The bleachers are filled with students screaming and cheering for a win. The first row is always the best especially for someone who has never been to a game. I can feel the stares as I walk towards the front.
"Sit. I have to play in 5 minutes. Promise me you'll stay."
"Promise."
I'm seriously pathetic. Dragging someone into my mess. The only person that might just understand me. The one that doesn't give me pity. A great friend.
Slipping into the rest of my gear, we're all aligned in front of the opposing team to honor our country before our game. The song never seems to bore me. It's always been sung by the same person. Evelyn Colt.
As the adrenaline rushes through me, I go for it. The one thing I have always been afraid to do. Show the real me. I jog up to the small stand the school always setup for our weekly football games.
"Evelyn, can I make an announcement?"
"Kade, you know everything is okay with me."
"Thanks."
Grabbing the mic was the first step. Now for the hardest one.
"Hey, guys."
The crowd never seems to stop roaring with enthusiasm. Would they applaud if they knew who I truly was?
"We play here every week. Every game is special to me because I get the chance to make wins possible for you guys but today is different. This game is way better than any other. I have a friend who is actually attending one of our games for the first time. It seems like they have been living under a rock for most of their life but they're very important to me. A true friend. This game is dedicated to them. Give a round of applause to none other than Marigold Fawn!"
The roars of the crowd elevated even more than I expected. Looking over to see Marigold, I could see the crimson color flushing into her cheeks. I'm going to keep my part of the deal even if it means being seen as a freak for hanging out with someone that doesn't belong in my "social clique." Someone I can't quite trust just yet but someone who understands me a tad better than anybody else.
Running back to the field, I realize that triumphing is not impossible today because I got all the motivation I need and they're sitting in the bleachers probably laughing at the ridiculous gesture made for a newly found friendship.
We get into position and before I know it the game begins.
"Green 19, Green 19, hut. Hike!"
Grabbing the ball is nerve wrecking. Looking after any of those that try to get near me even though we have a good defense and offense is stressful. Throwing the ball is another risk factor but luckily it's caught by one of the receivers in the 20yd- Touch back spot. Hoping he'll make it is something totally different. It's all on him now. Ducking and running works in his advantage leading us to the first victory of the night.
______________________________________
"Great job man! You never seem to disappoint us," Jayce pats my back roughly as we walk to the sidelines.
"Yeah, man. Well, I'll see you later."
Running to the bleachers, I don't care about the screams or the rooting. I care about spending time with my best friend.
"Hey, you stayed."
"I couldn't leave after the game was dedicated to me. I didn't know I was that cool."
"So, what do you think?"
"Kade, I believe you're talented. You should probably pursue a career in football. I also think you should take a bath so I can take you out to eat something for your victory."
"I can pay this time Marigold. I might live in a scummy apartment but I can afford a meal. Wait here."
"Actually, I'll wait for you in the car. I don't feel quite comfortable being here, you know, the stares and stuff."
"Okay see you in a few."
I'm hit with air conditioning as I rush into the gym and into the showers.
Maybe people don't care who I hang out with. They must like anybody I like or so I deem. I get to choose my life and my friends. Nobody else can do that for me. I have control over my life. I get to hang out with someone who makes me feel better about myself even though it seems like I have everything I could ever ask for. Someone who helps stop me from crying myself to sleep every night. I make decisions that will change my life in different ways so I'm going to choose wisely.
Washing the pain and pressure is always the best remedy. I remain in the shower room for another 10 minutes before heading to the locker room.
I have always hated the people that said that things were going to get better. It never seemed to. But I'm getting better. I finally feel like I can fit in even though I have murderer written all over my forehead. I just survived another day without feeling like complete utter trash. This will get better. I will.
"Are you ready to go?"
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Here's your mini hiatus chapter. It's probably crap. I promised I would write a chapter today. I have lots of work to do and two projects to do so you probably won't hear from me until March or April after those projects and most of my assignments that I am working on are turned in. Summer is going to be filled with many chapters. Comment down below to let me know if you want me to just write a bunch of chapters during the summer or write random chapters every once in a while since I am super busy with school work. I didn't proof read it so if it sounds like crap it's because I'm lazy :) Enjoy!
