Into You
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Twilight characters or anything Twilight related.
Hello everyone, and it's time to see what goes on now for Slayward and Singerella. Now that Rider is out of the picture for Bella, they are still in the process of their relationship before they tell the world. What should they do now until then? Enjoy. :)
Chapter 15 – Game On!
Edward's POV
Monday came and here I am arriving at the school parking lot after doing my morning routines at home. After dealing with that shit storm over the weekend, I for once, would like some stress from school to get away from. And I'm not talking about the news of Bella and Rider's relationship being a scam. While the news were spreading like wild fire how everyone were all deceived about the scandal, I had to deal with my friends verbally beating my ass how I kept my relationship with Bella a secret from them. I just sat there and took it all in as they all rant out their expressions at me until they were done, which took about two hours. After that was done, they went into a complete one eighty and congratulate me being the lucky ass (their words, not mine) that's dating Bella Swan. Well, they're happy so I'll take that.
So all Bella and I have to do now is to continue our relationship low key until the time is right to tell the public about us. The question is, when will we do it, and how will they react.
I got out of my car and grabbed my backpack before leaving the parking lot. As soon as I entered the building, there was the familiar of commotion in the hallways caused by the students. It was similar to the news about Bella and Rider actually being a couple in real life before the truth came out. It does involve Bella and Rider, except it's different.
"I can't believe they lied to us."
"How could they do this to us?!"
"I was so excited for the sequel. How am I supposed to enjoy the movie now?"
"And I was just becoming a fan of the film series."
"Shall I changed my user named back from Mrs. Daniels?"
"My dreams are ruined!"
"What's going to happen now?"
"They better not disappoint in the movie."
Gee, I wonder how everyone is taking the news. I thought sarcastically as I arrived at my locker. As I opened it, I was greeted by Miss Chatterbox herself when she made her presence, leaning against the locker that is next to mine.
"So, guess who has two thumbs, bought herself a new handbag from the money she got from the complete dumbass who thought he could outsmart me, and has the latest scoop about the aftermath of the Rider and Bella scandal that is still buzzing around." Jessica said, smiling, as she shows off her new black and white striped bag and wiggled her thumbs to point at herself. "That is, if you want to hear it."
"First of all, you have other ways to point at yourself and find your sources if you can't type on your phone," I smirked as Jessica stuck her tongue at me. "Second, Demetri is always the dumbass of the group. And third, you're just going to tell me no matter what I say."
"Man, you're taking away all the fun out of it for me." Jessica pouted causing me to chuckle.
"So what do you got, Jess?" I asked as I started gathering my things for my first class.
"Well, first of all, everyone is bringing the spotlight on Rider, and not in a good way." Jessica said. Well this should be good. I thought. "Now that everyone knows that Rider just went off and blabbed to the media, lying about him and Bella dating without her say, he's been given a lot of backlash of the scam. So to ease your mind, they're totally on Bella's side for how she was treated to being forced into that lie."
"Well that's good to hear." I said as I paused what I was doing at my locker and turned my head to face Jessica. "I'm surprised how everyone's taking her side since those fans had their hearts broken because their "dreams" were ruined."
"Being America's Princess has it's perks I guess." Jessica shrugged. "But yeah, Rider is now being hounded by the paparazzi and the media are none too pleasant with him about what he did. And all his fans on my forum website are in disbelief and "disgusted" to have fallen for him knowing the kind of guy he is.
And because of the scandal he pulled, Rider was removed from To All The Boys sequel and all future projects, losing his role as John and to never be involved with the franchise ever again." She added.
"Good, Bella doesn't need to deal with more of Rider even if he stops flirting with her after what happened at the show." I said in approval. Glad that's out of the way.
"Yes, however, because of Rider, filming for production has been pushed back as they now have to reaudition for the role of John. After they find a new publicist that is." Jessica said causing me to look at her in confusion. "She got fired for creating and agreeing with the lie and went on with the publicity stunt for exposure of the movie claiming about contract dispute that Bella disagreed on and was forced to do it. Now the author wants a publicist that doesn't just think about the film, but the people who work there too."
