The New Kid

The Big Day

“You’re going to be fine, Ryan. I know you’ll be perfect.” I said looking up to him with my arms around his neck as he looked down at me with his arms loosely around my waist.

He pecked my forehead, “I hope so. This is the biggest game of the whole season. I just want to make sure we win. As captain, I have to lead my team an—“

“And you say I talk too much! Love, I’m new to this whole ‘high school football team rivalry’ thing, but I know my boyfriend is the best football player ever.” I kissed his lips quickly. “Now, are you ready to kick some butt?!”

Ryan smiled at me and released me from his hold, “Yeah. I think I am. I’ll be looking for you in the stands.”

“I’ll bring my pom-poms.” I joked.

“Oh, please don’t. Okay, Gav. I’ll see you there.” Ryan kissed me once more before walking to his car in front of my house.

It was a rather hot November evening in the wonderful state of Texas.  The entire school had been talking about this football game for weeks now, and it was finally the big night. Our school was hosting the annual ‘rival’ game between our school and the other school in the district.

Ryan would always drop me off at my house after school so we could have ‘alone time’ and to relax together. He still had not come out to his parents or anyone at school, so we decided my house, and with my friends, would be the time we could really be the couple we wanted to be.

Ryan had been avoiding Barbara at all costs. He would always sit with me at lunch, he would ignore her texts and calls, and he even stopped going to Hooters after practices. He was really trying to show me he was committed to me even though he wasn’t open about us. Which I was okay with.

So it was the night of the big game, Michael, Lindsay, Ray, and I were all going to the game to watch it. Michael’s older brother took us all to the game and told Michael to call once the game was over. The four of us made our way to the bleachers right before the start of the game. I looked down at the field and looked for Ryan.

He was on the field with his helmet on, but I could read his jersey that read ‘Haywood’ on the back. I smiled at the memory of the first time I read that name. I assume he saw me because he waved up at me. I waved back. That’s when Ray nudged my arm and nodded his head in the direction of field where the cheerleaders stood. Barbara was turned toward me, glaring across the hundreds of people in the stands. “Crap.” I mumbled, “Do you think she saw me waving and smiling to Ryan?”

Ray shrugged, “I don’t know, dude. Maybe. Don’t worry about. Enjoy the game.” He poked me with his homemade foam finger.  

 The crowd was berserk. Banners waved, people screamed and the score board read: 28-24 with twenty seconds left in the fourth quarter. We were one touchdown away from winning the game. Although I still was unsure about how the game worked, I knew that it was a close game.

“GAVIN!” Lindsay yelled over the loud crowd, “RYAN NEEDS TO SCORE A TOUCH DOWN RIGHT NOW OR WE’LL LOSE THE GAME!”

I focused my mind on Ryan on the field huddled with his team. I tried to clear all stress I had watching my boyfriend play the most anticipated game, and just imagined how much better he’d feel if they win. Almost instantly, Ryan broke the huddle and looked right up at me. He put his hand to the face guard, waited a second, then extended his arm and point to me. He blew a kiss to me. In public. In front of everyone. He jogged back to the center of the field and crouched in formation.

The whistle blew. The crowd reduced to a dull cheer. I heard the feint sound of Ryan shouting on the field to ‘hike’ the ball. Then the pigskin fell into Ryan’s possession. The crowd began to count down the time: TEN! The players on the field smashed and rammed into each other, leaving Ryan open. EIGHT! He took a few steps left, then sprinted right. SIX! He dodged two opponents as he made his way down the field. Closer and closer to the ‘end zone’. FOUR! The crowd roared as Ryan had a clear opening. 30 yards. THREE! 20 yards. TWO! 10 yards. ONE! TOUCH DOWN!