This Can't Be Good

Chapter 36

It’s currently February which means not only is love in the air but so is the annual backwards dance, where girls ask guys. Don’t get me wrong its a great idea especially if you’re a girl who likes being in charge, I just wasn’t into it. I never was. I may not be a very traditional girl but if there’s one thing I believe is that boys should ask girls out and pay on dates.

Backwards was always a big thing for seniors. Not because it was their last dance before prom but because it signified the end of college applications. Now all they had to worry about was getting into a school. Jayden had finished his applications a while back and had been offered a few scholarships for football but he was still unclear about what he was going to do. He was always unsure. Parker on the other hand, well Parker had his future figured out at the age of 10. His dream was to be a Trojan at USC. The USC scouts came out to a few games but that didn’t waive Parker from the application process. He has been stressing for weeks, worrying that he wouldn’t finish them and his chances would be gone. I tried to keep him optimistic.

The boys were hanging out with the team at the movies. Since the end of the season the guys had been busy so they hadn’t spent a ton of bonding time together. Miranda was out on her own little errand runs so I was hanging out with Ava at our local park. We were sitting on the swings just chilling and enjoying each others companies.

“So how’s Max?” I asked. Ever since the Championship game Max had been on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. He was set to be the new captain of the team and the reality kinda hit him.

Ava laughed. “He’s good. His room is currently flooded with old game tapes and game plans. He won’t admit but he’s really nervous about stepping into the position. He feels like if they don’t win next year it’ll be all his fault.”

“They wouldn’t make him captain if they thought he wouldn’t succeed. He’s gonna be the player next year!”

“That’s what I told him but even that makes him nervous. He doesn’t give himself enough credit. He just keeps focusing on the fact that the two star players are going to be gone next year.”

Despite what boys let on they are very insecure beings. I remember when Parker and Jayden stepped up to be captain, they went through the same internal struggle and now look at them. They lead their team to two state championships and helped the two years prior get to be state championships.

I was knocked out of my internal monologue by Ava. “Speaking of, have the boys made up there minds on where they’re going next year?”

The age old question that has been plaguing the seniors since December. Most of them were still waiting to hear back from colleges unless they were already signed. Jayden had heard back from all the colleges but was keeping things really hush hush. It’s kinda tradition for them to reveal their choices at banquet. It was driving Miranda crazy though, she wanted him to stay close to home. Parker was in the same boat, though he was still waiting for one more letter. It just so happen the one letter he was waiting for was his dream school letter.

“Um they haven’t made things official but I’m pretty sure Jayden is leaning towards Syracuse. Parker is still waiting for his letter, assuming it comes he’s picking USC,” I stated. It was crazy the boys were going to be off in different states in a few months.

“Well, New York isn’t that far. California though, how do you feel about that?” Ava asked.

“Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it.” That was the truth. Parker dreamed about USC forever and for a long time it was just a dream and now it was getting closer to becoming reality. A year ago I would have been happy to ship him off across the country but now, well I’m not so sure.