Wednesday morning, the guys and I were back at it again. Coach Taylor told us that we were to attend the PeeWee Panthers Football practice since we were still being highlighted for the High School Football Association.

During school, Tim was asleep during half of the classes of the day, except for the one after lunch. We sat on the bleachers in the gym doing nothing because we had a free day. He sat in front of me with his head in my lap. I ran my fingers through his hair, absentmindedly braiding his hair in small plaits.

"Why do you always braid my hair?"

"Why do you have 80's hair?" I shot back watching him smirk.

"Why do you always say that I have 80's hair?"

"Because you do, but it's a good fit for your ugly face."

"Take that back." He said as his eyes shot open, giving me a playful glare.

"Hmm, think I won't." I tease, bending down and kissing his forehead. "Would it hurt to run a comb through it?"

"And have you mess it up with these braids? No way, Lil' Bit." He replied closing his eyes, he sighed then opened his left eye, "Do you really think I'm ugly?"

"No Tim, you are one of the most gorgeous guys I've ever seen in my life."

"Mean that?"

"I do." I said sincerely with a smile, "I wouldn't lie to you."

"I know you wouldn't, Lil' Bit." He smiled as he kept his eyes closed. The bell sounded, notifying us that it was time for practice. He groaned and sat up, stretching his arms. I stood up and watched him walk down the bleachers. I made my way down, before I could plant my feet on the floor, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me off the bleachers. I giggled and laid still on his shoulder.

We met up with Jason on the C- Hall before we made our way to the field house. I heard a laugh behind us, I looked up and saw Coach Taylor behind us chuckling. "He always carries you around, don't he?"

"Like a rag doll, Coach. I think that's all he thinks I am."

"Lies, all lies." Tim said as we walked into the field house with Coach in tow. Tim dropped me at my locker then walked to his and got ready for the PeeWee game. After everyone filed into the field house and got their pads on, we were ready for the game. I still couldn't understand what the big deal was with the news crew. I mean, I understood it was for the first game, but why did they have to follow us everywhere? Like always, I sat on the bench and French braided my hair in two parts, then put my yellow bandana on. After I finished, we walked on the field and met up with the PeeWee Panthers.

"Alright boys, I want the kickers with Lil' Bit." Coach Taylor told the younger group, "Lil' Bit is our kicker, punter, and she's also a wide receiver. How many of yal follow her on the field?"

A slew of boys raised their hands, making me laugh. "That's what I'm talking about. So, A and B string wide recievers, punters and kickers go with her. We're all going to warm up before the scrimmage starts, okay?"

"Yes Coach." The boys called back. Six of the boys walked to me, standing around me protectively, I couldn't help but to laugh. It was like standing around Tim, Jason, Oran, Smash and Johnny.

"Alright men, follow me. If your parents want to come over they are more than welcome to." I said looking at each of them.

"Miss Bit, what's your favorite exercise?" Tony Roberts asked as we walked to the 30 yard line.

"I like several ones actually. To be a good kicker, you have to work on your legs a lot. So, who is the kickers?"

Jon, Steven and Carl raised their hands. "Alright, I want wide receivers on the right and kickers to the left. Now, parents of the kickers, every night it's best if you work with your kids for about twenty minutes. I have a few techniques that will help each of you for kicking."

Jon, Steven and Carl took turns kicking, I stood giving constructive criticism to each parent, who were appreciated. I showed them a few techniques that would give the ball a better flow to the goal. Thirty minutes of working with each group, showing the receivers an easier way to get set and to rise up for battle; the group was doin the exercises.

"Boys yal are looking better than the bigger Panthers. I think I like yal better, too. They complain about doing exercise—they're big babies." I said as they and their parents laughed. Coach blew the whistle and called us to come as one group.

"Hey Johnna, do you think Jon will have a chance?" Jon's mom, Theresa, asked. I looked at her and smiled.

"I do. I think he'll be an outstanding player. Those exercises were the ones I did when I was younger." I answered before we got to the group.

"Thank you Johnna."

"No problem." I smiled before Coach started talking.

"Alright everyone, we're going to play some ball. I want the QB's to call out the plays loud and proud in the huddles. Call your calls on the stretch, too, alright? It's going to be my guys against yal. I want this a fair game, okay?"

"Yes sir." Everyone called out and dispersed into our assigned teams. The scrimmage started, Jason, Tim and I walked to the 50 yard line with three of the PeeWee boys.

"Okay, heads or tails, PeeWee?" Coach McGill asked.

"Tails." One called as the coin was in the air. Coach McGill caught the coin and opened his hand.

"Tails it is. Ball first?"

