Goals.

Friday Night Lights.

Don Billingsley.

Garrett Hedlund.

fan fiction.

hatericeviolence.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS OR ANY OF ITS RESPECTIVE CHARACTERS. NOR DO I CLAIM THIS HAPPENED TO THE REAL LIFE CHARACTERS PORTRAYED IN FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

2. First fumble of the season

Somehow Carina had managed to convince me to go to conditioning. I felt as though my nerves were eating me alive. Only a few yards separated me from the number twenty-six. In those few yards, I had to convince myself that I could do this. Only a few yards to let the little voice, also known as my sister, lead the way. Those few yards were scaring the shit out of me.

I stumbled my way to the bleachers and sat down towards the top behind the much more popular girls. Some of them I had known for years. Many of them were cheerleaders. All of them didn't know me. Regina turned and looked up at me. Her dark brown hair hadn't changed its style since elementary school. "Hey, are you new?"

"What?" I looked at her. It was obvious she didn't remember me but to think I was new? Could this work for my advantage? Couldn't hurt to try.

"Are you new? I've never seen you."

"Ah...yeah, you got me. I'm new," the moment I said it, I regretted it. Something told me though, they weren't smart enough to find out if it was true.

Regina smiled and waved me down to her direction. "Come! Sit! Let's talk! Conditioning is SO boring!" She pushed aside the light headed brunette next to her as I got to the bottom. She waited until I sat down before inducing a smile. "So, what's your name? I'm Regina. I'm head cheerleader and I am dating that guy right there!" She pointed into the crowd of the players. "He's number twenty-six. Well we aren't dating yet. But we will be once school starts."

I smiled fakely. She was lying. Don would never settle in a relationship. God, I hope not...at least not with her. That would just insure that my last year in high school would be terrible. "I'm Daphne. What's his name?"

"It's Don. Trust me, he's hot. Do you cheerlead? It's not too late to try out! I mean, I am cheer captain. I can make an exception."

"I don't cheerlead. Thanks, though. Is anything going on before school starts?"

"Yeah! There's a party tonight! You should come with! You can meet some people!"

"Yeah, okay, cool."

"I can pick you up," the lighter brunette said. "I'm Bridgette, by the way. Nice to meet you."

The other girls introduced themselves slowly but I had already faded my attention out. On the field, they were yelling at Don. They kept yelling his name and every time they did, I jumped. I turned my head slightly towards Regina. "Why are they yelling?"

"Oh, that? It's no big or anything. Don just doesn't do so well sometimes. He plays best when he's drinking. He isn't drunk right now so obviously...he sucks. It's okay, this is only conditioning. It's not like a game or anything." Regina laughed. She didn't take it seriously. The way she talked it sounded like Don had a drinking problem or something...which he did.

"So no reason to worry?"

Regina shook her head and let out another laugh. "Nope, none. If he keeps messing up they may extend practice but it should be short. The reporters are coming in later to do their pre-season interviews for all of the team. So, it should be a short practice."

"Pre-season interviews?" I questioned. I, honestly, had never paid attention to any of the media frenzy that followed the Panthers. I would much rather be at the game than to see a recap on TV.

"Yeah, they talk about like football and stuff. It's really boring but it takes almost an entire day's conditioning to do because they do everyone...which just means, the party starts sooner!"

Well, that answered every question I could ever have. "Thanks, Regina. Does that mean it's happening soon?"

"Must be. They're huddling," Bridgette said, poking her head out past Regina's.

The team joined together in the middle of the field and kneeled down while the coach talked and the stream of reporters came onto the field. One by one the reporters choose a member of the team and interviewed them. All of us sat back and just waited. Within a few minutes the reporters left and the players were dismissed.

Number twenty six walked over to the bleachers with his helmet in hand and looked up at us. He smiled as he looked at me. "Hey, girls. Got a new recruit, huh?" He stepped closer and extended his free hand to me. "I'm Don."

"Hi," I said shaking his head. I instantly wanted to hit myself. Hi? Was that really what I just said? Yeah, he'll remember me for sure.

"Yeah, this is Daphne. She's new and my new bestie!" Regina said as she popped up from the bleachers and engulfed him in a hug. I looked over as I heard Bridgette huff. Regina wasn't the best of friends for anyone. "So, what time are we meeting up?"