"Well this has made my morning to start the week on a good note." I said happily as I resume my job to get the last notebook I need for my other class.
"But it gets even better," Jessica said excitedly. "Rider is in further controversary for exposure of drugs."
I just closed my locker at the same time I reacted turning to Jessica. "Wait, what?" I said in surprised.
"Yeah, that's what Rider is under fire for." Jessica said. "Renee said in an interview how Rider has been high on drugs for months and that's when he and his team started blackmailing Bella and her family their careers unless Bella goes out with him. It's why everyone is hating on him. Right now, his followers dropped eighty-five percent in the last twenty-four hours, and it's still dropping." She pulled out her phone and showed me Rider's Twitter and Instagram accounts stats of followers were showing and there, the number of followers continue to go down. "I'm surprised that there are some fans that are still supportive of him."
"Yeah. That's… surprising." Was all I said as the five minute warning bell rang.
"Crap, I gotta get to class. I'll see you later." Jessica said as she took off without another word. I pulled myself together as I made my way to class. As soon as I entered the room, I made it to my seat and pulled my stuff out getting ready, however my mind was processing something Jessica told me.
Rider was on drugs? I mean, I guess he would be the kind of guy who does those things if he's a grade A self-centered prick who thinks the world revolves around him. But still, he was blackmailing Bella and her family their careers to get Bella to go out with him? Bella never mentioned that when she told me of Rider's idea to tell the media that he and her are dating. Was she hiding that fact just to make sure I don't freak out about it or something? I would be pissed at Rider for that, only I'm not as something doesn't seem to make sense. What was Rider threatening to Bella, Renee, and Charlie about? And even if he was on drugs, Rider couldn't be that high to blackmail them into doing his bidding. So what could Renee mean when she…
…
I think Renee deserves another Oscar for her performance. I thought with a frown.
The first few classes went by and it was time for lunch. I told Demetri to go ahead and that I meet up with him and the others as I have to meet with someone. I arrived at his office and knocked his door.
"Come in."
"Hey coach." I said when I opened the door and let myself in to see Coach Clapp at his desk.
"Are you here to add more stress to me today?" Coach said with stern glare.
"Listen coach, I'm sorry for what happened last week. I'm not saying I tried my best, but there were… complications outside the field that got in my way." I said hoping he'll let that slide. "I know it's not an excuse for how we played, but I can assure you that I moved that aside and it won't happen again."
"Cullen, it wasn't just that you played like shit, we lost to a team who hadn't a decent quarterback since the 1990s. And to a punter no less!" Coach added. "We were a laughing stock in front of everyone to a team who has been mediocre for decades and we looked like elementary football! How do you expect me to feel better to believe you won't play the same again?"
"It won't ever happen again. Ever." I said determinedly. "The Cullen you saw last week is long gone now. You got your quarterback who's ready to win you another championship. I guarantee it."
Coach just stared at me for what felt like hours until he took a deep breath and his expression changed when he said, "Very well." I held my breath of relief when he said that. "You're lucky I wasn't planning on sitting you out for next game. I know you better than that, Cullen. You never perform that badly. Not even to a team with a higher winning percentage. If there's one thing about you, you always bounce back right away the next game, so I'm sure you will on Friday. Especially, with who we got to deal with against the Warriors." He said as I nodded my head.
Our last opponent for the season will be against Lincoln High School at our stadium. They're not as good as us, but not terrible by any means, they're pretty much mediocre. They haven't won a championship since 1985 and after that, they were never the same again. They had more losing seasons than touchdowns combined. They had some good players on wide receiver and defensive tackle, but other than that, no good quarterback. So you can say our school pretty much owns our district rivalry despite we lost to them in some occasions. Things started to change at the beginning of this year from what we've heard.
