Girl's Got Game

Part 16

Let's just say October McCallister kicks butt.

Tryouts rocked. I mean, seriously, they didn't know what was coming. I guess some people don't appreciate getting tackled by a girl, since I was basically chased off the field afterwards.

The whole tryout went a little like this:

12:00 noon- I arrive at the field, all geared out. I can't take my helmet off until I'm actually on the team, so I walk with Chase. Everyone knows him, so they probably won't question me. Chase's dad is running the tryout, so I should be safe. Speaking of Chase, he's kind of quiet. Not even quiet, he's silent. He has nothing to worry about, being the quarterback and all, so something's definitely up.

"Dude, you haven't spoke two words to me."

He remains emotionless.

"Say something. I'm giving up on you."

Normally, he would've scowled, as he hates that song. But he keeps up his poker face.

"What the heck is wrong with you?"

Still not even eye contact.

Seeing this is going nowhere, I do what I've been trained to do. I take a few steps back and tackle him from behind.

"WHAT THE HECK, TOBY?"

Finally.

"What's your problem? That's the only thing I've heard you say all day."

He looks away for a moment. Nevermind, he just looks away.

"Nothin'. I'm just tired I guess."

Liar.

"Well whatever. I'm gonna find out whether you like it or not."

"Fine." He tries to change the subject. "You going to the party next week?"

"Vanessa's birthday party? You got invited to that?" I thought I was just special.

"Yepp. Her bro needs some company that's actually interesting."

12:10- Tryouts have officially started. We start out by running a mile for warm ups and then go into the drills. I start at the agility post. I have pretty fast feet, so it's all easy. Chase and I race to see who has the better time. According to the other kid in our group, a husky linebacker, I beat him by a smidgen of a second. Haha sucker.

We move on to the tackle drills, which Chase beat me by only a little since he's ten feet tall and I'm a midget compared to him. We all pale in comparison to the linebacker, Jimmy, though. He's actually really nice and gave me a few pointers.

The passing station stands next to the tackle station. Chase and I tie here, both of us excelling at Hail Mary's. I help Jimmy here, repaying the favor.

During all of this, my braid, which I tucked securely into my helmet, comes loose. Being so into the game, I barely notice until Jimmy comes up behind me and whispers, "Number 22, watch your hair." Gosh. I hope he doesn't come to the realization that I'm a female. The other coaches wouldn't be happy.

After doing the drills, we scrimmage. I'm put at running back since I'm still smaller than most of the kids, but I can still kick butt here.

Chase is my QB, so we have an advantage of playing together for years. We know each other's strengths. As we drive down to the 20 yard line, Chase hands the ball off to me. I see an open hole in the line, and run through it with all I've got. Jimmy, who's on the other team, noticed this and comes straight at me. I run faster than before, and barely miss his outstretched arms. Into the end zone I go.

1:30- The team goes wild. First TD scored yet. I've made my mark. My team comes up and slaps me on the head, and some of them on the butt (it's a football thing). Well that's awkward, and I can't do anything. I wonder what they'll do when they find out I'm a girl. Chase seems very annoyed at this. I'm actually glad I'm not the only one.

I play wide receiver next, and we score a few more times. We had solidly crushed the other team. Chase threw five TDs. I am actually really proud of him.

3:00- We wait by our equipment for awhile until they announce the roster. I have my fingers crossed. Most of the guys have taken off their helmets. I'm sitting by Chase and Jimmy, who I now realize are best friends from school. Funny, I've never met Jimmy before. Must be new. Oh, and did I mention Jimmy's a ginger? His hair is legit orange. I'm jealous.

Chase's dad walks to the front of the field. "Hey, boys." He sends me a funny face at that. "All of us coaches have come to an agreement here today. Our team will be..." He reads a bunch of names off the list. Chase and Jim are read, and then I hear my name. Toby McCallister, running back.

Hey, that's pretty good.

All the guys throw off their helmets and run around, chest bumping each other and celebrating. Well, I guess it's now or never.

I slowly unlatch my chinstrap and raise the helmet off me head. I French braided me hair back so it wouldn't show, and it did a good job of staying in. I can feel all the eyes on me. Chase's dad starts laughing real loud, and fist bumps me. Someone slaps me on the back, and I turn around to Jimmy smiling like an idiot at Chase.

"Knew you could do it, McCallister."

Chase is so dead for telling.

Another coach comes up to me, shocked out of his mind. "You're a girl?"

His mouth is wide open. Gonna catch flies in it.

"Yepp, David and Ricky McCallister's darling little sister." Chase's dad comes up behind us. "Any team that has a McCallister on it always wins the championship. Happens every year. So we can say little Toby here is our good luck charm?"

The other coach still looks shocked. "I mean, she's good for a girl. Maybe even for a guy. But is it against the rules?"

"Not in the handbook." Chase smirks. "I guess we have to keep her now."

And this is how I made the team.