Enchanted- jj mccarthy [UNEDITED]

12

TW: Mentions of mental/emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Also mentions of a miscarriage and ED. Please don't read if these topics may be triggering for you. Remember that your mental and emotional health is the number one priority. 

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It was the next day and I woke up early to get to the field for gameday. I saw that Val was still asleep. I knew she wasn't working our football game days so she had time to sleep in. Although she was asleep I sent her a text letting her know that I left for the field and didn't just hang up on her.

I hopped into my car and drove to the stadium. Once in the locker room I grabbed a protein shake and some food. I plugged in my headphones and started my pregame ritual. I met with the athletic counselor. I've been meeting with him for some time now and my on field performance has improved since improving my mental health. Most of the boys were walking in as I was going to meet with Kevyn. I dapped them up as I saw them. I met with Kevyn for about an hour. Once I was finished with meeting with him we still had about an hour before the game started. While sitting in the locker room talking with the boys and getting mentally ready for the game. I saw a text from Val telling me good luck and that she'd see me after the game.

It wasn't long until it was time to head out soon for warmups. I had already changed into my uniform. When we went out I practiced throwing to some of the routes. After getting reps in and warming up I looked to the side where I saw Val sitting. She was with her brother and Luke. I smiled and waved at her. She waved back. Before going back into the locker room before the game starts I went to the sideline to see her. She was already at the front and gave her a hug. She was sitting close to my family, but there was still a section between them. While in the hug Val whispered in my ear "good luck and i know you'll kill it out there." After hearing that I smiled and pulled away. I went to where my family was and they also wished me good luck.

Once in the locker room we had about 30 minutes before heading back out. I grabbed some electrolytes, water and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to have. As I was eating coach was giving his pregame speech and telling us the starting lineup. Once he was finished it was time to make our way to the tunnel to run out. As always we have to touch the Go Big Blue signs. The Big House was super energetic. After running out we went to the sideline and I threw the ball with one of the other quarterbacks just to keep my arm warm. It was time for the captains to go to do the coin toss which means I had to go as well. We called tails and won the coin toss. We declined the ball since that means that at the start of the second half we'd be receiving the ball. Since the defense would be starting on the field I went back to the sideline and continued throwing the ball. It was a quick 3 and out so I ran back out to the field. We kept marching up the field and ending up getting a touchdown. This kept continuing throughout the entire game. In the fourth quarter since we were up by a lot Coach Harbaugh subbed me out to ensure that I wouldn't get injured.

The game ended pretty soon after that. Once the final whistle blew I ran out to say good game to the ECU players. After all of this I jogged back to where Val was. She had a huge smile on her face. She leaned over the front padded wall and gave me a big hug. She was playing with the hair on the back of my neck. As we were hugging we heard Rutger making some fake gagging noises and I saw Luke taking pictures of us. I pulled out of the hug first and kissed her cheek. "Wait for me out by the entrance for the players. The pass will let you back there. I'll see you soon for our lunch date." Once telling her that I went to my family. My mom leaned over and gave me a big hug. This repeated again with my sisters who I hugged at the same time. Lastly, I hugged my dad and he told me I played well. They weren't able to stay after the game and plus I wasn't going to be able to see them since I had my date with Val.