Tuesday
"Lil' Bit, I want you to work with Saracen today, okay? Make sure he remembers how to throw and run plays." Coach Taylor said as he walked up to me as I walked onto the field. I chuckled and nodded, then grabbed my helmet and slid it over my head. I jogged over to Matt and smiled.
"Let's throw the ball and run some plays, okay?" I suggested to him. He smiled and nodded. "So, tell me, which Rally girl do you have your eye on?"
"She-she's not really a Rally girl. She dances though." He sputtered out, making me smile even more. "She's beautiful, but way out of my league."
"Why do guys always think they're not good enough for a woman?" I asked as I put my gloves on.
"Because she's Coach Taylor's daughter." He deadpanned.
"Aw, Matty. Julie is an amazing girl; very down to earth." I said handing the ball to him. "Run the Chop Seven Turn 4."
"Okay." He said, getting into position. "Down, set, hut! Hut!" He called as I took down the field, going thirty yards out, as I turned the ball flew in the air towards me. With ease, I caught the ball and smiled.
"Criticism will be your best friend, Seven. When you snap, you have five seconds to get to where you're going. Within those five seconds you have to look at your options, you have to watch your coverage. Within those five seconds you have to watch your ass along with your teams' runners. Once you set your gauge, then it's go time from there."
"Okay, th-thank you." He said with a smile. Several plays later, practice was over. Coach Taylor walked up beside me, thanking me for talking Matt down some. When Jason leaves for college, Matt has some big shoes he has to fill.
"Coach you know I have no problem working with Matt." I said with a smile. He nodded and grinned and kissed my head.
"So, what's going on with you and Riggins?"
"Nothing, he's my best friend, Coach. He may be rough on the outside and is an alcoholic, but he's an amazing guy. I'm proud of him."
"I know you are, and I wish that he would open his eyes and see the opportunity that is at his front door. He can go so far with football."
"Oh, I know. He doesn't think he's good enough for college, but I instill in him that he is." I explained, "I want him to excel, I want him to follow any dreams he does have. If those are in college playing ball, then I want him to follow them. If it is in Dillon then I want him to stay and follow them. He's a damn good mechanic, he's a damn good fullback. His options are endless."
"You have a lot of faith in him, don't you?" Coach Taylor asked as he looked down at me.
"Coach, honestly, I do. I see the good and the better quality in him than anyone else. There is no one other than Billy that supports him and sometimes Billy drives him to drinking. My thing is, is instead of worrying about what you're going to wear tomorrow, or what college you're going to in a few years, just worry about living day to day."
"I like that, Lil' Bit. That's pretty amazing advice and I agree with you."
"Look at Smash. I love him to death but he is acting as if he is the only one who ever was being looked at by a scout. He thinks he's the only one that has ever been wanted on a college team, but he's not and he needs to realize that if you can run twenty to thirty yards under a certain amount of time you're going to be looked at. There has been several guys that's had scouts looking at them for that exact reason, just like him, because he's fast."
"He is a cocky one, though." He added, as I nodded.
"Oh, I agree, Coach. Smash is very cocky, but he has the right intentions. I just hope his mouth won't over load his ass when he does talk to the recruiters." I said with a small laugh. Coach Taylor nodded and agreed.
"Well go on, tell the special team to run your plays. Tell the first team to come off and take a break."
"Yes sir." I said before I walked back to the groups of guys, "Alright special team on the field, first team take a break." The two groups dispersed, leaving the special team on the field as the first team took the bench. "Five minute break, then we're doing up-downs."
"Lil' Bit all authoritative, I don't think 'The Smash' likes that."
I rolled my eyes, "I don't give a rat's ass what 'The Smash' likes or don't likes, okay? Leave the third person for Literature, alright?" I growled, "Like I said before we had that little bump in the road. Up-downs in four minutes and thirteen seconds."