There's a freshman named Wyatt Phoenix who came in as a quarterback, and somehow, he took the season by storm. According to their season record books, though they lost in the opening game, Wyatt helped the Warriors make them into a caliber team where they had a winning streak until last week. Along with helping the team, Wyatt has broken numerous of records. In one game, he scored four touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown. Not only did he tied the league record for scoring five scores in one game, but he is also the first ever freshmen for at least four touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown to do that. He then tied a record with most touchdown passes in a game with five. He would later on break a record for most touchdown passes in the first seven games as a freshmen with nineteen. There are many more of the records that not even I could meet as a freshman. If you thought the record was crazy, his stats are insane. As of right now, he has a completion percentage of 67.8, threw for 2,897 yards in passing, scored 28 touchdowns breaking the freshmen record I held onto until now, rushed for 248 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns, all giving him a passer rating of 103 percent. All of those accomplishments has made Wyatt the talk of the town and everyone is excited to see him face off against us, as well as seeing a bright future for Lincoln High.
"Don't worry, coach, I'm not going to screw up this game. You'll get that win." I said and coach nodded his head, no longer pissed at me.
"If that is all, then you may go." He said and I left his office. As soon as I closed the door behind me, I was met up with none other than the complete dumbass himself.
"Awe, did coach gave you the bad news?" Mike said to me like I was five year old. "Don't worry Cullen, you had your fun, but now it's my time to shine!" He ruffled my head with a smirk before he knocked on the door and let himself in without coach's permission.
"Hey coach!" I hear him greeted eagerly as he closed the door behind him. "Ready to see me play for the game on Friday?"
Next thing I hear was a loud flap and a bang against the door causing me to stifle my laughter as I walked away.
Okay, no offense to Bella, but having her as my girlfriend is now the second best thing that has happened to me.
School ended later as the talk was now between Rider being hated on for what he did to Bella, and the big game between us and the Warriors due to the matchup between me, a senior, and Wyatt, a freshman. A senior versus a freshman. The future NFL quarterback versus the rising star. Slayward versus the Phoenix Enforcer for what I hear people call him. I know he's young, and the Warriors aren't much of a problem to face against, but that doesn't mean I should underestimate them.
We had our practice today where I enjoyed seeing Mike sulk during workout as he was told that he was never going to be the starter for Friday. Again, you see the face here, I feel smug.
So after practice, I came home where I had dinner with just my mom and my sister since dad had to work late tonight. I'm thankful that my parents will be at the game on Friday. This is really important to me. There's just one person I want there that could make a difference.
As soon as I finished my plate, I received a text from Bella telling me she's free to Skype. My mom told me to go ahead as she cleans the dishes thus excusing myself to my room. Thankfully, I have no homework today which gives me free time with Bella. I loaded up my computer once I made it into my room and called her on Skype until her face appeared on the screen.
"Hello." I greeted her.
"Hi." She smiled. "How was your day?"
"Not too bad." I shrugged. "I'm not going to lose my spot for football regardless how I played like shit." I saw Bella cringed. Shit! I thought when I realized why. Nice going, jackass. "And I got to enjoy seeing Mike, my backup, sulking for believing he was going to be the starter even though he played "better."" I quickly added before I decided to change the subject. "So, how was your day?"
"Well, since Rider was the cause of the scandal, he was removed from the cast and now filming has been pushed back into a delay until we find an actor to play as John." Bella explained with a sigh. "Right now, the production team is working on clearing out the last promotions of the sequel after the retraction they made yesterday. So right now, my day has been pretty quiet." She didn't look at me and I need to know.
"Bella," I said to get her attention which she did by looking at me. "Love, what happened after your interview with Jimmy Fallon?"
Bella sighed and gave me a sad look. "Well, you can imagine how pissed off my mom was at how I told the public about that scam with Rider." She explained.
"Pissed, would probably be an understatement after getting to know your mother after only one night." I said as I let her continue.
"Anyway, you can imagine how Renee was swarmed by paparazzies, hounding her with questions about why she and Rider's manager made us go along to pose as a couple off-screen." She said. "I didn't know how she would handle it since I pretty much spilled the beans. That is, I found out the next day that Renee "handled" the situation and that we're off the hook."
I don't like the sound of it, even though it has nothing to do with me.
"And by that, you mean…" I pressed on.
"She practically threw Rider and his team under the bus!" Bella said and had her hands through her hair. "She somehow manage to cover my outburst on the show and told the media how Rider and his team threatened her about her past drugs abuse to be exposed unless I go out with him."
