All characters are at least 18 years old except where is stated otherwise. There is no sex in this chapter so be advised. Thanks for reading.
*****
The August heat beat down on the varsity football team of the Carter High School Wildcats as they jogged their way around the track.
"Keep it up guys!" Coach Yates yelled as he jogged along with the lead pack of kids.
"Yes Coach!" The kids shout back.
"Come on guys, let's show'em that first team leads the way!" Patrick Green the starting quarterback barks from the front of the pack. He gets another chorus of cries from his teammates and the pace increases.
"Easy to lead when this isn't your second practice of the day," I mutter under my breath from my second place position.
Antoine "Tank" Adams finds himself drifting back, sweat pouring off his bronze skin and his breath coming in painful gasps. Tank had put on about forty pounds of muscle over the summer to bulk up to try and win the defensive captain spot this year. Now he was now feeling the extra weight dragging him down under the hot August afternoon sun.
I notice that he's not looking so great and start dropping back with him.
"You doing all right big guy?" I ask.
"Jake?" He asks surprised to find the usual "number two" guy not in that position. "I... I just can't... keep... up."
"With all that muscle you added over the summer, I'm not surprised. I'm already regretting when we slap the pads on and you light me up."
"I'll... try and... go easy... on you."
"Less talking, more running!" Coach Jim Yates yells as we pass the coaches.
"Notice how he didn't say anything to Captain Wonderful when he opened his mouth," I point out to Tank.
"Can't... yell at... his meal... ticket," Tank answers.
"Don't I know it. All he yelled about at practice this morning was how a winning season would break records. Like any of us on second team will be any part of it."
The main pack has pulled ahead of us by a decent margin already and soon the coaches are going to take notice.
"Hey, is it cool if I hang back with you? I could probably catch up with Mr. Wonderful and pass him with ease but if I did that after a two hour practice already under my belt today Coach would test me for steroids."
"Hell, I think... I'd like to... see you... do that. Thought you wanted to be... the stud QB this year?"
"Have you seen that fucker smile? He already has an agent signing him up for toothpaste commercials and car dealership ads. There's no way I'm going to be the guy with him around." I say looking to the front of the pack where Captain Wonderful aka Patrick Green is putting distance on them with each step.
"Fuck... don't make... laugh... man..."
Coach Pennington, the defensive coach, noticed as his star middle linebacker had started struggling and was falling pretty far behind the pack of runners. When Antoine showed up this afternoon for the first team practice, he was worried about the kid. He looked like all he did was hit the weights all summer. Apparently, he forgot to work on his cardio though. Coach Pennington started jogging to catch up to the faltering pair of kids that were letting the main pack get further away. He was surprised when he found the back up quarterback jogging along with "Tank" as the kids called Antoine.
Jake Gibson was usually right on Patrick heels.
"Are you two doing all right?" Coach asks the two youths as he reached them.
"Sorry coach... I wanted to be... stronger... this year...," Tank answers. He stumbles forward nearly falling over until I catch him.
The coach helps me keep Tank upright. "He needs some water."
"I'm on it coach," I state taking off across the field dodging the marching band practice and the cheerleaders like a halfback in the open field.
"Damn, I thought Gibson was slowing down because of all the running from this morning." Coach Pennington says helping Tank take a seat on the bench.
"Jake's pretty... good this year... huh coach?" Tank asks.
"Hell of a lot of stamina, that's for sure. Patrick better keep his eye on him this year."
****
Jessica Golden stood in the Carter High office going over her transfer papers with her mother and Principal Owens and hating every second of it.
"Everything looks to be in order here Ms. Golden." He states looking up at the tall and pretty girl with pale blonde hair. "From looking at your records I can see that you will be a tremendous academic asset to our little school. Your GPA will put you near the very top of the senior class and I'd be amiss if I didn't mention how you led your school to the state championship in volleyball last year."
"It was a team effort sir but I'm looking forward to trying out for the team here and checking out your drama club." Jessica answers politely. She loved playing volleyball for her old school in Charlotte but the drama club was a new interest, suggested by her father in the hopes that it would help her come out her shell a little.
"She'll be an asset to them all." Her mother Dr. Victoria Golden tells him beaming with pride.
"Mom," Jessica says in a lowered voice wishing her mother wouldn't embarrass her.
"No, it's fine." The principal laughs. "It's refreshing when the parents show so much interest in their children."
While her mother and the principal talk Jessica walks around the office pausing at the trophy case. Each school sport seems to be represented but the football team has the most trophies. The past seven years the schools program has produced the state champion.
"We're very proud of our boys." Principal Owens tells her when he mistakes her boredom with interest. "State champs for seven years running and if you don't mind a little bragging I think we're set for an eighth and a state record for Coach Yates. The kids love him."
"I can tell the school is very proud of them." Jessica says trying to sound like she cares. In her experience, most football players were mouth breathers who skated through classes because they played a game well. The ones who seemed to have a brain only used it to get alcohol, drugs or girls into their beds. The few football players she knew at her school had made sure that she wasn't a fan.
"If you'd like to have a look at the team they're down on the field now. The second practice of the day has "kicked off" so to speak." He chuckles at his little joke.
"I'm good, thanks."
"Other than volleyball, Jessica isn't really interested in sports." Her mother states while patting her daughters shoulder. She wished that she'd at least go have a look to show a little school spirit.
"Well maybe our boys can change your mind on that. They are a real fun bunch." Principal Owen states.
On the way to their car Victoria notices Jessica glancing towards the stadium and smiles. "Jess, why don't you head to the stadium to watch practice? I've got to run by the house, pick up your sister and go to the elementary school to fill out her paperwork."
"I really don't feel like checking out a bunch of mouth breathers, oh excuse me, I mean the "fun bunch," She states making air quotes around "fun bunch."
"You might make some new friends."
"I don't need new friend's, mom."
"Baby, we talked about this. I know this move has been hard on you but we..."
"Had to move because of Dad's job, I know mom, I've heard this a dozen times but it doesn't make this any easier."
"I know baby and I'm sorry about that. The move has been hard on all of us."
Jessica sighs. "I know mom and I'm sorry. I think I will head to the stadium and check out the marching band at least. They sound pretty good."
"Okay baby, I'll be back in about an hour unless you call me before then."
Jessica nods and heads towards the stadium.
****
"You feeling all right now big guy?" I ask Tank after he takes another sip of water.
"Better. Thanks man, I appreciate it."