"We're going out to get burgers around six. Going right after to the party." Don stepped back just small amount. "Daphne, are you going to come out with us to the party?"

"Is that an invitation?"

He nodded. "Yeah, come out with us. I'll even buy you a burger."

Regina stepped back and looked at me with piercing eyes. "Yeah, she's coming. She can't stay long, though. She's unpacking still."

"Alright, that works. I'll see you guys later. I gotta take a shower. Bye, Daphne."

Regina waved and blew a kiss at Don before he walked off. He clearly wanted to ignore her. She must do nothing but bother him. "Daphne, I'll pick you up for dinner. We have things to do. Talk later."

I stood up and walked off of the bleachers as the girls went their separate ways. Something told me things just weren't going to go well now. I walked the fifteen minutes back to my house and immediately sat down next to Carina on the couch when she was watching Full House.

"What's wrong?"

"I think I'm screwed."

Carina looked over at me and exhaled. "What happened?"

"I met him. Met Regina. They're dating and now that he knows who I am, she's pissed at me."

"Well you are going to steal her boyfriend."

"He invited me to dinner and to a party."

"Oh, what time?"

"Six. Regina basically uninvited me."

"So? Go anyway. Did he actually ask you out?"

"He said 'Yeah, come out with us. I'll even buy you a burger.' Is that being asked out?" I asked finally looking at her and away from the tv.

Carina slapped his shoulder and shot up from the couch. "YES! Oh my god, we need to get you something to wear and get you ready! Oh my god! My baby sister got asked out! Come on!" Carina dragged me up the stairs and to her bedroom before she started pulling out clothes and throwing them around.

I collapsed on her bed and just watched her as she threw around clothes. She was really enjoying this. "Carina, why can't I wear what I have?"

She slowly turned around and glared at me. "Really? Seriously? He asked you out. You can't go like that! Go take a shower so we can get you ready."

I rolled my eyes then walked out of her room and straight into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Carina was definitely reading into this more than I was. Or...maybe she's onto something. I got out of the shower and walked back into her room and grabbed the outfit she had laid out. I quickly changed then went downstairs. "Carina, anything else?"

"Your makeup. Be up in a minute."

I slowly trudged back up the stairs and sat down on the bathroom counter. She trailed in soon after and instantly started working on my makeup. "What time is it?"

"You have twenty minutes. So, gotta hurry. Is he coming to get you?"

"No, Bridgette is." The doorbell rang and we both glanced into the hallway. "She must be early. Makeup good?"

"Great, you're ready."

Carina walked out with me and down the stairs. I got to the door before her and opened it. "Hey, you're early!"

"Yeah, well, Don decided that everyone was meeting early. Should have warned you about that. Are you ready?"

"Yeah, later Carina."

Bridgette smiled then looked over at Carina. "Is it okay if she spends the night?"

Carina looked at me then smiled. "Yeah, it sure is. I'll let Mom know."

I looked at Bridgette and nodded. "Let me go grab an overnight bag. You can come in." I ran up the stairs with Bridgette and grabbed clothes and my toothbrush. "What's going on tonight?"

"Party. I was informed to make sure you had an alibi incase you didn't make it home."

I looked over at her. An alibi incase I don't come home? "From who?"

"Listen, don't tell Regina. Don wants to...you know...hook up with you. I'm not supposed to tell you. Don't say anything."

"Hook up?"

She looked at me strangely. "Yeah, have you like never done it before?"

I swallowed and walked down towards the stairs. "Where is everyone?"

"Already getting food. I'm supposed to get you and get you there."

"Right," I said walking out the door and to her car. We got in and sat down. She pulled out of the driveway and started heading there. "What does he have planned?"

"Don't say anything to Regina. Don likes you. Probably because he doesn't know you or...he thinks you're easy."

I rolled my head and stared out the window. Yeah, Carina's really helping me...look like a whore. "Awesome. Maybe I shouldn't go."

Bridgette glared over at me. "No, you're coming. If you don't go, Regina wins. I'm sick of her always winning. She's a crazy psychopath."

I laughed. I guess I was right. No one likes Regina. "Alright," I said as she parked. I got out and walked with her over to the tables.

Don got up and waved. "Hey, I went ahead and got you girls something to eat! Come on, sit down." We both ran up to the tables. "Daphne, come sit." He waited until I sat down next to him before he sat down and passed me a burger.

