Chapter 9: Down for You
Monday mornings at Dillon High were never favorites for Tiny and this one wouldn't be any different. She had a million and one things to do, and didn't know how she was going to accomplish it all. During second period, her class was interrupted for Mrs. Taylor's presentation on college applications and that they should all begin to generate long lists of colleges they may want to attend. After this, they would all meet with Mrs. Taylor individually to go over their lists. Tiny always thought of her senior year as her time to shine. All of the work she put in to keep her grades up while balancing her enrichment programs, dance team practices, moving up through the ranks in Student Government, and a plethora of over various activities would all pay off through her college applications. Her excitement at the possibilities the future held for her shined through her smile all day. At lunch she caught up with Smash, Tim, Erica and other Panther teammates. "Hey baby girl!" Smash greeted her as her frame came into view. She smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips before sitting down and verbally greeting everyone else. "So how was your day?" Smash asked Tiny. "It's not over, that's for sure." She replied tiredly. "What's left for you to do?" He asked curiously. I have to do some more work planning the Panther roast, the bake sale, and pancake breakfast." She replied. "Tiny, you need to relax. You have run yourself ragged for way too long. Let someone else do something for a change." Smash replied with concern in his voice. "I'll be fine. Yes, I'm busy and tired, but you know that I couldn't have it any other way." she told him with a smile. "So, what colleges have you been thinking about?" Tiny asked him in an effort to change the subject. "Mrs. Taylor came to your class too, I see. I'm not sure. I guess McNeil University, Texas A&M, TMU, UCLA, and I guess I'll give Notre Dame and Penn State a shot. What about you?" He asked getting antsy. Smash knew that Tiny had big dreams, just like him. And as much as he wanted her to be happy, he couldn't bear the thought of those respective dreams separating them, or being the demise of their relationship. "Um, I was thinking Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas A&M, Mount Holyoke, Haverford, Wake Forest University, UCLA, and Swarthmore." He took note of how her eyes lit up when she said Swarthmore. They spent the rest of the lunch period talking before heading their separate ways.

The next morning Tiny woke up, and as she was getting into the shower noticed swelling and tenderness in her breasts. She dismissed it and continued her morning routine. She went down to the kitchen and saw the breakfast her mother left for her before heading to work. She took one look at the eggs and sausages, and put it back into the refrigerator. She couldn't bring herself to eat it. She left the house and started he drive to school. After her class schedule, she went to see Coach Taylor to talk about the Panther Roast. "I think we should another element to this." she said with a smile. "Well what do you suggest we add Giselle?" Coach Taylor asked. "How about instead of just the boosters, coaches and players roasting each other, how about we let the girlfriends, and rally girls take the mic as well. Poke fun at different sides of the players and such." she suggested. A wide smile came across the coach's face. "That's an excellent idea Giselle. Just make sure that the speeches are kept appropriate." he added. "Of course!" she replied enthusiastically. She then met with all of the rally girls in the auditorium after school, and opted to notify the girlfriends by telephone because she knew most of them personally. Since she was going to be having dinner with Brian and his family, she made her way to the bleachers, but not before stopping into the ladies room. She sat on the bleachers and began working on some plans, as well as her final supplemental essays for her college application. Ten minutes into her work, she got back up to go to the bathroom. Another 20 minutes and she was up again to go. She made it through the rest of the practice uninterrupted. When the boys were sent to the showers, she began packing up her stuff, and decided to wait for Smash near the field house. When he came out, his tired body walked right into her arms, he kissed her before placing most of his weight on her. "Um, I know that I've said that I'm down for you, but I don't think it would be pretty if you made me fall down because of you." She said jokingly. He gave her his prize winning smile. "I'd never let you fall babe, I got you." he replied before leading her to his car. She gave Erica her keys earlier to take her own car to her house. They were traveling to his house carrying on a conversation when suddenly; he got back on the topic of college. "So, Swarthmore huh? Where's that?" He asked nonchalantly. "It's in Swarthmore, PA" she told him. "That's kind of far, so you really like this school?" he asked. "Yes, I do. It's one of the top 3 liberal arts schools in the country." She said beaming with excitement. Smash felt something tug at his heart strings. He felt as if Tiny was already choosing this school over him. "Babe, did you get a new air freshener for your car?" She asked suddenly feeling nauseous. "Yeah, it's New Car Smell." he said. "Why, you Don't like it?" he asked. "It's not that, it's just... well, my nose has been overly sensitive lately." She replied. They pulled into his driveway, and he came out to open her door for her and help her our of the car. They went into the house, and she greeted Mrs. Williams and his sisters with hugs. After all of the small talk, she excused herself to the bathroom again. When she came out, she began helping Mrs. Williams prepare dinner and set the table. Soon dinner was ready and they all sat down to eat. They chatted about Smash playing in the state game, about Tiny's presidential duties, and other things as she picked at her food. She was still feeling nauseous but tried to down it so as not to be rude. Then Mrs. Williams asked the million dollar question. "So what colleges are you thinking about applying to?" She asked. Tiny rattled off her list of colleges as Mrs. Williams beamed. "Oh, you would be a shoe-in for any of those schools with your intelligence." she smiled, "Thanks Mrs. Williams." Tiny replied. "You know, I always did like you for Brian. I always thought of you as so smart, polished, respectful, and always had a good head on your shoulders." Tiny blushed before helping Mrs. Williams clear the table. Smash left to take Tiny home. She slid down into the seat. "What's up sweetheart? You don't look too well." he said "I don't feel that great. I've nauseous and tired all day." she replied to him. "Is there anything you need me to do for you?" he asked her "No, I'll be ok." she replied to him. He dropped her off at home and kissed her before she turned to go into her house.

