The soft blue of the sky was darkening into a jet blue. The autumn air was crisp, and nippy, in the way that it lifted goosebumps on some people. Momentarily, Rachel, Garfield, Bee, and Starfire were attending a football game. Now, it wasn't just any football game, it was the playoffs between the Warriors and the Titans.
Richard and Victor were on the Titans (the home team), as Richard played the position of a running back, and Victor played the position of a linebacker. The game was at 22 to 27, with the Warriors in the lead. The Titans' uniforms were navy blue and white, and the Warriors' were gold and light blue.
Rachel stated, "I don't understand how football works. All I hear is occasional yelling, the ref blowing his whistle, and both teams butting heads with each other."
Garfield chuckled, "That's how it'll look to someone who isn't familiar with the game. See Richie right over there?" he pointed at the field.
"Yes, I see him."
"Number forty-four." Kory commented joyfully at the mention of her boyfriend.
"Yup. Richie's a running back. Running backs line up next to or behind the quarterback. The RB's catches, runs, blocks, and will throw a pass every once in a while. RB's move quick on their feet, and are successful because of contact. RB's can also be called halfbacks."
"Okay..." Rachel's eyebrows knitted in confusion as she tried to make sense of what Garfield was informing.
"Vic, is a linebacker. So, Richie's an offensive player, while Vic is defensive. There's only a few linebackers on the field, but they're crucial to the game. They keep an eye out for the TE's, WR's, and RB's."
Rachel questioned, even more addled, "The who what?"
"Oh, the Tight Ends, the Wide Receivers, and the Running Backs. The linebacker's job is to tackle ball barriers and rush the passer. They, have to be fast and strong." he gestured towards number twenty one, which was Vic.
"Interesting."
"Wah-hoo! Come on, Titans! Bring it hard, and bring it home!" Bee cheered, pumping her fist in the air.
The stadium shook with applause, shouting, and clapping as the last play was coming about. The cheerleaders rallied on the sidelines, the coaches bellowed out calls, and the players go into position.
"Blue forty-two, set, hike!" the quarterback made a call, springing the game in action.
Rachel shuddered from the cold temperature, then snuggled against Garfield.
"Hey, are you cold?" he glanced at the girl, putting his arm around her.
"F-freezing."
"Here, take this."
Garfield removed his hoodie, handing it to Rachel.
"But— you're gonna get cold. I already have on a sweater."
"Rae, you're shaking like a leaf. It's all good, I can soldier out the cold. Besides, we won't be out here for that much longer." he reassured warmly, with a smile.
Rachel grinned back, "Thank you."
"My pleasure," he pecked her forehead, then switched his attention back to the game.
Rachel nuzzled once more into Garfield's cozy embrace, snaking her arm around his waist.
Garfield exclaimed, "OOOOOOOOOOH! RICHIE'S GOT THE BALL!"
"GO, RICHIE! GO, GO, GO!" Kory cheered, waving around her handmade poster.
"COME ON, Y'ALL! HOLD IT DOWN, AND GET US SOME POINTS!" Bee added.
Rachel joined in on the cheering, "Let's go, Titans, let's go!"
Most of the audience stomped their feet, clapped their hands, and amplified the cheer.
"Let's go, Titans, let's go!"
"RUN IT DEEP, RICH!" Garfield yelled as Richie sprinted to the touchdown.
Richie dodged two players, sped past three more, and began to slow as he reached the goal.
Richie's feet met the touchdown, and he threw down the ball in triumph.
"WOOOOOO, YEAH! A TOUCHDOWN FOR THE TITANS! Let's go, Titans, it's ya birthday. We gon' party like it's ya birthday!"
The commentator announced, "And that's final! A touchdown by Richard Grayson, bringing the Titans to a win; 28 to 27. The Titans had a slow start to today's game, but as always, nothing stops this team. The Titans will move onto the next round against the Celtics, and the Warriors will return back home."
The Titans' coach cheered, the Titans all rushed towards Richie and shared a celebratory group hug.
"Well, alright! I knew they'd pull through." Bee stated proudly.
The trio descended from the bleachers, meeting Vic and Richie on the field.
"You made the winning play, Richie! I am extremely proud of you. " Kory leaped, bringing her partner into a bone-crushing hug.
"Thanks—babe." Starfire parted the embrace.