"I thought so." I said causing Bella to look at me in surprise. "Jessica informed me about the aftermath of Rider and Renee said he was on drugs, which I assume was made up just to protect your image or something."
"That's exactly it." Bella said. "Rider was never on drugs. Renee just convinced everyone into believing he was threatening me by some bullshit that Rider was so high that he went on a meltdown to come at me. All that just to "protect my image." More like she was protecting herself." She sighed.
"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly.
"Honestly, no." She answered as she looked at me where I saw a tear in her eye. "I mean… I know Rider's a self-centered jerk who thinks life is all about him, and that he tried to ruin our relationship by telling everyone that he and I were dating behind my back and how he was harassing me on the set of Rainbow Garden, but… he didn't deserve to be treated that way. He didn't deserve to be the most hated person in America. He live his life in Hollywood. He has a career there, and because of Renee, his life could be ruined."
"Well, it's not like you had anything to do with it." I said.
"No, but it feels like it." Bella said sadly. "Renee could have faced the consequences for being part of the scandal with Rider, his manager, and the publicist lady and share the blame, but no, she was all about saving her reputation."
"I'm sorry, Bella." I said. And I mean it. As much as I hate Rider, I hate what Renee has done to him, even if he did deserve it. In the end, Renee will always find a way to make herself and her family look good.
"I just can't believe my mother would do such a thing. It's one thing for her to not accept our relationship, Edward, but to throw Rider under the bus, the guy who Renee wanted me to be with instead, it's like I don't even know her at all."
"Bella," I said. "Don't worry about your mother." She looked at me. "I'm not saying as in you should forget about Rider, but maybe in her way, she did it to protect you. It may seem like she was doing this for herself, but you are her daughter and she still loves you." Although I doubt it, but I had to cheer Bella from being down on herself. "Just think of it this way, now Rider won't bother you ever again since he's out of the picture and you don't have to worry about losing your fans."
"I guess." Bella shrugged. Well, I tried. Now I should change the subject.
"I know what will cheer you up." I said. "You got the package Charlie gave you?" Bella pulled up a thin brown package and showed it to me.
The day when Bella exposed Rider and his lies, before that, I went to Ben's father and had him deliver a package to Los Angeles. However, I made it out to Charlie to avoid suspicions. I contacted Charlie about it and told him to let Bella know to not open it until we Skype when she gets it to which Charlie said he would.
"I got your package. What it is?" Bella asked giving it a light shake.
"Go ahead and open it." I smiled. She took her time until she opened it and pulled out the big clothing of blue and silver. She unfolded it to reveal my name with my number on it.
"Your football jersey?" She questioned.
"We're having our last game at home this Friday." I explained to her. "It's Senior Night, and I want to invite you, your friends and your family to come. I already talked to Charlie and he said he made sure you guys are available. It would mean a lot to me if you came, wear my jersey, and cheer me on."
"Are you sure you want me there? I don't want to… well… draw attention if… you know…" Bella stuttered causing me to chuckle as she bit her lip.
"It's not like this will be the first time you come to my game." I teased with a chuckle. "May I remind you how you and the others were there on our first game? And let's not forget about what you and Charlie wore after that." I pointed out and continued. "Just wear disguises like you did before. With the way you pulled off the last two you came, and considering that you're all actors, you won't be drawing too much attention. Please? I really want you there."
Bella was silent as she looked at my jersey. I was nervous thinking that she can't do it, that she's not ready. That is until I nearly fell off my seat when I saw her put on my jersey over her head and adjusted herself to show a good view of her wearing it.
Fuck! I thought. She looks so hot wearing my jersey. That's when I felt something pressed against my pants. Shit! Down boy! Not now! I mentally scolded to myself and the little guy below me.
"I'd be honored to be at your game." She smiled to me. I had to bite back a groan the way she talked to me that way in my jersey. Fuck, she's killing me here. "I can't wait to cheer you on."
"You better be wearing my jersey there." I said with a smile, though I feel like I'm about to faint. "And I can't wait to see you on Friday."
