I'm truly surprised at the quick response to this. Thanks to everyone who read the prologue! Here is the first chapter. I hope you like it! Please review! I am always up for critiques or suggestions, or whatever. The next chapter will probably be up in a couple days.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Tim was back home with Billy. He was also back in the good graces of Coach and the Taylor family as a whole, which made getting closer to Julie easier, at least when it came to physical proximity.

Tim arrived to school early, pulling into the back lot just as the Taylors were getting out of Coach's SUV. He quickly pulled into a spot a few down from them, grabbed his bag and hustled to fall in step with the family.

"Hey Coach, Mrs. Coach." Tim picked up their easy stride. "Jules," he spoke with a softer tone more appropriate for her name.

"Mornin' Tim," Tami smiled with her greeting. "You're here bright and early."

Tim let out a small chuckle. "Yes ma'am." The group entered the school where Eric and Tami said goodbye to the teens, shared a brief kiss and left for their offices. Tim and Julie walked slowly in a comfortable silence towards their lockers. Tim couldn't help but fall a step behind every few moments so that he could look her up and down. She wore a plain, white, v-neck t-shirt, with a short denim skirt and a pair of brown leather cowboy boots. Her hair tied back in a low ponytail, allowing him to gaze the curve of her neck. His eyes traveled down as he admired the way her skirt sat perfectly on her hips. Her toned dancer legs in those boots had him thinking that she was his own personal Daisy Duke.

Tim leaned on the locker next to hers as she quickly spun her combination and began replacing books and binders. The hallway was nearly empty. They would have a few minutes before students would pack the hall, and begin to stare and gossip at the pair. "So Jules, what's new?" He asked with a smirk as he stared at her, watching the blush slowly build in her cheeks.

Julie grabbed her last morning book and closed her locker, leaning against her locker and mirroring his stance. She lifted her eyes from under her bangs and met his gaze. She was slightly taken aback as she locked eyes with him. It took her a minute to try and decipher what she saw before she spoke. There was something in his eyes that she hadn't seen before, something beyond the cocky look he gave the rally girls. Something, that for a brief moment, she allowed herself to believe had to do with her. As she pushed that idea from her mind she answered him. "I'm finally free from house arrest. Dad's even allowing me to go to the party after the game this Friday."

Tim hung onto her every word, doing his best to keep his face from showing that fact. He was mesmerized as she spoke; her happiness about her freedom was genuine, though her smile did not quite reach her eyes. She was holding something back, he only wished he knew what it was.

"Is that so?" He continued to give her that Riggins' grin as he leaned closer to her and spoke again. "Well then, promise you'll save me a dance."

Her face flushed fully for a brief second before she calmed herself with the thought that he was only being nice, not actually flirting with her.

There time together came to an end as Tyra came up to them, grabbing Julie as she glared at Tim. Julie turned her head and mouthed "sorry" as she was pulled through the hall. He sent her a smile and watched her till she was out of sight. When she was gone his head fell. He stared down at his boots and thought of Julie. He stayed like that, trying to figure out what it was that troubled her, until Smash and some guys from the team called his name from down the hall. He quickly reverted back to his cocky, what he'd like to believe former, self and joined the guys as they headed to class.

--

"Julie what the hell was that?" Tyra demanded as she pulled Julie through the now crowded hallway.

"What are you talking about?" Julie asked, honestly confused to what had Tyra in such a weird mood.

Tyra just shook her head, "Of course you don't notice." She let out a small laugh as they stopped in front of Julie's classroom. "You know what, forget I said anything. I'll see you at lunch alright?" Julie nodded and gave Tyra a small smile before heading into her first class.

--

Tim did his best to pay attention in his classes. He rebuffed the attempts of the girls around him who tried very hard to break his concentration. He kept his eyes on the teacher as he took notes, knowing he wasn't really comprehending anything but he figured at least he would have something to go off of when it came time to study.

He got through his morning classes without falling asleep and headed to lunch. He sat on the end of the football table, focusing more on his food and the blonde three tables down, then on raucous behavior of his teammates.

Tim let out a sigh as he leaned back in his chair lost in thought. The material of his gray Panthers football shirt stretched over his upper body as he stretched his arms up and behind his head. His open stance was seen as an opportunity by a passing by rally girl who decided to use his lap as a seat. She wore too tight white shorts with a cut-off blue shirt and way too much make-up. What had he seen in these girls? They were clearly desperate and trying way to hard. He held absolutely no interest in her. It was not her attention or company that he craved for.

"Not today." He spoke softly as not to embarrass the girl more than she had done so herself, but his voice was firm with intent.

"Oh, come on Timmy. I thought we could have some fun." She started to rub her hands down his chest.

"Sounds like quite the invitation Riggs," Smash called from a few seats down.

Tim had had enough. He wasn't in the mood for this. He quickly lifted the girl off his lap and stood up next to her. "I said not today," he spoke louder, doing his best to get his point across. The cafeteria had fallen silent and all eyes were on him. His green eyes locked with hers for a brief moment, and again, he couldn't figure out what she was thinking. He broke their gaze and walked out to the hall.