HEY EVERYBODY HOW GOES IT... ANYBODY... YOU KNOW WHAT I REALLY CAN'T BLAME YOU IF YOU LEFT. I SURE AS HELL DRAGGED ASS AND I KNOW I CAN'T SAY THE RIGHT THINGS TO BRING YOU BACK. BUT IF YOUR STILL AROUND AND WANTING TO READ MY FIC THAT'S AWESOME SAUCE WITH A SIDE OF GRAVY. HERE'S THIS CHAPTER AND YES I AM WORKING ON THE NEXT CHAPTER SO ENJOY
DISCLAIMER: GLEE AND IT'S CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE. THEY BELONG TO FOX AND RYAN MURPHY.
The big game had finally arrived. cars had been pulling into the McKinley parking lot since three in the afternoon with people wanting to get the best seats for the big game. Figgin's had let the school out early, he wanted to make sure his players we're rested and stressed free. It was now five minutes to kick off and the McKinley Titan's found themselves in the tunnel waiting to be given the green light to run out onto the field.
"Ya'll ready?" Dro turned and looked at the rest of the football team standing behind him. Finn, Puck, Mike and Matt nodded at the quarterback. "Relax ya'll we got this." he could see the nervousness on the rest of the squad. "Trust me…. We're winning this game…. Understand…. We're winning this damn game."
I WANT THIS FOREVER MAN
"That's our cue boys…. LET'S GO." Alejandro waited till everyone rushed out of the tunnel leaving him alone. "Just another game of catch." He was about to walk out of the tunnel when the band started to play the notes to Right Above it. "That's new."
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN STAND UP…. GET ON YOUR FEET…. SHOW SOME LOVE FOR YOUR STARTING QUARTERBACK….. ALEJANDRO CORCORAN
The stands erupted with cheers making both football teams look at the masses gathered in the stands and by the looks of it all around the field. Several families had gathered along the hillside with picnics and all kinds of lawn chairs. Dro took a deep breath as him and the other captains walked to the fifty yard line. Across from them five tough looking teens stared them down.
"You about to loose tonight boys." one of the guys shouted over the loud cheers. "All this is for nothing."
"Yeah, Yeah Roper." Puck sneered. "Let's see how you like it when Karofsky knocks you on your ass." Dave grunted but grinned predatorily at the boy.
"McKinley is the home team so West Lima gets first call…. Call it in the air."
"Heads." Roper shouted They all watched as the silver coin flipped in the air for a second before dropping to the ground only to flip twice more.
"Tails." The ref says causing another round of eruption like cheers to happen. "McKinley wins the toss what do you elect?"
"Defer." Dro spoke up before any of the other captains could get a word in. Dave glared at the boy while Finn and Puck glanced at one another before giving Dro their nod.
"McKinley elects to Defer what side of the field do you select to defend?"
"Well take the far side." Puck shouted pointing to his right. "Good luck throwing into the wind suckers." None of the captains shook hands with one another and they we're about to go back to their sidelines but a whistle from the ref made them all stop.
"You gotta shake hands boys. Show the crowd some sportsmanship." when the elderly man saw that neither team was going to budge he sighed. "McKinley's Offensive Captain shake hands with West Lima's Defensive Captain…. Now."
Alejandro stepped forward and stuck his hand out. The portly man turned his attention to the West Lima players who we're staring at a tall and very muscular black teen who reached forward and clasped his hand to Alejandro's. The young quarterback held back the grimace he knew wanted to escape due to the vice like grip. Once the two shook hands everyone made their way back to their sidelines.
"Son of a bitch squeezed the shit out of my hand." Matt and Mike laughed as they made their way out into the field with the rest of the kick off team. The game got underway and the West Lima Lions ran the ball down to their forty yard line.
"LET'S GO DEFENSE." Shannon shouted placing the headset on her head. McKinley's first defensive plays were a huge success causing the Lions to a three and out making the punt team rush onto the field.
"Show Em' what we're all about Dro." Finn said as he ran past the quarterback on his way to the sideline. "Touchdown if five."
"I say touchdown in six." Puck spoke up standing next to their coach.
