Football Loves Art

The Dare

Kyle West had always dreamed of playing football for Clemson University. Stepping onto the field as a freshman felt surreal, a culmination of years of hard work and determination. Yet, despite his skill and dedication, fitting in with the team was proving more challenging than he had anticipated.

"Yooo can you believe that this is about to be are first practice for Clemson like holy shit" Kyle says to Tyler enthusiastically.

"Hell yea man this is fucking crazy" Tyler says running down the stairs to get to practice on time.

After practice a  grueling practice, Kyle found himself in the locker room with everyone except the coaches. They were discussing the annual freshman initiation dare, a tradition that every new player had to endure. The dares ranged from harmless to downright embarrassing, but they were seen as a rite of passage.

"Dude did you hear what some of those dares were" Kyle said with actual worry.

"Yeah man but they weren't that bad, I mean why would they do any of those." Tyler said with a grin.

"Bloody mental they are" Kyle said while walking into the common room.

The common room buzzed with anticipation as the freshmen football players gathered for their initiation. Kyle sat next to Tyler, trying to calm his nerves. He could feel the eyes of the upperclassmen on him, especially John, one of the senior players known for his no-nonsense attitude.

"Alright, freshmen," Jackson, the team captain, called out. "Time for the initiation. We'll call you in one by one and tell you your dare. Let's start with Haden".

Kyle's heart sank when John called his name. "I'll wait out here." Tyler said since he already his dare.

"Hello there Kyle". John said raising his eyebrow. "So your the high school star coach was telling us about, the big British linebacker."

"Uhhh yea man that's me, what's my dare." Kyle said eager to know.

Well man me and Jackson decided for you to have a different dare because you're are "big" new star" John said with a huge smirk on his face.

"And to make it interesting," Jackson continued with a smirk, "Kyle, your dare is to date Charlie Prince." "Let's see if you can handle dating a fairy like him." John added

"Who's Charlie prince?" Kyle asked.

"Just some fairy who paints." Jackson said

"And why exactly is that the dare?" Kyle asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Because you're a football player," John replied, a sneer on his face. "Let's see how you handle dating a guy who's nothing like you. It's just for three months. You game?"

"Yeah man I'm game." Kyle said thinking that this wasn't a good idea but did it because he wanted to fit in with the team.

"Good man" John says as he smiles at Jackson.

"Also don't mess this up because if coach hears about this we're all screwed and that would be your fault man and there would be a lot of drama and you don't want that happening, right." John said with a straight face.

"Yea man I won't". Kyle said with a weak smile.

"Yooo what's wrong your dare couldn't have been that damn bad" Tyler said worried as he saw Kyle's face.

"Jackson and John want me to date some guy named Charlie" Kyle said with an unsettling feeling in his stomach.

"Hold up man let me talk to him about this" Tyler said and walked away before Kyle could say anything.

" yo Jackson, John don't you think that Kyle's dare to far I mean-

"Shut up, Red," John interrupted. "It's tradition."

John approached Kyle, a stern look on his face. "Remember, West, don't mess this up. We don't need any drama."

Kyle nodded, feeling a knot form in his stomach.

Later that night, as Kyle and Tyler walked back to their apartment that Kyle's adopted parents bought, Tyler couldn't hold back any longer. "Ky, this is a very shitty idea. You shouldn't do this."

"I know, Ty," Kyle said, running a hand through his hair. "But if I don't, I'll never fit in with the team. They'll think I'm a wuss if I don't do this. I have to prove myself."

Tyler sighed, his frustration evident. "Just be careful, okay? Charlie's probably a good guy. He doesn't deserve this."

"I won't hurt him," Kyle promised, though he wasn't entirely sure he could keep that promise.

"Yea man I hope anyway let's just deal with this tomorrow, we need to get some sleep so good night man." Tyler said with hope that sleep might change Kyle's mind.

"Yea good night man" Kyle said
---

The next day, Kyle found himself outside the art building, searching for said Charlie. "What the hell am I doing this is crazy" Kyle said to himself.

He spotted a guy with Straight brown hair and chocolate brown eyes and paint-splattered clothes, lost in his work. That had to be him.

"Hey, are you Charlie Prince?" Kyle asked, approaching cautiously.

Charlie looked up, his eyes curious. "Yeah, that's me. Can I help you?"

"I'm Kyle West," he said, trying to sound confident. "You seem like a cool guy I was wondering if you'd like to hang out with me sometime." Kyle smiled nervously.

Charlie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You do realize I'm gay, right? Did someone put you up to this you know to make fun of me"

Kyle nodded. "Yeah, I know, and no someone didn't put me up to this. I just thought we could hang out. You know get to know each other."

Charlie studied him for a moment, "wait a minute aren't you that big high school lineman thingy."

"Umm it's called a linebacker and yea I am why." Kyle asked confused.

"Well I never thought that a "linebacker" or a football player would ever want to hang out with me let alone talk to me" Charlie said in a joking manner.

Kyle let out a little chuckle. "Well I guess I'm just different than everyone else.

Charlie studied him again, then shrugged. "Alright, Kyle. I'll give you a try. Let's see if you really are different."

Kyle let out a breath that he didn't even know that he was holding and smiled.