Tackled

Chapter 5

Today at my locker, it wasn't just Whitney waiting for me. Lincoln was with her too. "Good morning." I greeted them both with a cheerful, full of life, smile.

"Your happy."

"Is this because the Alma scout is coming to the game tonight to watch you play?"

"Oh yeah, that's right. Are you nervous?"

"Nope. I'm ecstatic in fact. I'm gonna get to follow in my brother's footsteps."

"William's?"

"Yup. He went to Alma and played football too."

"What position did he play?"

"Wide receiver."

"Neat. And you want to do the same?"

"Yup."

"What did he study?"

"He studied to be a middle school math teacher."

"Do you plan to do the same?"

"Similar. I want to become a middle school history or physical education teacher instead. Shall we get to class now?"

"Yup." I hadn't heard Whitney speak in a while. While we were walking she leaned over and whispered in my ear, "He likes you." So naturally, I elbowed her in the side. "Did you two come up with a writing concept last night?"

"Yeah, me."

"Sweet. Who came up with that one?"

"I did." Lincoln was smiling because he did come up with it. Then Whitney leaned over and whispered he likes me in my ear again. This time I elbowed her in the side even harder than before.

***

When the final bell rang, the team and I headed to the library. We always meet in the library so we can finish our homework before the game. We only do this on days we have a home game. I only had AP Calculus and history homework tonight, then I continued reading my book. A few minutes later, Lincoln tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey, AC, can we go over the plays a few more times? I don't want to mess anything up tonight. I really want to impress Coach."

"Yeah no problem. Even though I know your going to do great."

"Are you nervous yet? It's getting closer to kickoff."

"No, I have seven brothers, I don't get nervous." He chuckled at my response and then we moved out into the hall where it was a little quieter. We found a bench in a quiet hall and situated our selves. He pulled out the play book and opened up to one he was unsure about.

***

It was finally game time, and I was going to get to kick off at our first game of the season in front of a scout from Alma. I wasn't nervous. I've been playing football for as long as I could remember. Football was so natural for me. When we jogged onto the field, I immediately spotted my entire family sitting in the bleachers. It was hard to miss them. Ten screaming spectators and Whitney are usually pretty easy to spot in any crowd. Then I noticed a man in an Alma college football collared shirt and hat. That was the scout. He was standing on the sideline, waiting to meet me probably before finding a place on the fence.

While the team and I were warming up our arms before the game started, Coach called me over. "AC! Come here!"

I jogged over and there he was, the man that was probably going to control my future at this point. "Yes Coach?"