Hi my avid and expecting readers! I hope you guys haven't had to wait too long for me to post the next chapter, but well, here it is! I have to apologize for the length. Sometimes I get a little carried away and find myself typing a novel without meaning to. But when I go back to try and break it up into more than one chapter, I can't find a real good place to do so, so I left it! Power through it, I promise it will be worth while!
Also, feel free to leave a review or comment or whatever. I REALLY want to know what you guys think of the story so far and how things are progressing. I know things may seem slow, but that's how I see love and romance, and it comes out in my writing. I hope you all like it and are willing to wait and ride this awesome and lovely ride with me!
Alright, I'll leave you all alone so you can read now.
Enjoy!
Chapter 4 – The Big Game, in more ways than One.
A few days after the library incident, my alarm went off at exactly six am Friday morning. The day of the football game. I still could not get Kevin's words out of my head and it caused me to slow down my morning routine. I spent more time staring at the mirror attempting to decipher what Kevin saw that gave away any trace of my more, real emotions. Even my two best friends never second-guess my smiles. How could this individual who struggles with school and that I barely know aside from childhood confrontations see through me so clearly?
I tried to shake myself from any deeper thoughts on the topic. It was the Friday of Homecoming weekend, which meant everyone at the school as going to be in an uproar over the coming festivities. I suppose I had better brace myself. Eddy and Ed were waiting for me once I finally left my house. I heard a low rumble and looked across the street to see Kevin's garage door opening and his slender, gleaming, and frightening motorcycle coast out. I swear I could see a glint of green through the visor of his helmet as he sped by. He was wearing a black leather jacket, I suppose to keep the biting wind from chilling him too badly while he sped along. However, that may not have been the reason I noticed it. Ahem.
I do not recall what Ed and Eddy were discussing on our walk to school. I was distracted by a flurry of thoughts and fears that I could not place. I am naturally and anxious individual, and all these thoughts did not help with any of my anxiety issues.
"Well hey there Double Delectable." Nat appeared out of nowhere behind me and I convulsed myself into a tree. While I braced myself against the tree for support and gathered enough of my will to steady my heartbeat, Eddy was getting up in Nat's face.
"What do you want, kelp head? Why do you keep bothering us? Got a crush or somethin'?" Eddy was standing right in front of the football player, no fear in his eyes or words. That's more than I could ever say for myself.
Nat let out a bark of laughter. "A crush? On you? Oh, shrimp, aren't you just the cutest, most deluded little thing? I wouldn't be interested in you even if you grew a few more inches and actually washed your hair more than once a week." Eddy's face was growing a deeper shade of red than I had seen in a long time. He was about to lay into Nat but Nat walked away before he could say anymore. And he walked toward me. Why did this keep happening to me? I do not believe my cardiovascular system could keep this up. I was surely going to pass out if my heart beat any faster. "So, Double D, you'll be at the game cheering us on, right?" He winked at me.
"U-uh-us, Nat?" Nat laughed and poked my nose.
"Why, Kevin and I, of course. I know he's hoping to see you at the game. Something about getting you to get out of your shell. Not sure what that could possibly mean…" Nat passed a knowing glance over to the parked motorcycle that I saw pull out of the Barr driveway earlier this morning. Kevin must have already gotten here and gone inside. I blushed, but only slightly. I knew what Nat was talking about. Nat knew that whatever Kevin had said earlier this week in the library had had some sort of impact on me. He grinned and turned and left, sauntering his way into the school as if he owned the place, and maybe he did. He was a football player, popular, and well liked by faculty and friends. As far as most high school students are concerned, he did own the place. That was terrifying to me. I was the complete opposite of that. I was a nobody; a walking brain that was easily abused for whatever another student may have a need of. I was not strong enough to really defend myself, and I always try to smooth things over with conversation any ways. This meant I always played nice and ended up doing whatever the individuals wanted without much of a fight.
The warning bell rang for us to get to first period and that shook me out of my lull. Eddy was still fuming and Ed was just walking around with his typical grin plastered to his face, completely unaware of the flare that nearly sparked between Eddy and Nat, or the moment of terror between Nat and I. I just wanted this day to be over.
I stopped as I realized something. If I do not partake in the football game festivities, I fear Nat and Kevin will have some words to share. That was not exactly something I wished to partake in. I suppose that was enough to convince me to at least go for a little while. What harm could come from it, yes?
