Black and Blue

71 Days to Blizzard

"It's officially November and I'm still dead inside," a football player stretched and plopped down onto the bleachers.

"Kill me now. I've got four assignments from Math alone," another guy said, lying on his back across the bleachers.

"Jason, Blake It's cold out here," Keith was huddled up in his leather jacket and red scarf. He crossed his legs to conserve more heat.

Blake threw a football into the air then caught it as he lied down, "Don't be a baby."

Another jock stood to hit Blake's football out of the air, "Don't be a douche."

"Joey, what the fuck?" Blake threw his hands up in annoyance as he returned to an upright position.

Keith stopped listening to burrow deeper into his clothes. Keith hated the cold. He didn't make friends easily, but these jocks: Jason, Blake, and Joey took him under their wing. Keith didn't understand why. He didn't have any connections and he didn't play any sports. He just shrugged it off as weird football player behavior. Jason was a pale boy with short black hair and a sharp jawline. Blake was a short boy with tan skin and shoulder-length wavy brown hair. Joey was a big, muscular guy with dark skin and buzzed black hair. The tune of Lance's name in the air caught his attention. He turned to the group to listen.

"I swear I'll get him one day," Blake leaned back to rest his elbows on the next row of bleachers.

"You won't get to lay a finger on him and you know it," Joey teased.

"His family will sue your ass for everything on ya," Jason added, picking his teeth with a toothpick.

Blake stomped his foot in anger, "Well he better not touch my girl again!"

"Hold on," Keith interrupted, uncovering his face from the red scarf, "What are you talking about?" His warm breath was visible in the cold autumn air.

Joey pointed to Blake with his thumb and leaned towards Keith, "Rumor has it: Lance McClain slept with his girl."

Keith laughed hard, "That never happened."

Blake jumped up to lean his elbows on his knees, "Why are you so sure?"

Keith's voice was laced with misbelief, "I mean," he glanced at each of their faces unsure of how to put it, "Come on. Lance?"

"Whats that supposed to mean?" Blake shoved his shoulder.

"Just," Keith scolded himself, "That wouldn't happen."

The guys eyed him suspiciously. Blake leaned back, "Either way, I still don't like the guy."

Keith pulled out his phone, ignoring the guys bantering.

K: you get home alright?

L: Yeah. Today was tiring.

Keith unwrapped a red sucker and stuck it in his mouth.

K: The guys are talking about you.

L: What are they talking about?

The football Blake had been playing with hit Keith in the shoulder and he lowered his phone to stare at him, "Could you not?"