Peak

Ch. 9: Prodigies

Antoine: What up Shoes
You: Oh just another fun dinner conversation with my dad
Antoine: ..what now
You: It was different this time believe it or not. I told him everything I bitch about to you lol
Antoine: The whole nine yards?
You: I pretty much said either support me or don't even come to my games anymore
Antoine: ...only took seventeen years. Good for you Shoes you're finally doin yourself some good
You: Thanks man
Antoine: But anyway next Saturday there's a party on Jennings Street. You in?
You: I'll get back to you on that
Antoine: Alright let me know by Friday

I ended up deciding to go to the party. We lost last night to a team with equal talent, equal sizes, and an equal record. Well, not anymore. Now we were 4-2. There were only three games left in the season and we had to win at least two.

Fortunately, when Coach said things can only get better, he was right. I went to the doctor's the morning of the party and they hacked off the cast and got me settled in a walking boot.

Antoine picked me up around eight in his piece of shit BMW.

"Well look at this, it's Jesus Delmont and he's walkin'!" Antoine proclaimed.

"I know, I know; it was actually a good day today." I said smiling. I gotta admit I was in a good ass mood for once. Antoine put his car in gear and pulled out.

"So who's all gonna be at this thing?" I asked.

"Pft. Try the entire junior class. But probably with the exception of, like, Lauren Stilvins or Dennis Hager or anyone in that group."

"C'mon man, Lauren seems like a nice girl." I protested.

"Shoes, the girl has never been to a football game! Or any social event for that matter! She's probably at home studying tonight or...curing cancer I don't know." Antoine replied smiling.

If the cliques at Eastside were to be stereotyped, well, they would be the nerds. Personally, I don't see them like that. They're lucky with their grades and all, compared to my straight B's.

"What's so bad about being smart?"

"Be real man, you're only sayin' that cause she helped you pass chem last year." He chuckled. It's true, she sat next to me in chemistry and the few times we talked were solely about Kelvins and potassium and shit like that. Sweet girl, though.

I simply laughed off the conversation because Jennings Street was only about five minutes away from my house.

"Whose house is this anyway?" I thought out loud to Antoine.

"Ben Lacster." Ah yes, Ben Lacster. He's a junior too. He's also one of those kids that doesn't play any sports or make spectacular grades yet for some reason everyone (or so he thinks) worships him. Anyway, his house was a wreck.

We walked inside to find the temperature rise a good ten degrees. Kids were packed from wall to wall each with an infamous red solo cup in hand. I could already tell my ears were ringing thanks to the combination of obnoxious music and mindless conversation.

Before Antoine could walk too far ahead I pulled him to me by the back of his shirt, "You drink, I drive. The last thing I need is two broken legs cause your drunk ass decided to crash."

He responded by reaching into his pocket and putting his keys in my hand. "I can't make any promises." He joked.

Well, shit, I see the car ride home will be fun.

Although I knew or have seen almost everyone there, I spent the first hour or so talking to some guys on the football team. I got a lot of slaps on the back since no crutches were in sight.