The school day was uneventful. Students were abuzz with the coming game and the teachers knew it was going to be a hopeless effort to really get anything done. I did the work we were instructed to work on, but my mind kept drifting off topic. I was not even concerned with the football game, I mean, what harm can come from watching a game other than boredom? But rather, I was worried about my own acting abilities. Somehow, Kevin was able to see through me, without so much as a second blink of his deep hunter green eyes. It was as if he was the archer and I was the doe, easily struck down by his gaze and his ability to see through me. It was horrifying and confusing, and even a little impressive, but that only added to my fear. Such a skill he had, and I somehow was his target of this skill. Luckily I was able to avoid him today aside from homeroom. I did not meet his gaze when I walked into the classroom and I took my seat in the front, while he was lounging languidly in the back, feet propped up on his desk while he spoke with Nazz about todays game, I'm sure, but I could swear I felt cool and collected eyes on me throughout that first period class.
The final bell of the day rang and all the students ran for their lockers, in the hopes to leave the school grounds quickly and get the best seats for the game, as the game started a couple hours after the end of the day. Most students who went to the game that early passed the time by talking about the odds on which team would win and how everyone would do. I, however, had no desire to go that early. Eddy was avoiding the game because he had plans to try and continue to convince Nazz to go to the dance with him. So far, he did not have any luck in that department, and he spent our entire study trying to come up with more plans to help get her to "see how he's the one." I do not believe I would go as far as that, especially where Eddy is concerned, but I cannot help but to feel for him. At least he can actively pursue his desires. I am too withdrawn, and I admit that, for any sort of actions like what he's been planning. There is not even anyone that would take another look at me here at this school, so I idly passed the time listening to his rants and raves.
I started walking home after school, instead of the football field off behind the school. I figured I would have enough time to get back to the house, eat a small nutritional snack to tide me over till after the game when I had more time to make myself dinner.
"Double D! The pigskin is flying behind the school! Where are you going?" Ed called after me, catching up to me easily with his large stride.
"Oh, Ed. I was going to go home before the game and have a nice snack to tide me over until I prepared supper for myself post game. Would you care to join?"
Ed shook his head. "Come on Double D! A pig is going to fly and people are gonna chase it! Not a time for snacks, Double D. Silly Double D." He grabbed my hand with his grimy hand and it took every ounce of will power I had left not to cringe and pull my hand away. I suppose I am not heading home after all.
Ed and I made our way back through the school and out toward the football field where the two teams were stretching and getting ready. There were many other students seated on the bleachers all talking and smiling, ready for a good game. I looked up to Ed.
"Ed, who are the Cobblers playing for our Homecoming game?" Ed blinked and scratched his chin perplexed and stumped by my question.
"The evil woodchucks from planet 10.666, a rough and ravaged planet where they have to eat each other to survive. They don't take prisoners, Double D. I'd stay a safe distance from them if I were you." I smiled and shook my head. What an imagination he has.
I looked around the field and saw Nat and Kevin stretching and talking, laughing occasionally. I looked over to the other team and stopped. They were the Woodchucks, the West Creek Woodchucks. I glanced back over to Ed, who had a simple smile on his face, bouncing in his seat waiting in barely contained excitement for the game to start. Maybe Ed was more coherent that he let on.
We sat idly as the game finally started. It was boring at first, but the enthusiasm of everyone on the bleachers began to get to me. I was getting excited right along with them. I knew enough about how the game worked that watching it was not a complete waste of my time. Halfway through the game stopped and the crowd started to disperse from the bleachers. Halftime. I stayed seated with Ed while we glanced up to the scoreboard. The Peach Creek Cobblers were down by seven points. I will admit though, Nat had a good point about wanting to watch the game. Everyone did look good in their sport uniforms.
Nat looked around to the crowd of people that had moved off of the bleachers to talk to the team and to get snacks. He stopped when he caught sight of the last two people sitting in the bleachers still. He grinned. "Hey Kevin, take a look at that delicious piece still seated."
Kevin grinned and looked around. "Dude, where?" He followed Nat's gaze and saw the dork still sitting, unlike everyone else who had come to the game. "So, he ended up coming, huh? Check that out." Nat smiled and waved for Edd to come down to them. Neither boy could help but to laugh as the dork looked around him, as if he thought that Nat was waving to someone else. He pointed back to himself and Nat nodded, sarcastically. Kevin smiled softly. What a dork.
I looked over to Ed before I stood up. "Ed, are you alright here or did you maybe want to collect some refreshments for us for the second half of the game? I was unable to procure a nutritious snack prior to coming to the game." Ed's face beamed as he jumped up.
