"Alright boy's lets get out there and have a good practice!" Coach yelled.
I rubbed my temples as I ran stairs for being late to practice again. I had a massive hangover and it was killing me
right now. I was irritable and sick and I just wanted to go home and sleep. Which would've worked out great it if Street hadn't come
banging on my door.
"Alright boys, let's huddle up." Coach said.
That couldn't be right. We weren't even thirty minutes into practice yet.
"Now, remember what I told you about this new player, right?" Coach said. "Well today is their first practice and I expect you to be on your best behavior."
"Understood?" He asked.
"Yes sir." We said.
"I can't hear you."
"Yes sir!" The team echoed.
"All right Casey," He said and a small frame came form behind him.
The guy was skinny and lanky and looked buried underneath shoulder pads and a pair of baggy shorts. His helmet looked like it was going to fall off his shoulders.
"You've got to be kidding me." Smash said, "This guys smaller than Matt."
"I'm sorry did you say something, Smash?" Coach asked from the front.
"Um no sir... just," He began, "You can't be serious, this guys going to get crushed out there."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware you were making decisions for this team." He said, hands on his hips.
"No sir I wasn't trying to -"
"I don't want hear it, get back to practice." He hollered, "Riggin's get over here."
I jogged over to him, anticipating the worst, "Yes coach?"
"Casey, this is Tim Riggins, get used to seein' him 'cause you are going to be his shadow." Coach said as he clamped a hand
down on the kids shoulder, "Alright I'll be back to check up on you kids. Tim, cover everything."
I sighed as I looked at him, "You do know how to tackle right?"
He nodded his head. What was this kid mute, I thought.
"Alright let see you try to take me." His mouth went agape for a moment and then shut with a 'click' as he gulped.
I laughed inwardly. Man, this was gonna be more fun than I thought.
"Okay, head up," I said as I lifted the mask of his helmet with my fingers.
He came at me with full force, he was stronger than he looked, but not strong enough. I stumbled backwards and then straightened myself.
"Almost there." I grumbled, crankily. I hated doing this. What am I, coach? I shouldn't have to teach crap newbies how tackle. People got paid for that.
"Like this." I said, I might as well have fun, I thought. His eyes widened as he looked at me. He shoulder's tensed as he braced himself for the tackle.
I came at him with full force. Pushing him back a good two feet. The kid flew. I picked up his helmet as it rolled over to me. I looked down and nearly dropped
it on the kids head.
"Oh Jesus Christ." I muttered.
Her blond hair was splayed out on the grass and her face looked battered. Blood gushed out of her split lip and there was red marks on her
face from where she hit the ground. She looked down. And that's when I realized, this was the girl from yesterday.
"Can I have my helmet?" She asked, quietly.
I handed it to her in awe. She put it on quickly and stood and dusted herself off. By now the whole team was glancing over at us.
"What are you guys doing?" Coach yelled, "Get back to work!"
"Yeah, can we just get back to practice?" She asked, her head still down.
I nodded my head but stood where I was, "Now?"
I nodded my head again and then walked over to my end of the field.
"Maybe we should work on passes." I said.
She made an irritated noise and then took off her helmet to look at me, "Why can't we work on tackling?"
"Well no offense but-"
"God, don't even start in on all that bullshit." She said, "Could we please just work on tackling?"
She looked exhausted. I nodded and then helped her out with her stance, very awkwardly.
"Okay bend down, butt up-" I paused as I looked at her, "No, no -butt up. Your hips need -there like that. Now keep your head up, good. Alright now when you come at me
lift. You know what I mean? Like how I showed you."
Her blue eyes looked at me and she ran, putting her force behind the tackle, pushing me up and away. I nearly fell down. I caught myself and then looked at her.
She nodded and then walked away as Coach blew his whistle shrilly.
"Man, can you believe this?" Smash asked as we emerged from the locker room, "There has never been a girl on the Panther's team since... never!"
Just as the words left his mouth, Matt shoved him to look up. Her white underarmour clung to her toned body, almost as tightly as her black shorts did.
She looked up at us and then back down at the pavement, gripping her gym bag. Her blonde hair was held back in a pony tail and a black head band slicked her bangs back.
"Man, I'm gon' take care of this." Smash said as he approached.
"Smash." Matt said, "Smash, what're you gonna do? S-Smash!"