Saving Grace

Chapter 1

Grace Hershel was the epitome of excellence. She was the apple of every boy at Exdale High School’s eye. Her long legs and bright, stunning blond hair was only rivalled of those who were currently modelling in Madrid or Los Angeles. The fact that she was trapped in a lonely, dreary town on the edge of Raleigh, North Carolina was truly a tragedy.

Exdale, North Carolina was never the destination; only a small break on the journey to something worthwhile. However, for Drew McCoy, it was all he had ever known.

Like Grace, he was born and raised in Exdale and the small town was all he had ever witnessed other than some small business trips into Raleigh for the odd overnight stay or a Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League game with some buddies for the weekend. But unlike Grace, he looked like he belonged there. And due to this, that’s how he acted. His expectations for himself were uninspiring.

He was a realist; unlike his starry eyed classmates, all who had aspirations to escape Exdale, he knew that acceptance to the nearby University of North Carolina was a pipedream. The local Exdale College was the expectation. He didn’t have the means monetarily or the talent to dream big. He wasn’t gifted athletically like Roy Jennings, the local basketball talent that would dunk his way to a full-ride scholarship with Duke University. And he wasn’t an academic virtuoso like Haley Johnson, whose scientific experiments led to her being able to pick from Ivy League scholarships.

He was happily unexceptional.

“I really do think you should go out for one of the varsity team’s this year, Drew, it’s your senior year” Drew’s mother, Stacy, exclaimed. It was true. Drew had found more joy standing in the crowd cheering on the football team during the home opener than he did playing any spot in the intramural sessions the High School offered.

“And what exactly would I play?” Drew questioned back, looking in vain for the peanut butter hidden behind all the cans of tomato sauce in the pantry. He didn’t have the athletic build for football, the delicate touch for basketball or the skating ability for ice hockey. It was best to not get him started on his poor hand-eye coordination that made making the baseball team an unrealistic fantasy.

“You’re a regular runner; you could definitely try-out for the Cross Country team or something. It’s not about being the best, Drew. It’s about doing something productive and constructive with your time rather than sitting up in your room and playing video games every night” Mrs. McCoy complained. Drew rolled his eyes, wishing it was time to head to school for the beginning of the end as he liked to call it. His mother preferred senior year.

The door bell rang and Drew rushed to answer it, anything to get out of this awkward and uncomfortable conversation with his mother. Wilson Austin was at the door, Drew’s best friend. Wilson Austin was the athlete Drew could never be. He was 6’3 and a solid 200 pounds; gargantuan compared to Drew’s 5’10, 170 pound frame. He was a solid member of both the football team where he played as a middle linebacker and on the basketball team as the power forward. His messy brown hair and bright green eyes attracted almost all the girls at school, not to mention his muscular build.

“So, Mrs. McCoy,” Wilson began, walking past Drew as he opened the door, “how did the cross-country talk with him go?” he asked, picking up an apple from the basket placed conveniently on the dining room table. Mrs. McCoy shrugged and shook her head.

“He doesn’t seem willing to commit to athletics, even though they are very fun” she replied, emphasising the “fun” as she motioned past her son. Stacy McCoy had played soccer in High School before getting a partial scholarship to the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team for a five year term. Even though she had traded in soccer for children, she was still an avid runner and kept her athletic shape.

“You’ve got to man-up man, stop wasting your youth because of your ridiculous insecurities” Wilson sighed, biting into the shiny, red apple. Drew rubbed the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. No matter how right Wilson was, Drew’s ego would never allow him to know it.

“I never said I wouldn’t try-out, I’m just a little bit hesitant to. What if I don’t enjoy it, and get too caught up in the competition?” he asked, dramatically stretching his arms out wide with a shocked expression on his face. Wilson shook his head and chuckled.

“It’s cross country, how competitive could it be? “he said jokingly, leading to a slight punch to the shoulder from Mrs. McCoy.

“You’re hilarious, Wilson,” Mrs. McCoy said sarcastically, her bright smile never leaving her face. “Shouldn’t you two be going now, wouldn’t want to be late on your first day back”.

Wilson got up from his seat and made his way to the door before leaning into Drew. “As if she thinks we’re ever on time to class, let’s go”.

Also Mrs. McCoy had no knowledge of this, Wilson and Drew had a tradition for the first day of the new school year. They would head down to the local restaurant, Greenie’s, for breakfast. They would arrive at Exdale just in time for homeroom.

They sat in the bright red chairs on the outside portion of the restaurant, it was such a bright, sunny day that they couldn’t help but enjoy the remainder of the summer sun on their skin. When fall would come around, it would hit them hard. The harsh snow fall frequently made them wish the summer last year long.

“Listen, I really do hope you take the whole cross-country thing seriously man. You can find some more friends to hang out with while I’m practice and shit like that” Wilson said bluntly as he swallowed down a bite of his fluffy pancakes. Drew shrugged and looked out onto the street, washing cars and school busses speed down towards Exdale High School.

Tryouts would begin the following Friday to allow the students to get used to the school schedule again and get back into the groove of things again. He would consider coming out of his shell a bit, and peek his head out at the world around him.