"I am on it Double D! Like the great hero, Throthgar on planet Mono!" And with that, he stormed up quickly. I found it light heartening to see him enjoying life all the time. If only I could be so free. I shook myself from my negative thoughts and carefully made my way down the steps toward the field where the team was catching their breath and speaking with some of their friends.
I blushed as I got closer and got a better vantage point of the team. Their jerseys and pants clung tightly in all the right places. Nat appeared like a slender, yet muscular hero, his hidden muscles more clearly defined in the uniform. I glanced at the god next to him and I do believe my face turned a deep crimson. Kevin's green eyes kept a close watch on me and I had to turn my face away to hide the blush and to stop staring at the obvious rippling muscle that pulled at his jersey with each breath.
"Glad you came cutie!" Nat smiled and put an arm around my shoulder. I shuddered slightly at the thought of the amount of sweat that I'm sure was covering these men, and the arm on my shoulder. The smell of the two men, however, was nothing short of exhilarating. What am I saying?!
"I-I-uh-I would not miss this for the world, Nat. It has been an enjoyable experience. If only we were winning, then it would be a perfect outing." Kevin raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, don't you worry your dorky little head. We'll have this game." Nat nodded in agreement while Kevin stood there looking at me with that cocky grin on his face. Oh why did he have to be the perfect specimen of the male form?! Control your rambling thoughts, Eddward!"
"And what do we have here? A little gathering of hopeless wannabes?" I could instantly see a change in both Nat and Kevin as they tensed up and turned to see players from the other team walking across toward us.
"What do you want, Flynn?" Kevin stood his ground, his broad shoulders standing tall and he crossed his muscular arms, I believe to make him more imposing. And while I was intimidated by the stance, this Mr. Flynn did not appear to be swayed by the display of testosterone.
"No need to get defensive, Barr. Just wanted to see what the fag group was up to while they wasted halftime planning how they were going to lose the rest of the game." The cocky grin on this individual's face was nothing short of terrifying, however I could not stop myself. I hated that word he used.
"I'm sorry, but Mr. Flynn, please watch your language. That word is extremely inappropriate and insulting to a great many people. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from using such boorish language." Part of me could not figure out where that came from. I do not even know this person, and yet, the use of that word alone angered me just enough to not care.
"Whoa ho, who is this little faggot over here? This one yours, Goldberg? You always seem to like the fairy types. More your prissy style, am I right?" He looked back to the two other teammates next to him and they smiled and laughed at his jokes.
Nat went to say something but I cut him off, without realizing it of course. My mouth was getting the better of me, and my rational thoughts decided to let my mouth go. He was making me very uncomfortable and something in me did not like that feeling coming from a stranger. I can be used to that feeling coming from people I know, but even they know better than to be this rude. "I'm sorry, Mr. Flynn, but if you do wish to continue to speak like that…" The football player's eyes landed on me again. "… Then I would greatly appreciate you extricating yourself. I was attempting to have a conversation with my friends here, and your interceding comments have spoiled our moods, so please, take your caveman-esque vocabulary back to your own team." The look of anger that sparked in the football player's eyes was clear. All courage that his poor language had stirred in me quickly dissipated under that gaze. However, soon I could no longer see him as broad shoulders stood in front of me, in what appeared to be a protective gesture. Was Kevin protecting me…? Nat stood close to Kevin's side, arms crossed and covering me from sight as well. They both are protecting me… I…
Flynn turned on Kevin, his ire clear in his venom-laced words. "Keep your gay boys on a shorter leash Barr. That pipsqueak is about to get his teeth knocked out if you aren't careful. No fag speaks to me like that." He cracked his knuckles as if he was about to throw the first punch.
Kevin's voice was a snarl when he spoke to the opposing player. "You touch him and you are dead meat, Flynn. Go ahead, start something. See how fast you forfeit the game and get kicked off our field… See how fast you end up with broken bones because of it." Nat gave his signature dark grin, that grin he gave to Eddy in the library a few days ago. It appeared more frightening here, however, as if he would actually act on the dark impulses this time.
Flynn scoffed and turned around. He spoke over his shoulder in a snarl. "Whatever, Barr. I'll take you out on the field." Kevin simply laughed at him as he walked away and Flynn stuck his middle finger out as they walked back across the field. When Flynn and his fellow teammates were gone back to the rest of their team, Nat and Kevin turned back around.
"Never would have thought something like that would come out of you, dork." Kevin's smile was genuine, even after all that had just happened. And he was smiling at me. I found myself blushing uncontrollably.
