Chapter 7

At school Panther Football was in full effect, everyone was wishing the team good luck and every player was in the zone. Tim arrived at school on time because on game days he was never late. He was thinking so many things as he walked the halls of Dillon High, with all the girls throwing themselves at him. His eyes were only looking for one person which was Lyla, he had so many things to say to her and most of all he just wanted to hug and kiss if she would let him. As he rounded the corner for the cafeteria he saw her going in and he began to walk faster toward her. Instead of calling out her name he decided to just walk swiftly up behind her and get her attention. So he did he quickly pulled her by the arm into an empty hall:

Lyla: (pulling away) Tim!

Tim: Hey how feeling?

Lyla: (looking confused) Fine!

Tim: (passing her a milk and crackers) I got these for you!

Lyla: Tim!

Tim: I heard that this will help if you feel sick (scratching his head) and I'm not sure if you're feeling that so I just thought if you were then….

Lyla: (smiling) Tim I appreciate at that, it's real nice of you to think about me.

Tim: Your Welcome, so are you coming to the game?

Lyla: I had plans with Chris

Tim: (holding up two tickets) I was hoping maybe you would come, I'm not trying to talk you out of anything. I'm just here if you need me to talk to.

Lyla: (taking the tickets) what is this?

Tim: Just come, please! (Walking away)

Lyla was left to think about if she should got to the game. This was the first time that Tim and she had actually talked without arguing and he showed interest in her. She stood in the hall holding the tickets trying to figure out what all this meant. As the day winded down and Football kickoff was almost upon them Lyla sat at her desk tapping her pencil trying to figure out just what she should do. She thought about thing for a while and finally pulled out her phone saying: Hey really miss you but I have to go a game with my dad. See you on Sunday! She placed her books and supplies in her bag and left for the game.

As the game went on The Panther's seemed to be losing and all the fans watched with anticipation, the score was 7 to 28. And it was half time in the locker room Coach Taylor was upset but he knew that he needed to turn this game around for his team so he walked in and game a speech:

Coach Taylor: When Jason Street went down in the first game of the season, everybody wrote us off. Everybody. And here we are at the championship game. Right now 40,000 people have also written us off. But there are some who do still believe in you, a few who'd never give up on you. When you take that field, those are the people I want in your minds. Those are the people I want in your hearts. Every man at some point is gonna lose a battle. He's gonna fight and he's gonna lose. But what makes him a man, is that in the midst of that battle he does not lose himself. This game is not over, this battle is not over. So let's hear it one more time, together. Clear eyes, full hearts,

Team: CAN'T LOSE!"

As the team headed out Coach Taylor pulled Tim to the side and gave him a personal talk.

Coach Taylor: How you feeling son!

Tim: Good , I feel good.

Coach Taylor: That's good to hear because we need ya! Your team needs ya!

Tim: I'm here Coach!

Coach Taylor: Whatever's on your mind, whatever's holding you back I want you to take out on the field. Who's here for you tonight Billy?

Tim: Yes sir! (Thinking about Lyla)

Coach Taylor: You love Billy and you'll do anything to make him proud, but at the same time I want you to want this for you not just Billy! (Slapping his shoulder) Dig deep and bring it!

Tim: Yes sir!

The team had come out playing a totally different ball game, they were faster and hitting harder. The offense was doing an amazing job, with every block Tim was using his anger at how Lyla wouldn't talk to him to put every other defensive player on their ass. He even got lots of good yardage and it helped the score had come all the way up and was now 21 to 28 and they were one touchdown from winning State. As the team all huddled around coach he looked at them and said "I'm proud of you, you're here! You did it. Now let's win it for all your loved ones in the stands." As they head toward the feel and line up with Matt hiking the ball, Smash does an amazing catch and run for a touchdown. The crowd is absolutely excited with the fact that all they need now is that two points for the win. In the huddle Matt is looking at everyone and says "let's bring it home." Tim looks up at him and says "what are we running seven." Matt looks at him and says "Riggs, you think you can bring it home for us" Riggs looks over to Smash and "Yea if Williams doesn't mind giving up any shine" Everyone laughs and says "ha ha Riggins, You get your ass in that end zone. And watch these amazing blocking skills." They all clap and go to the prospective positions. As Tim is lined up for a moment he looks up in the stands and its like automatically knew where Lyla was and he spotted her out of everyone as if she were the only one in the stands. Matt called the play and snapped the ball everyone began blocking with all their might, Tim received the handoff from Matt and with all his strength he pushed into the end zone with a defend trying to pull him down he made it across falling to the ground inside holding the ball tightly. As soon as he fell the whole crowd went crazy and the game was over. Panther's had won state, it was amazing Panthers had won.

