The Captains

Four Years Forward - Chapter 1

Last Game-day, seniors in college.

I gathered my cheer uniform, shoes, pompoms, all of that jazz. I walked out to the living room to see Harley on the couch with Grayson waiting on me.

"I can't believe Amelia and Gillian graduate this year. From freaking high school! We're getting old, Gray. Not you Harley, you're still youthful." I smiled as I pet the now fully grown Golden Retriever.

"Don't remind me." Grayson said putting the UF leash on Harley. Yes we bought him to the games, he just sat in the suites with my mom, dad, and Jenna. Katrina ran off about two years ago, nobody knew where she was.

She just left Jenna with my dad who was now nine, which was so crazy. Andrew was twenty six and was dating this lovely and down to earth girl named Julia. Andrew was playing professional football with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won one Superbowl this past February. Amelia was an eighteen year old senior in high school and was going to Stanford in the fall with Gillian. Those two were inseparable.

Then there was me and Grayson. We were nearly twenty two and graduating this coming December. Grayson was being drafted tomorrow for the NFL. Seems like just yesterday he was committing to University of Florida.

We've lived together for the past four years, with our dog-son Harley-Levi Cooper. In those four years, there has been ups and downs. Like my mom getting in a car accident and losing one of her legs. Having one leg didn't stop her from being a damn good Pediatrician. As for my parents, they had a good relationship but they were 'together'. My mom was just helping him raise Jenna apparently.

Catherine was doing amazing. With Gillian being an adult meant Catherine and my mom taking more vacations. I didn't mind at all, because they deserved it.

Harley sat in the back seat area as we drove to the stadium.

"You're acting jittery today." I told Grayson

"A lot to be jittery about. Everyone in our damn family is coming to watch me play and you cheer for the last time in college and freaking drafts are tomorrow." Grayson vented to me

"Everything is going to go perfect or close to it." I said touching his hand as we parked. "I'm getting our son!"

I got Harley out of the car along with my cheer bag and we started our walk to the stadium. I was already in my game-day uniform. Hair, makeup, and all. I went to the suites and dropped Harley off with my parents, Amelia, Gillian, Andrew, Julia, and Catherine.

"Enjoy yourself Aspen." Amelia smiled

Gillian nodded, "Especially those last few seconds of freedom."

I gave them a weird look, "Ok? Thanks?"

I walked down to the field with the rest of the cheerleaders. There was a sign with the graduating cheerleaders and I spotted mine. It was a bittersweet moment, especially since I decided not to be an NFL cheerleader and this was probably my last time cheering. Cheering has been my life since I was nine, so for the past thirteen years. But now it was time to retire it and start being a nurse. I was excited for this new chapter of my life.

We cheered our hearts out today since there were nine of us who were graduating. Which didn't seem like much, but our cheer team was a family. All of our stunts, cheers, and chants went perfect.

Even though he was my boyfriend and I said this a lot, but Grayson was on his A-game. He was going for it today and he was doing amazing.

At halftime, we went to the locker-rooms and I ran into Grayson.

"Look at the Cooper's." One of Grayson's closest friends said quietly even though I heard it.

I shook it off, "You're doing amazing!"