After he regained his breath, Richie kissed his girlfriend softly on her orange cheek.
"Ayeeee, nice goin' out there, Sparky." Bee walked up to her partner.
She hit her left palm against Vic's left palm, they hit the back of their hands together, Vic's right pinky grabbed Bee's left pinkie, their wrist twisted as their index fingers grabbed into a hold, they slid their right hands up each other's forearm, hit each other's right elbows together, did some footwork, then finished the handshake with a short kiss.
Vic's mouth arched into a widespread smile, "Thank ya, Baby Bee."
"Ew, sweat." Bee stuck out her tongue, wiping away the kiss.
"Heheh," Vic chuckled, playfully punching Richie, "We got us a "W", boi!"
"Nice game, you guys." Rachel asserted in her monotone.
Richie and Vic said, "Thanks, Rachel."
"Yeeeeessir! My boys showed up and showed out," Garfield commented, "Rich, we've gotta make you and Wally race around town."
"Nah, I've got nothin' on Wally. He'll give me a run for my money."
"Yeah, Richie, since when you run so fast?" Bee asked.
"I dunno," Richie awkwardly shrugged, "Any-who, I was thinkin' we can go out for some ice cream to celebrate."
"I'm down." Bee agreed, and the others did as well.
"Okay, Vic and I have to clean up and cool off. We'll meet you guys at the parking lot in about ten."
Following another half hour, the group finally arrived at their destination. 32 Degrees was a well known ice cream spot on the south-eastern side of Jump City. The location was a short drive from campus and mostly, if not always, had a surplus of customers.
The streetlights shed light across the sidewalks. Cars glissaded at a leisurely pace through the city, the headlights and taillights adding to the aesthetic.
The adolescents ordered their preferred treats, then sat at a table.
"Cookies 'n Cream, best flavor there is." Richie shoveled his spoon into his bowl of ice cream.
Vic disagreed, "Cap."
"As if Dark Chocolate is better." Richie scoffed.
"That's Dark Chocolate Truffle to you, mistah."
"Whatever. Still doesn't beat Cookies 'n Cream."
Garfield chimed in, joining the debate, "Vegan Snickerdoodle is where it's at."
"Hell, nah! I respect ya style, G, but I ain't boutta have no fake ice cream."
"It ain't fake, it's jus' plant-based and animal product free, Circuithead."
"Circuit head!?"
Garfield leaned back in the chair, "Yep, you're in school for an engineering major, aren't cha? You always fixin' sumth'n. Somebody's car, some leak, sum'n."
"Ooh, ii, Grass Stain."
Garfield huffed, glowering at his friend.
"Ya hair's green." Vic shrugged nonchalantly.
"And you have a receding hairline."
Richie laughed at Vic, "Ayooo."
"Shut up, Rich. You're hair looks like spikes."
"Spikehead." Garfield teased.
"Boys argue over everything." Bee sighed, partaking in her serving of butter pecan.
Kory giggled.
She, was eating cotton candy ice cream with Kit Kats, gummy bears, fudge glaze, and rainbow sprinkles. Rachel, was eating birthday cake flavored ice cream.
"Tell me about it, and it's pointless. Pointless, but amusing." Rachel's lips angled into a soft smile.
"What do you mean by that?" Bee interrogated.
"I like drama, as long as I'm not in it." Rachel laughed with the girls.
"You got that right."
"I heard the Celtics are good," Richie stated, "I hope we can put a dent in their winning streak."
"You guys will do great. Just do the best you can, and that's all that matters in the end. A win doesn't determine spirit, strength, or skill. You all determine that when you work together to put your best out there on the field." Rachel declared.
"Look at you, soundin' all inspirational." Garfield's eyes softened whilst he looked at his partner.
"I know, it's scary. I'm supposed to be the somber one here, to balance out the friend group." Rachel said, her friends chuckling lightly.
Vic added, "I think we can take it, Rich. We've made it this far, we gotsa keep at it."
"Yep. And y'all got us right there to back you up. We'll cheer you on louder than anyone else in that stadium." Bee reassured.
Richie smiled, fist-pumping Vic.
The group proceeded with their treat. After their short intercession of football talk, the boys began to argue over which National Football Team was the best. The girls kept good company, maintaining a conversation of their own, and occasionally conversing with their significant others.
However the friend group spent their time, it didn't matter. The most important part, was that they were all together.