"WATCH THE MOTION." Dro shouted to his guards. "ECHO GREEN NINETY SET…. GREEN." Once the ball was snapped Alejandro handed it off to the only freshman on the team Beckford Niles who ran twenty yards down field. The second play starts of in West Lima's forty yard line. "ROUNDABOUT FOUR SIXTY SIX, SIXTY SIX….. GREEN." The next play was a pass action throw that resulted in a forty yard touchdown connection to Mike who was faster than the corner blocking him. A little stutter step before he cut to the right leaving him wide open down the field.
TOUCHDOWN MCKINLEY
The stands erupted in and as usual Dro jogged over to where Mike was still celebrating.
"Nice little stutter you did back there." Mike turned and grinned at his quarterback. "How many is that now?"
"Twelve." Mike answered as the two boys jogged off the field. "And we've still got four more games to go…. Plus the playoffs."
"Playoffs? Let's get this game done first son." Shannon muttered as she stopped passed her two stars. Mike walked over with Beckford who fist bumped Mike again before both of them turning to look at Dro.
"Next one's to who?" Dro looked at his two teammates for a moment before looking back out into the field to see Finn dragging down West Lima's quarterback ten yard back from their original line of scrimmage which was in their own thirty yard line.
"NICE TAKE DOWN BIG BEAR." Finn looked up and smiled at Burt and his mom who we're waving crazily on the stands. "THAT'S ONE OF MY SONS." Burt shouted to anyone who would listen. Carol took the praises and compliments from the other people in the stands while Burt gave every available hand a high five.
Figgin's sat atop the bleachers with a smile on his face. Since he first took over McKinley in 2000 he knew that he was being given a weak football program and that no serious coaches would ever want to work at his school. It was a miracle when Ken Tanaka accepted the position but right off the bat he knew that he wasn't the man for the job, but since Sue was right and no one in their right mind would want to coach a bunch of unmotivated teenagers he was forced to stick with him. That was of course until last year when the sudden departure from the gigantic man lead to an opening which then lead to the arrival of Shannon Beastie. At first he was apprehensive of hiring a woman to be the coach of the men's football program but like the woman had pointed out during her interview.
"You really ain't got a long line of people wanting this gig…. I do…. So let's do this."
'Probably the best decision I ever made was hiring that woman.' He thought as he watched Alejandro take a couple of steps back. The young man looked around looking for someone to be open and when he saw that nobody was he took off. Figgin's along with the rest of the school board members stood up and cheered as the quarterback spun away from a tackle on the thirty yard line, he then juke another defender around midfield.
"GO. GO ALEJANDRO." The principal shouted getting into the game. He'd been to a couple but didn't really understand the game (Cricket was more his sport) but once he read and understood the rules and point system he became a fan especially of winning, he loved seeing the team celebrate instead of hanging their heads in defeat.
'Holy crap I'm tired.' Dro thought as he stiffed armed another defender. 'Bastard's trying to yank me down by my arm…. Screw this.' Dro slid just past West Lima's thirty yard line. 'I really, really need to stop smoking.' He was getting to his feet when a player from West Lima barreled into him.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT REF? THROW THE FLAG." Tina dropped back down onto the bleacher huffing as she did. She looked over to see a wide eyed Rachel and Shelby staring back at her along with Eric and her mom. "What?"
"Nothing." They all answered turning to look back at the game.
PERSONAL FOUL. AFTER THE PLAY LATE HIT, HELMET TO HELMET FIFTEEN YARD PENALTY THE BALL WILL BE PLACED AT LIMA'S FIFTEEN YARD LINE. FIRST DOWN.
The next McKinley plays was a standard slot pass which was done to perfection by Matt giving him his ninth touchdown of the season. Alejandro patted Matt on the shoulder as a congratulations before jogging off the field.
"Nicely done son." Shannon muttered to him. "You alright?"
"Yeah. How about that catch though, I thought I was going to go over Matt's reach." Shannon had to smile leave it to Alejandro to be less worried about his well being and more worried about scoring a touchdown. The two watched as Puck was beat on the play by the much faster receiver who ran the ball sixty four yards for a touchdown cutting their lead back down to seven.
THAT'S THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER. MCKINELY FOURTEEN. WEST LIMA SEVEN.
The second quarter was much more defense oriented. Neither offense could get another decent look at the end zone resulting in McKinley having to settle for three field goals. West Lima had a little more success against the McKinley defense their running back was able to score a seven yard touchdown run followed by successful two point conversion.