"Yeah." He replied before he was handed the ball. I chuckled before we walked back to our side. Defense was up first, the offense stood over by Coach as the game started. It seemed like every ten minutes, we were switched up. The PeeWee's were winning by a touchdown.

Offense was on the field for the last half. We ran a few of the easier plays; Jason snapped the ball to me, I ran to the middle, but getting pummeled by four of the boys who piled on top of me. I laughed and laid there until they got up, then helped me up. It was our first down, the boys came up to the line and got ready. We switched it up on the younger boys, but they ended up intercepting and making another touchdown.

The game was over and the big Panthers lost by a touchdown. The younger boys were over the moon happy with their big win. We all got together, taking pictures with both teams together. We got up and walked to the field house together to the play room, and took a knee with the younger kids in front of us.

"All these plays on the board are very important. These are the exact same plays that you will learn when you get older. You have to remember each play, learn the specifics and work as a team." Jason said with a smile. "Each play is very distinct, but when you get them down and remember them, they are hard to forget."

"Mr. Street are you going to college to be a football player?"

"I would like to."

"I think you should, I think you could be a pro."

Jason chuckled, "We'll see about that, little man. Let us pray." He said going down on one of his knees and bowed his head. Everyone locked hands and bowed their heads for prayer.

"Mr. Street?" Jon called out, "Do you think God loves football?"

"I think everyone loves football." He said with a smile then bowed his head, "Our Father in heaven," He started and everyone fell in with him "Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

After the prayer, I was called to the front to talk about the diversity of the game. However, me being the person that I am, I gave them a few play by plays because actually learning the dynamics of football were a little boring. Thirty minutes later, we were told we could go.

I sighed as I walked into the pool house. I was overly tired, my body hurt, my legs even hurt. I ran a hot bath and threw in a bath ball. I grabbed Tim's iPod and plugged it into the auxiliary line of the radio I had in the bathroom. I took my blue Dillon Panthers t-shirt and my shorts off, along with my panties and threw them in the clothes hamper.

I pressed play on the iPod and slid in the hot water as Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me. I slid farther in the tub, only allowing my head to be above the water. I closed my eyes and sighed, letting my body relax to the warmth. A knock on the door made me groan loudly.

"Yes?"

"Johnna, it's your mom." I heard her saw from the bathroom door. "Mind if I come in?"

"Sure." I said as she walked in.

"We need to talk." She started, "I think you need to quit football."

"Why?" I asked, "I'm not taking any attention away from Jason. So, what's the reason?"

"Girls shouldn't be playing football."

I rolled my eyes, "You know what mother? You can take your opinions and shove them up your ass, because I am going to play football until I graduate."

"Well, you can't live here anymore then."

"Okay, I'll have my stuff out by tomorrow." I spat, "But for the time being, get out my house."

She nodded and turned, walking out the bathroom. I reached over the tub and grabbed my phone, dialing Jason's number. "Hello?"

"So, your mom came over here and said that I need to quit football. I said I wouldn't so she told me that I can't live back here anymore."

"What the hell?" He exclaimed, "Why?"

"Hell if I know, so I told her I'll have my stuff out by tomorrow."

"Lil' Bit,"

"Don't worry about it, Bubba." I said, "I'm fixing to get out the tub, cook some supper and watch TV before I go to bed."

"I'll come over in a little bit."

"Alright, love you."

"Love you Lil' Bit." He replied before I hung up the phone. I sighed and called Tim. He answered his phone in a heavy breath.

"Bit?"

"Yeah, I need you."

"Okay, are you home?"

"Yeah, I'm fixing to get out the tub." I said, before the door opened quickly and in walked Tim, who had the phone against his ear. He smiled widely and sat on the side of the tub. "Well, that was quick."

He chuckled, "I was in the neighborhood. What's wrong?"

"Well, Joanne came over and said that she thinks I should quit football. It's not for girls, and I told her I wasn't. I told her I was going to play until I graduated and then she told me that if that was going to happen then I needed to move out. So, can I move into your pool house?"

"Yeah, you can." He paused, "You don't have to live in the pool house either."

"I'll pay rent and all of that. I won't be in your way or anything. I'll keep to myself like usual." I ran off, he leaned forwards and cupped his hand over my lips.

"I said you don't have to live in the pool house. You can live inside."

"I don't want to be in the way, Tim. The pool house is fine."

"If you say so then." He paused, "You alright?"

"I will be. I need to call Coach and let him know I'll miss practice tomorrow and school."

"I will, just finish your bath."

"Thanks Tim." I said with a smile. "Thank you for everything."

"You'd help me, we both know this."

I nodded, "I would."

