Running with the Soccer Ball (#justwriteit #sports)

Elliott...er- Lio

Elliott Stewart hated his name. It made him feel like a single leaf in the snow, or like a green sock in the center of a bunch of blue socks.

People in town constantly bullied him for his name, calling him Ellie or Elizabeth. In the town of Freedom Point, people had names like Freddy or Lewis or some other manly name.

Therefore, Elliott went by 'Lio'. And calling him by his real name only created trouble. Just ask Carson Lewis, he's the one with the broken arm over there.

Lio was like any other twelve-year-old boy; he had a passion for Soccer and Basketball.

It was the last day of school and Lio would start the seventh grade next year. Seventh grade cant come quick enough he told himself.

Classmates started telling their crushes how they really felt about each other; it was a yearly tradition.

Lio never understood why, but he knew one thing; he was not going to tell April Johnson that he had a crush on her. Why?

Because people would think he's crazy. April was a 'glamour girl' and a perfectionist that just annoyed everybody. But nobody ever gave her a chance.

Her long brown hair that reached up to her stomach had been braided in a fishtail, and she looked like she was in a serious discussion with her friend.

Lio thought about what he would've said, but once again, he was drawing a blank. 'Mrs. Sterling, may I use the restroom' he asked.

Lio was given a firm nod before fleeing the classroom with an orange drawstring bag, swinging around his fingers.

Freedom Point Middle School was having an end-of-the-year ceremony in 25 minutes.

He ran into the blue-painted stall and quickly changed from his oversized blueT-Shirt and green basketball shorts into a black, professional-like tuxedo.

Lio made different faces in the mirror before approaching it to fix his hair.

He stood in front of the mirror in the boy's bathroom, styling his raven black hair with only drops of water and his hands to fix that mess.

A wet comb over appeared on his head, and Lio knew he lookd really good. After only a minute of professional styling, Lio stared into his own gaze and wondered, how is this happening? 7th grade already!

He couldn't help but grin at the idea of not being the baby of the school. Maybe he'd get more respect. Respect.

Lio liked the idea of that. Just as he was about to leave the bathroom, The twelve-year-old was shoved into the stall. 'Hey, Idiot' One of them yelled.

The two boys who shoved Lio were eighth grade bullies. Daniel Smith and Carlos Gonzales. They were both big and bulky, and their angry faces were like no other Lio had ever seen.

'Give us your lunch money, or we're going hurt you so bad, you're grandkids will feel it. Lio stood his ground. While panting he muttered, 'I don't have to give you two bullies ANYTHING ' Carlos and Daniel stared at each other for a second, then shoved Lio's head down the toilet.

Lio couldn't stop crying. 'Aawww cry baby!!' They taunted him. They ran out as a teacher shuffled by, followed by Lio himself, who now had not only a black eye, but a busted bloody lip and eyes as red as a tomato.

After today, I'll never see them again he reassured himself. But doubt quickly creeped in and Lio's stomach sank faster than a penny in water.

Lio walked into class casually with his hand covering his mouth and his other hand over his black eye. 'Hunter, can I borrow your sunglasses man?'

Hunter nodded and threw them to him. Lio missed the catch due to his bad sight in his bad eye. 'Thanks.' Luckily, Hunter wore sunglasses that day.

Hunter Damion and Lio were best friends since the third grade.

They planned to go to the same high school, college, and to live close by once they have their own houses. 'Dude, are you okay?' Hunter asked.

green eyes were full of concern, and all Lio could think about were those two piggish faces that are basically trying to KILL him. Hunter wasn't given an answer.

So, he sighed and left to help set up the stage for the ceremony. April was only two seats away from Lio now but there was no point in trying to impress her.

He was just that nerd who knew all the answers and didn't stand a chance.
Or at least that's what he always told himself.
***
'Jack Star. William Star.'
Uh-oh, they were going to call my name any minute. Lio thought. He didn't want people to hear his name, he didn't want it said. Period.

Lio ran to the podium and whispered in the announcer's ear. Mrs. Slipors covered the mic and explained to him that parents wanted to hear the name their children were given, but Lio refused.

Lio is my name. Not Elliott. Mrs. Slipors gave in and muttered His name. 'Lio Stewart' And of course, Mrs. And Mr. Stewart were not happy, to say the least.

They sat tight though, excited to find out the awards their son would receive. But Lio doesn't get any awards. When he asked Mrs. Slipors why, she said because the certificates he would've gotten all said 'Elliott Stewart' Instead of Lio.

He shrugged and returned to his parents to explain why. 'Elliott are you crazy?! That is the name we have given you, wether you like it or not!' Lio had heard that at least one million times.

His homeroom class was leaving, so he flashed a peace sign towards his parents and ran towards Hunter, who was talking to Jessie; a blonde haired girl he had a crush on.

'So sorry to interrupt, but I have to talk to Hunter in the man cave' Hunter gave him a menacing glare, followed by a fake laugh.

'No you don't, Lio. Oh look, There's Bob Joe over there, go talk to him.' Hunter told Him with a shove.

Lio rolled his eyes and pulled Hunter towards the man cave. Lio called the tunnel across the playground the man cave.

They didn't want any girls or anyone else in there when they were there. All secrets were revealed in the man cave between both Lio and Hunter.

'Dude, I think April likes you' said an enthusiastic Hunter.
***