Practice before the day of the game against Hultgren Heights was like the military on crack. Sweat left my practice jersey drenched, I could even smell the sweat on my teammates. Not even the cool, brisk air of December could keep our bodies from condensating. It was drill after drill, whistle after whistle, grunt after grunt, play after play, tackle after tackle, pass after pass. My teammates were barely keeping up with me, so my hope for our win against Hultgren Heights was dwindling.
Roebuck stood before his team, arms crossed, shades on, a scowl on his face as he concentrated on every detail of the team’s execution. I never thought I could be more scared of Roebuck in my life. I could have hid behind my teammates that were much bigger than I, but I didn’t want to lose Roebuck’s respect because I loved when he called me by my last name. I worked hard for that title.
During practice, all you heard was Roebuck’s booming voice. He shouted things like:
“Don’t get lazy on those arms!”
“Put your game face on!”
“If you practice like shit, you’ll play like shit!”
“McDarment, I didn’t hand you that position on Varsity for being lazy. MOVE. MOVE. MOVE.”
“Jacobs, get lower!”
“Fix that form, Morris!”
“Can you not do a proper push-up, Swiss?”
“If you can’t handle the way I play, quit.”
“If it’s not hurting, you’re doing it wrong!”
It was nine at night when Roebuck finally threw in the towel. Before he dismissed the team, he had us all gather in a circle around him and kneel down. As soon as we did this, Roebuck lectured us on being a team and over his shoulder, I spotted Trevor leaning by the gate, and he did a two finger wave.
Trevor was such a sweet guy. I didn’t know he was going to be here, but there he was, waiting for me. I liked that he -
“Bates.” Roebuck brought me back to the middle of the field where my teammates were huddled together.
“Yes, coach.” I replied.
“You’re the leader of this team, got it? Don’t let us down.”
“No pressure.” Eli nudged me in the ribs.
“Okay, coach,” I agreed confidently. Roebuck dismissed the team. I grabbed my duffle, looping my arm through the strap. Trevor hurried across the field to me. He swooped me up and swung me around.
“You smell like grass,” He noted, setting me down.
“It’s the smell of hard work,” I said.
“That’s sexy.” Trevor sniffed.
“You’re sick.” I playfully pushed him.
Rustin walked up behind me and started caressing my arms. He whispered into my ear, “Ready for round two tonight, Bates?” Rustin’s voice sent chills down my spine, but not in a good way. I shrugged him off.
“Lay off, Rustin,” Trevor warned him.
“Williams!” Rustin said. “I see you and your girlfriend made up.” He slung his arm around my neck and he patted my chest. I locked eyes on Trevor. The question wasn’t if Trevor was going to stick up for me. The question was if I was going to stand up for myself.
I pushed away from Rustin. He looked at me, and I said, “Touch me again and it’ll be the last time you’ll be able to feel ever again.”
Rustin laughed at me.
YOU ARE READING
Redefining Beautiful
Proză scurtăThis is a story about a fat girl. It's not easy being overlooked, out-shined, or picked on. Charlie Anna Bates, an eighth grader at J. Elmore Middle School, knows all about how that feels. In this relatable novel, Charlie trades in her sweats and p...