"Thanks," I said taking it. I wasn't hungry but I couldn't exactly refuse.

"BILLINGSLY BILLINGSLY BILLINGSLY!" I looked over to see a car full of older men calling out for Don. Don got up and walked over to them.

"We're leaving in a minute, might want to hurry," Regina said with the straw sitting on her tongue.

I got up with Bridgette and threw away all of the trash from the table before Don even got back. He walked back with a light skinned Hispanic named Brian. "I think we're ready," I said only looking at Bridgette.

"Cool, I gotta go and get some stuff. Regina has the address. See you guys later." Don waved and walked off.

We all sat there for few minutes doing nothing. And then Regina piped up. "I need to go to my house and get some stuff. Daphne, you did bring clothes, right? We can take them to my house."

The two of us left the rest of Regina's squad sitting there and went to Regina's house. Regina drove to her house with me in the passenger seat. She didn't say too much until we got inside her house. "Listen, you know I like you, right? Well...you need to just remember to watch yourself. Stay away from Don. He's bad. I don't want you to get hurt." She smiled at me as she took my bag and threw it onto her bed. She really wanted me to believe her. She was trying to be nice.

"Don't worry. I will. Thanks, Regina. I feel like we're best friends."

She smiled and walked out of the house again and we head back to the girls. We were already running behind by almost an hour. So we hurried to pick up the girls and head out to the party.

Regina and her crew ditched me as soon as we got tot he rowdy house party. I tried to follow them but the party had one too many wave for me to be able to follow. I quickly gave up and found myself relying on the staircase to keep me company. The sound of Dep Leppard was louder than I had ever heard. There were very few people I recognized.

The people all around me where older and their mullets were un-kept. Their beer bellies made them look pregnant. They were a disaster. Why anyone would every go to these parties, I will never understand.

"I couldn't help but to notice you don't have a drink."

I looked up after snapping out of my trance and staring at Don. "Yeah, I just got here. Lost everyone," I said taking the cold, red plastic cup.

"I'm not surprised. It's busy tonight," he said leaning on the rail and taking a gulp out of his cup.

"Is it always like this?"

"Ahh...pretty much. This is the first pre-season party, so half the town is here. A lot of freshmen tonight."

I glanced up at him as he let his eyes wonder. Maybe this was a bad idea. "Why are you wasting time with me when all these freshmen are running around?"

Don shook his head and finally took a seat next to me. "Maybe because I wanna get to know you. I have a feeling someone's been telling you some shit about me and I'm sure it's not true."

"So that means what exactly?"

"You tell me. What have you heard?"

I thought about his question. In reality, I knew a little. But Regina had told me next to nothing. "Nothing...just that you're dating Regina but not dating Regina..."

He quickly shook his head and stood up. "I'm not dating her. Don't listen to her. She thinks she can claim me but she can't. I'm not for keeps."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because Regina thinks she can control me-"

"No, why aren't you for keeps? Got some trust issues?"

He took a step down. "I'll talk to you late, Daphne. Consider drinking that. There's more in the kitchen," he said before walking off.

"Don!" I looked through the railing and watched as he trailed off. Why would he say that? And then storm off? He must really hate Regina or something...but...he did remember my name. He keeps saying it. Maybe Bridgette was telling the truth.

I got up and tried to find Don. I kept crashing into the waves of people and ended up in the front room on the couch. I looked down at the cup he had given me. I took a quick gulp and had to put my hand to my mouth. It was terrible. My first beer and it was terrible. It tasted like vomit and bread. I put the glass on the coffee table sitting in front of me.

"Hey, sorry to intrude. Saw that you may need something good to drink."

I looked up at the talk lanky dark haired guy standing there passing me a cup. I took it as he sat down next to me. "What is it?"

"It's a screwdriver. It has Orange Juice-" Without letting him finish, I swallowed almost the entire cup before realizing it was burning just a little and moving the cup away from my mouth. "And vodka. I'm Collin."

"Daphne, thanks for this. Beer's not my thing."

"It's fine. I hate it too. I-ah-have never seen you."

"Yeah, I'm new in town. Do you go to-"

"College, visiting. Big game is coming up so I thought I'd come down and root on my home team."

"Cool."