Chapter 8

After that, Ronnie stretched with Melody and Alan nearly everyday, to Melody's pleasure. He took Melody out every chance he had and she came to every game. She complimented everyone on their skills, and the team got used to having her around a lot.

"Hey!" Melody called after Alan, who was walking down the hall.

"Wait up!"

"Hey," Alan answered, "why aren't you walking with Ronnie?"

"He's in the bathroom," she answered.

"Oh," Alan said, "Are you going to sit with us then?" Alan closed his locker and with his lunch, started walking towards the cafeteria.

"I guess, at least until he comes back," Melody smiled.

"How in the heck to you find so much to talk about to him?" Alan asked, "All you guys ever do is talk. I know you talk on the phone all the time because Ronnie told me." He looked at her, waiting for her to answer. "

Well, I don't know exactly what we talk about. We just... talk," She laughed. "I don't know how to explain it." She looked up and he was smiling like he was holding back laughter. "Shut up!" she said, hitting him lightly in the arm, "Don't make fun of me." "

I'm not!" He assured her, putting up his hands to guard him from her tiny slaps. They both got their lunches and sat down at the table with the team. They were sitting a little off from the others, without realizing it.

"Jeez!" Petey announced, "With how much Alan and Melody are together, they could be going out!" Alan and Melody both laughed at the absurd idea.

"Oh yeah," Melody smiled, "You know that Alan just makes me get weak in the knees."

Alan laughed loudly. "Totally, I am just dying to take Melody out for a candlelight dinner for two. I really want to steal her from Sunshine."

Alan finished his sentence and everyone was quiet. Alan felt a strong and forceful hand lay down on his shoulder. The fingers started prodding into his shoulder.

"Can I talk to you for a second Alan," Ronnie said evenly, though it sounded forced and mad.

Julius clapped him on the shoulder, "Nice knowing you man."

Alan gulped and stood up, following Ronnie out into the hall.

"What did you say about my girl?" Ronnie asked, pushing Alan against the wall.

"Sunshine, calm down. I was just kidding," Alan gulped, getting worried. Ronnie looked mad, his eyes were on fire, ready to strangle him.

"What did you say?" Ronnie asked, his face screwing up in his anger.

"I just said that I..." Alan stopped. He had seen Melody run around the corner. She ran up behind Ronnie.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked sweetly.

"Did you hear what he said?" Ronnie asked her, his hands not leaving Alan's shoulders.

"Yes, Ronnie he was just kidding." Melody explained, her mouth going down in the corners again. She shot Alan a worried look.

"Why would he even joke about something like that?" Ronnie asked her, his voice quivering in anger.

"Because," Melody looked down at her shoes trying to decide whether to say this or not. Alan hoped she would because his shoulders hurt, Ronnie was strong. "Because I did it first," Melody said slowly, looking back up at Ronnie.

"Why?" Ronnie asked, his hands dropping from Alan. Alan rubbed his shoulder, very glad to be released.

"We were just kidding Ron!" she called as he walked down the hall away from them. Melody looked pained at him walking away. She looked to Alan, helplessly.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Alan said, "Go after him!"

Melody smiled at this and ran off in Ronnie's wake.

"Oof!" Alan puffed when Ronnie ran with all his strength into him.

"Ronnie Bass!" Coach Boone yelled, "You know you're not supposed to tackle now, we're running a new play! You're the QB, remember?!"

Ronnie gave Alan a dangerous look. Alan returned Ronnie's cool glare with one of pure terror. Gary laughed slapping Alan's back.

"Relax Alan, he ain't gonna get you." Gary reassured him.

"Yeah, right." Alan snorted, "He hates me! I've got bruises to prove it too."

Gary looked over at Ronnie, watching carefully. "Yeah," he said, "He does look pretty mad doesn't he?"

Alan nodded and gulped at the same time.

"Don't worry, he won't beat you up," Gary said again, "He's still you're friend."

Alan shook his head, "No he's not!" I wish he was, but he's not. He thought.

"Come on boys!" Coach Yoast yelled, calling Gary and Alan back to the game.

"I don't know, man. Things just don't feel right with you and Ronnie glaring at each other all day," Julius said as he walked off the football field with Alan and Gary to the locker room.

"He's the one doing all the glaring!" Alan protested, "I did nothing to make him mad except make a joke."

"Yeah well Sunshine didn't like that very much," Julius pointed out.

"I noticed," Alan muttered.

Just then, Ronnie pushed between Alan and Gary, shoving Alan as he walked by. Because he was surprised, Alan didn't keep his balance and he feel to the ground. Gary and Julius stared after Ronnie for a moment. Ronnie shook his head defiantly and turned around to sneer at Alan on the ground. Gary and Julius each gave Alan a hand to help him up.

They went into the locker room in silence; everything in the room was quiet and filled with tension. Gary and Julius changed by their lockers, which were next to each other. Alan was across the way, looking very gloomy.

"Alan," Gary said quietly, sitting on the bench near his locker after Julius had walked away.

"Yeah?" Alan asked, pulling his white tee-shirt down over his head.

"Um, I was thinking. I haven't been that great a friend have I?"

Alan stopped buttoning his over shirt to look up at him, "What are you talking about?"

"I mean, now Julius is my best friend. I knew you longer." Gary looked at his feet as he talked. "And before Julius it was Ray, and you were always there, on the sidelines." Alan opened his mouth to say something but Gary continued, "I've known you since we were both in diapers. That's the longest I ever knew anybody, but I always leave you out in the cold." Gary looked up when he finished.

"Look, Gary, so we aren't best friends? What does that have to do with anything?" Alan asked, choosing his words carefully. "I mean, you're a good friend, real good, and you always tried to include me." Alan shrugged, "I guess I just don't get real close friends. You know?"

Gary patted his shoulder, "You'll find someone that's your best friend."

Gary stood up to leave, and walked to the door, carrying his books.

"I think Ronnie was my best friend." Alan said out loud to himself, sinking to the bench.

Gary, who hadn't left the room yet, paused when he heard that. Then he walked on, not wanting to let Alan know he had heard.