The Story of Us

The Big Game

I drove straight to Ally's house. Her parents loved me, so they said I could stay. I would bunk with Ally—like we always did when I stayed the night. Tonight was the big game. And Ally was pestering me to go.

“Please, Rae?!” she pleaded for the fifth time.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I'm playing,” Thomas stepped in.

I sighed. “I don't know a thing about football.”

“Just cheer when our side cheers. It'll be fun!” she squeaked.

“Fine,” I said standing up. “I'll go.”

“Let's go!” Thomas hooted and we all ran out to his pick up.

Thomas drove and Ally sat in the middle. The school wasn't far from their house. It wasn't far from anyone's house, really. Thomas parked the truck and Ally and I went to buy tickets. I told her I'd find seats if she went to get snacks. I walked around, seeing familiar faces of the school. One caught my eye and I picked up my pace. What did he want now? I heard my name being called, but didn't look back.

“I'm talking to you!” Jacob's voice boomed in my ear. I felt his rough hand squeeze my arm.

“Let me go,” I whispered, not looking at him.

“How are you here?” he asked.

“I'm not stupid,” I said, my voice lowering.

“I'll see you around, Rachel,” he said letting go and I ran to the closest empty bleacher. I just sat and gazed out onto the field. Both teams going over the... Whatever it was they went over. The Houston—or Dickinson as I've heard people say—Gators weren't that good. Us West-brook Bobcats were awesome. We had lost a few games, but we didn't suck like the Gators.

“Hey,” Ally said. “You okay?”

I nodded, trying to forget the Jacob incident. “What'd you get?”

“Everything,” she laughed, holding up various candies.

“You're so weird, Ally,” I chuckled.

“Yeah, but you love me for it,” she nudged me.

I just nodded, unwrapping the M&Ms.

“So, I know I haven't really asked, but how are you holding up?” she asked.

“With what?” I asked.

“The adoption thing,” she lowered her voice.

I breathed. “I'm fine.”

I hadn't allowed myself to think about the whole adoption mess. I mean, I'd rather be adopted than lose my dad. But being lied to for nearly fifteen years wasn't a treat. Where were my parents? Why didn't they raise me? Were they even alive? I quit thinking of it and focused on the game. A girl went to the center of the field and began to sing the national anthem. She was pretty good. I think she was in my choir class. Yeah, her name was...Jessica? Maybe, I forgot.

She hit her high notes perfectly and she got a standing ovation at the end. She walked off the field and the footballers got into position. They charged at each other and someone from our team caught the ball and began to run, but got tackled. I looked at Ally and she had an annoyed look on her face. I tried to figure out what was going on.

At halftime, our dancers danced. Our band played. I told Ally I was going to the bathroom and hurried off, afraid to run into Jacob again. I locked the girl's bathroom door and looked in the mirror. Why did he have to come back here? I'd been spending the last eight months trying to forget it.