As the celebration on the field had been going and everyone from the panther's side had basically ended up on the field. Tim was greeted on the field by Billy who was overly excited for his little brother, and Jason who was assisting coaching but stuck around with Billy to congratulate Tim. Tim was being congratulated by lots of people but when he looked up there was really only one person he wanted to talk to and he saw her still in the stands. Pushing past cheerleaders, parents, and rally girls he ran up to the bleachers with his helmet in his hand. Lyla had started to walk out when her father had left her to join the team on the field. As she was climbing down she saw Tim coming toward her and stopped:

Lyla: Great game! Congratulations Tim!

Tim: Thanks for coming! (Smiling)

Lyla: It should be a great celebration for you tonight walking down)

Tim: (reaches out and grabs her arm) Lyla wait! (Breathing in and out again) I've been trying to find ways to let you know I'm here for you and what you're going through is going to be okay! But that's just the point I am here for you and we're going through this?

Lyla: I can't do this Tim?

Tim: Why not? Why do you keep saying that? Is it what other people say? Lyla listen to me. I know you feel like you lost everything, but you haven't I never stopped loving you. I love you. And I know you love me, I promise I'm gonna still be here if you keep this baby or not.

Smash: Yo Riggs!

Matt: Riggins come on!

Lyla: You better go (she was holding Tim's hand, but quickly let it go and tried to look away before she cried)

Tim: (pulled her head close and kissed her forehead) I love you!

As he walked away and headed back with the the rest of the team. Lyla was left in the bleachers to cry and she broke down she could hardly breathe but it wasn't tears of sadness it was more tears of happiness, she pulled out her phone and called Chris:

Chris: (answers his phone) hey beautiful, I just heard Panthers won! Yeah! Is that football enough.

Lyla: (wiping her tears) yeah you're right that's it!... (Breathing hard) So I think we should talk.

Chris: Okay go ahead

Lyla: I like you Chris your great guy. You're smart and funny and you have some great visions for life.

Chris: But.. I since a but coming!

Lyla: I'm in love with someone else, and as much as that person might seem wrong for me! He's the one and I think I'm gonna be happier with him.

Chris: Lyla! You're a great girl and if this is what you want, then I'm glad I got to meet you!

Lyla: You're so good at this.

Chris: Not the first time I've been dumped by a pretty girl.

Lyla: I really am sorry! (Hanging up) she walks down the bleachers and out the field gate smiling.

Arriving back at the Dillon High the State Champions Panthers pulled into to be greeted by their family and friends. As they all got off the bus and grabbed their stuff out of the field house and headed for home. Tim was the last one out, he walked out dialing Lyla on his phone it rang and keep ringing. He heard the phone playing a tune as he walked out he looked up to see Lyla leaned against his truck and he smiled:

Lyla: Tim Riggins State Champ!

Tim: Thank you Thank you

Lyla: (standing straight up) I want you to know I heard everything you said (sliding his gym bag off his should to the ground) I really appreciate you sharing your feelings with me (touching his chest) and…(Staring in her eyes, he kisses her and she pulls away) I love you too.

Tim: I know!

Lyla: (touching his face) But you don't get to decide this, you're my support system Tim and I've made up my mind.

Tim: (running his hands up and down her back) Can I at least be there, I just want to hold your hand.

Lyla: (lays her head on his chest and nods) stay with me tonight.

Tim: (Kisses her forehead) I'd be honored Garrity.

As they drove to Lyla's house in silence with her nuzzled next to him. Pulling up in front Lyla got out the truck and waited for Tim he stood and said "I'll meet you up there" she looked at him and shook her head no saying "mom's out with Kevin, and Tabitha, Lil Buddy are at Dad's" sticking out her hand for Tim to take her hand. He walked over and grabbed her hand and the walked up to the door. Once in her room Lyla was overtaken by Tim who as soon as she turned around began to kiss her. She kissed him back and they began making out. He pushed her to the bed and they were continuing heavily, Tim pulled up her shirt and threw it to the floor as she did the same for him. He started kissing all down her neck to her chest until he got to her stomach and he stopped. Lyla looked at him and he moved back up toward her and looked in her eyes:

Tim: Does it hurt?

Lyla: No, I can't even feel it.

Tim: It's hard to believe there's a kid in there.

Lyla: I know!

Tim: I bet it would have been cute.

Lyla: I wonder to what it would like.

Tim: This smile (touching her lips), these ears (kissing her neck)

Lyla: (Falling into his kisses) I'm glad that we don't know what it is though, because….. That would make it harder.

Tim: (He stopped and looked at her saying ) Boy or girl I would love you both till the day I die (kissing her lips)

Lyla and Tim didn't have sex, they lay in bed looking at each other while he stroked her stomach. It was a long night but they finally fell asleep in each other's arms.