The First Game of the Season

I stand on the side of the field, watching our offense go to work. Nelson, our QB, flings the ball down the field and finds the wide open Antonio, who grabs the ball, gaining us 37 yards, before getting leveled by his cornerback and the safety. My team is cheering, I just sit and try to remember what I had watched about this team, the Spartans, I try to remember, racking my head as I try to remember what I had to see to realize what the plays were. Antonio grabs the ball again, and we score, first drive, and one TD.

The extra point is secured easily. But now, it is our defense's turn to stop the Spartans. I strap on my helmet and jog to the middle of the field with Adrian and Fred, our three man line. We group up and I say nothing, they are waiting for me to say something, "Let's play this game," 'Don't, Sound, Nervous,' "Watch the ball, read the gaps, stop the plays, don't foul, and let's win this game, we are rushing three, no blitz, hold the field, zone coverage, and let's get these Spartans!" We spread out on the field as he Spartans offense are getting ready, "Deacon! Hold the MIDDLE!" I say before turning to Fred and Adrian, "I got Clara, you take Ines and Fred, take Ines as well," I turn to the linebackers and they nod. I gesture for them to watch the set up. The Spartans break their huddles and Jorge, one of our middle linebackers shouts the play, I see the Center's eyes look around widely, 'There it is, Pro formation with their fullback and running back with the QB in the backfield. The ball moves after the set and I rush the center, breaking the line instantly, 'Here I go,' I hit the QB as he does the hand off and knock the ball out, only for the fullback to grab the ball and Adrian to tap him down, losing 7 yards. I get up and help the QB and running back up from the floor. I turn and walk back to the defense, "Nice job guys, let's go again," I look over at Coach Matthews. He gestures to me and I turn back to the huddle, "46, 46, you ready?" We nod and break the huddle.

We set up again and we run the aggressive play. The Spartans set up again and as soon as the QB says hut, the line gets overwhelmed, 8 of us were rushing. The QB tries to get away only for Fred to lay the wood on him. The ball pops out and I grab it from the air, running the ball down the field, Deacon is near me, 'He is faster, and that running back ain't gonna be long,' "Deacon!" He turns his head as I lateral him the ball. He grabs it as I turn and destroy the chasing running back, blasting him and leaving him down after the play as Deacon walks into the end zone, 'Let's win this game, Aristide, you can lead this team, you can do it, no one but you can stop you, just, just do it."

We are all entering the locker room, sweaty and sore. Henry cracks a joke, "I loved their offense," Deacon laughs, "Only 28 yards of total offense," We all laugh as we start to get changed.

"What was the score at the end?"

"42-nil," Juan laughs, "Nice play, Aristide," He holds his hand out, I shake it, "Nice job with the lateral to score."

"You destroyed him," Everyone is laughing at the image of their poor running back getting rocked by my block, "He even had to go to the hospital," We all shut up as Coach White walks in.

"Listen up boys, today was the first game of the season, we have some things to work on, but right now, let's recover and come back swinging for the next game," He begins as everyone listens, "Perfect defense, perfect offense, let's not get cocky, but if we continue, we will have the best Offense like last year, but also the best Defense, well, now, let's get changed and get back to the bus and head back to campus, thank you all."

"Yes Sir," We all say before getting back to changing, I slump on the bench and lean back, 'I am so tired, fuck,' Fred sits down next to me.

"Nice job, you really know how to organize the defense."

"I was Tackle and Guard back in Barcelona, I had to know what I was doing," I smile, "You are a great end, my man," He fist bumps me and goes to take a shower. I sigh and see Michael glaring at me. I roll my eyes and remove my knee brace and walk into the showers. My knee still hurts but I recovered more than I thought.

I am sitting in the bus with Cassandra next to me, Coach White had allowed her to come with us since the game was far. There were others on the bus, all students coming to cheer us on. She rested her head on my shoulder and smiled at me.

"You being there helped."

"Did it really?"

"I had to impress you, right?" She giggled and hugs me, "Did I?"

"Yes, yes you did, you really did, you were amazing, and that pass to Deacon to score was brilliant, we haven't kissed yet, have we?" I shake my head, "Well, whenever you want, I'll take a kiss from you."

"If I tell you I've never kissed?"

"Well, I'll take your first again," She smiles at me and then sits up, "Do you want to rest your head?"

"I am fine, if I rest my head I am going to hurt my neck, I can't even sleep on my side, so yeah."

"That's too bad, I wanted to be your cushion like you were for me."

"It's fine."

"Doesn't it seem weird for me and you to be going out, like, I am 5ft 5, and you are, 6ft 8?"

"It's not that bad, I am just tall, you are average, that doesn't matter," I smile at her, "I am 6ft 8, you were right, sorry if this is rude, but how much do you weight?"

"Um, 135 I think, less than half of your weight."

"Does it matter?"

"No, I guess not," She yawns, "Why are the games at 8? It could've been at any other time, now it's nearly 10:30, and we still have an hour or something to get back."

"Sleep on my shoulder if you want, I am going to listen to music for a while."

"What music do you listen to?" She says as she rests her head on my shoulder.

"Heavy Metal, not very popular stuff, I like it, it calms me."

"Isn't it the stuff that is like super, like, moving and like, heavy music?" I nod, "I guess it is normal that a guy that hits other guys for fun gets calmed by that stuff," She smiles and closes her eyes.

"You want me to wake you when we get back to campus?" She nods, "Or do you want me to carry back to your room?"

"My keys are in my purse."

"I guess I have my answer then, sleep well," I smile as she moves her head and gets comfortable. I put on my headphones and turn on my music, 'Let's listen to some, hmm, let's listen to some Bloodlust by Witchgrinder,' I gently start to headbang as the music begins 'I haven't played anything in a while, or anything, weird of me,' I sigh as I begin to feel my body's pains and close my eyes, without falling asleep.