus."

"You wanna go for football tryouts next week?"

"Sure," said Logan, and walked away. 

Marcus turned around and grinned smugly at Asia. "And you said nobody would want to play," he said. 

Asia, Peyton, and I went to the mall that afternoon. We bought frozen yogurt, despite the weather, and walked around the shopping center. 

"I still think I should join the football team," said Peyton sullenly. "I can't believe Harley thinks I shouldn't."

"I don't think you should," I said. "You might get pretty beat out there."

"But we played sports together for, like, six years! He of all people should know what I'm capable of."

"Well, I think it's cute," said Alexa. "He's so protective of you, Peyton, can't you tell?"

"No," she said, "I can't."

I laughed. Peyton wouldn't know she had a crush if it came up to her and smacked her halfway across New York.