The Game Plan

18

Wait! Before you read this go check out LimitlessOpportunity :) She is the absolute sweetest person and we are quickly becoming great Wattpad friends. I promise you will absolutely love her book too!

I woke up the morning of the hearing more nervous than I was the day of the first investigation. I tried to stay in bed for as long as I could, but that wasn't helping the nerves very much.

The hearing would take all morning, so my parents and I took the morning off from school and work. I took my time in the shower and getting ready, hoping to avoid the next few hours. I didn't think that it would end badly per se, but I wasn't sure I would like what was about to happen and I was desperately trying to avoid it.

I walked downstairs in a conservative but professional black dress that went to just above my knees and black heels. I curled the ends of my hair. I wasn't even sure these investigators would recognize me.

"You look very confident." My mom said when I walked into the kitchen.

"Well that's good cause I feel like I'm gonna puke." I admitted and she and my dad laughed.

"It's going to be fine. Don't stress. At least not about this." My dad said. My mother rolled her eys at him and smiled at me.

"What you father means is, you have bigger things to be focusing on. And to be excited for!" She smiled, leading us out to the car.

We drove to the location of the hearing and I sat down at the conference table with Coach and Mr. Henderson.

Luke and Matt and a few other seniors who were allowed to come, came and sat next to my parents against the wall. Before they took their seats, Luke and Matt came over to high five me.

The door opened a few minutes before the hearing began and Nick and a few other Fort Worth players walked in. The second I saw him my body relaxed and tensed up all at once, which was the strangest feeling.

Before I could give it any more thought, an older man cleared his throat and welcomed us. He then turned the floor over to another man, who would be leading the hearing.

The man leading the hearing explained the reason for the investigation and went over what the investigation looked like.

"The findings of the investigation state that there is evidence of Ms. Manning receiving preferential treatment." The official leading the hearing read from the sheet in his hands.

My stomach dropped and I turned to look at my parents.

Preferential treatment? That is such a load of-

"That girl over there is the best quarterback this league has seen in years." Coach said, standing and pointing at me, completely throwing me off guard.

Coach is an amazing leader to us, and with that comes a quiet and composed nature. I get upset about bad calls before he does, and he is never confrontational or emotional about matters.

"What we are looking at is whether or not she was given preferential treatment during her high school career that may have led to her success. " An official said.

"No. What you're looking at is whether or not you can wrap your head around a girl playing football. And being damn good at it." Coach argued.

"Now Mr. Larson, lets not get defensive." The official said.

"When a member of my team is put on the spot for being a female, I get defensive. She is a member of my team and I will defend her until she is given the respect that she has earned." He shouted, slapping his palm on the table.

"She has earned every success in life. That young lady is the hardest working member on my team - both on and off the field." He continued.

"Listen, if Fort Worth would like to forfeit - fine. But we will be there next Friday ready to play. With this fine young woman both calling the coin flip and calling the plays." Coach said, standing up and storming out.

My parents and I jumped up and followed him out of the room.

"Britt, I am so-" He began.

Before he could finish, I wrapped my arms around him.

"Thank you so much." I said, hugging him tightly.

He paused for a moment before hugging me back, probably not used to his quarterbacks hugging him.

"Did you mean that?" I asked.

"Yes. This never should have happened to begin with." He said.

"He was right in there, I'm sorry Britt." Mr. Henderson said, walking out of the hearing.

"Its okay. I know you guys had no control." I told them.

"What now?" My mom asked.

Before anyone could answer, Matt and Luke came bursting through the doors.

"First, Coach that was unbelievable... you owned them!" Luke cried, slapping a hand on his shoulder.

"More importantly, they are letting Britt play on Friday." Matt said.

"They need you to come back in to make it official, but we heard them." Luke said.

"So you were eavesdropping." I said, frowning at them.

"Duh." Luke said.

My parents laughed and I hugged them before we walked back in.

"Ms. Manning, Mr. Larson, and Mr. Henderson, please rise." An official said.

"Although the investigation showed evidence of preferential treatment, we have decided that this so called 'preferential treamtent' was a town and athletic department and team showing respect for a fellow player. Since this investigation was released to the public, we find the evidence to be subjective and Ms. Manning will be playing in the weekends game." He read.

My parents and team clapped, and Coach and Mr. Henderson hugged me, but I could see some Fort Worth players glaring at me.

My gaze shifted to Nick who was smiling next to them and immediately felt myself relax. I get to play on Friday and everything is normal.

We all walked out to the parking lot, and I noticed that Matt and Luke were nowhere to be found.

Inside the building, Matt and Luke walked over to say hi to Nick.

"Dude you know them?" A guy asked.

"Yeah me and some guys went to the game last week." Nick said, leaving out that he was talking to me.

Matt caught on and frowned slightly.

"She shouldn't get to play." One of them snapped, storming out of the room.

"Sorry about them." Nick said, watching them walk out.

"Dude, we know why you aren't telling them about Britt but you need to before she finds out. She has feelings underneath those pads and she won't understand this." Matt said with a sad smile before walking to the parking lot.