So this is it, Laura thought, suddenly wishing she hadn't told her parents to park the car and let her go in by herself. She checked her watch; three minutes until the meeting was supposed to start. She took several deep breath that didn't help, tried clearing her mind of all thoughts, gave up, and re-checked her watch. Two minutes until the meeting was supposed to start. Well, it wasn't like standing out here was doing her any favors. She pushed open the door to the gym and walked inside, hoping that no one had noticed her entrance.
Of course, everyone turned in their seats to look at her. They're probably wondering why I'm here without my brother, she thought, and that almost made her smile. Almost.
Searching desperately for a friendly face, she found two in Gerry and Julius; even though she'd only known them for a few days (barely even half a week, in fact), it was unsurprising that they were sitting together. Luckily, there was an empty seat by Gerry, and she eagerly took the opportunity. "Hi," she whispered to the people—all big, strong-looking boys (men?) that were probably on the team—at her table. They said nothing back, although Julius and Gerry did smile at her.
Just as the silence was becoming extremely awkward, a microphone from somewhere behind her gave feedback, and she turned around, grateful for the diversion. A tall, lean, hard-looking (1) black man stood on a raised platform on the far side of the gym, two or three yards away from the wall. "I," he said, "am Coach Boone, your head coach for this season. As most of you know, for the past two years we've held a training camp prior to the beginning of each school year. This year, although the camp is still being held at Gettysburg College, and the students are still my two assistants Coach Yoast and Coach Heines—" he inclined his head to the two men, one black and one white, standing behind him "—and I have decided to extend the camp, and hold it two weeks early, on August first instead of the fifteenth, to ensure that team members have more time to prepare for the upcoming season." An outbreak of mutinous murmurings began, and Coach Boone held up his hand. "Although camp has been extended, members of the team who are unable to come on that particular day will be able to arrive on any day from the first to fifteenth. Coach Yoast's daughter Sheryl will pass around a clipboard and pencil; anyone unable to come on the first should write down their names, their son—or sons'—name, and what day they'll be arriving. We'll resume the meeting in twenty minutes." He turned and stepped over to the other two men, and the boys around her stood up, going over to their parents.
"Hey, honey," Barbara said as Laura sat down at their table, and kissed her daughter's forehead, ignoring the looks she was getting from the other parents and students at their table. "I like this camp idea. We probably have enough time to unpack the rest of our household items, and you can unpack some of your things and take them to the bus." She turned to Chiumbo. "What do you think?"
"I see no reason why this can't work; it's only a week away, and we have a week to prepare." He smiled. "You can go on August first."
"Thank you!" She leaped onto both of them and kissed both their cheeks. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much; you won't regret this!"
(2) The bus hit yet another bump, and Laura's head struck the back of its seat. "Damn," she muttered, rubbing her head. She turned to her silent seat mate, hoping to get at least a word out of him. "You're lucky you're so tall; you can at least catch before you fall to the floor." He smiled, but said nothing. "So what's your name?"
Both of his hazel eyes looked into hers. "Sam. Sam Kerrigan."
Finally, an answer! "What position are you playing?"
"Either running back or fullback." He shrugged. "Wherever they need me." He leaned back into the chair, more relaxed now. "Why? Are you playing?" His eyes looked her up and down.
"As a matter of fact, I am." She squared her shoulders. "I'm going to be a wide receiver."
His reaction wasn't what she'd been hoping for. "You're going to play?"
"Of course I am!" she cried. "What did you think—"
"Sammy boy!" A black boy stuck his head between theirs—effectively ruining their conversation—and put his arms around their shoulders. "I'm disappointed in you. I knew you were a player, but monopolizing the only pretty woman on the bus? Boy, you oughta be ashamed of yourself!"
Turning his head, he grinned at Laura. "Hey, Miss Thing; I'm Petey Jones, star safety. And who might you be?"
Although it wasn't the best come-on in history, it made her smile, and she introduced herself. "I'm Laura Eldon; it's very nice to meet you..."
(1) I mean "hard" as in "stern, a bit emotionless" I just knew all you hormone-driven teenagers would misinterpret that.
(2) I actually tried to write about what happened after the meeting, but it was just so badly and awkwardly written that I just decided to skip the entire thing and just have Laura meet the rest of them at camp. This chapter is extremely short, but trust me; nobody wants to see that.
This chapter is a bit more of a filler than anything else, because it felt like the part where they got off the bus would be an add-on. Don't worry; the next chapter—which is already underway—will be much better, and much more worthy of dedicating to my wonderful reviewers and PM-ers! Of course, thanks are rightfully given to all my readers! See you much sooner this time!
-inspiration-arts