premonition [s.m]

5

Shivers ran through Sabrina as she stepped into the lot.

The weather was cold and the rain had stopped, but there was still a faint fog lingering around. It reminded her of the graveyard during his funeral. The whole stadium on both sides were a sea of pink and she smiled at the thought of their rivals putting the dislike to the side and wearing pink for support. Sabrina walked through the entrance and found Principal Peterson waiting for her. He was bundled up and held a cup out for her that she gladly took.

"It's hot cocoa." He told her.

"Thank you." She replied.

"The game doesn't start for another fifteen, so we're going to wait underneath the stands." He told her and Sabrina nodded. Together they walked past security and got onto the sidelines of the field where they walked underneath the stands. Underneath the stands were two locker rooms, a weight room, the coaches offices, and even a small dance room for the cheerleaders and dancers to leave their bags and practice their routines.

It was always so loud under here, but today it was finally quiet. Sabrina was joined by the superintendent and the coaches as they all talked to her and gave her smiles.

"Coach, glad to see you." Superintendent Astaire said as Coach Brett walked up to them.

He gave a smile and a nod as he joined the small group and turned his attention to Sabrina. "Sabrina, would you mind coming with me to the locker room? I believe the boys could use your words."

"Sure, Coach. I'd love to." She replied. The pair left and Coach Brett excused himself to the bathroom and Sabrina heard the sound of the sink being turned on and she knew it was a trick used to hide sobs. Sabrina stood outside the door to the locker room and heard silence.

"It's never this quiet." Shawn said as he stood outside the locker room for the last practice. Sabrina held onto her duffel as she looked at him. "There's always noise or music. I wonder if anyone is here. Am I early?"

"Go in and see." Sabrina replied.

And now as she stood outside the locker room, Sabrina wished that she had recorded Shawn's reaction that day when he opened the locker room door to find his whole team throwing towels, socks, and even their cups at him while they shouted Happy Birthday at him. Sabrina opened the door to the locker room and didn't even have to raise her voice as she said, "Girl coming in."

She set her drink down on a table to let it cool off as she walked in and saw the team just looking glum and quiet. Some were leaning against their lockers, some on their knees, some sitting down.

Troy sat down on the ground with his arms around his knees. His hair was braided back in two small french braids and he rocked slowly back and forth.

"Coach told me something was off with you guys." Sabrina said. "How you guys feeling?"

"Scared." Roger said. It was more of a mutter, but it was enough to sound loud in the quiet room.

"You've never played without him have you?" She asked the team.

"He has the stomach flu and still played." Brandon said.

Sabrina nodded her head. "Yeah. I remember that." The memory of Shawn making a touchdown then quickly removing his helmet to throw up near the sidelines came into Sabrina's mind. "I know he always led the prayer, too."

"Always." Roger nodded.

"Always, baby." Shawn voice popped into the room and Sabrina looked at the boys to see if they heard it too, but no one even noticed.