See first chapter for Disclaimer
I felt bad about the last chapter being so short, so hopefully this makes up for it. Who do you think Madison should end up with? Let me know because I'm just writing this as I go along.
The first few days of school went without many major disruptions, and soon came the first football game. Madison could feel the excitement in the air around the small town. While she was cheering, she noticed that the stands were segregated, whites on one side and blacks on the other. It figures, hopefully the team will bring them together, she thought to herself. She wished she could have been in the locker room to hear Boone's pre game pep talk to the team, she always loved listening to her father give them, and she knew that Coach Boone would give really good ones as well.
The game didn't start that great, Alan had trouble following his man. Madison couldn't help but laugh as she heard Cheryl in the stands screaming out at the boys and pacing back and forth.
When the Hawks made their first touchdown of the night, Madison yelled out to the team, "That's ok boys, tighten up!"
Then Madison watched as Coach Boone took Petey out of the game for missing a block. She noticed her father following him over to the bench. Something is up; he's got something up his sleeve. She watched as he put his hand on Petey's shoulder and became more curious about what was going on. Then she saw Petey go in and take Alan's spot.
She leaned over to Jenny, "What is going on, he's taking Alan out and putting Petey in? Petey has never practiced with the defense. Mr. Bosley is going to be pissed."
About that time, Madison heard him yelling from the stands, "Yoast, don't you take my boy out. Yoast!"
She watched as Cheryl tried to defend their father's actions, "He's getting beat like he stole something Mr. Bosley."
Mr. Bosley turned to her, "You just stay out of it girl."
Cheryl just replied, "He's just getting beat, that's all I'm saying." But it didn't get Mr. Bosley to change his mind, he yelled at Coach Yoast a few more times as the boys moved up to the line of scrimmage.
The hawks snapped the ball and Petey knocked it away. Everyone in the crowd cheered. Madison couldn't help but grin. Yelling out to Petey and the team. Then Petey made some more great tackles and recovered a fumble for a touchdown that led to the win.
After the game, Madison went with the boys, just like she always had. They went downtown to celebrate.
"Yeah! The Titans are here and we aint going no where y'all!" she heard Petey call out to nobody in particular. She couldn't help but grin at his antics.
She was walking in the back with Julius, Alan, and Gerry, trying to comfort Alan as best she could. "Don't worry about it Alan, you did the best you could."
Then Gerry chimed in, "Yeah don't worry about it man, they like to celebrate that's all."
Julius got offended, "What do you mean they?" Here we go again, though Madison.
"I mean they, them up there." said Gerry.
"But what you mean by they, you're talking about Petey." Julius said pointing up ahead.
"You're you and they are they." Gerry countered.
Just then, Emma and Ray pulled up with some others, "Gerry, we're heading over the hill why don't you come with us."
Madison watched as Gerry walked over to the car and stuck close to Alan, "Please say you don't want to go with them," she whispered pleading with Gerry, but knowing only Alan could hear her. Alan reached down and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
She looked at Alan, "It's just that if he goes, I'll have to go with him, and Ray… and Gerry is my ride home. But I don't want to go if Ray is there, because… well you know."
Alan nodded, "Don't worry Maddie, if he goes I'll take you home. No problem. As long as you don't mind listening to my music." he said lightening the mood with a little joke.
Madison laughed a little, "As long as you're singing I don't care." Alan grinned.
Madison watched as Petey started yelling at Sunshine and then walked off with all of the black boys. They had segregated themselves again. Sunshine walked off ahead of the others slightly and Madison knew that something was bothering him. She looked at Alan without words telling him she was going to go see what was wrong.
"Hey Sunshine," she said.
"Hey Maddie," he answered dejectedly.
"What happened back there?" she asked.
"I tried to go in there to get something to eat, I didn't know Maddie, I swear I didn't know," he replied.
"Oh, I'm sure he'll be cooled off by tomorrow," she tried to reassure him. "Hey, I know what will cheer you up; well it cheers me up all the time anyway."
He gave a little grin, "What?"
She smiled widely, "Wait just a second," and ran back to Gerry.