I turned and sat between Tim and Oran, watching Matt and the special team run plays. I couldn't get frustrated with Matt because he was QB2 and still very wet behind the ears. I stood up and walked on the field, grabbing him up off the ground. "Listen to me, you have five second frame to hit your four steps. You have got to open your eyes Matt or they'll all gun for you."
"O-okay. Do I need to step differently?" He wondered shyly. "Will you show me the proper way?"
"Of course." I said with a smile. "Alright special team, I'm going to show Matt how to step. If any of yal tackle me while I do this, you will run the bleachers until you pass out. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am." The team said, I grinned.
"Perfect!" I exclaimed, taking the ball and handing it to Brad Sawyer. The offense huddled together, Matt stood beside me. "We're going to do the Blue 3 cross 5 Chop 6. Ready?
"Break!" The team yelled. I smiled and got into place. "Blue twenty-two, set hut! Hut!" I grabbed the ball and walked back four steps. Julian Brady ran out, ready to receive the ball. "Count to four, look at your coverage and throw." I said to Matt as I threw a beautiful spiral. In the matter of seconds, the ball was in Julian's hands and he was in the end-zone.
"That… that was great Johnna." He stuttered, I smiled and thanked him.
"You try it."
"It's a tough play."
"And you're a QB. Get your ass in gear and execute the play, Saracen."
"Yes ma'am." He said as if I stole his favorite toy. He got in the huddle and called the play. I smiled watching Matt execute the play.
"That's it, Matt. You did it." I said patting his helmet. "Keep on and you'll carry the team if need be."
"Thank you Lil' Bit."
"Not a problem at all." I said before I walked to the bench. "Alright guys, time for Smash's favorite exercise—up-downs. Six call them out."
The guys groaned which made me laugh loudly. We all got in formation and started the up-downs in fives all the way to twenty. As soon as we were finished, the team along with the special team ran the field before we got on our knees to listen to Coach.
"Alright team, we're almost there. There is not a doubt in my mind that that W will be ours. If we keep working like we've been then they won't be able to touch us. Special team, yal are looking great out there, and before this season is over, each one of you will play in the games. I promise you that." Coach Taylor spoke, "Now everyone bow your heads, for a prayer."
I grabbed Tim and Jason's hand then bowed my head, "Lord, Heavenly Father, thank you for giving these men and woman the stamina to do what they do. You have graced me with the best and I thank God for it every day. This team is what family is all about, it's not just about one it's about all. Please keep your arms around each of us while we are gearing up for the Friday night. In your name we pray, Amen. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!"
"Say what?" I called out, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!" We chanted and stood, holding our helmets in the air all touching, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!" I couldn't help but to smile, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!"
"Who are we?" I called out.
"The Panthers!"
"What are we going to do Friday?" I asked loudly.
"Win!" The team and Coaches called out loudly. I smiled as we dispersed. Tim, Jason, Oran and I walked off the field and to the field house together. After I took a quick shower, the guys followed in and took theirs. As soon as everyone finished, Jason and Tim decided that we had to get ready for the pep rally. I hated pep rally's with a passion.
Jason, Tim and I headed back to the Street abode. Tim and I went back to the pool house and got dressed in our 'nice' Panther shirts, something that we always wore to the tight knit uppity rally's. "Why do we have to go?" I asked as I walked into the living room.
"Because everyone needs to see the winners." Jason said with a grin. I rolled my eyes and sat on the couch beside Tim, who was watching a late recording of Oprah.
"They get on my nerves. Too much pep for me. All the fakeness comes out in one night, it's too much for me." I started, "You'll be with Lyla, Tim will be with Tyra, and I'll be there like sore ass thumb."
"You won't be alone."
"Yeah right, because you know just like I do." I growled lightly. "I can't even dress up nicely. I'll be the only girl there dressed like you stinking pigs."
"You are the girliest girl I know, you just play football." Jason said with Tim agreeing.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I said before I looked at the time. We had thirty minutes before we had to get there. "I need my jacket."
