Football Fantasies

An Unknown Love

I was on the swing set hanging out with my two besties. We were talking about life and Boone Sutton, which practically took up most of my life. I'd known Boone my entire life and he was almost like a twin brother to me. We fought like siblings and I think that's how we saw our relationship in general. But ever since 6th grade I've felt something else for Boone.

It hadn't always been sunshine and butterflies between the two of us. As we started growing up, I had gotten closer to his brother David. We even went to South Carolina together and shot wild boars. I even thought at one point that I was in love with David. I'd always go over and hang out with David hoping to see Boone, but he was rarely around because he was out fishing with girls. I guess David and I were just more alike. I was in the marching band and David was in the choir, but Boone was in football, varsity lineup.

My friend twisted me around on the swing set, and my eyes happened to land upon the one and only Boone Sutton. He stood so confidently, with his shoulders rolled back and his head held high like nothing could stop him. He brushed his hand through his hair, which shined like the barrel of a gun. You could actually see his face now, with his square jaw and slightly uneven tan line on his forehead. I think he has brown eyes, I'm not quite sure. I've never been able to look into his eyes for too long fearing that I might reveal my true feelings.

A guy like Boone would never even take a second glance at a girl like me. My hair is always slicked back into a ponytail with little strands sticking out in random places. My eyes are blue, but not the beautiful entrancing kind, more of a dull pond water color. I admit, I am also slightly overweight and tend to be pretty clumsy. It's a miracle I can do marching band.

I turn my head just in time as I notice a football flying directly at my face. Somehow I reach up and catch it. I look down in amazement at my hands.

Boone looks over to me and the football coach runs over dropping papers from his clipboard as he is running so frantically.

"That was an amazing catch! Would you like to be our new quarterback?! Our old one has genetically short hamstrings, it's only a matter of time until he gets hurt. Plus, we have a game on Friday. We could use an athlete like yourself," the coach says as he reaches me on the swings.

"I'd love to!" I respond.