"Hey Gerry, would it be ok with you if Sunshine takes me home, he's pretty upset about what went down with Petey and I know exactly how to fix it… or at least I think I do," she bit her lip waiting for an answer.
"Yeah, that's ok. But first I need to have a little talk with him," he said.
"Gerry, I swear if this is the talk that I think it is, just don't ok?" she glared at him, but he ignored her and went up to Sunshine.
"Sunshine, so you're going out to do something with Maddie," he said.
Sunshine wasn't quite sure where he was going with that, "Yeah, but she won't tell me where or what we're doing."
Gerry put on a serious tone, "Listen, you're my friend. But Maddie is special, if you do anything…"
Sunshine cut him off, "I know, Gerry, I know. Don't worry." And offered his hand for a shake.
Gerry took it and shook it, "Good, as long as we understand each other."
Madison walked back up to Sunshine, smacking Gerry in the arm on her way up and whispering, "I can't believe you" in passing.
She blushed, "Sorry about that, he really means well."
Sunshine grinned, "Yeah."
"So, let's go back to your car, and I'll give you directions from there."
Her directions lead them to a football field, not the one with the stadium, but the one where the little kids play. She grinned getting out of the car and running out onto the familiar grass and to the middle of the field. She motioned for him to join her.
"What are we doing here?" he asked.
"What time is it?" she said in reply.
He looked down at his watch, "It's 9:55."
She smiled, "Perfect."
He raised an eyebrow, curious at what she may have meant. "Why is this your favorite place?"
"The boys used to play here when they were kids in the pee-wees, It was the first field I'd ever cheered on. There's just so much history here, in July when they shoot off the fireworks, you can see them perfectly from here. This place is just awesome," she said looking at the sky.
"Well what…" but he was cut off as the sprinklers cut on.
She smiled as the water began to soak her hair and clothes, "That's what, now come and catch me!"
She tore off running for the other side of the field slipping slightly on the wet grass. He ran after her slipping a little himself laughing as he got soaked. When he finally caught up with her, he grabbed her around the waist and picked her up, flinging her over his shoulder. He started to spin in circles, both of them laughing the entire time. Her hands pounding his back.
"Put me down, put me down! I'll tell Gerry!" she squealed, joking on the last part.
He set her down and brushed some wet hair out of her face, "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots," he grinned.
She smiled, "You should be, but I should probably be getting back. It's pretty late."
"Well I guess we're walking, because there's no way our wet butts are getting in my car," he said trying to keep a straight face.
"Wha… but it's nearly five miles!"
He laughed and she smacked his chest, "Oh you… you tricked me," she said pointing a finger at his chest accusingly.
They made their way back towards the car. He noticed how her dark hair was growing wavy and curly because it was wet. He saw how her fair skin seemed to glow in the moonlight and how her wet clothes clung to her figure in all the right ways to get his attention. He ran up behind her, scooped her up bridal style, and started running to the car. When they finally got there, he put her down and moved to open the door for her, but she moved so she was in his way.
"So, was I right, did I cheer you up?" she asked, looking at him hopefully.
He grinned, "Yeah, yeah you did. Thanks."
He reached down and brushed some wet hair off her face, his hand lingering longer than it should have. But he knew he shouldn't do anything, it just wouldn't be right. So he just cleared his throat.
"Let's get you in the car and turn some heat on, you must be cold. You might have to remind me how to get to your house," he said as she moved away from the door and he opened it.
The ride back to her house was comfortably silent although Madison couldn't help but think that they may have kissed. It was almost like he was going to, but then he changed his mind at the last minute. When they arrived back at Madison's house she noticed that her father's car was in the driveway. But when she looked over, she saw the light was on in the office so that meant he was out there.
"I had a lot of fun Ronnie," she said softly.
He smiled at the sound of his real name on her lips, "Me too."
Feeling a little bold she leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Pulling away she saw the surprise written all over his face and she smirked a little. "Bye Ronnie, I'll see you tomorrow."
She got out of the car and walked up to her front door before turning around to give a small wave. He stayed in her driveway until he saw that she got inside the house safely. When she was out of his sight, he pulled out and headed home, his hand unconsciously going to the warm spot on his cheek where her lips had been.