Is it just me or has been dark outside today, darker than usual. I mean it's not going to rain, there's not a cloud in sight. I noticed it before, but being in Mr. Azland's class only gave me more time to think about it. Well, anyways, heading back to the present. I'm Aldrich, Aldrich Maverich, and before you ask, YES! I am related to THE Sasuke Maverich, YES! The one who's the school's Basketball, Football, and Baseball hero. We're cousins, sadly though, I didn't inherit the skills, he got from his branch of the family. I play football, I'm not so good, nowhere near worth mentioning. I play Wide Reciever, and sometimes Running Back. My cousin THE Sasuke Maverich plays Quarterback. His reign is almost over, I'm somewhat glad to say, he's graduating this year, Then I don't have to live in his shadow, see I'm a Junior, while he's the Senior. Being his cousin is ok, except for all the rabid fangirls, I shudder at the thought. They follow him everywhere, if they could, they'd go into the bathroom with him! I realized I had fallen back into dreamland only when I felt a sharp poke on the shoulder from the person behind me.

"This is for you." He extended his hand in which a note was held, I hastily grabbed it and opened it.

To my dearest Aldrich,

WHAT UP CUZ! Mr. Azland's class is a drag-

-at this I raised my head and looked at our bald teacher. Good, he hadn't noticed I wasn't paying attention, he was too busy going on and on about some dead guy, named Martin Luther. Returning to the note I let out a groan.

-I heard there was going to be a party tonight at Destiny's house! You and I are of course invited! It's at six sharp so right after practice, we need to get home and get showered. By the way, I noticed Kassie was lookinatcha.

With all the love my tiny heart can expend,

Sasuke

I hated it when Sasuke and I went to parties because he always ended up losing control and getting shit-faced drunk and then I had to drag him home...literally. I looked over my shoulder at him, he was smiling, and giving me a thumbs up sign, his blond hair shining. I sighed, and hurried to the page Mr. Azland was reading off of.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After practice, I was exhausted. We had tackled all day today. (Punishments for leaving some stray pants and socks around.) Most of us were sporting cuts and scrapes one guy even needed stitches. We were heading back up to the fieldhouse, to remove our pads, the coaches trailing behind in all their glory. I hate them. Well, some of them. Take Coach Jack for example, he runs and runs and runs us, without breaks, or letting us get water. I was wiping dirt off of my blue jersey when Sasuke and his friends caught up with me. Well let me introduce them all to you...

First off there's Tyler Redman, he's been Sasuke's best friend since 4th grade, well I dunno, could you call Sasuke's lackeys friends?

Then, you've got the standard minion, Dexter Clant, Dex for short. He follows Sasuke's orders without questions, I know Sasuke loves it, I don't. He's the stupid muscley guy that all groups have.

"What's happenin'?" Dex said initiating the standard greeting.

"Not much." I replied not so eagerly, scratching at one of my battle scars.

Unclipping my chin strap, I pulled off my helmet, and watched, annoyed when my hair fell into my face, blinding me. Sasuke followed suit by removing his helmet and spitting into the grass.

"So you're going? To the party?" He asked eyeing his beat up blue helmet, it was to be expected, the dents and white marks.

"Of course!" I exclaimed. "Who else is gonna drag you home? Dex and Tyler are gonna be as messed up as you!"

"Hey! I resent that." Tyler said punching me in the stomach playfully.

"Of course you do, so same as usual?"

"Yeah, the watch your back program. I heard Harry is gonna be there."

"Ahhhhh..." Harry is our group's mortal enemy. He and his three friends are always picking on people, we...ok I always end up stopping them, unless it's a hot girl then Sasuke's ready to help. I always end up getting a black eye too. "Girl wise?" I asked as we all walked through the door to the fieldhouse and towards our football lockers.

"Crystal-" Sasuke said before naming off countless others. Oh well, the Crystal part was all I needed to hear. Katie and I have this relationship... kind of. See I've liked her since Freshman year (The year she transfered.) I still can't tell if she likes me or not, but I'm too scared to ask her out, Sasuke says it's a good sign, her always smiling and waving at me, but I just can't tell...Another good sign I think though is her not dating anyone since she transfered, and shes actually pretty hot.

I stopped at my locker, and Sasuke, Tyler, and Dex walked on, well at least I got a little free time, They're on the other side of the locker room. Unbuckling the clips on my shoulder pads, I hoisted them over my head, and placed them on the screw that held them. I untied my cleats and hung them on the nails, and then changed out of my football pants, and into Khaki ones. Changing my shirt, into my usual long sleeved red one, I shook my head to clear the hair from my eyes, and got a drink out of the water fountain, then walked outside to meet up with Sasuke.

Of course he was waiting, he is a master at getting dressed faster than I do.

"Y'know what sucks?" Tyler asked.

"We don't have cars?" I replied flatly why Sasuke shook his head as if saying 'Yeah.'

"Well...yeah, but no.. I was about to say You."

"H-hey!" I said tackling him and poking him in the eye. "That's not nice!"

"Uh, since when have I been nice?" He pointed out, as Sasuke and Dex stand there laughing.

"Well you were back in 6th grade!"

"That was six years ago dummy."

"So?"

Sasuke looked around impatiently. "So you guys need to shut up." We didn't need telling twice, we all fell silent, until Sasuke finally said "Alright Aldy, let's go." It was the unspoken rule, we don't leave until Sasuke says, and he and I always walk home, we only leave about a third of a mile down the road, not so bad.

"Don't call me Aldy."

"Shut up."