Love in a Touchdown

Part 10

By the time we got to Bruce's house it was a quarter after 9, but everyone knows you show up soon after the designated time, fashionably late if you will. He lived in the Suburbs on the other side town. There were cars lining his massive driveway leading up to the mansion.

I parked my bike near the entrance gate next to a beautiful ford mustang. It was a rare color I have never seen before in my life. Gee, I may be one of them, but it never ceased to amaze me how many people had dough around here.

Olive was acting like she was already tipsy, but that was just typical "Liv party-mode." That is one of the reasons we were friends. I was grounded, she taught me how to live a little. I helped her become more rooted and structured. We were more like sisters than anything. Sometimes, I regret not sharing the sorrows of my life, but at the same time, I didn't think anyone else needed to be involved.

Until the trial, I wouldn't even let Olive know where I live for fear of how he would treat her. If I brought the guys over, he would act all cool, but then start trash talking about me, his own daughter. He would probably say something like, "She's only on the football team so she can get into your pants, cause we all know she doesn't actually have talent," or "If you were prettier maybe you would actually have a chance with one of them." So, yea, having people over? Out of the question.

We got off, tucking our helmets against the bike, and beginning our decent to glorious house. It wasn't long before the music reached our ears; it was almost as if the entire house was shaking. Normally the song choices weren't that stellar, but this one wasn't half bad. We were currently listening to Youngblood by 5 Seconds Of Summer. I was kinda surprised, mostly cause it was a boy band. However, I was not complaining.

Olive squealed and started giggling as we approached the door. Me? Well, I did my signature shake of the head and eye roll. "Come on let's get this crap over with," I said grabbing her wrist and pushing the door open.

To say there were people everywhere would be an understatement. There were high school, and maybe even college students, as far as the eye can see. Some dancing, some drinking, and some sticking their tongues down each others' throats like their lives depended on it. I wanted to yell my signature line that I say when they do the same in the halls, 'Get a room!" But even in this mansion, there wouldn't be enough for all of them and their gross PDA. Not to mention the ones that were already taken for... unspoken reasons.

Olive immediately ditched me after that, like usual, claiming she was going to get a drink and to come find her later. She also gave me strict instructions not to meet her until after 11 at the earliest. So, I decided to go find some of the guys, cause they are basically the only teenagers with minimal drama in their lives. For that I would forever envy. Drama, crisis, it all seemed to follow me. I lived in its shadow, always wary of the consequences of human nature. Some say that people change people and I believe that is true only because it's true that people hurt people.

Bruce was chilling with Tanner, Chase, Dylan, and some of the other team in the conjoined kitchen/living room. They all were pretty confounded when they saw me, but as soon as the name 'Olive' left my mouth the immediately understood. There is nothing I wouldn't do for that girl.

This was the least crowded of all the rooms, and for that I was thankful. There were masses of students I didn't even know. All from different schools around here. I'd question how they heard about this party, but EVERYONE knew Bruce, so it was no astonishment. Some of them I recognized as football players from other schools.

Oh crap on a hot day! Football players. Other schools. Football players from other schools. My mind immediately went to the memory from the Friday night in Stadium lights. The one that ended with my knuckles seriously invested in a another player's nose. I was hoping with my life that he wasn't there. For my sake as much as his. If he was, who knows what he'd do to aggravate me and then I may lash out like I did at the game... If not worse.

My eyes wandered around to the decor in the living room, taking in all of the sights before me. It was a standard room with family pictures and Bruce's trophies everywhere. My vision landed on Bruce's Dad's showcase. His stuff was neatly displayed from his pro ball days. It was when I focused on the baseball bat that my mind went to a dark place. It was a Louisville Slugger, the same type my "father" used to beat me with when he was in a particularly bad mood. Suddenly, my breaths became very rapid, and next thing I know I'm sitting on the floor hugging my knees. My chest felt like someone was putting rocks on it; applying more and more pressure until it felt like my air pipe was no longer allowing breath into my lungs.

I vaguely heard voices but I couldn't see the figures approaching me clearly. It was as if everything I was seeing was through a kaleidoscope, you know what is there but you can form the shapes because it all meshes together. Next thing I know someone is wrapping me in their arms. If anything this should freak me out more. I mean, the last person who hugged me was my mom after the first beating I took for her. For some reason, it didn't bother me, it felt good for once to be comforted, even if, because of current circumstances, I didn't even know who it was. All I knew is it was a well-built guy that smelled good and vaguely familiar.