He leaned over and kissed my head before he walked out the bathroom with my phone to his ear. I sighed, feeling the tears prick my eyes. I hurried and washed my hair and body, then got out the tub. I wrapped a towel around me securely and walked into my bedroom. I changed in Jason's Panthers Football t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I towel-dried my hair then braided a simple braid on the side. I walked back in the living room area and sat beside Tim on the couch. He was in an in-depth conversation with Coach. "Here she is, Coach."

He handed the phone to me. I put it to my ear, "Hey Coach."

"You know you can stay with us."

"I'll be fine in Tim's pool house. Did he tell you I'll be missing practice and school tomorrow?"

"Yeah, and I figured that I could get the team over and help you move."

"Coach you don't have to do that."

"I know I don't, but we will. You know the team has got your back always, Lil' Bit." He said sincerely. Tears welled in my eyes, one slipped down my cheek.

"Thank you so much, Coach. I'll have breakfast done then. What would yal like?"

"You don't have to do that."

"But I am." I countered, "So, I'll have breakfast ready for everyone in the morning."

"You win, Lil' Bit. I'll be there at 6 sharp okay?" He wondered, I nodded absentmindedly.

"Works for me, Coach. I'll see you then." I said before he hung up. I sighed and laid my head on Tim's shoulder. "Well, the team is coming over in the morning to help."

"That's so sweet." He teased, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me on him. I giggled and laid my head on his collar bone, laying my hand over his heart. He laid his hand on mine and kissed my head. "Everything will be fine."

"I hope your right. I just Tyra don't come to the pool house at night and kill me in my sleep."

He chuckled, "She wouldn't dare."

"I'm sure she would." I laughed, closing my eyes. "It's been such a long day. You need to make sure it's okay with Billy."

"Lil' Bit he would rather you live with us than here alone." He said against my head. I nodded and sighed. The door opened, and Jason walked in with grocery bags.

"Hey Timmy," Jason said, "Lil' Bit, I'm cooking supper and we're going to have a sleepover."

I chuckled and nodded, "Alright, Bubba. Whatcha gonna cook?"

"Well, I picked some food up from the store. You know I can only cook hamburger helper, so I got that Cheesy Beef Pasta that you like."

"So thoughtful, thank you Bubba." I looked at him and smiled. He nodded and leaned down, kissing my head. "We sleeping in here or in my room? Tim are you staying?"

"I will if you want me to."

"It's settled then. Tim go take a shower, I'll hold down the couch." I said as I sat up. He groaned, but got up and headed towards the bathroom. I got up and walked to Jason, who was browning the ground beef. I wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head on his back. "Thank you, Bubba."

"You're my sister, Lil' Bit. I'll do anything in this world for you. I do not agree with what mom said. I'm so sorry for the crap you have been put through."

"It's not your fault, Bubba. I'm the problem as always." I said as I leaned up and kissed the back of his head. He turned around and wrapped his arms around me protectively.

"You're not a problem, I don't know why they insist that you are."

I shrugged and pulled out of his arms, "I guess we'll never know. I'm fixing to watch TV. I talked to Coach and he said that the team will help me move tomorrow."

"Sounds good. Tim said you could stay with him?" He questioned, looking over at me. I nodded.

"I'm taking over the pool house."

He chuckled, "You and your pool houses."

"They're cozy, and theirs is bigger than this one."

"I agree. Go put us a movie in, this should be done by the time Timmy get's out the shower." He said looking over at me. I nodded and looked through the DVD's that I owned. I found the perfect one, See Spot Run. I put the DVD into the player and let the previews play. The menu of the movie came on before Tim walked into the living room. He sat on the couch and groaned as he pulled the phone out his pocket.

"Yeah?" He asked, I shook my head and walked to the fridge and started getting the drinks together. "Fine, I'll be there. Bye." Tim hung up the phone and stood up, "I'm gonna head on out, Tyra wants to go out for supper. I have to go be a good boyfriend."

I couldn't help but to laugh, "Tyra's not that bad. You're dating her she deserves to be taken out on a date."

"Yeah, if you say so. I'll get bitched out for nothing." He said kissing me on the head, then hugged me tightly. Once he let go, he bumped fists with Jason then walked out the door. I looked at Jason and grinned.

"Sibbles sleepover." I boasted, he just laughed and shook his head. I poured the two of us tea and set them on the coffee table. He brought our plates, forks and napkins over and sat beside me. I started the movie and we began to eat.

After we finished we pulled the couch out and got comfortable. As the movie ended, it was already 11PM. I turned the TV off and turned on my side, facing Jason. "Thank you for always supporting me, Bubba."

"You're my sister, John. I'll always support you." He whispered before he kissed my head, "Get some sleep, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. I love you Lil' Bit."

"I love you, too, Bubba." I replied before I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.