So I've noticed that everyone's kind of given up on NFL Rush Zone. People are deleting/abandoning stories and it's really sad because I really enjoyed those. See, what's great about us is that there are so little of us that we enjoy all the fics we can get. We can't even argue about ships cuz we ship them all! I remember when the archive was thriving. Now, it's as if the NFL Rush Zone fandom is an inch from death. I'm going to try my best to put the spark back into it.
OoOoOo
Fifteen year old Ashley "Ash" Reynolds might be a total tomboy and she might only have guy friends, but that didn't mean she didn't want a girl friend. There are just some things guys don't understand when it comes to girl problems. And it's be nice to talk about it with someone. Even though they were slowly becoming closer, Ash didn't feel comfortable talking with Linda about certain things yet. And she was definitely not going to go to her dad.
So when she's assigned to show the new girl Diamond Sparks around, Ash is determined to become her friend.
"I just don't understand why you're so excited," her best friend Ishmael "Ish" Taylor said exasperatedly as they were getting their books for their first period from their lockers. "It's just a new kid. We get them at least once a year."
Ash sighed. "Of course you don't understand," she shot back. "Imagine being surrounded by six girls for four years and having little to no contact with the anyone of the same sex." She grinned when Ish shuddered. "Exactly." Her watch gave a little beep. "Oh! I gotta go!" With that, the redhead sped off to the principal's office.
Ash knocked on the door. "Come in," she heard. Ash walked into the principal's office and her jaw almost dropped. Standing in front of her was the most beautiful girl she's ever seen. She had mocha brown skin and curly chocolate brown hair. What really brought attention to her was her eyes. They were a unique amethyst color that she's never seen on anyone before. Ash vaguely wondered if they were contacts, but decided it would be rude to ask. She had a perfect hourglass figure and wore a black leather jacket and black leggings along with black combat boots.
"Ashley," Principal Hike began (she flinched at the use of her full name). "This is Diamond Spark. Miss Spark, this is Ashley Reynolds. I trust Miss Reynolds can show you around the school without any problems.
Ash nodded. "Of course Principal Hike," she said obediently. God, she hated that woman. "I'll look out for her."
The principal nodded and the girls made their way out of the office. As soon as the door closed behind her, Diamond rolled her eyes. "God, how can you stand that woman?" she asked. "It sounds to me like she just likes to hear herself talk."
Ash laughed. "Yeah," she agreed. "She just goes on and on." The redhead stuck out her hand. "I'm Ash by the way. Please don't call me Ashley."
Diamond shook Ash's extended hand. "Good to know I've met at least one sane person in this joint," she commented. "The kids at my last school started a riot because they canceled Pizza Friday. Then when they got Pizza Friday back, they started another riot or the hell of it."
Ash grinned. "Well, my friends are semi-sane," she joked. "I'll warn you though, they are all guys."
Diamond shrugged. "Are any of them cute?" she asked innocently.
Ash chuckled. "You're asking the wrong girl," she replied. "I think of them all as my brothers." She thought about it for a moment. "Well, except for-" Ash quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
Diamond smirked. "Well, I can't wait to meet your friends," she taunted playfully.
Ash's face matched her hair. "Shut up," she muttered, earning a laugh out of Diamond.
OoOoOo
Luckily, Ash and Diamond didn't have any classes with the guys until after lunch, saving Ash a lot of embarrassment. When lunch finally rolled around, Ash invited Diamond to sit at their table. The African American girl accepted and the two sat down. Ish was the next to come into the lunch room. He was about to greet Ash as he normally did, when his eyes fell on Diamond. His jaw dropped as he stared at the beautiful girl.
Diamond grinned. "Red, I think I broke your friend," she quipped.
Ash looked confused for a second before a slow smirk began to grace her freckled face. "Ish, this is Diamond," she said. "Diamond, this is my friend Ish. Isn't she pretty, Ish?"
"Yeah," Ish mumbled without thinking. Realizing what he just said, he snapped out of his trance and blushed. "I mean-"
"Well hello ladies," a voice saved Ish from embarrassing himself further.
Ash facepalmed. "Hi Troy," she greeted, silently hoping Troy wouldn't drive away her only female friend. "And Marty, Ricky, and Tua. This is Diamond." Her green eyes narrowed at Troy. "You can try flirting with her, but be aware that she can and will kick your ass."
Diamond smirked. "That isn't inaccurate," she quipped playfully.
"Di, why don't you hang with us later at the Bulldog?" Ash asked. "It's the best hangout in Canton."
Diamond shrugged. "Why not? Sure thing Red," she agreed. "I'll be there."
Ash beamed. "Great!" she exclaimed. "We're meeting at four."
Diamond glanced at the clock. "Shit," she swore. "I got history next." Damn. That was the one class she and Ash didn't share. "I gotta go Red. It was nice meeting you boys."
"Bye Diamond," Ash and the boys said in unison. Save for Ish, who was staring at her retreating form.
Marty smirked. "Ish, you might not want to look at that particular spot for too long," he joked. His friend was unresponsive.
Ricky caught on. "Dude, stop staring at her butt," he said, always the blunt one.
Ish's head snapped away from Diamond. "I wasn't!" he insisted.
"Then what were you staring at?" Tua teased. "Her hair?"
Ash snickered. "Don't deny it Ish," she mocked. "You were staring at her earlier too." She turned to the other guys. "I think he has a thing for her.
Ish blushed furiously. "Oh shut up all of you," he mumbled, making his friends laugh.
Ash grinned, an idea forming in her head. Ish and Diamond would make a really cute couple, the redhead thought. Maybe I'll get Marty and Ricky to help me set them up. Marty won't take much convincing. And Ricky seems to be more compliant with me these days...