The Coach's Daughter

Aurora Ray Holt. I always knew why my parents picked my name. Aurora after Sleeping Beauty, my dad, as rough and tough as he may seem was a big Disney loving teddy bear at that time and Sleeping Beauty was his most favorite princess. Growing up I loved being named after a princess, it was always a crowd pleaser. I would still love it if it wasn't for how ugly it sounds. My friends call me Ari, which is slightly more normal. But, sense the first day of school when I proudly announced that I was named after Sleeping Beauty the nickname stuck, Rory. I hate Rory and thankfully because high school started last year and there are so many new people here that its died down.

Aurora, Ari, and Rory aren't the only names I get to hate. Ray too. When you look at it you think, Ray, like a ray of sunshine I get it. Nope good try. Ray Brown. He played for the Washington Redskins when he was in his forties. Not only do I get the Princess name but the football player's name too.

"Hey Rory." ah, there's that nickname, the one person it hasn't gone away with is Lyle. I met the guy in fifth grade when I switched schools and he still hasn't gotten over how hilarious my name is."

"It's Aurora." I respond back before closing my locker and turning to face him.

"Yeah, right, so Rory, it's gonna be really hot outside today and I was wondering if you could maybe please save me the one with the ice in it?"

"Ok, but you're gonna walk me to practice then." I smile swinging my backpack over my shoulder.

A huge smile engulfs his face because I only set out iced water bottles for practice sometimes and give them to the guys who look like they really need them. "Oh my god, you're saying yes!?" I nod and he drops his bag and picks me up. He spins me around before letting my feet hit the ground again. "Alright let's go to practice." He patted my head making my pony tail loose. I'd liked Lyle for as long as I could physically remember and this whole best friend thing was working just fine, I guess.

We walked through the halls together stopping at Lyle's locker to get his football and cleats. An oh so lovely detour greeted us at his locker. Sophie Brooks. The stereo typical head cheerleader who just happened to be dating Lyle for about a year.

As they talked I made a mental checklist in my head of what I had to do this practice. I was the varsity football team manager. The head coach of the Seaview Slayers was my dad and he promised me sense 6th grade that when I hit high school I would be team manager. After I made sure to remember to bring the helmet pump outside Lyle taps on my shoulder.

"Can we go please." I look towards Sophie and she's looking at us with hurt eyes. What do you think he's gonna do skip practice to be with you? Hell no sister get with it, the rivalry game is coming up and we need our star player.

"Yeah come on." I push through the crowded hallway to the staff elevator to the basement. Pulling out my keychain I put in the key that turns on the elevator. "Perks of being the team manager."

"You're giving me the ice water and I don't have to walk up and down five flights of stairs, god I love you." I smile as the doors open. Aurora he has a girlfriend. Aurora he has a girlfriend.

When the doors open we're in the dark basement home of the men's locker room, equipment room, and coach's lounge. This design wasn't really laid out for a girl to just casually start filling up water bottles in the equipment room due to the fact that you had to walk through the locker room to get there. So, on the first day of practice we worked out a plan when I walked in on 65 guys shirtless.

"Have a good practice, don't forget you're saving me the one with ice." I nod and Lyle gives me a quick side hug and smile before he runs in to change leaving me alone outside the locker room door. Here's where that plan kicks in.

"GIRL COMING IN, HIDE ANYTHING YOU WOULDN'T WANT YOUR MOM TO SEE!!!" My dad's word not mine. He told me to say that every time I walked in to give him a nice pre practice chuckle.

I wait fifteen seconds, you shouldn't be surprised at how fast teenage boys can put pant's on if they're at risk of being exposed. After waiting I open the door again and walk in. They're all standing around talking, changing, some of them wave, I get at least eight "Hey Aurora, can I have the iced bottle?" And my answer's always the same:

"We'll see." and a smile.