The Portal's End

Chapter 1: Tanner's POV

Tanner's POV: NOT EDITED  

Can't believe the day is finally here. Homecoming game is this afternoon. All the guys on the team are so exited, including me, but the Homecoming Dance is also later today. Being the picky guy I am, I don't have a date. I was thinking off asking some slut off the cheerleading team. That's what Dante did. I don't know. Maybe.    Then it hit me! Why don't I ask Paula...no Poppy...Papita! I'll ask her. Now...where's her locker? Oh yeah. Let me just...Go up here.   

There she is. "Papita!" I yelled. She looked at me and sighed.

"Hey Tanner." She said.

Hmm...That's weird. She doesn't seem happy to see me? "I needed to ask you something. Will you go to Homecoming with me?" I said.

The face she gave me looked like she was about to say no. Then she stared at me and started laugh. "Cheating on your girlfriend?" She asked.

I shook my head and mumbled. "I don't have one." She looked confused.

"What?" She said, I was almost positive she heard me but maybe she was just startled that I didn't have one.

So I mumbled a bit louder. "I don't have one and I was wondering you wanted to go...as friends? Just friends of course." I shrugged.

 She smiled. "Sure. I'd love to." Point for Tanner.

"Alright, Well I've got to go. See you at the game?" I asked hoping that she really wasn't coming because I really didn't need more pressure and having two beautiful eyes stare down at me while I was playing the game wouldn't help anything.

She smiled again. "Yeah, I'm actually going to be there taking pictures for the newspaper."

Oh yeah, I forgot she's a photographer. "Don't forget to get my good side." I winked and walked away. As I turned away I saw her blush a bit. Maybe she likes me back. I smiled and stopped at my locker. Just then Allison walked up.   

Great... "Hey baby." She smirked and leaned against my locker. The way she was dressed she should have just come to school naked. It would have looked the same.

"Hey..." I said and she moved closer.

"So...have a Homecoming date?" I smiled and nodded. For Pete's sake, does she not know she's not supposed to ask me? I mean stop hinting towards me, I'm not asking you.

"Yeah, I just asked someone." I said with a grin on my face. She frowned.

"You're cheating on me?" She said. She looked a little upset as she asked the question. I just shook my head and opened my locker. She's funny if she ever thought we were even a thing.

Right on time my phone buzzed and it was Dante calling. God I love you Dante. "Got to go, Bye" She sighed dramatically and walked away as I picked up the call. 

I wasn't quite sure what it was that Dante wanted, I mean he told me he wanted to rest maybe take a nap while he could before the big game tonight. I glanced down at my phone and it was of course Dante telling me that he just scored a date to the homecoming with the most popular girl in school-Cyraleigh-next to Allison of course. Like honestly, what kinda of name is that. Although I have to admit I dated her in the past...Not one of my fondest memories.

Dante wanted me to come over so that we could chill for a little before our big game. Dante already left for home. I figured I'd just walk to Dante's house. He did live close enough and it would give me a little time to think what the hell I am going to do about Papita. Be over soon, I'm walking. Text message sent.

If you thought I was nervous before I found out that Papita was coming, I wasn't. But the second that she told me that she was going to the game my heart dropped. I haven't noticed her since the end of like... What was it? Eighth grade? I have no idea why I've decided to talk to her now. But I remember it like it was yesterday... We we're inseperable. When we we're about eight we used to go play outside in the park across the street from her house. Our mothers used to sit on the bench and talk while we played without a care in the world on the swingset. Then one day my mother died... or at least thats what my dad told me. Honestly I'm not sure, he never told me why she died he always said I was to 'young'. But I felt that I should have the right to know. Anyway, I'll get him to tell me one day. Just I don't know when that day will be. She's definatly changed, by the way she looks I mean. But then again I never really looked at Papita in that way. We were just friends but now I see her and I can't bring myself to understand why not one guy has asked her to the homecoming dance yet. 

I finally relized how deep in thought I was, and just as I relized that, my foot thrusted hard into a lip of the concrete. I hit the ground hard smashing my left knee with strong force up against the concrete. I wanted to cry out with pain but I didn't, although I could only imagine the way my face looked. I stood up and relized that Dante's house was across the street. Thank goodness I wasn't normally clumsy or I would have never made the football team. 

I limped my way across the street to find Dante running outside to meet me. "Hey dude, you okay? What on gods green earth happened here?" He said. I hadn't relized that blood was driping down my leg soaking my favorite pair of skinny jeans. I looked at Dante straight in the eye. How was I supposed to tell him that I tripped on the lip of the concrete because I was to busy thinking about Papita. Simple... I wasn't.

"Uh, yeah Dante it's cool don't even worry about it." Just as I said that I felt my head getting dizzy.

"Maybe we should get you inside, your going to need some ice and a really big bandaid if you want to be able to play in tonight's game." Dante said.

"Agreed" I whispered just loud enough so he could hear. Dante has been my best friend ever scince I stoped talking to Papita in the 8th grade. Dante helped me inside and settled me down on the couch with my foot up, we were in the living room. I was careful not to dribble any of the crimson blood onto his parents couch. That would not be good. Dante's parents were really... how you would say well. Strict. I watched Dante reach into the freezer and pull out a huge ice pack. I was automatically cold, shivers shooting straight through my body. Dante came over with a glass of water an ice pack and an advil for the pain. 

"Thanks so much Dante, your a lifesaver. I just really hope I get to play in the game tonight." I said. He chuckled, "Relax just rest up for now and I'm sure you'll be fine to play for later. But scince now we can't do much wanna watch a movie!?" Dante seemed almost excited like a little kid is when they get new toys on christmas morning. I couldn't help but chuckle at the way he said that, and Dante just gave me a look like I was crazy. 

"Okay." Dante said. "What movie are you up to watching?" I had to think about that for a second. I wasn't really in the mood for horror. But all I know is Dante loved watching football movies especially before a huge game. Well here goes, I guess I'll let him pick.

"You can pick Dante I'll probably pass out anyway with this terrible headache I have." I managed to mutter. Next thing I knew I was passed out.

***

I woke up to find Dante on the chair next to me with his hand stuck in a bowl of popcorn, he was asleep. I glanced at the time, it was already 5:30. If i wanted to go to the game then I had to hurry. I quickly woke up Dante and ran out of the house, remembering how my knee still was in pain. 

When I got home, my Dad was no were to be found. I bet he's down in the basement doing some 'classified' work that he never talks to anyone about. He's such a different person now always hiding down in the basement, you know ever scince my Mother died.  It really sucks how my Dad never comes to any of my games anymore. Before my Mom died, my parents used to come to every game, always cheering for me on the sidelines. 

I trudged up the stairs and into my room. I needed to get ready. My room is tiny but it works for me, the walls are red. My favorite color. There is one small window beside my bed, which is pushed up against the wall. 

I walked to my bed and put on my uniform. After that I walked downstairs and had some leftover pasta. My Dad was still downstairs so I was eating alone. I finished up at around 6:10 and then I texted Dante, asking if he needed a ride. I picked up my helmet and cleates, and left for the game.

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(Authors Note) I know this chapter isn't to exciting but it's definitely going to get better! The point of veiws switch back and fourth from Tanner to Papita. Enjoy :) Let us know what you guys think.

-Jess&Bri