"Check on your bed." Tim said as I got up and walked towards my room. I smiled and saw the jacket. Everything I had was specially made, I was a Tinker Bell compared to the various Hook's and Peter Pan's. I slid my jacket on and walked back into the living room.
"Lil' Bit you're riding with Tim, I'm gonna take Lyla home tonight."
"Okay. Come on Timbo, let's go show your pale face off."
"I'm not pale!" He exclaimed standing up, towering over me.
"Fine, come on Ashton Kutcher." I said with a grin. He glared playfully before he grinned. He wrapped his arms around me and picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder. Jason was bringing up the rear in a fit of giggles. "It's not funny Six."
"It is, Lil' Bit, it really is." He said laughing loudly. I rolled my eyes and submitted myself, laying on Tim's shoulder not even putting up a fight. Before I knew it, we were trailing Jason to the pep rally.
"Lil' Bit you know I won't leave you tonight, right?"
"You will, but it's okay. Tyra is your girlfriend." I said with a reassuring smile. "Are you ready for Friday?"
"Yeah."
"Don't lie. I know how you get."
"I want to show Coach that I can live up to his expectations." He admitted, I looked over at him and grabbed his hand.
"Word of advice Timbo, stop coming to practice hung-over. Show Coach you actually care about the team and him."
"You think it will work?"
"Yes I do, and you know I would never lie to you." I replied as we pulled into Buddy Garrity's dealership. He and I got out the truck and made our way in the building. The pep rally started, I couldn't have cared less about being here. Things like this weren't my scene.
After Coach talked to the community, the players were called up to the stage. One by one, each player got up there. I was last, luckily for me. I walked on the stage, hearing several roars and cheers. I smiled and waved, then stood beside Tim and Jason.
"I just want to say something about this young lady right here, Lil' Bit come here." Coach Taylor said, I furrowed my eyebrows and stepped to him. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and smiled, "This young lady right here is Johnna Street."
"Lil' Bit!" Tim, Jason and Oran yelled out with a smile; roars filled the room once more.
"She is our Lil' Bit. I've had the honor of watching her grow up, for as long as I have known her, she was always about football. She wanted to fit in with her brother, her best friend Tim, and the guys she grew up with. She puts in a lot of muscle and hard work for this team. She has three different jobs with the Panthers and she executes each really well. I am proud to be her coach—she brings positivity and joy to the team. Thank you for being the person you are, Lil' Bit."
"Thank you Coach." I said hugging him tightly.
"I want to give an award to Johnna Street. The last two years you've been on varsity, you have excelled in everything. I never hear any back talk, there is no back lash. You are the glue of this team. You keep everyone in their own skin—the guys and I want to present to you this necklace. You are the Lady Panther, number thirteen, and you will bring the Panthers to victory."
"Wait, what?" I asked full of confusion. The whole room laughed, I felt a cold metal against my chest. I looked down and saw a Panthers P with a tiara on it. Tears welled into my eyes, the thoughts of these guys were beyond belief.
"Speech!" I heard being yelled out.
"I just want to say thank you Coach Taylor, Coach McGill, and my team members for this. Without yal I couldn't be here… I wouldn't be here. I come into this looking for family, yarning for a little extra than what I usually get." I paused, the tears slipped out my eyes. "I love these guys unconditionally, and there is nothing that I wouldn't do for them. They've had my back and supported me when my own parents wouldn't. That is the definition of a family; these men behind me is my family. It won't only be me taking us to a victory Friday, but it will be a piece of each of us taking us to that victory. Thank you guys, I couldn't ask for a better team and a better family." I finished, receiving silence, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose."
"Can't lose!" Everyone chanted behind me. The guys huddled around me, hugging me as tightly as they could. I wiped my cheeks as we stood in formation. Tim grabbed my hand, giving me a wink. I smiled and breathed heavily. As soon as they ceremony was over, it was time for the supper. Everyone dispersed, I walked through the sea of people and thanked them as I was congratulated.