"What a game folks." Jacob Ben Israel's nasally voice was breaking with excitement as he broadcasted the game and provided commentary through his blog. "This is proving to be McKinley's biggest challenge, but so far our boys have proven that their up for the challenge."
By the time Halftime rolled around McKinley was up 23 to 16.
"Hell of a game." Stephen Cohen remarked looking over at Eric who just nodded. "Your nephew is a very good quarterback. Does he plan on playing football in college?"
"Pfft." Eric chuckled. "As much as I'm sure Alejandro likes football…. No, if anything he'll look to get a scholarship in basketball. That's more his game."
"Well you can't tell by the way he's playing out there." Burt commented. "That nephew of yours has sure brought back a long lost prestige to this school."
"Well he didn't do it by himself. Puck, Finn and the rest of the boys along with Coach B played a huge part."
"I'm just glad Finn isn't the quarterback anymore." Burt and Carol couldn't help but laugh at Tina's comment.
"He was pretty terrible. I'm just glad he took to being a defensive end."
"He has adapted nicely and from what Tina and myself have gathered during practice he seems to think of himself as a young Jared Allen. He even does the little tying lasso move." The sound of the ref's whistle brought them all out of their little conversation.
"LET'S GO MCKINLEY." Someone shouted from the stands as the team jogged back out from the lockers. "BREAK THE CURSE." another person shouted. Eric couldn't help the eye roll at the superstition.
Mike stood right on the one yard line and nodded to the music that was playing in his head as he waited for the ball to get kicked off. So far he'd returned four kickoff and two punt returns for touchdowns and he wasn't planning on not scoring at least one of those tonight. So when West Lima squibed kicked the ball to Mario Harts the Asian boy couldn't help but huff as he ran thirty yards down to block.
FUMBLE
The stands went silent as the ball flopped around the field before finally getting scooped up by a West Lima player.
"Son of a bitch." Mike grunted as he now changed direction and had to speed up once again to catch up and prevent the defender from scoring. It seemed like the people all around the field had decided to try and break the sound barrier with how loud they we're cheering. The West Lima player decided to show boat since he was five yards away from the end zone, so he slowed down and started to high step but before he got passed the three yard line Mike lunged and was able to not only tackle him but he was able to prevent the player from getting into the end zone.
"It's a good thing he slowed down huh?" Finn joked as he playfully jabbed Mike who just rolled his eyes but smiled. "Don't worry we got this."
"Nice tackle Chang. Real nice tackle." Puck commented as he ran out into the field. Four plays later the game was all tied up. Halfway through the third quarter the score was still tied and both defenses really settled down. Alejandro had been sacked four times in the quarter and Beckford fumbled twice. They we're fortunate that all those mistakes didn't cost them since Finn and Karofsky had gotten to the QB three times while Puck had picked him off twice.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD.
Kurt bowed as he sauntered off the field yelping when Puck smacked him on the butt as he passed him by. Once again having to pass the mow hawked haired boy Kurt decides to get a little payback and smacks Puck right on the left cheek as hard as he can making the boy jump and let out a very un manly like yelp causing the group of football players around him to start laughing hysterically at the boy. Alejandro smiles as he watches the interaction but turns his attention back to the clock seeing that Kurt's field goal brought the third quarter to an end.
"Now it gets crazy." He mumbles to himself. Turning towards the stands he looks up to a bunch of crazed and waving fans all trying to get his attention. He smiles at the crowd and waves knowing full well that somewhere up in all that craziness his family was watching. He turned his attention towards the far end zone where Brittany, Quinn and Santana where doing several cheers pumping the crowd up even more.
"KICK THE HELL OUT OF IT KURT." Finn shouts at his step brother. "PRETEND IT'S DAVE'S UGLY FACE."
"Fuck you Hudson." Dave growls at the boy who just shrugs. "For real?" Dave asks when the ball is kicked way beyond the field of play. "I haven't fucked with you in a long time Hummel what the fuck?"
"Old habits die hard I guess." Kurt shrugs as he shoulder checks the Linebacker. "Better get out there big boy." The porcelain skinned boy grinned as the bruising linebacker jogged onto the field clearly pissed off.
