The Badass

Chapter 3-Too Bad, Avery

A week passed, with me and Avery doing our best to make nice with everyone in Group, but miserably failing and getting kicked out, and hanging on the roof or in the library.  We also had ridiculous banter in our first hour, which made for something to pass the time when the class was at a lull. 

Finally, it was Friday, and football tryouts were today.  I had been the starting tight end for two years running, which meant I already had a secured spot on the team, but I still had to attend tryouts.  Someone might be better than me, although many of my teammates doubted that anyone could beat me out. 

We were on the field, in full pads, the secured players and the newcomers split into two groups.  I eyed the newcomers, not seeing any familiar faces, but it was hard to tell, since everyone was bunched up in a group, their helmets on. 

I groaned, along with almost everyone else, as the coach dragged out the blocking frame.  "Now I know that not everyone is good at blocking, but I want each and every one of you to give your best effort.  We'll do the secured players first, then the newcomers. 

As everyone lined up, one of the newcomers caught my eye.  They were relatively short for a guy, and he was bouncing on his toes energetically like he couldn't wait to drill into the blocking frame.  I chuckled a little at his enthusiasm.  I guess he didn't know that the frame was heavy and difficult to move, and that Coach Rodgirs rode on the back of it to make it heavier still. 

When it was my turn, I ran full speed at the frame, managing to move it about five yards-which was the farthest I had ever moved it.  "Good, Blaine, good.  Since I have the brake handle all the way down, that;s really very good.  Looks like you might keep your spot as starting tight end." 

"Thanks, Coach," I said, jogging back over to the sidelines.  I watched, curious, as he began to call up the newcomers.  He let the brake handle up a bit for them, but very few managed to do more than jar the padding. 

"Good shot for a newcomer, kid," said Coach.  He then looked at his  sign-up list.  "Who's next?  Speak up so I can check off your name."

The small kid I had seen bouncing on his toes stepped forward.  The coach raised an eyebrow at him.  "You're kind of short, kid.  You sure you got what it takes to play?" 

"I'm a lot stronger than I look, sir," said this kid.  His voice was higher-pitched than most guys, he had to be a freshman who hadn't hit his puberty stride yet.  "I'd appreciate the chance."

"Alright, kid, alright," said the coach.  "Who are you?" 

Rather than answering, the kid pointed at a name. 

"Kallicks, huh?" the coach said.  He set his clipboard down and hoisted himself onto the blocking frame.  "Alright, then, give it your best shot."

Kallicks...why did that name sound familiar?  Maybe this was a kid from group or one of my classes. 

My mouth hung open as the kid ran full speed at the frame and carried it a good fifteen yards down the field.  Whoever Kallicks was, he was good.  The coach had to hang on for dear life.  "Okay, Kallicks, good.  Wow, for a tiny little freshman, you are strong!"

"Actually, sir, I'm a junior.  I'm just new to the tryout sheet," he said. 

"Oh, well, kid, you sure are tiny, but that was amazing!"

As tryouts went on, Kallicks continued to be the biggest contender for a starting spot on the team, which was amazing, especially for a rookie. 

Two hours later, the coach had us all stand in a line.  "Those of you who hear your name, come and stand on my left."

He called off a bunch of names, and then said.  "Congratulations, you are all on the team.  Sorry to disappoint, but you are all backups."  Despite the moans and mutters, Coach continued.  "If I call your name, stand on my right." 

My name was called, along with a bunch of other names, and then Coach said, "and Kallicks.  Congrats, you're all starters on the team.  Kallicks, you'll be the wide reciever.  You've got speed, and a decent amount of power for such a tiny junior, but we could use your wheels.  Good job, men."

"And women," Kallicks said. 

"Beg your pardon?" Coach said. 

"Men and women," said Kallicks.  "Not everyone here is male."

"What do you mean, son?" he said. 

I saw him roll his brown eyes.  Wait..those eyes were familiar.  "I MEAN that you shouldn't call everyone here men, because not everyone is a man."

"But only men play football.  This is boys' varsity football."

"Not anymore it isn't," Kallicks said, removing his helmet.  A pile of blond hair sat on his head.  He pulled a pin out from it, and a long blond braid tumbled down from the high pony it was tied into.  Kallicks shook it into place, the held a hand out to the coach.  I nearly spit out my mouth guard when I realized who I was looking at.

"I'm Avery Kallicks, your new wide reciever." she said. 

It was silent for a full twenty seconds before anyone reacted.  Unfortunately, I was the one to bust the silence. 

"AVERY?"  I screeched.  She turned. 

"Oh, hey Blaine.  Thanks for the tip of going out for sports.  I checked out the girls' teams, but they don't have football, and I figured I'd be best at that."

The coach turned to me, eyes blazing.  "You told this GIRL she could try out for football?"

"What's me being a girl got to do with anything?" Avery said, but the coach ignored her. 

"No, sir.  I told her she should try out for girls' soccer or lacrosse, not for football."

With a nod, the coach turned back to Avery.  "Sorry, missy.  But girls can't play on this team."

"Why not?" Avery said.  "When you thought I was a guy, you liked what I could do.  I can play.  You can't throw me out just because I'm a girl."

"Actually, I can," Coach said.  "This is BOYS' varsity football, cupcake.  You are a girl, and girls don't play football."

Avery glared, and she lunged at the coach.  I saw it coming, and before I totally registered what was happening, my arms were around her waist, holding her back.  "Avery, don't!" I barked, as she kicked and tried to struggle out of my grip.  "If you attack him, not only will your chances of playing go down, you'll get expelled!"  She relaxed and I let her go. 

"You are the most bigoted, masoschinistic, sexist person I have ever met," Avery snarled, her teeth pracitcally morphing into fangs.  "I WILL play, you'll see."

"Well, sweetheart, keep dreaming, because I'd sooner die than let a girl be on my team," the coach called after her as she walked off the field. 

He then had to duck because she threw her pads and helmet at him.