Chapter 1- Love is a Football Field

"And…touchdown for the Tits!"

A roar ensued amongst the crowd at the sound of the referee. The Tits have won their third game in a row for their season, achieving landslide victory after landslide victory. This was thought to be impossible for the Toronto Tits beforehand, as their team had not won very many games before. However, there was one man who turned the tables, a football player that had achieved the rank of quarterback just the following year. He was thought to be an underdog at first in his high school years, only being 5"5 and scoring little to no points for any of his previous games. Despite this, he persevered and eventually grew into his pique figure at a towering 6"10. From then on, he was the most popular player in the Toronto Tits, scoring fame, charisma, and- eventually- the quarterback title.

His name? He preferred not to say it, but he just went by his nickname in high school, one that was chosen for him by his many friends and adoring fans:

Bus Jibbus.

He had dark skin and a voluminous afro. As mentioned before, he was a towering 6"10, making him stick out among all the other players. He was lean and muscular with a sharp jawline and a clean face. Yes, Bus was a handsome man. If he really wanted to, he could sweep any woman off her feet…

At least, almost any woman…

Unfortunately, not everyone can like one person, no matter how perfect they may seem. Take, for example, the one woman shouting "Boo" in the crowd, drowned out by the many voices who adored him. Her friends simply nicknamed her "Tired", because she always seemed sleep-deprived and- shall we say- grumpy towards certain people. She had dark circles under her eyes, but she always kept her radiating beauty. This beauty was also kept when she sneered at the quarterback, scrunching up her nose in disgust over the pathetic audience swooning over him. Her friend, Jace- who is the one who made her go to the game- piped up next to her.

"Another awesome game! Bus did amazing with that catch! Don't you think?"

Tired scoffed and looked to the side.

"I guess. He did better than he usually does, that's for sure."

Jace's smile dropped as he looked over at Tired. He sighed and got up from his seat, stretching his arms out.

"Well, aren't you at least a little bit impressed? I mean, Bus practically carried the team!"

"A bit…"

Jace put his hand over his eyes and groaned.

"Okay, I wasn't gonna ask, but here goes; why do you hate Bus so much?"

Tired paused. She had never really thought of that question before. It seemed like instinct to her since the beginning. She remembered the first Tits game she went to, one with Bus as just a regular player. She didn't know which position. "Maybe, he was a wide receiver?" she thought. Anyways, it didn't matter. None of it did! Why would he matter? Of course, she always noticed him, ("Who wouldn't notice a guy that tall?" she asked herself.) but she never considered him that important, just…a problem. At least, he was to her mentally. She could never look at him without getting a strange feeling stirring at the bottom of her stomach. Her head would also get light, and her heart would beat fast. It was almost sickening. She hated it. The worst part? She knew this feeling came from him, but she had no idea why. He had to be trouble. Yes, that's it! He has some sort of dirty secret that made him dangerous. She just knows it. There's no other explanation…

Right?

"I dunno. I just…get a certain vibe from him, y'know?"

Jace stayed silent.

"No, I don't know…but whatever. Let's just leave."

"Cool."

They walked out of the bleachers and started to make their way to the doors. Suddenly, they heard a voice from the crowd.

"Oh my gosh, look! It's Bus Jibbus!"

Just then, a crowd of Bus-hungry fans started stampeding in their direction. Tired's eyes widened as both she and Jace gripped onto each other, waiting for the crowd to pass. Once they did, they saw that same crowd gathered in a circle as the two of them kept walking. Tired was confused.

"What are they all gathered around for?"

"That one girl mentioned Bus" replied Jace. "I think he's right there! Oh my gosh, Tired! We have to see him!"

Tired couldn't believe what she just heard.

"As if I'd stoop as low as an airhead Bus fangirl!"

"Come on, Tired! It's not like he's running a cult!"

"He might as well be. You know what? If he was running one, I'd be an anti-cult leader!"

"Yeah, right. Would you like me to call you 'Empress Tired', too?"

"Preferably."

Just then, one girl wiggled her way out of the crowd, gripping onto what appeared to be a white cloth. Girls were screaming and trying to tear it out of her hands. She managed to wriggle herself free and run off, hiding behind Tired and Jace.

They both knew her well. Her name was Kawaii, one of their friends from college. She was always an oddball, wearing a cat headband adorned with pink and white flowers and an outfit that looked like it came straight from Hot Topic. However, even for her, this was a bit strange. She had never been a sports fan, especially not for football. Tired was the first to turn towards her.

"Kawaii, sweetie! What are you doing here?"

Kawaii looked up and started to catch her breath, a radiant smile on her face.

"Phew! Thanks for hiding me, Tired! I couldn't let anyone take this T-shirt away from me!"

"T-shirt?" Jace chimed in.

She unrolled it, revealing a plain white T-shirt with tiny holes. Decorated along the left-hand chest area of the shirt was…No. It couldn't be!

She had gotten Bus's signature. Jace couldn't help but smile as he grabbed the shirt, tracing over the letters with his fingers.

"When did-!? How did you-!?"

Kawaii giggled at his disbelief.

"I'm not sure! I just got past the crowd somehow!"

Tired didn't look as excited, but she smiled to not make Kawaii upset. Kawaii turned to her, asking if she wanted to try and see Bus. Tired frantically shook her head.

"Heck no! Have you seen that crowd? They're crazy!"

"But won't it be worth it for Bus?"

Tired shook her head as Jace explained.

"She doesn't…really…like Bus…"

Kawaii just stood there, her mouth agape. The concept of someone not liking Bus was entirely foreign to her. It didn't make sense! Even if you didn't like the game or the team he was on, it didn't change how Bus was. He seemed almost…well…perfect! From this point forward, she only had one question:

"…Why not?"

Tired just shrugged and closed her eyes. She couldn't supply a good answer. How could you explain unconditional hatred? Kawaii looked at her a bit before letting out a short and quiet sigh.

"It's fine. You're allowed to like or dislike whomever, and you don't really need a reason." She points to her left. "There's an exit that's cleared over there. You can leave if you'd like."

Tired was shocked and bewildered by Kawaii's change of tone. She had never heard her sound this disappointed before. Is this "Bus" guy really that important to people? She and Jace thanked Kawaii, and as they walked towards the exit, Tired turned over to Jace.

"Why do people like this Bus guy so much?"

Jace smirked. "Maybe, because he's hot?"

"Oh, come on, Jace! Really!?"

"What? You can't deny it!"

"Geez. I think I could see my brain from rolling my eyes so far."

"How small was it?"

"Listen here, you little-"

Neither of them were looking where they were going. Tired bumped into a wall and fell backward. Jace gasped, but he didn't help her up yet. Tired sat up and held her head.

"Ow! What the hell!?"

A mysterious voice sounded: "Woah, hey! Are you alright?"

Puzzled by why Jace didn't help her up, Tired looked up at the wall…

At least, she thought it was a wall.

Now, she knows why Jace just stood there. She couldn't believe her eyes. Above her was a man with a red shirt and the number 14 on his chest. He was tall, lean, muscular, handsome…

He held out his hand.

"Sorry about that."

It was Bus Jibbus himself.