"That was evil." Alejandro whispered to the boy who just shrugged as he watched Karofsky Slam himself into the fullback preventing him from even getting back to the line of scrimmage.
"He plays better when he's angry…. And he's hotter too." Dro laughed at the comment and fist bumped the boy diva who had a hell of a leg (something he credited the Radio City Rocketes)
"He is single you know."
"Please he's not even gay."
"I wouldn't be to sure about that." Dro said. "I mean it's not my place but…. Really pay attention to him."
"Is that what you do? You pay attention to all of us?"
"I was locked up for two years Kurt…. All I could do was pay attention and observe…. I wouldn't force it though. Just start off slowly and see what happens."
"I thought you wanted me to get together with Blaine?" Everyone had been going on and on about how Kurt and Blaine would make such an adorable couple.
"I really don't see it, and as much as I love Blaine…. He doesn't look like the type to settle down…. Dave on the other hand…. Well I just him to stop being angry. Maybe you could help him."
"ALEJANDRO." Shannon shouted getting the two boy's attention. "YOUR ON SON."
"Six minutes forty five seconds…. Damn they took a long time off the clock."
"Yes but we're still in the lead." Kurt pointed out as the score was still 26-23 "Don't tell me you can't run the clock as well?"
"Are you challenging me Mr. Hummel?" Dro asked amused.
"Perhaps…. Is it working?" Dro just smirked as he put on his helmet and walked onto the field. West Lima had punted the ball out of bounds along McKinley's own thirty yard line.
"Alright boys we've got six minutes and forty five seconds to go…. Beck feel like running?"
"Ah hell yeah." The boy practically bounced on the spot. "What's the call boss?"
"Misdirection intersection forty five."
"Oh I love that play." The short black teen grinned. "Let's do this then."
"And it loves you back, now let's go." Once everyone was set and in formation Dro looked up and scouted the defense. "ROUTE I-90 TIGHT SQUEEZE." Beckford recognized the audible and moved to his right so he was right behind the fullback instead of behind Dro. "WATCH THE BLITZ….. GREEN." The ball was hiked and Alejandro handed it off to Beck who tucked it into his arm and took off to the right. He managed to dodge the first defender but was unsuccessful with the next one who dragged him down just as he crossed the forty yard line.
FIRST DOWN
The clock was now at five minutes thirty seconds and counting when McKinley got back under center.
"WIDE 80 MOTION. WIDE 80…. GREEN"
This time there was no running back Mike, Matt, Steven Gregory, and another sophomore by the name of Joakim Lawson we're spread out evenly. Dro dropped back and looked around he spotted Mike ten yards down but he was being guarded heavily as was Matt who was double teamed. Feeling the pocket collapsing Dro moved around buying a little bit more time before he finally saw Steven break away from his defender fifteen yards down. Tina reached out and grabbed Rachel's hand and the two held their breaths along with the rest of the people in the stands as they watched the ball spiral up in the air before finally after what seemed like hours the ball was caught by Steven who was instantly shoved out of bounds on West Lima's thirty five yard line.
THREE MINUTES FIVE SECONDS - FIRST DOWN
"Alright boys Fan formation on two, on two."
BREAK
This time Mike and Matt lined up right next to one another on the left side of the field while Anthony Gales a junior Tight End was on the right. Dro looked back at Beckford and Tim Rowling a senior fullback.
"F-53.… F-53 GREEN." The ball was snapped and Alejandro dropped back five yards. "Oh shit." He swore just before he was brought down hard to the ground by a West Lima defender.
TIME OUT WEST LIMA. THIS IS THEIR FIRST TIME OUT.
"How's it looking out there son." Dro looked over at Shannon and smiled making the woman do the same. "That good huh?"
"Oh they're getting desperate Coach. They're gonna keep blitzing and probably shove us out of bounds if we get to close to the sides."
"You sure?"
"It's what I would do." The football coach thought for a second, scratching the back of her neck as she did so.
"Alright." She finally said after a while of silence. "Run the ball if we get stopped they'll call a time out but just make sure not to loose the football and for the love of all that is holy don't get out of field goal range."
"You're the boss coach. OFFESE LET'S GO." The teenagers rushed back onto the field and huddled up. "Alright Weak ISO on two on two ready."
BREAK
Starting now in West Lima's forty yard line Dro got set and looked at his receivers before begging his play.