As the night of the roast came closer, and as did the State game, both Smash and Tiny were extremely busy. Finally after the mayor gave a short address, everyone was seated and the roasting began. Smash was the first one to take the stage to talk about Tim. "Tim was never the type to smile much. The only phrase that could make him crack a smile used to be 'The results are in, and you are not the father." the room erupted in laughter at Smash's joke, he continued. "Now to make him smile, all you gotta say is 'We're going to state' or 'Erica's coming'." Everyone gave an "aww" at that one. When it was Tiny's turn to go up, She felt butterflies in her stomach. "Let me tell you guys about The Smash. Honestly, there isn't anything I can say about Smash that he hasn't already said about himself.' But seriously, at least we know we'd never have to worry about his self esteem levels. I just need for him to make sure that there aren't any rally girls stroking his um, ego." More laughter sounded. Next was Erica's turn. "Yes, we all know that Tim has a past of being a bit of a lady's man. But I think we can all agree that I'm the only one calling his plays." Everyone snickered at her words. "And, anyone ever wonder how Smash got that nickname?" Everyone showed signs of curiosity at Erica's question. "I know how we can find out. Hey Tiny, why do they call him Smash?" Next was Tim's turn, he never was a man of many words or jokes. "So how about Saracen sleeping with the coach's daughter" The room grew silent.
After the roast, Smash caught up with Tiny at his car. "You ready to go?" He asked her. "Yes, but can we go eat? I'm starving and would really love something from Applebees." She told him. He agreed and they left. When they arrived at Applebees, they were seated and she immediately excused herself to the bathroom. She came back and ordered the baby back ribs and cheesecake. As she put some cold slaw on her fork and placed it into her mouth. She instantly jumped up in the middle of Smash's sentence and ran to the bathroom to throw up. When she finished, she washed out her mouth, and looked up at herself in the mirror. She blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. When she walked back into the dining area, Smash had already finished eating and had the rest of her food wrapped up to go. They were heading out of the restaurant when he spoke. "I think you should see a doctor." he suggested. "I'm fine Brian, trust me." She said back to him. "For days, you've been having body aches, you're nauseous all of the time, not to mention tired and you've looked rundown for days. You mean to tell me nothing is wrong with you? You mean to tell me that you aren't sick?" He said, almost yelling at her. She blinked away he tears that threatened to fall. "Brian, it's my body and I am 100% sure that if there was something out of the ordinary, I would know." she shot back at him. Neither of them noticed when the car full of Arnett Mead players pull up until they appeared behind Tiny. "Oh, Williams' girl and the commander in chief of Dillon? We're gonna have fun with you." Snickered one of the players. It didn't take long for Smash to punch him in the nose. I became all out warfare when another tried to pry Smash off of the person he was beating. Tiny quickly made moves to punch him, but the third one slapped her across her face and she hit he floor. Never one to go down without a fight, she got back up to help Smash fight off the 3 men who were beating him in various places. Tiny remembered the bat in Smash's car. She picked it up and hit all three boys across their backs simultaneously. They all turned and began beating her up. As much as Smash tried to keep them away from her, he couldn't. Soon, the ground rushed up to meet Tiny's face. Soon, Smash heard another car pull up and the boys scattered into their car and pulled off. Smash ran to cradle Tiny's body in his arms. Tim and Erica ran out of Tim's truck to see the commotion. When they realized that it was Smash and Tiny, Erica went to see the extent of her best friend's wounds, and told Tim to call an ambulance. When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics loaded Tiny into the ambulance on a stretcher. Another paramedic tried to treat Smash's wounds, but he refused. "Don't, just take care of her." he demanded. "Mr. Williams, we have to treat your wounds too." The paramedic tried to reason, but Smash wouldn't allow it. They rushed them to the hospital with Tim and Erica following in Tim's truck.