A/N: I don't own any of this except for some OCs which will appear in later chapters. This is a fic that focuses on when some guys were in high school and this is basically what they go through- dating, breakups, fights, lousy teachers, etc. Please read and review.
The sun was still strong when Coach Vince McMahon decided to end practice for the Oak Valley Raiders. The team had been practicing since the early morning when players showed up to lift weights for an hour before going over some formations and plays. The team had then began a light scrimmage on the field as Vince had to try to replace fifteen starters who graduated in June. One of those starters had been the star running back Orlando Jordan, who had gotten a scholarship to play for Miami. Vince had decided to replace Orlando Jordan with John Cena, who had played linebacker, running back and center before.
"Dad, have you decided on who's going to replace Orlando Jordan at running back?" Assistant Coach Shane McMahon, who was also Vince's son ask.
"Oh Shane, uh yes Cena will be running back," Vince said.
"Coach McMahon, have you decided on John Layfield's replacement at defensive tackle?" Assistant Coach Paul Levesque, Vince's son in law asked.
"Tell Lashley he will be the starter," Vince said, looking over his clipboard.
Meanwhile John Cena, Marc Predka, Dave Batista and Matt Hardy continued to talk with each other on the side. John had been the starting center last year and he played sparingly at linebacker and running back. He was also the most popular guy in the school and the one almost every girl wanted. His cousin Marc played linebacker and fullback last year but didn't play much because of the seniors in front of him. Dave was John's best friend and played offensive guard and defensive lineman but also didn't play much last year because of the seniors in front of him. Matt was another of John's friends and he played strong safety last year and some wide receiver.
"So who you think is going to be starting this year?" Marc asked.
"I guess me and John are going to play line this year," Dave said.
"What makes you think that Dave?" Matt asked.
"Well because practically the entire line from last year except for John graduated," Dave said.
"Yeah but who's gonna be running back?" John asked as Shane McMahon blew a whistle and all the players went back to where Shane was standing.
"Alright, listen up. Our first game is in two weeks and nobody knows who is going to start yet. That is why I will name the offensive starters and Coach Levesque will name the defensive starters," Shane said, looking down at a paper. "Alright, left tackle Barnes, left guard Henry, center Masters, right guard Batista, right tackle Miller, quarterback Michaels, running back Cena, fullback Thomas, wide receiver London, split end Kendrick, tight end Predka," Shane said.
"Damn, I'm playin' running back?" John asked, stunned.
"What the fuck man? I'm playing on the right side of the line?" Dave asked, also stunned.
"Shit, I gotta play tight end?" Marc asked, disappointed at his position.
"On defense, left end Butler, tackle Lashley, tackle Masters, right end Granger, weak-side linebacker Gordon, middle linebacker Predka, strong-side linebacker Stevens, cornerback Noble, free safety Kidman, strong safety Hardy, cornerback Helms," Coach Levesque said.
"How the hell am I going to play both positions?" Marc asked, disappointed that he had to play tight end and linebacker.
"Dude relax, I'm probably gonna have to do a lot of shit," John whispered.
"Playing safety won't be too bad for me," Matt said, thinking about how he was going to hit some people so hard they wouldn't get up.
"Oh well, you guys heard there's a party at Van Dam's house tonight?" Dave asked.
John, Marc and Matt nodded. Van Dam was the name of the biggest stoner in the school, Rob Van Dam. Everytime he had a party, Dave, John, Marc and Matt always went. Rob always managed to get at least three kegs of beer in addition to several 18 racks of beer. While he got Keystone Light, which wasn't that good, John, Marc, Dave and Matt didn't mind because it was still beer. Besides, that meant there were going to be a lot of good looking girls at Rob's party later. Of course, a party at Rob's house also featured Rob rolling up joints and smoking them with whoever was around. At the end of these parties, Rob would always end up stoned and drunk.
"Yeah, I heard Ashley is going to be there," Matt said, with a dreamy look on his face.
"Dude, you should just tell her how you feel," John said, rolling his eyes.
"John, I know you like Trish man just talk to her," Marc said.
"Guys, I don't wanna hear about which cheerleaders you guys like," Dave said.
"Yo man, it's obvious you like Christy," John said, as Dave blushed furiously.
Just then, Coach Vince McMahon walked up to where everyone was huddled up. "You heard what positions you're playing, now go and practice!" Vince yelled.
"What the hell am I supposed to do? I gotta play linebacker and tight end," Marc said.
"Son, go ask Coach," John said, as he left with Dave to join the offensive side.
"Coach, I'm supposed to play tight end and middle linebacker," Marc said, going up to Coach McMahon to find out what he was supposed to do.
"Oh er, practice with the offense for a while then go to defense," Vince said.
Marc nodded and went over to where Shane was talking to the offense. Apparently, they would run a lot, which meant he would have to most likely block for his cousin John. Shane also said how they would need to practice passing in case they were losing and needed to make a comeback. Apparently, the team would run an offense that featured a lot of running but there would also be plenty of short passes and maybe a few long bombs. Of course, most of those long bombs would be for either Paul London or Brian Kendrick, since they ran faster than Marc. Once Shane was done, the team began an unofficial first team offense against the first team defense.
