Playing The Game

Life and Choices

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*

"Hi, this is Avery Skinner. I'm calling in regards to the application I sent." I say into the speaker of my phone.

"Yes, Miss. Skinner! Why, we've been waiting for your call. We would love to extend to you a very special invitation to join our great school. And we would love if you could you a few photos for us showing your support." She then babbled about useless information.

I sigh quietly. I have made more than a dozen phone calls that ended up just like this. All these people want is for me to show up to their school with ESPN and parade around the fact that I may be going there. They also would love if I would do a photoshoot for them walking around in some ridiculous and slutty football outfit that degrades what I do. They don't take me seriously.

They think I'm just a prance around little thing they can use to get attention for their own school. I'm more of a mascot than an actual player. They don't wish for me to play in the games no that I don't expect them. I know freshman football players don't get all that much attention in their first year of college but they never even offered me a spot to play in a single game. I have sent them tapes, I've done charity work, I've even offered to do a special with them online. But to no avail. They don't see me for what I am- a serious football player, that is- and I find that horribly misleading. The whole point of my college experience will be to make sure I have a football career. Yet no one will give me that chance. Then I started thinking what can I do to show them exactly how serious I am and I can't think of a single damn thing.

Today we will go to state and I will have to prove exactly what kind of player I am. If we win I'm for sure receiving a chance to go to any college of my choosing but I refuse to go and they ask me to do any dumb photo shoots. If we lose well, I can't even think about that part yet.

Dad and grandpa have both been amazingly supportive but they don't understand why I can't just be accepted like any other student. My family doesn't understand that the colleges don't want a player out of me but a show off little girl. Dad has been dead set on me going to Notre Dame, playing football or not. That was his old school and Grandpa's, it's been in the family for generations. But I don't see how I can go because they won't even let me on the field as a football player. Hell, they won't even let me try out for the team, that is exactly what they told me when I called and asked. Dispite our family history with that school I can't see myself attending there for any reason whatsoever.

I hang up the phone, not wanting to hear the lady continue trying to bribe me.

Peaches leaps on my bed covers and I drag her onto my lap. "Big game today. Hopefully we win and I keep the streak alive but I'm nervous."

"Talking to your cat like she's real, I think you lost it Avs." Austin leans on my door frame, smirking.

I throw my pillow at his chest, "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Just checking on our QB. You ready?"

"To puke." I answer.

*

"Hell yeah!" I shout, grabbing Cash's face guard and bumping our heads.

Its half time against the Lions and we're up by three touchdowns. We stampeded into the locker room, hooting our excitement. We knee in front of Dad as he gives an inspirational speech about our lead.

I was sipping water when Ivy, Claire and Harry burst in. It took me a second to realize they had tear streaked faces and  hysterical expressions.

My eyes fly to Ivy's growing baby bump, she seems alright and is standing on her own. "What's wrong?"

"Its Drill. Oh, Avery. He tried to kill himself tonight. He's in the hospital, they're trying to save him and get the bullet out." Ivy grasped my elbows and I felt her tremble.

*

I had a decision to make. Either stay and ensure our win against the Lions and title as state champions- possibly even secure my future. Or I could help a friend in need. It was a surprisingly simple choice.

We all rushed to the hospital Drill was at and were told to wait. Our prayers were heard and luck was on our side. Drill tried to shoot himself in the heart, but he missed by a hair. He had to go into surgery for a few hours as the doctors worked to extract the bullet fractures. It went as smoothly as it could've.

We stayed here all night and its almost mid-afternoon. Cash and Claire had left earlier to get some food. Spencer had came around eight this morning, his wife checked Drill every other hour.

He was sleeping off his amnesia and was in no right of mind to speak. We had made a deal that we would not leave until we could speak with Drill and see what was going on in his mind. I felt particularly bad because I thought I could have done something more. In some weird sense I felt an obligation to protect him. I had been the one to draw him out from his lonely universe and into my public world. I have introduced him to my friends, to my life, to the real world. I feel like it is partially my fault he's in the current position he is in. Then again, I'm not the only one to share this blame becasue I've met his parents.

Now I thought my mom was a succubus from hell, but she is a saint compared to Drill's mother. That woman is possessed by a demon that has no love and his father isn't all that either. I had been the one to meet them in the front. When I gave my condolences to them his mother wore a stotic expression and with an empty gaze she said, "I hope that little bastard didn't do any serious damage to my walls with his blood." His father had nodded and said, "A paint job will cost a fortune on top of this ungrateful little shits medical bills." When I asked why they were so upset about the state of the house and not the state of their son I was taken aback by their answers. His mother had said, "Because my house provides me more happiness than my son ever will." His father just had to add, "That boy will never amount to anything useful. I don't see why we kept him, yo6 should have had that abortion, dear." They then left and I was not sorry to see them go. I had been given a glimpse of what Drill had went through as a young boy and had to grow up with. His life at home from what I saw was not good. Yet I don't see how he could be suicidal, to end his own life is a selfish thing to do. I believe in my faith and I hope that Drill can be redeemed for his actions. He's had such a horrible life that he wishes to leave this world before his time is terrible.

Austin with his chronic depression has had dark moments like this but never actually tried anything serious that he needed to be hospitalized. Therefore I feel like we should have done something more. We should have recognized the signs in him, his loneliness in the world, how Drill was content with being invisible when he is so much more. He never valued himself the way he should.

Cash and Claire had come back with food and though we stuff our faces, we didn't really have an appetite to eat. A few more hours past and I was starting to get worried about Austin. The situation seems to affect him more deeply than any of us because he can relate to Drills predicament on a serious and personal level. He was anxious and on the edge, I feared this might have a negative impact on him and the progress that has been making. Right now, I cannot imagine what is going on in both of these young men's head.

Dr. Cole had been eager to get one of us inside and speak with Drill because he was holding his silence. We briefly discussed who should go inside and I thought Austin would be best but I don't think he should have that kind of pressure on him, so I volunteered. Plus, Dr. Cole agreed it'd be best for me to visit with Drikk as I have a closer relationship with him. Psychologically, I knew I could do it but I feel angry with him for unknown reasons.

When Dr. Cole said I could go in, I rose and wiped my sweat covered hands on my jeans. Before I twist the door knob, I took a deep breath.

*

Sorry, so long without an update, don't hate me!

I tried with this one, I really did. Also, don't think I throw in moments like these just for suspense or drama, I do it because it impacts the story and adds to the plot and character development. Everything that has happened in Avery's life, was supposed to.

So, back to Drill. Why'd he do it? Did the Knights win state? Eeeee, I'll try to update so I can answer these questions.

~Peace