I found myself at a table, alone. I sat there watching as everyone interacted with other people. I sighed and ate the small plate that Jason sat in front of me before he walked off. I drank the glass of sweet tea, then got up and walked outside getting away from the crowd. I walked to Tim's truck and grabbed a receipt and wrote 'Gone home. Love you & be careful. Lil' Bit' leaving the note on his steering wheel.
I began my walk to the house, which was about ten miles… which really weren't anything but a good exercise. "Hello my friends, we meet again. It's been a while, where should we begin? Feels like forever. Within my heart are memories, of perfect love that you gave to me. Oh, I remember." I sang as I walked past Applebees. "When you are with me, I'm free. I'm careless, I believe. Above all the others we'll fly, this brings tears to my eyes… my sacrifice."
My pocket vibrated, I grabbed my phone and saw it was Jason who was calling. I opened it and put it to my ear, "Yeah?"
"Where you at?"
"Walking home. I told you I didn't want to be there and I didn't want to be left alone, and what happens? I was left alone. So yal have a good night, I'll see yal later."
"Johnna."
"Bye Jason, be careful." I said before I hung up. I put my phone in my pocket and continued my walk. I started running half way, then crossed the street to the block where we lived. Ten minutes later, I was home, washed and in my bed. My phone started ringing once more.
"Yes?" I asked not bothering to see who it was.
"Lil' Bit?"
"What Tim?" I asked almost agitated.
"Are you okay?" He wondered, making me roll my eyes.
"Sure am, I'm in bed." I started, "What can I possibly do for you?"
"Why did you leave?"
"I done talked to Jason, I didn't want to be there. I didn't want to be alone, and what happens? I was there by my damn self, Tim. Alone." I growled, "You and everyone else was off doing what yal wanted and I was in the fucking corner alone. So, I left."
"John."
"Just don't Tim, alright? Go have fun, drink your beer, get drunk, have sex. I don't care." I said before I hung up. I rolled to my side and held the pendant in my hands. My phone vibrated, New Msg flashed across the screen. I opened the phone and saw it was from Tim.
"I'm sorry. 143. – Riggers."
"Yeah, me, too. 432.- Bit."
Soon enough, the darkness took over my body. Dreams of the upcoming game with Westerby clouded my mind. I woke up and looked at the clock, it was 3:30 AM. I got up and walked towards the kitchen, hearing a noise. I furrowed my eyebrows and grabbed the bat from the closet and gripped it as tight as I could. I tip toed in the hall until I saw a shadow.
The shadow got closer, with a swing I met the assailant. "Ow! Fucking hell, Lil' Bit? It's me!" Tim's voice boomed through the house. My eyes widened, I dropped the bat and turned the light on.
"Tim!" I exclaimed, "The hell are you doing here at 3:30 AM?" I asked looking at his arm, it was already starting to bruise.
"Well I didn't think getting hit was going to be on the agenda, that's for sure." He said nursing his arm. "Jesus Christ, Bit. The hell is wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry drunken Tim Riggins. I didn't think you would be in my house at 3:30 AM like this. I didn't know if I was being robbed or what."
"No," He started, "You wasn't being robbed."
"Sorry, Riggers." I said hugging him tightly.
"Yeah, I bet." He said looking down at me. I cringed at the alcohol on his breath.
"You're drunk." I said shaking my head. I turned and walked back to my bedroom and got in bed. Minutes later, I felt the bed dip and an arm rest over my side. He pulled me close and kissed my shoulder.
"I'm so sorry for everything I screw up." He whispered, "I'm going to change for you, for me, for Coach. You mean more to me than anyone in this world. I would do anything for you."
Before I could even respond, his light snores sounded through the bedroom. I sighed and turned over, kissing his chin. "I love you, Tim Riggins." I whispered before the sleep took over me.