"Hey Marc, I know you're going to be the starting middle linebacker but you're going to take a few reps on offense then move ok?" Shane asked, placing a hand on Marc's shoulder.
"Yeah, I got no problems with that," Marc said.
"Alright, offense huddle up around me," Shane yelled as everyone on the offense huddled around him. "First play to run is Overload Right," Shane said, calling for a play where John would get a toss then immediately run right. Marc and the fullback Grady Thomas would follow him and help block defenders so John could run free.
After another hour or so of practice, it was almost 6 so Coach Vince McMahon decided to end practice. Their first game was against Franklin High and the team from Franklin was always known for being small. Last year, his team had crushed Franklin High 50-0 and sent several players from Franklin to hospitals because of tackles. This year figured to be no different, his team was still bigger than Franklin High. Besides their linebackers were all around 190 pounds while John Cena was a muscular 220 pounds. There was no way those guys could tackle him. Heck, he was even bigger than some of their linemen, Vince thought as the team went into the locker room.
"Yo guys, we gonna eat at the same spot tonight?" John asked, once he, Marc, Matt and Dave were done taking a shower and putting on their clothes.
"Yeah, I love the burgers that Jeff makes," Marc said with a dreamy look on his face.
Just then, Coach Shane McMahon came up to where John was. "Hey John, someone said to give this to you," Shane said, giving John an envelope.
"Dude, read that shit aloud," Matt said, looking at the envelope.
"Yo let me get my ass dressed first," John said, changing into shorts.
"Whoa, no shirt man?" Marc asked.
"Marc, did you just look at your cousin while he was changing?" Dave asked.
"Nah yo, I glanced over once he put on his shorts," Marc said, putting on a t-shirt.
"Alright, whatever you say dude," Matt said, rolling his eyes.
"Yo you fools wanna know what the hell this is?" John asked, holding the envelope.
"YEAH," Marc, Dave and Matt shouted simultaneously.
John sighed and looked at his name written on top of the envelope. "Whoever gave this to me is a girl," he said, taking out a letter.
"No shit it's a girl who wrote that," Marc said, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah man, guys don't go around writing letters to other guys," Dave said.
John looked at Dave after he said that. "Dude, you are weird," he said, rolling his eyes. "Alright, this is a letter from Trish," he said, opening the letter. He read the letter to himself then stuffed it into his pocket.
"Dude, what did it say?" Matt asked.
"I ain't gonna tell ya," John said.
"Oh come on, tell us a little," Dave said.
"Yo man, if you ain't gonna tell them you could tell me," Marc said.
"Alright, alright, look Trish just says she thinks that I'm really good looking and she wants to hang out with me sometime," John said.
"Whoa, looks like someone has a crush on John," Dave said, smirking.
"I'm hungry, let's go eat," John said as he left the locker room with the other guys. They walked out back where their cars were parked. Then John saw Trish standing off to the side. "Uh give me a second guys," he said, walking over to Trish.
"I wonder what's going to happen between them," Matt said, watching John.
"Knowing John, he's probably going to do something stupid," Marc said.
"Hey Trish, what are you doing here?" John asked, staring at Trish. Once he saw the outfit she was wearing, he couldn't stop staring. She was wearing really short shorts and a tank top that barely went down to her stomach.
"Oh hey John, I was waiting for you," she said, staring at his naked upper body. "Hey, what's wrong with you, you're not wearing a shirt," she said, placing a hand on his chest.
"There's no law with not wearing a shirt out in public," he said, as his insides melted with Trish's hand on his chest.
"Yeah, but you're going to get all the ladies jealous," she said.
"Well, I don't see any problem with that," he said.
"John, did you read the letter I sent you?" she asked, moving closer to him.
"Of course I did and I think it's a great idea. In fact, me and the guys are going to grab something to eat right now then we're going to check out the party that's going on at Rob's house later on tonight. Maybe you could join us?" he asked, looking hopeful.
"John, I would love to join you," she said, smiling.
"Great, how did you get here?" he asked.
"Uh, I walked here since I live around fifteen minutes from here," she said.
"Oh, you could get into my car," he said.
"I'd love to do that," she said, grabbing his hand.
John led her to his car and opened the passenger side door for her. She smiled at him then got in. John got in through the driver's side and opened the windows to the car. Once he turned on the engine, rap music began blaring through the speakers. John lowered the volume, turned on the AC then he looked at Trish. "Looking good today Trish," he said, as Tupac played in the background.
"Thanks a lot John," she said, blushing furiously.
"Are you going to be a cheerleader again this year?" he asked.
"Yeah, do you know what your playing yet?" she asked.
"Running back, some linebacker and maybe center," he said.
"That's really good John. I think you'll be good," she said.
"Thanks Trish," he said, pulling into a restaurant.
"Oh this is where we're going to be eating?" she asked, looking up.
"Yeah, me and my boys like this place," he said.
"I love the burgers they make here," she said.
"Alright, let's go get something good to eat then check out the party," he said.
A/N: So how was it? Next chapter: Rob's party.