What We Create

Chapter 4

Jessie

Rebecca, Holly, and I sat in the first row of bleachers, which were directly in front of the cheerleaders. The cheerleaders stood on the track below to lead the home team crowd. Ally and Kristi made the JV squad, so we sat in front to support them. The first football game of the year, and perfect sweater weather. As the sun went down, so did the temperature. Every girl participated in the Friday night fashion show of fall sweaters.

I also sat in front so I could see Brian play football. He played wide receiver. Brian caught a pass, and I smiled when Ally cheered enthusiastically for him. Her crush on my brother was epic. My eyes wandered to the sidelines; I spotted Alex after a minute or so of searching. Feeling guilty, my eyes darted to Holly to see if she noticed me. She wasn't. My eyes gravitated back to him. He looked good is his football pants. I blushed at my own observation. He texted me before the game, and said he hoped he could see me later. Cheers broke into my thoughts. We just scored a touchdown.

On cue, we all stood up, and threw red, black, and white confetti in the air. Each pocket of my jacket held several containers. A sea of confetti rained down all around us. Rebecca, and I smiled as we bent down to shake the confetti out of our hair.

"We might as well not bother. I'm sure they'll get another touchdown."

"Yeah, seriously."

Several plays later, Alex ran out on the field. A defensive player; I wasn't sure what position. Football didn't interest me enough to remember all the positions. He wore number 88. I would have to ask Brian what position Alex played. Or maybe not, he would just start questioning me on why I wanted to know.

Alex tackled an opposing player before he could tackle our quarterback. Cheers went up on our side, and several girls a few bleachers behind us yelling for number 88.

I casually looked back, and noticed a girl with blond hair, and the number 88 drawn in black on her cheek. Pretty bold to put a guy's number on your face unless he was your boyfriend. Alex didn't act like he had a girlfriend. I looked at her too long because her eyes locked to mine. She gave me one of those shitty, lips pressed together smiles. Frowning, I turned back around in my seat. What a bitch. I thought she was a sophomore, but I wasn't positive.

The game wrapped up quickly after my little exchange. Tim, my brother's best friend, came over to us right before the game ended.

"Looks like we have this game in the bag. Are you ladies ready to go?"

"Yep. Where are we going?"

"McDonald's. We always Mickey D after the football game." Tim looked at me like a slow learner.

"Just asking. I'm new to high school, remember?" I winked as I said it.