"I-I-I do not understand what came over me. He said such abhorred things and I could not control myself. I only requested that he stop using such insulting language. Was I really that wrong to do that?" Nat moved over and the tall man (Are they men? Or still boys?) lowered himself so he could look directly into my eyes.
"Oh, honey, you did absolutely nothing wrong. You were the most polite person telling him to shove his shit back down his own throat. He didn't deserve your nice words." I could feel my face redden. I looked over to Kevin who appeared torn. Nat turned to him and he moved out of the way slightly.
"Don't worry about it Double D. We'll beat him in this game. He won't get away with what he said. No one makes fun of my friends like that and gets away with it." He let out a large huff of air from his chest, as if his was the final word on the matter. Nat grinned.
"You mean, only you can make fun of your friends, right? No one else can. That's a bit possessive, captain, isn't it, Double D?" The smile on Nat's face was starting to confuse me. It was like there was some hidden meaning behind what he was saying.
"No one should be insulted because of who they are, not like that." Kevin's tone was serious and Nat's demeanor shifted, as if he could tell just how serious Kevin really was. I looked between them, confused by this serious atmosphere. Sure, the three players were jerks, but there was something else going on between Nat and Kevin and I did not understand what it was. Something unspoken that only the two of them were privy to. A whistle blew and it shook me from my thoughts on the subject. Halftime was ending.
I went to walk away before I heard someone jogging to catch up with me. "Wait, dork, hold up." I stopped and turned to see Kevin, his jersey still catching my eye. Not his jersey but rather… No! Eddward! Control your thoughts, for goodness sake… "Don't worry about what those assholes said, ok? We won't let them get away with it."
"Language, Kevin… But… Thanks. It means a lot. I never thought you of all people would defend me." The look on Kevin's face was one of shock, and was that pain?
"Uh, yeah…" He scratched the back of his head and looked back to the field.
I smiled to him. "Go on Mr. Barr, captain of the Peach Creek football team! You have a game to win!" I believe I saw something sparkle in his eyes then, and he nodded and ran back to his team, a small smile crossing his beautiful features as he put the helmet back on. I walked back toward the bleachers and found Ed seated in our seats with some popcorn. Nice and simple, but probably drenched in butter. The look on Ed's face, however, was a little concerning.
"Double D… You attacked the Woodchuck monster…" I tilted my head and then realized he must have see the confrontation down at the edge of the field. "You need to be careful the monsters you face off with, Double D. It isn't safe for someone as soft and squishy as you."
"Oh, it's alright Ed. Nothing is going to happen. It was simply a heated exchange of words. It's over, alright? Let us enjoy the rest of the game." Ed nodded slowly, unsure whether or not to be worried for me. Once the game started up again, he was fully entranced by the "flying pig" with a joyous look in his eyes once more.
The game ended almost two hours later, with the final score at twenty-eight to thirty-one, with the Cobblers being victorious. The joy that enveloped the stands was impressive and I found myself drawn into it. We won, just like Kevin promised. He told me we would win, and he made it happen. I found my gaze watching Kevin more closely. His words from the past few days rang through like bells. "Stop faking it. Like that smile." Well, I was not faking it now, and the feeling it left in my stomach was light and fluttered. The heat in my chest was from a different feeling, but I could not place it. Pride? He won the game for me, and that made me feel special. Oh please. Do not be so self conceited Eddward. He won because it was a game. Right, a game. The goal was to win. He did not win the game for me.
When the final buzzer went off and Kevin realized they had the better score on the large score board, the excitement exploded over the team. Nat and Kevin high fived and started laughing, almost hysterically so. He looked over to Flynn, who looked as much like a disgrace as anything, and flipped him off. Flynn snarled and stormed off the field, the rest of his team following suit.
He turned and looked to the bleachers and found the crowd cheering for him and his team. He smiled and found Double D cheering just as excitedly as the rest of the crowd. When Double D met his gaze with bright blue eyes, flickers of something hiding just below the surface, but still clear to see, even from where Kevin was standing, he held up a thumbs up to the dork. A large grin on his face. Nat looked over to Kevin and followed his motion up to the stands and a sly smiled crossed his face. He walked over and put a hand on Kevin's shoulder with one hand, looked up to Double Delish, and used his other hand to give a thumbs up as well.
Seeing those forest green eyes gaze up at me and the thumbs up he and Nat gave me, I couldn't help my reaction. I blushed. Maybe it was for me.