Chapter 2: An Honest Mistake
The game was getting into it's last few plays and due to being able to get through to the coach as Manny said Jane was out on the field. She gets in position and waits behind to be handed the ball after the huddle, she couldn't help glancing at the large crowd hoping Manny was there cheering her on. The ball is set into play as she goes back trying to find a place to pass it, she slips up for just a moment as she is tackled down to the ground.
She coughs, the wind knocked out of her hard she could barely breath. She is assisted back to her feet by a teammate, she couldn't look up as she could tell they weren't happy she was sacked. The coach calls for a time out, "Jane your out, get back to the locker room."
"Wait Coach, just give me another chance I can still do it."
"We have less than 45 seconds to get down the field and get a touchdown to win this game, I don't have time for slip ups. Hit the showers." He says sternly, she takes off her helmet and goes to the back unable to look up. She couldn't bare to look up and see Manny in the crowd as she is forced to leave from the game after such a big screw up.
At Degrassi Anya is unable to focus in study hall, she rubs her head unsure of what to think after last night. "So your sure it was Bianca?" Chantay asks Anya still in disbelief.
"Yeah..." She says.
"I know you were pretty buzzed but, why didn't you try to stop her."
"I started feeling weaker until I lost consciousness... I think..."
"Did someone slip you something?" Chantay asks with concern.
"I don't know, they might have."
"Do you think it was her?"
"Why would she purposely try to get me? I'm not sure if I've ever held a conversation with her more or less does anyone think she, was on that side of the fence."
"So one of 3 things happened," Chantay scratches her head, "Either you just passed out early, she slipped you something or someone else slipped you something and she happened to show up first so there was no chance for whoever it was."
"Maybe, it was weird enough that I woke up and she was gone, so she's aware something happened."
"Have you talked to her?"
"Of course not, I'm not sure what I would say anyway..." Anya says trying to clear her thoughts the best she can.
Back at the college the day after the game Jane sat alone while she ate her lunch. She hadn't seen Manny, she wouldn't blame her if she ignored her entirely after the embarrassment. It could also mean that if she shows up it could just as well mean she didn't go to the game. Was it better if she didn't know? Jane was having a hard time ponding why she cared so much about Manny's opinion, she barely knew the girl.
"Jane." Manny walked up to her and sat beside her, "I was at the game last night."
Jane was ashamed of how she messed up but had to come clean, "I screwed up, I couldn't be expected a second chance I suppose."
"You did great that whole game, they threw you out for making one small mistake. They lost the game in the end and they still blamed you, it's not your fault at all. If they gave you another chance, I'd bet money you'd make the touchdown."
"You're really that sure of me?" Jane says in surprise.
"Yes," Manny places her hand on Jane's leg, "I want you to get back in there and show them you have what it takes."
"Can't help but feel like I've heard this pep talk."
"Well this time it's about redemption, and win them the game this time, I know you can."
"That means a lot," Janes smiles. "Thank you."
"You're welcome..." They weren't sure if it was them getting caught up in the moment or what else it might have been. As they smiled and looked into each others eyes they both inched closer to each other as their lips almost met Manny stopped and backed up. "I have to go, going to be late to class." She stands up and walks away quickly without looking back. Jane watched her walk away, she couldn't deny the feeling of her heart sinking.
Back at Degrassi Anya had to talk to Bianca, she was sure she'd be fine even if she just ignored it ever happened. She was so sure it was her, she could remember her smell, her face and feel of her lips on her own. "Bianca."
She turns to her with a look of irritance, "What do you want?"
"I was wondering, if you rememebered anything from..."
"No," Bianca cuts her off as if she was getting defensive, "I don't remember anything with anyone. Nothing happened, understand?" Anya backs a step away and nods, "Good." Bianca walks away letting a flyer fall from her locker without her noticing. It was for a party being held at a relatively secret location, it wasn't safe for her and Anya was very sure if she went something bad might happened. It was a mistake whatever happened, but she if what Chantay said was true, it's possible Bianca saved her from something unthinkable and she had to return the favor.
The College game was only minutes from beginning, Jane was sitting on the bench waiting for the guys to finish in the locker room. She is mildly upset over what had happened a day before, she wasn't angry with her, how could she be? She couldn't her mind off of it no matter how hard she tried, there was nothing she could do.
The team comes out and she stands they all walk by as they put their helmets on and get ready to run out together, they leave through the door and just as Jane was about to be the last one out... "Jane wait up!" Manny catches up to her.
"Manny? What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Jane was confused why she felt the need to apologize.
"Go out there, and win this game. I'll be in the bleachers only 4 rows up from where your cheerleaders are stationed. I'll be cheering you on," Manny smiles and hugs Jane. Jane hugs Manny back holding her close, as they pull about Manny kisses Jane's cheek. "Go get em." Jane turns around not looking back and heads out, the next time she wants to see Manny's face is her smiling in victory.
It was like clockwork, the game went in the same direction that it did the last time. This time there was only enough time left for a single play and the fastest guy they had on the team was out, Jane was sitting the bench after the 3rd quarter, she stands and approaches the coach.
"I want a chance to make this touchdown coach."
"Are you out of your mind?"
"What if I am? I have a dark cloud hanging over my head after I made a single mistake and after all I've done I haven't redeemed myself. I swear to you coach, let me try, and if I fail I'll quit the team and I won't come back."
He thinks it over a bit and sighs, "I won't agree to that," he says, "because I'm not trying to find a reason to get rid of you. But I will agree to it because you got the guts and heart to do it. Get in there Jane."
In the same position she was in before, she watched carefully. Her eyes went over to the right to their side, she looked up the bleachers and saw Manny, so small in her vision but could even make out her face from looking so sharply. She was holding and gripping her sign to her chest that said 'Go Jane' on it, she was smiling but her face was also very nervous. She refused to let her down again, as the ball is hicked over to Jane she looks for a place to throw it but no one is open enough, they begin to come back on her. She is just able to dodge the tackle as she begins to run with all her might, she sprints passed the other plays as she gets within inches she is tackled down, she reaches her arms and the ball out as far as she can. It reaches just over the line scoring the final touchdown for the game, with not even time for the extra point the crowds errupts on both sides either in praise or anger at their team.
The team goes around Jane and helps her to her feet as they celebrate making their way back to their coach. "Thanks for giving me a chance coach." Jane says.
"You earned it." He replies, Jane smiles then puts her helmet down and runs into the stands. The camera from above followers her, she makes her way up to Manny who is grinning as wide as her cheeks can let her. Jane meets Manny on the stands.
"I knew you could do it," Manny says. Without a moments hesistation this time they kissed each other in full view of the crowd, the monitor camera and the team. Their time to know each other may have been brief but they weren't ashamed to have fallen in love in that small amount of time.
