perseverance

forgotten faces

Skylar's POV

It was Monday morning and the whole town of Dillon was buzzing about the game opener of the season on Friday. Everyone was so concerned about the fact that we had gotten a new coach, Coach Taylor. I was interested to see what he was going to do with the team as well, but that was all the town could talk about. It was all the town could ever talk about and it was annoying. I could hear the radio on that my parents were listening to, and sure enough they were talking about Coach Taylor. I rolled my eyes to myself and continued getting ready for school. I made my way into my bathroom and took a look in the mirror. Still wearing my tight tank top that showed my toned, tan stomach and my small pajama shorts, I grabbed my toothbrush. After brushing my teeth, I started working on my makeup. I didn't do anything to drastic but I still wanted to look decent. So, I threw on some concealer, bronzer, highlighter, a little eyeshadow, mascara, and to top it off lipgloss. My hair was a mess so I threw in a low, messy bun knowing I had a long day ahead of me anyway. My appearance was something I liked to keep up, so I decided to wear a tan and white body suit, pairing it with a jean jacket and some leggings. I threw on my plain black low top converse and some jewelry to dress it up a little bit. 

I made my way downstairs grabbing my backpack and my prepacked volleyball/cheer bag. Yes, I am a cheerleader for the Dillon Panthers. As much as I would love to say I hate football, I can't. I love football and cheering under the Friday night lights every week. It gives me a feeling I can't explain. However, I cannot say the same for the football players I cheer for. This town has given these boys the biggest heads possible and continue to do so. Some of them are good like Matt Saracen, Jason Street, and even Smash isn't a horrible person just a little cocky. 

"Hi darling. How'd you sleep?" my father asked as he made his way over to plant a kiss on my forehead. I smiled at him.

"Good daddy. I gotta get going to school. I'll see you at dinner. Love you." I replied.

When I got to school, I was greeted by everyone's smiles. I love the school I go to. I wouldn't say I was super popular, but I wasn't a loser either. For the majority, everyone knew who I was in the school and some just chose to not acknowledge me such as some of the stars of the Dillon Panthers football team. Not that it bothered me though. I wouldn't be able to put up with their ego. As far as friends go, I was pretty nice to everyone so that left me friends with almost anyone including Tyra, Lyla, and some other cheerleaders. However, I was only good friends with girls from the volleyball team and now Julie Taylor. I met Julie when she first moved here because of my dad. My father is one of the assistant coaches on the football team therefore introducing me to her through Coach Taylor. She is one of the very few girls in this school to dislike the football players even more than I do. We can talk about other things than football and that is very rare in this school. 

School flew by and before I knew it, it was time for volleyball practice. I take volleyball as serious as the whole town does football. It's my life, and I have worked very hard towards my future with it. Right now I am only a junior, so I'm technically not allowed to commit anywhere for sports yet but I have been in contact with a few coaches so far. Practice was simple today and ended early, so I got to head down to cheer practice without rushing. I kept on my same spandex and changed into a tight Dillon Panthers tank top that showed some of my stomach, knowing it was going to be hot. I made my way down to the field and immediately rolled my eyes at the sight. The media was everywhere interviewing football players left and right. The women's volleyball team has been state runner-ups the past two years in a row and no one in the school even acknowledges it because everyone is too caught up in football. We have some of the best players in the state, me included, and no one even recognizes our talent. It's just annoying that they get all the credit when we have been just as successful, if not more. I start walking to the group of cheerleaders who are waiting for practice to start, giggling at the football team constantly. 

As I walk behind the interviewers, I notice they are interviewing Tim Riggins. I began listening to what they were saying. 

"That dude could be Santa Clause and I still wouldn't like him. My name is Tim Riggins and I, uh, play fullback." I hear him say. I stifled a laugh at his comment referring to Smash. Hey, at least he's honest.

"It's known you're one of the more aggressive players. What do you find appealing about that?" the interviewer asked. 

"I just like to hurt people. Just put em down." He replied. I shrug my shoulders at his response. Once again. Honest. I looked back up to see they ended his interview and made eye contact with him in the first time ever since I started going to school here. He gave me a little side smile as his eyes raked over my body. I rolled my eyes at him and began stretching for practice. I took one last glance at him and he looked at me confused. I'm sure Mr. Bigshot isn't used to rejection. 

Cheer practice was almost over as I saw football practice was on the same time schedule. They had Riggins in a circle beating the living shit out of him since he showed up to practice half-drunk. I started to smile to myself. That's what you get. I almost felt kind of bad for him but it is his fault after all. 

Practice was finally over and we all started heading back to the locker room. I just wanted to grab my stuff and go home to shower. My body was exhausted and I didn't even get my usual run in. Oh well, I'll do it tomorrow. Of course the football team was walking back around the same time as well. 

"Hey new girl!" I hear someone shout. I was super confused since there wasn't anyone new that I knew about. So I turned around and see Tim Riggins running towards me with about three other players behind him including Saracen, Street, and Smash just watching with smiles on their faces. Oh god I whispered under my breath. 

Tim's POV

We had a water break at practice and I couldn't help but stare over at the cheerleaders, and see the new girl. Damn she was hot. She was all sweaty from the heat, and her shirt was tight which allowed me to see her stomach. Her spandex looked damn good on her. She definitely had a nice ass. Easily, I think she could be the hottest girl in the school. I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but the other guys seemed to notice real quick. 

"Hey Riggins! What're you staring at? Or should I ask who?" Smash asked. 

"You see that girl over there? The one with the spandex and the nice ass? She's new and I want her." I said.

"She ain't-" Matt started but was soon cut off by Smash.

"I say you go for it Riggins. Talk to her after practice." Smash said. I smiled at him. I just might. 

Practice ended and I see the new girl walking up to the locker room and decided to take my chance. 

"Hey new girl!" I shouted. Her head hesitantly turned around and she looked at me confused. I finally caught up to her and held out my hand for her to shake.

"Hi. I'm Tim Riggins." I say to her with my hand still held out. She scoffed at me and rolled her eyes for what seems the third time at me today. I gave her a puzzled look as I watched her cross her arms over her chest.

"I know who you are." she firmly stated. I smirked at her. 

"Oh so you've heard of me? Probably from football." I said while I fixed  my hair so it was out of my face.

"No Tim. I know who you are because I've been going to the same school as you since kindergarten. Oh and I've been cheering your ass on since seventh grade." she stated as she turned on her heels and began walking away, leaving me standing along to watch her retreating figure. Man does she have a nice ass. I was so confused though. How could I not notice her before? I turned to look at the group of laughing boys. It hit me.

"You guys knew!" I yelled while pointing a finger to them.

"Hey man that's what you get for coming to practice drunk. Besides, she way out of your leauge man. She's like a straight A student and has D1 offers for volleyball. Not to mention, she's fine as hell and is also super nice, so the complete opposite of you. Forget about it Rigs. " Smash said as he slapped me on the back of the head while walking by. I could still see her figure walking ahead of us, and I thought to myself. I don't know if I can.