Truly Free // COMPLETED

33. Powderpuff

G R A Y | POV

"The fact that you thought this was a good idea worries me," Addison stares at the piece of paper, wide-eyed. We graduate in two weeks and the seniors have been working to put together a fundraiser Powderpuff game. Howard and I thought it would be funny to sign Addy up to play; obviously we were wrong.

"I think it'll be great! You didn't do soccer this year, so why not do this?"

She looks at me like I'm crazy.

"What does that have to do with anything? I was fine just going to watch, but now I have to play! Mrs. Morgan made me a jersey already," Addison complains. "I suck at flag football, too. I'll make a fool out of myself."

"Well you have the rest of the week to practice, doll. I'll help you," I say. Even though she's still fuming, I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her towards the front doors of the school. "Now let's get out of here."

.....

"Go long!"

Addison runs to the other end of my yard, looking at me, waiting for the ball to sail through the air. I let it fly towards her and hope she catches it. Surprisingly, the ball lands perfectly in her arms.

"Now go go go! Go for the other end!"

She takes off running across the yard. I turn to run after her, not sure if I can catch her. The makeshift flag she has chip-clipped to her shorts is flapping behind her, taunting me. I've never actually had to chase her before and man is she fast.

She makes it to the other side of the yard, grinning like a fool.

"Okay, good. Now, give me your flag and try to catch me," I request. Addison has done very well in our "practices" after school. The big game is tomorrow and I think she'll do really good. I wouldn't have signed her up if I doubted her.

I run to the opposite fence and wait for her to throw me the ball. Once she does, I catch it and bolt across the yard. She comes after me at an angle and reaches out for my "flag" , barely missing it. I try to push a little harder, but she also has a similar idea as she quickly gains speed and rips the flag off my shorts.

"Well then," I pant, "I think you're ready for a real game!"

.....

Walking into the football field today feels weird without Addison's presence. Howard and I make our way to a row of bleachers where we know the girls can see us. The girls. Funny how that happened.

The junior girls take the field, earning a round of boos from the senior side of bleachers, where we sit. Soon after, the senior girls come running out and we spot Nat, Ashley, and Addison in the mix. Howard and I stand up and scream along with the rest of the seniors up here. Ashley sees us first, waving. She turns to the other two and they do the same.

The two teams take their position on the line of scrimmage, the seniors in pink shirts and black shorts, the juniors in black shirts and pink shorts. Surprisingly, they made Addison wide receiver. God help us, please. Okay, she really isn't that terrible, but seriously they couldn't have gotten a softball girl or...