Helping 13- rewriting it

𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙴

AURORA

On the last Friday of February, Tommen College faced their rivals, Kilbeg Prep, on home turf for the School Boys Shield.
With only a few home games remaining in the season and such a prestigious trophy at stake, the entire school was invited to cheer on their team.
Claire pointed out that while today's School Boys Shield wasn't as significant or valuable as the league cup they'd be competing for in Donegal next month, it was still a coveted piece of silverware, and Tommen had a fondness for adding to their collection.

Me being draped in our school colors, wearing Daniels jersey, the one he told coach he 'lost' so i could take it, paired with a black skirt, which was terrible idea, my bum was freezing. I sat in between Claire and Shan, Lizzie on Shannon's right. Claire, who also wore our school colors, her and me being the only two actually invested in the game, whilst Lizzie couldn't give two shits, and Shan had no idea what was going on.

I was quickly caught up back in the adrenaline i felt whenever i would watch a rugby game.

Before Daniel's addiction started he was a giant rugby head. He loved playing, but never tried going big. The two of us loved watching games. He actually saw Johnny as an idol, but he'd never admit it. He said that Johnny is the one helping him stay clean. Cause he sees the passion Johnny has for rugby and the future it's offering him, and Daniel wants the same.

Watching the game my eyes kept wandering to a very familiar number 13 jersey.

I was familiar with Johnny's play, the multiple games of his i went to, and the hours Daniel and i spent strategizing play like he would. But each time i saw him play it left me amazed. He was only seventeen and he could play like that, how good would he be in a few years? 

"Yes, Hughie!" Claire shouted, pulling me out of my thoughts as her brother, Tommen's number 10, sent the ball sailing over the sideline. It clipped the fingers of the opposing team before going out of bounds. "Yes!" Claire yelled, pumping her fist in excitement. "Good job, guys!"

"What's happening now?" Shannon asked, confusion written all over her face

It was obvious she was just as invested in the game as Claire and I were, having spent the last fifty minutes alternating between explaining the rules to her and shouting profanities at the top of our lungs.

"This isn'f football, Shan" Claire laughed.

"That's an excellent play. It's our line out." I brought up.

"Line out?"

"Watch," Claire urged, and we erupted into cheers as Tommen's number 2 tossed the ball. Gibsie, clad in number 7, was hoisted into the air by his teammates, catching the ball in midair.

"Yes" the both of us cheered. 

"Go on, Gerard!" Claire yelled out.

The ball came whizzing out the field then and into the hands of Johnny, and my heart surged.

"Oh my god!" Shannon shrieked as four of Kilbeg's forwards brought Johnny crashing to the ground, pinning him beneath a heap of muscle and dead weight.

"Hey!" i shouted, standing up. I looked over to the referee to see if he'll indulge.

"Are they allowed to do that?" Shannon howled

Limbs were flailing, football boots striking the tangled mass beneath the pile. I observed the chaos unfolding on the pitch.

"They're trying to murder him," Shannon screamed. "Holy shit." She tightly clutched on me and Lizzie's arms, pulling me back into my seat.  "Is that illegal?"