"SET I-20.… I-20.… CHECK, CHECK." Shannon looked down at her playbook before looking up back up on the field. "X FORMATION DOUBLE OUT RAZOR….. TIME, TIME OUT."
MCKINLEY CALLS A TIME OUT. THIS WILL BE THERE SECOND CHARGED TIMEOUT."
"Damn it." Dro cursed walking back to the sideline. "They're seeing everything I'm calling. Running isn't going to be an option coach, we're gonna have to throw it." Shannon rubbed her face with her hands clearly not liking the situation.
"Alright, throw it. But please don't throw it to the other guys."
"Sure no pressure there." The football coach laughed and swatted the young man on the shoulder playfully making the boy laugh as well. "Aight coach… I'll score you a touchdown and win you the game." The offense huddled up again. "TE Slant route watch the blitz and careful with the corners."
On the stands Tina was still holding on to Rachel's hand but she slipped her other into Shelby's. The older woman looked down at the pale and clammy hand clasped with her own before looking up to see the Teenage girl staring at her.
"What a game huh?" Eric asked looking over at the three women. "God I hope the kid wins."
"Tio." Rachel whined. "Don't jinx him."
"Oh come on Rach you know Alejandro doesn't believe in that crap. Boy walks under ladders every chance he gets…. LET'S GO MCKINLEY." He shouts getting everybody fired up again. On the bottom Brittany, Santana and Quinn we're also cheering on the Titans.
LET'S GO TITANS LET'S GO. LET'S GO TITANS LET'S GO.
"SLANT 4.… SLANT 4. GREEN." Alejandro dropped back, Matt and Mike who we're lined up on the left took off slanting to the right instantly getting the corner's attention. Since the play was a fake hand off Beckford stepped up and pretended to tuck the ball in but was stopped just as he crossed the original line of scrimmage. Dro looked around and saw that his full back was covered tightly. "Oh crap." He muttered sliding away from a defender just before he could get tackled. He started to scramble first to his right but a wall of West Lima defenders quickly closed the gap he had. "Double crap." spinning out of a tackle that he didn't even realize was coming the quarterback almost stumbled causing everyone in the stands to once again hold their breaths. Out of the corner of his eye Dro saw Steve waiving his hand. Knowing he had a very small window Dro stopped and revved his arm back and just as he was about to get hit he threw the ball as hard as he could and hoped to all that was holy that it didn't get picked off."
TWO MINUTES
The ball once again found it's self in the air. Only this time it wasn't spiraling and cutting through the crisp night air like it normally did. No this time the ball was wobbly and it looked like it had had one to many. A lot of the people we're already groaning and closing their eyes to shield them from the interception that they all knew was coming. Rachel not being able to stand the wait buried her face into Tina's neck while the Asian girl stared transfixed to the sight in front of her. The ball had just stumbled through West Lima's fifteen yard line surprising the people who hadn't closed their eyes or turned away. Both West Lima's defender and Mason Grimm the senior Tight end jumped up as the ball was coming down. Both boys stretched their hands out as far as they would go, both silently willing the ball to fall in their favor. Just as time seemed to slow down, it sped up just as quick.
ONE MINUTE THIRTY SECONDS
One second the ball was in the possession of the West Lima player who had clearly intercepted the ball. The crowd watched in horror as he ran down the field passing by a fallen Alejandro. He had just crossed into Titan territory when Mike wrapped his arms around his torso while Matt punched the ball out of his grasp.
FUMBLE
Alejandro who had been running as fast as he could after getting up and shoulder blocking the defender that had tackled him. He was right behind Matt and when his receiver punched the ball loose he scooped it up pivoting around to start running it back towards West Lima's end zone.
"RUN ALEJANDRO. RUN BABY." Tina shouted at the top of her lungs as she jumped up and down on the stands. Shelby was doing the same thing as was Rachel while Eric just kept his eyes trained on the field not wanting to miss anything.
35 SECONDS
That's how much time was left on the clock when Dro crossed the fifty yard line. Who would've thought that clocks could tick down so fast. He needed to get out of bounds but by the way the defenders we're coming at him from all angles that really didn't seem like a possibility. 'God Damn It.' He thought to himself yet again tucking the ball making sure it was secure. Lowering his shoulders he barreled through the first two defenders making sure to keep moving, someone's momentum is about to give out and he'd be damned if it was his. He juke the next defender and quickly spun away from a tackle.
