His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

Chapter 3

I laid awake for hours when my alarm finally blared through the darkness of my room.  With a groan I reached over, smacking my hand down on the clock to silence the obnoxious sound that had drowned out the peaceful silence of early morning.  With a sigh I dragged myself from the comfort of my bed before quickly pulling on my cheer uniform. When I finished, I headed for the bathroom to prepare for the first day of senior year.  I combed out my hair then tied it back with the oversized maroon bow that matched our uniform before applying a light layer of makeup to complete the look.

I slowly made my way downstairs, not quite ready for the day.  We had to arrive to school early for the pep-rally to figure out what football player we would be paired with for the season.  Luckily for me my mom greeted me with a plate of warm eggs and a glass of orange juice as I entered the kitchen.

"Hey sweetie, how did you sleep last night?"  Although her smile was typically contagious all I could offer was a frown.  "That bad?"

"You have no idea," I slid onto the barstool to eat my breakfast.

"So, do you know who the captains are for the football team this year?"

I knew she asked because our captains were always paired with theirs for rallies and game day entries.  "I'm not sure.  Sean said some players were pretty upset at who the coach had chosen this year."

"Did he say why?"  She glanced up from her coffee curiously.

"No, but I also didn't ask."  I shrugged as I shoveled the last bite of eggs into my mouth.  "I should get going though or I'm going to be late."  I rinsed my plate and set it in the sink before placing a quick kiss on my mom's cheek and hurrying out the door with my book-bag.

     I pulled into my usual spot in the parking lot and spotted Sean and Becca waiting on the curb for me.  Gathering my things, I climbed down from my jeep.  "Hey guys."

"Hey babe," Sean said cheerfully as he pulled me in tight and smothered me in kisses.  I mustered a smile, but it faded quickly when I spotted someone with familiar wavy hair and a jersey reading Holland across the back.  "You okay?"  He questioned as I tensed in his arms.

"What is he doing here?"  Becca and Sean followed my gaze until their eyes landed on him as well.

Sean sneered at the sight of him, "He's our new co-captain.  I didn't tell you because I knew it would have upset you."

"He hasn't played since middle-school.  Why is he playing now?"  Becca pushed, it was as if she had torn the words from my tongue.

"He said it was his last chance to play so he wanted to take it.  Coach was over the moon, he had been bugging him about coming out for the team since freshmen year."  The bitterness in his tone was apparent.  Everyone knew that Sean did not have an ounce of respect or tolerance for Isaac.  The only thing he appreciated about the guy was that he left me in the dust.

Sean had always had a crush on me, but Isaac had always been in his way and if I'm being honest, he always would be.  I knew when I agreed to be his girlfriend I was only settling because I couldn't have the one person I truly wanted.

"Alright everyone let's head into the gym so we can match you up with your partners for the season," Coach Johnston, the head coach of the football team, called out.  We all followed, the hushed whispers fading out as we filtered inside.  "Okay, so Ms. McClary and I discussed these pairings in great detail, and they will not be changed.  If you would like to request a change please do so in private, and you better have a good excuse."

Ms. McClary, the cheer coach, stepped forward.  "When you hear your name please come forward.  As always to keep with tradition our co-captains will be paired together."  Sean gave my hand a light squeeze, we had been paired together the previous two years.  "Sean Montgomery and Becca Travers, you will lead the charge."  Sean looked at me with wide eyes but complied, he and Becca walking together to begin the line.  "Next if I could have Isaac Holland and Emily Lahey."  My stomach flipped and I nearly lost the contents of my stomach, but I held it together as I made my way behind Becca.  Isaac stood beside me only a few seconds later, his arm brushing against my own.