Converse Queen

Chapter 7: Yeller

I heard someone plop down beside me as I watched my brother and the potential football team run onto the field. I looked over to see Reggie. "Hey."
"Hey," he responded with a shy smile. "I know we don't know each other very well, but I was wondering if you wanted to go on a date with me?"
I laughed, thinking it was a joke. His expression fell and I sobered up. "You're serious?"
He nodded, "Why would I not be?"
"I've just never been asked out," I gave a nervous chuckle. His smile returned.
"Well, I'll gladly be your first date," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I remembered what Gavin said about not riding with him, but he didn't say anything about going on a date with him. I shrugged, "Sure, but I've got to ask my mom if it's fine first."
"You've got to ask your mom to go on a date?" He gave a small laugh.
I nodded, "Yea. I've got strict parents."
"Here's my number to text me if she says yes," he entered his number into my phone. "Do you want me to drive you home so you don't have to stay the whole time?"
I shook my head, "Nah, that's fine. Thanks, though!"
"It's no problem. Text me later!" He called as he left the bleachers.
I watched as the guys did warmup laps. A few of them pushed far ahead of the group. It was only warm up, they'd be lagging behind later.
Since the coach was only watching them, I decided to introduce myself. I hopped down the bleachers and climbed over the small hurricane fence that blocked the field from the bleachers.
"Hey, Coach!" I called as I came closer. I stuck out my hand, "I'm Keeley Jones, Keaton's sister."
He warily took my hand in his and gave a firm shake, "I'm coach Anders. How'd you get in here?"
I gave a sheepish smile and pointed to the short fence, "I climbed over that fence."
"Oh, ok."
"Can I help yell at the guys?" I asked in excitement.
"Do you know anything about football ?" Coach questioned in disbelief. He's probably never had a teen girl come up to him asking to yell at his players.
"I've always helped Keaton when Dad wasn't home and I've been to everyone of his games except the ones I was sick for," I proudly stated.
"Alright, but only when they do something stupid," Coach agreed.
"Yes! I've always wanted to do this!" I squealed. "All of his past coaches would kick me off the field because the guys would get mad that a girl was correcting them."
Coach gave a small chuckle, "Well, today I'll see how you do and if the guys don't mind it." He blew the whistle and called for the guys to come in. "Would you mind getting the water bottles, Keeley? They're outside the trainers office." He directed me to the office and I power walked to get them.
I grabbed a basket of bottles in each hand. Straining as I carried them, I walked back. I really needed to get into shape. By the time I got back to coach, the players all were gathered around him in a circle.
Gavin saw me struggling with the bottles, excused himself, and jogged to meet me. "Jeez, Keeley. These aren't that heavy," he commented as he grabbed them from me.
"Hey! I'm not all muscly, unlike some people," I defended myself and jogged to keep up with him.
Coach gave a twisted smile to the boys in front of him once Gavin rejoined the group. "For those of you who don't know, this is Keeley! She's volunteered to yell at y'all when you're doing something wrong."
A boy who I didn't recognize blurted, "But she's a girl."
"A girl who knows how to play football, thank you very much," I countered with confidence. I gave a smug smirk as my friends and brother gave a nod.
"I bet she could outplay you," Jack spoke to the guy.
The guy gave a laugh and scoffed, "Yea right."
Coach butted in before I could say a comeback, "We're going to have a little experiment! Who ever thinks Keeley can't play, stay here. Who ever thinks she can, y'all can go warm up by throwing and catching."
Keaton, Gavin, Red, and Jack went to throw. A few guys followed them. Most of the team stayed rooted in their seat.
I stretched as Coach explained what to do, "I'm going to keep track to see who can catch and throw the most and best. Keeley, you'll throw to each player and they'll throw it back. If they miss or have a bad throw, they've got to do another lap around the field. If you prove them wrong, you'll get to make the guys do whatever you want."
I gave a smirk as Coach handed me the ball. "Whose ready to get proven wrong?"
The guys laughed in response and got into line.
I threw the ball to the first boy in line with a perfect spiral, he caught it with ease.
"For a girl you throw pretty well!" He called as he threw the ball back and ran to the back of the line.
The boy who originally questioned my skill stepped up and got ready. I whipped it to him and it bounced off his finger tips. I gave a small smirk, but didn't say anything. Coach yelled for him to do a lap and the next guy threw the ball back to me.
I went threw all of the guys twice. Only five players missed any balls. I caught all of them thrown to me, except for one ball that was ten feet above my head.
"Since Keeley, proved y'all wrong. She's got control of your tryout until she leaves. I'll still be watching for good work ethic and who plays the best." Coach informed the group of players who thought I didn't know what I was doing.
Most of them grumbled, while some silently cheered. They must've thought I as going to go easy on them. Wrong.
"Ok, guys, get some water then take a lap," I started them off easy. Before they finished their lap, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. It was my mom, "Hello?"
"Hey, Honey. Just wanted to let you know that you and Keaton need to come home and get ready," she said over the phone.
"I'll tell him," I told her and hung up without a goodbye. I winced when I realized what I did but shrugged it off.
I explained to coach what I wanted my group to do. It wasn't too hard. I'd just wanted to make them catch the ball and every time someone missed it, or gave a bad throw back, the whole team had to do twenty burpees.
He gave an approving smile and told me it was fine for Gavin and Keaton to leave with me.
"Come on boys!" I grabbed Gavin and Keaton by their arms. "Time to go!"
They led me to the locker rooms where I waited outside until they grabbed their stuff and changed. It felt like forever before they came out again.
"You're escorting me to this thing, right?" I asked Gavin as the three of us walked to the parking lot.
He nodded. "That's what my mom told me."
"Alright! See you later," I smiled and got into the car with Keaton.
It took only a few minutes to get home and Mom greeted me at the door with a frown. "Do not hang up on me again, young lady."
"It was an accident!" I apologized. She sent me upstairs to get ready.
I jumped in the shower and finished quickly. I picked out a pale blue sundress decorated with purple flowers to wear. After I dried my hair, I opted to leave it down. I applied a light coat of foundation and some mascara. I wasn't big on makeup.
Throwing on the dress, I heard the doorbell ring. As I found a pair purple converse to wear, people began talking downstairs. Gavin's family must've arrived.
I headed downstairs and was met by Gavin looking really nice in his crisp black tuxedo and Mrs. Melissa. Gavin's face slacked in surprise, but he quickly covered it up. Melissa squealed when she saw me, "You look so pretty."
I blushed and thanked her. The parents ordered for us to take pictures. Gavin and I awkwardly posed together. Keaton joined in on some and then him and I took some together.
Then we were off. Keaton, Gavin, and I all got into Gavin's truck and the parents all got into Melissa's car.

Im not sure if I'm going to continue this story ... but oh wellllll! Here's another chapter!

  Shoutout: madisings