Chapter Four: One of the Boys
Damian's POV:
"Damian!" I voice yelled. I looked behind me expecting my girlfriend, Tayla, but instead saw the new girl calling me over. I looked back at the guys. "Hey guys, I'm gonna go see what the new girl wants. I'll be right back to get on that play." I turned away and did a light jog towards her. She was actually really pretty, with her blond hair and blue eyes.
She smiled as I came into hearing distance. "So," She started, blushing a bit, which made her look more cute. Woah, did I just say that? You have a girlfriend, Damian. A voice popped up in my head. No going after the new girl. The sound of her voice brought me to attention. "I was wondering if I could join the football team for practices? You see, it's been three years since I've played and I'm just itching to get back out there to play with some real players." She looked up at me, I could tell that she expected me to say no. But I couldn't not with those puppy dog eyes looking at me like that.
Although I also couldn't say yes either because that would be unfair to the guys.
"Uh," I started. She really put me on the spot. "I'll talk to the guys about it. Come on, I'll introduce them to you." I grabbed her hand and started pulling her towards the guys. Her hand was really soft, with perfect fingernails. Too bad, I already forgot her name. That's embarrasing. We finally reached the guys and I let go of her hand. "Hey guys, this is, uh, this is--"
"My name's Autumn" She said with a smile that could stop the world from living. She showed off perfect and straight white teeth, with eyes that stated she knew she was irresistable.
"Uh," I said, trying to gather my thoughts together, when have I ever been this stupid around a girl?
"yeah, Autumn. And she was wondering if she could join us on practices." I turned to the guys.
"You're joking right?" Dixon, the kicker replied. "She'll probably break in the first five minutes!"
I opened my mouth to speak but Autumn beat me to it. "I can handle myself, you know. Let me prove it to you." She took off her heels and rolled up her pants. She walked over to the bad of footballs and chose the newest one that I just pumped to perfection. She looked back at Dixon challenging. "Go long." Was all she said. And I knew that she knew what she was doing.
~*~
Autumn/Keller's POV:
I made my over to the small audience that gathered while I was playing football. I looked around for Nick when I spotted Marlee instead. I gave her a huge smile. She quickly ran over to me and gave me a hug. "Ohmygod! It worked! You're practicing with the boys now?" She saidm, clearly happy for me.
I looked at her and smirked, "I'm one of the boys now." I started walking away when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Dixon, the only one on the football team that gave me trouble. I raised my eyebrows expectantly.
He gulped. "I'm, uh, I'm sorry for being so rude. It's just--" He stopped and gathered himself before he continued. "It's just that when Damian's girlfriend, Tayla, joins football, she 'breaks a nail' and goes off crying and the entire practice has to stop because Damian feels bad and leaves with her. You're actually really good though, especially for someone who's hasn't practiced in a while. So I'm glad to tell you that you can join the team." My mouth opened in shock, before I knew it, I gave him the biggest hug possible.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I said really happy.
He took a step back a little uncomfortable. "Uh, your welcome?" I just smiled at him which seemed to relax him a bit. "See you in practice tonight." He said before walking away to the rest of the team. I noticed that Damian was giving me the weirdest stare. Was it because I just hugged his teammate? Or because I know Marlee? I shrugged it off and walked away with Marlee.
"Hey Marlee?"
"Yeah?" She replied.
"Can you come to my car with me? I want to change out of these sweaty clothes."
"Alright! Sure!" She said. And with that, we were headed to the car.
~*~
After changing into some more comfortable clothes, a pair of jean short-shorts and a coral halter top, I made my way to the cafeteria to meet up with Nick. I looked around and noticed that a lot of people were staring at me, which was really weird. As I step foot into the cafeteria, the cheerleaders rushed up to me. I saw that Tayla Woods was in the crowd as well.
"Hey!" A cheerleader said, "I'm Kayla Brown. You're the new girl right?"
"Um, yeah?"
Another cheerleader came up to me. "I'm Tiffany Alvord. You're name's Autumn." She said matter-of-factly. She continued, "And your best friends with Nicholas Kipp?" And it felt like a slap in the face. So this is why they were bugging me, all because I'm best friends with Hollywood's Golden Boy. I looked around the cafeteria and saw the footballers. I made my way through the crowd of preppy cheerleaders and walked up to the tables. Everyone's head turned.
"Hey," I started. "Can I sit with you guys?" I lowered my voice. "Those cheerleaders are really starting to scare me."
"Sure" One of the guys said. And they moved over to make room for me. I turned to the person sitting next to me.
"I'm Autumn."
"Luke" He replied. Luke had black curly hair and deep brown eyes. I approved.
"So Autumn," A voice asked, I looked over to the person, "I'm Jake. And where are you from?" Jake had blond shaggy hair and green eyes, he reminded me of the surfers back home.
"I'm from California." I replied.
"That explains your really nice tan." Another voice popped up, I noticed that he had brown hair and hazel eyes. "I'm Ben, by the way."
"Hi Ben," I said. "And thanks." I added a small smile in there for good measure.
And before I knew it, I was getting along with the football players, learning all their names and really getting to know them. Maybe the comment I said to Marlee earlier really was true, maybe I am becoming one of the boys. I looked up and noticed Damian sitting right accross from me and staring right at me, deep in thought like I've always known him to be. He looked really good and changed since the last time I saw him. Maybe times have changed and he really got oveer losing me. But if he figures out who I am, I don't know what would happen.
As I finished eating with the guys, I felt really happy. I really did fit into a group, and it made me feel good. And the butterflies in my stomach settled for the first time in years.
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A/N: If you've read this far of the novel, I would really appreciate it if you voted!
Teaser: Tayla Woods is about to come into the picture... For good or bad? AND A new character or two is coming in to play with Autumn's game... I wonder who it is?
Update: Next Monday or Tuesday!! :)
