Ch. 1
Welcome

I glanced down at my watch. I only had a few minutes left until I needed to be down on the field at 4. I grabbed my bag from the backseat of my car, slung it across my shoulder and headed across the parking lot towards the brick building that had the words practice field in large letters. I could already see some guys out on the grass with their practice gear on, throwing a football back in forth.

I reached the building and looked around. Was I supposed to go through the front? Or just go down onto the field? Billy hadn't specified. I pulled out my phone to see if Billy had sent any more directions but there was nothing.

I looked around again and decided to just go down and I followed a sign that pointed to some stairs. I was nervous and determined not to mess up on the first day of my first job. I took a deep breath and started down the stairs.

With each step I took, my heart began to pick up speed. I tried to run through inspirational quotes through my head to calm my racing heart, but nothing worked. It just kept beating in double time. My hands got all sweaty and I tried to dry them off on my yoga pants but it didn't help. I was a mess anyways. I finally reached the bottom and walked onto the manicured field.

I looked around nervously unsure of where I was supposed to go as I made my way to the sidelines, close to where a few of the guys were standing. I spotted a door to the left that lead inside the building next to the field. That was most likely where Billy was. I soon realized that all the guys on the field had turned to look at me. They all had amused expressions on their faces as they took in my yoga pants, t-shirt and black Nike bag.

A few of them glanced at each other and I looked back down at my watch. I desperately wanted Billy to appear. He'd told me to meet him at the practice field at 4. It was now 4:05.

"Hey," a player called out.

I glanced up and I noted that the one who'd spoken had reddish brown hair that glistened in the sun. It was a rather unusual shade, but I liked it.

"Are you looking for someone?" the boy said. "Because in case you haven't noticed. We have a practice that's going to start soon." He gestured to some of the guys beside him and his voice was impatient as he waited for my answer.

I turned a bright shade of red. "Actually I was. I was waiting for Billy. You know the trainer?" I answered.

The guy crossed his arms. "Okay, well I haven't seen him, so I would probably just go back to cheerleading practice or wherever you came from because it might be a while. Most of us have to get treated and we were here first so you'll have to wait." The guy looked at me expectantly. The rest of the team nodded in agreement as they looked between him and I.

"I'm not going anywhere. But thanks for the suggestion anyways." I said and crossed my arms. He raised his eyebrows at my response. He opened his mouth, but he didn't get a chance to spit back whatever rude remark he was about to throw at me because the door that looked like it might lead to the locker room opened and out came Billy Black. He shielded his eyes from the sun as he walked over to where I was standing.

"Hey Bells! I'm sorry I'm late. There was an emergency over at the soccer field and well, you know how it goes." Billy laughed and looked down at me with a grin. "How've you been holding up?"

Billy was the head athletic trainer for the football team and had offered me a paid internship to gain some experience. He was tall with tan skin and dark eyes that were warm and I felt a lot calmer taking in his familiar face.

"I've been hanging in there," I said.

"Good good." He clapped his hands and looked out at the sea of perplexed faces standing to the side.

"Let's get you introduced to everyone shall we?" He looked back over at the door he'd come out of. "I think the coaches should be coming out soon as well as the rest of the team and we can introduce you to everyone all at once." He nodded to himself and reached into his pocket to pull out some sunglasses.

The door to the locker room opened again. "Bright out here isn't? Billy said turning to see who it was.

"Yes it is, Billy." said a man with a baseball cap on and sunglasses. He was followed by what looked like the rest of the team and they went to join their team mates already congregated around Billy and I.

Four more men came out after the team and walked over to stand next to Billy and the first coach.

"So who have we got here?" The first coach peered at me and back at Billy.

"Harry, I want you to meet Bella Swan. She's going to be helping me out this year since Mrs. Harrington's going on maternity leave." He smiled and nodded at me. "So pretty much she'll be hanging around the team 24/7 and treating injuries."

I extended my hand to Harry. "Hi, nice to meet you." I smiled as he shook my hand.

"I'm Coach Clearwater, welcome to the team." He smiled in return. "These fine men to my left over here are my assistant coaches. Coach Ateara, Coach Newton, Coach Crowley and Coach Weber." Each one extended their hand and I shook them trying to remember each name. "Let us know if you have any trouble with these here boys." He nodded at the team. "They can be real pig headed sometimes, but they're all softies underneath." He winked. I nodded.

"Alright. I'm sure you'll get to know the team as the season gets underway. But I'll go ahead and introduce you to the team captain." Coach Clearwater nodded towards the bronze haired kid who'd spoken to me earlier. "This is Edward Cullen, our team captain and wide receiver."

Edward didn't extend his hand, instead he looked over at Coach Clearwater. "We've already met," he said.

"Oh good. Well in that case why don't you go ahead and show Bella around, take her through the ropes and really make her feel welcome." Coach Clearwater smiled and clapped him on the shoulder, oblivious to the animosity from Edward. Edward looked mortified at the mere idea of making me feel welcome.

"Sounds like a great idea, coach." Billy chipped in. "You can go ahead Bella. I can handle them for now."

"Alright team let's go! On the line!" Coach Clearwater called. The team jogged over to the line and the coaches followed suit nodding at me as they passed.

"We're really glad to have you." Coach Weber said as he walked by. I smiled and thanked him before he walked away to join the other coaches.

I looked over and saw that Edward was still standing there. He looked unhappy and his jaw was clenched. He sighed. "I'll guess I'll go ahead and show you around." He jogged to the bench to set his helmet down and rejoined me. "C'mon."

I rolled my eyes at his attitude as he walked to the locker room door. I didn't move. He didn't look back to see if I was following and I waited. It didn't take long for the door to re-open and Edward's head to pop back out looking for me.

"What the hell? Are you coming or not?" He snapped.

"I think I'd rather not." I replied.

"Why are you being difficult?"

"Woah, hold on. I'm not the one being difficult. You're the one who's been a royal jerk since I placed a foot on this field. What is your problem anyway? You didn't have to be so rude before and you don't have to be so rude now. I'm here to help you." I crossed my arms. Edward walked out of the door, came to where I stood and grabbed my arm roughly.

"Hey!" I yelled.

Edward opened the door to the locker room and dragged me inside away from the field and from any potential witnesses. He pushed me against the wall and held me there. His eyes were blazing and if he wasn't so angry I would have seriously been turned on.

"Let's get one thing straight. I don't need any help. Especially from a useless girl running around with a bag...as if you're important! This is my field!" He spat and stepped back.

I stepped toward him and poked my finger into his chest, jabbing at the muscles there. "You better back the fuck up! I sincerely pray that you do not get seriously hurt out on the field because If you do, you can rest assured that I sure as hell will not help you and then we will see exactly who's in charge here!" I spat back.

He glared at me. And I met his gaze in return. "So I suggest you get used to me!"

"We'll see about that." He mumbled, pushed my hand away and walked deeper into the locker room. I sighed and followed after him.

This was going to be one hell of a season.

Well hello there! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I'd really appreciate if you'd review and let me know what you thought. This story has been swirling around in my head for awhile and I thought it was time to finally put it down on paper so to speak.

I hope to update again next Wednesday so keep a lookout for the next chapter!

Don't forget to review!

Ttfn,
Marie