Entering the house he grew up in for 15 years, Mike was as nervous as he had ever been in his life. He opened the door slowly preparing for the worst.
When his parents saw his face thier worry and panic was lifted. Ben and his lovely wife were not mad. They were worried about what happened to Mike.
"We thought something bad happened to you, you were supposed to be home hours ago." Said Ben
"I'm sorry.. I couldn't stay off the feild, I had to practice today. Dad I'm the starting quarterback... the team needs me."
"So you lied to us"??? Shouted Ben Taylor
"Yes dad I lied to you, but I can't stop playing football. I love the game, and without football I feel incomplete."
"Well your grounded... you can play football and go to school but ur stuck in this house all weekend." Ben said with a sober tone.
"Yes sir"
Mike was ready for practice the next day. The kids did there normal picking and punching on him when they could, behind the coach's back. Mike was more focused today then he had ever been before. The way he played showed that he was in the zone. Coach called play after play Taylor made every throw and every hand off. After practice Mike Taylor did not wait for everyone to leave the locker room. He wanted to try and change his team's idea of him. Mike went into the dressing room and cleared his throat loudly.
"Guys great pratice..tomorrow is game day I want everyone to be ready for kickoff."said Mike with authority.
"Shut you're mouth no one likes you, ur not the leader of this team. We all want you gone. You came here and stole the spotlight, and none of us like it."
Mike put his head down and started grabbing his things to leave. Just as the quarterback turned around, dillion Johnson ran up behind him. Dillion the ex starting quarterback planted a fist into the back of Mike's skull. The other kids all watched in awe as Mike went face first into his locker. Johnson continued to pound Mike's ribs on both side left then right, then left again. A faint cracking sound could be heard with every hit.Wails were let out by the new found star, but no one stepped in to stop the beating. Once the beating was over everyone left the locker.Mike taylor limped away holding his ribs. Due to the pain the young boy could barley stand up.
