Donovan's POV~
"Ready! Set! Hike!" We all instantly start running towards the player with the ball. Trying to stop him from either throwing the ball. Or running with it. His teammates blocking us from getting to him. As we all surround him, making him take a few steps back before throwing the ball high into the air. We all watch as the ball goes over our heads, and over to a person wearing a hoodie.
"Look out!" someone yelled.
The person quickly turns around. But instead of trying to dodge it, he does a single backflip. Kicking the football straight up. Landing back on his feet the strangers hood fell off. Reveling Ian looking up at the sky. Watching the ball come back down. Once the ball is within reach, Ian does another flip--this time to the side--sending the ball back towards us. We all watch as the ball hits Drayden right in the stomach and sends him falling to the ground.
We all turn back to Ian, mouths open and eyes wide, as he stands straight, a gasp leaving his mouth. Probably realizing himself what he just did. Stepping forward I try to make some word come out, but don't know what to exactly say to him.
Ian then looked over to the right and dashed straight into the woods. Disappearing behind the pine trees. We all continue to look at the trees for probably a good five minutes until we all hear a loud groan.
Turning around I see Drayden still on the ground, clutching the ball to his stomach. Everyone quickly rushes to him. Asking if he's okay.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Just help me get up," he says putting his arms up in the air. Two people go on each side and lift him up by the armpits. "Man, that guy sure packs a hard kick," he said rubbing his butt. Bending down Drayden grabbed the football from the ground and looks around. "C'mon, let's keep playing before the sun goes down or that dud comes back."
Everyone nods in agreement and goes back to their teams.
*****
When I get home I see my moms car in the driveway. She probably got the night off today. Taking my keys out of my pocket, I proceed to open the door. Immediately I am greeted by Bella.
"Hey girl!" I said patting her head. "Mom I'm home!" I call out into the house.
Heading over to the kitchen I grab Bella's food bowl and dog food. Filling her tray with food, I set it on the ground for her to eat. She quickly eats up the small bone shaped food. Patting her head I leave her to eat in peace. The sound of people cheering fills the house. Meaning someone is watching TV.
Heading over to the living room I see my mom and Tyler on the couch. A cat in each of their laps. Watching closely to the show that is currently on.
"Hey mom," I say once I enter the living room.
"Hey, hon. Where have you been?" she asks looking away from the TV to give me a warm smile.
"Just at the park; playing some football with my friends," I say going to sit on the armrest to the right of her arm. On the screen, I see that they are watching some sort of game show.
"Have you already eaten? I made some chili if you want some," she said putting her attention back to the TV screen.
"Nah, I'm good. I ate before going out," getting up from the couch I start heading toward the stairs. "I'll be in my room doing my homework if you need me."
"Alright Don, I'll be down here," she said waving her hand in dismissal. I start climbing the stairs with Bella right behind me.
My mom and Tyler never really got along with Bella. They are more cat people than dog people. They each even have their own cats. I was very surprised when my dad got her for my birthday. I had to practically beg my mom like a small child just so I can keep her. But after my dad talked to her and I was my hand and knees, she finally let me keep her. The only person who it wasn't hard to convince was Joe. Since he was barely ever home he couldn't care less.
As I open my door, Bella quickly rushed in and jumped onto my bed.
"Bella no! Down, now!" I said pointing to the ground. Bella happily wagged her tail and rolled over. Laying on her back with her paws up in the air. "Ugh. What am I going to do about you?" I say shaking my head and patting her belly.
Heading over to my desk I take out my homework and begin with math.
Thirty minutes later I am completely confused on the problems. Closing my book I decide on asking Ian for help tomorrow.
What Ian did at the park instantly came to mind. Not only did Ian do a backflip, but he also kicked the ball straight up and right to Drayden. The look Ian had on his face was a look of pure shock. Like he couldn't believe what he did. There was also another look on his face. A look of fear. Yet he only had that look of fear after he glanced towards the trees. Then when he ran, he ran faster than anyone I have ever seen in my life. He probably ran faster than a 100-meter Olympic runner.
I know that I don't really know Ian all that well since I barely saw him after seventh grade. But could Ian really have changed from a small, shy, and quiet kid to a back-flipping, fast-running, boy lovin' guy?
Going to my bed, I bent down and took out my box of yearbooks. Going through them I find my eighth grade one. I quickly flip through it until I come to the portraits. Alphabetically I try to find Ian's last name, Garcia. As I go through the "G's" I suddenly come up to the "H's". Not seeing Ian's last name. Confused, I look through the names again. But still not finding it with our classmates. Flipping to the Band page I try to pinpoint Ian's face. But only see his friends, Kailin and Irylen. No Ian around or between them. Going to the beginning of the yearbook I start to look through the entire fifty plus pages, for the black haired, glasses wearing, super smart boy. After scanning five times, to make sure I didn't miss it, I came to the conclusion that his picture was not in the yearbook. Not even the class picture where we made the year. Now I'm even more confused. How did Ian come out to our class if he wasn't even in our school in eighth grade?
A soft knock came from the door, making me look up from my yearbook. The door opened to reveal my mother in her pajamas an orange and black cat at her feet.
"Donovan it's time to go to sleep. You have school tomorrow, remember?" she said looking at me and nudging her head to the clock. Looking over I see that it's nearly midnight. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing just looking through my yearbook," I say closing the book and putting it back into the box. Sliding the box back under my bed.
Giving me a strange look she slowly starts closing the door and says, "Alright. Goodnight."
"Night," I call back.
Going over to my closet I grab some clothes and a towel. Opening my door I head down the hall to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I put my hand under the water and wait for it to become warm. Once it's the right temperature, I strip off my clothes. Stepping into the running water, I let it run over me. Warming me up in the process.
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[Posted on October 31, 2014]
[Edited January 27, 2018]
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The Tutor (boyxboy)
عاطفيةIan tutored Donovan back when they were in seventh grade. Back then Ian was shy, quiet, and rarely ever made himself the center of attention. Though being a bright and talented young student didn't really help with that since his teachers will alway...