FIFTEEN SECONDS
Ten more yards to go. That's all that was left was ten more yards and seven more defenders who we're all charging straight for him we're left to beat. Alejandro hurdled two defenders who lunged at his feet, just barely making it over them. Alejandro didn't know whether it was adrenaline or if the big guy upstairs was looking out for him but whatever the case was he was grateful when another West Lima defender just bounced off of him the minute they collided, he was more grateful that he didn't loose his balance and that he kept running.
NINE SECONDS
'I REALLY, REALLY NEED TO QUIT SMOKING CIGARETTES." That was starting to become his mantra and he was more and more certain that's what he needed to do. Dro had just crossed the five yard line when he felt a huge pressure on his shoulder.
"You're not going anywhere." The defender hissed into his ear hole. Alejandro felt himself slowing down, but he would not be stopped. He promised the team a victory and damn it he was going to give them their victory.
"FUCK OFF." Dro grunted as he rolled his shoulders hard shrugging the defender of him, but just as that happened he was falling to the ground thanks to another West Lima player who clipped him. Out of pure instinct Alejandro lunged his arms forward making sure that his hold on the ball was vice like. He let out a groan of pain as the air rushed out of his body.
ZERO SECONDS
MCKINLEY WINS, OH MY GOD MCKINLEY WINS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THE STREAK IS OVER.
The stands emptied and pretty soon the field was crowded with fans, parents and players. Alejandro was still laying on the turf his arms outstretched and his grip still tight on the ball. He groaned as he opened his eyes and saw half of the ball in the end zone.
"Thanks big guy." Alejandro whispered as he gingerly got up to his feet.
"YOU DID IT." He heard Brittany's loud and cheerful voice. Alejandro looked up just in time to see two blondes and a brunette charging right at him. He found himself once again on the ground only this time he had been tackled by three cheerleaders. "YOU BROKE THE CURSE DRO. YOU'RE THE PRINCE OF FOOTBALL."
He was about to respond but was suddenly hoisted up into the air by both Finn and Dave who placed him on their shoulder. He was still groggy and a little dizzy but he was able to hold the ball up making everyone cheer in applause. He patted both boys on the shoulder signaling them to let him down. Quinn helped him out of his helmet to which he gave her a quick thanks before he shakily made his way over to Shannon who was standing a few feet away from them.
"Coach." Shannon stared down at the ball that was being presented to her.
"It's your kid…. You've earned it." Eric, Shelby, Rachel and Tina who had made their way through the crowd we're now standing behind the quarterback watching the interaction between player and coach. "I'm real proud of you son. Real proud." Alejandro surprised everybody when he walked up to the woman and embraced her in a bone crushing hug. Shannon was only stunned for a second before she wrapped her arms around the young man and hugged him back. After a second the two broke apart and Dro once again held the ball up earning another round of cheers. He turned and smiled at his aunt and uncle who smiled back at him both had tears in their eyes. He turned his attention to his cousin Rachel who also had tears in her eyes but that giant smile of hers didn't really made them known. He spotted Sugar kissing Matt in the end zone and wondered when in the hell that happened before locking eyes with Tina.
Once again he starts to walk still a little shaky but he's not going to let that stop him. Once he's within grabbing distance Alejandro reaches forward and grab's Tina's hand pulling her towards him. She can't help but gasp when they are suddenly face to face but she's not complaining as she stares up into chocolate brown eyes.
"Hey." He whispers to her.
"Hi." She whispers back.
"I won the game."
"So I see…. Congratulations. I'm pretty sure all the girls will be throwing themselves at you."
"They will." He answers automatically making the Goth girl roll her eyes. Sometimes Alejandro could be so Narcissistic. "But I'm already off the market and very, very happy with my lovely Reina." He moves a couple of strands of loose hair tucking them behind her ear. "I Love You Tina Cohen-Chang. Te Amo con todo mi Corazon."
"I love you too. With all my heart and all my soul." Alejandro smiles before leaning down and capturing her lips in a slow and deep kiss. Santana, Brittany, Puck and Sam wolf whistle while the adults just awe at the two teenagers.