The week went by as the talk about Rider and Bella went down with Rider being now the most hated person in America for hurting Bella for his own needs and other things Renee made up to the media. I guess it doesn't surprise me about Renee for how she treats people. After meeting her for the first time and seeing her true colors, she made me one hundred percent certain that she is not my favorite person. She tops my list of people I hate and that includes my other top five people such as the Rams because as a Seahawks fan, I hate them; for somehow being terrible one year and then the next they became good since Sean McVay came as their head coach (that doesn't make sense, it doesn't work that way!) and not to mention for how they got away with cheating for that no-call penalty at the NFC Championship against the Saints. Then there's Ms. Smith, who is a complete bitch or as many people would call her, a Karen, who demand things her way such as calling the police one time on my family because we made such a racket in our backyard last year, on my sister's birthday. She even went far on things I do not want to mention as I am still pissed about that. Which was why, the police took Ms. Smith away for "wasting their time" on false alarms and being a pain in the ass to the neighbors. My words, not theirs. Then there's Rider at number three and Mike at number two. The reason why I put them like that is because though I hate Rider more than Mike, Rider got what he deserved for what he did to Bella, so he is the least of my concern.
As for what has this town been talking about lately, it is now on the big game that is happening tonight. What happened to me last week was ancient history and now everyone is pumped to see me take on the freshman that is taking this season by storm. And I've been practicing nonstop to be ready. This is a big deal, not only it's going to be the last game of my high school career, not only am I facing against Wyatt, but I have to impress the college scouts who will be coming to see some of the top players on how well they perform and if they're thinking about giving us admission to their school, and their team. I sure hope they consider me. I could be one step closer to reaching my goal.
Here I am, alone, in the locker room secluded in the one area near my locker as I sat down, all dressed in gear with the helmet in my hands. I had it face me as I stare into it, as if I was letting it flash life before my eyes. I feel like I was reliving the memories of my time being the quarterback for this team.
I can't believe this will be my final game here in Forks High. Where had the time gone by? Was it really since freshmen year I became the starting quarterback and helped made this team into championship contenders? That I made us one of the best team in the league the last four years? It seem so unreal. Though I am excited to see where my football journey will take me next, I'm going to miss playing for this team.
"You better not be crying." I turned to see none other than my best friends all dressed and ready to go.
"Who says I'm going to cry?" I teased as I turned away and sighed deeply.
"It's really hitting ya hard, huh?" Alec said.
"So after this, it's over for us." I said.
"What do you mean?" Demetri asked.
"This will be our last game together, meaning we're done afterwards." I said.
"Now who says this will be our last game?" Demetri asked causing me to turn to him.
"We've already qualified for the playoffs, so even if we lose tonight, which we won't, this won't be our last game together." Ben said as he and the others came over to me side by side.
"And do you think that after this, we're done, like we're done playing. Hell no man, we're about to be accepted to UW and play for them there. It's a new team we're all about to experience. But that doesn't mean the team you've led these last four years will be forgotten." Alec said as he clapped a hand on my shoulder with a firm squeeze.
"Yeah, new team, old team, you'll always be our quarterback, and we'll always have your back." Seth said happily. "And even if we won't play on the same team when we get into the NFL, we're always support each other no matter what!"
"After all, football is family, and family is everything." Ben said. "And like a family, we're gonna make this night special, and that includes kicking the Warriors' ass tonight."
"Hell yeah!" The boys cheered as I smiled.
"I love you guys." I said. Apart from my friends, everyone else I've played with, minus Mike and Tyler, I consider them brothers. I love them all and always looked out for them. I watch them from being childish boys to grown men who understand what football's all about. And that, is a family I will forever cherish starting from the roots of where it all started.
We had our moment before the rest of the team came piling in as we all got anxious but pumped up for this big game. It wasn't long before Coach Clapp came in and gave us the usual talk.
"Okay listen up!" He said. "This is our last game of the season and we have to give everything we got because this here will decide where we stand at the playoffs. But don't think about that right now." That there causes us to be surprised because coach would always be focusing on winning the game and play good. "Right now, there's only sixty minutes tonight. Sixty. Sixty minutes of the game… the season… and for the seniors of this team," He glanced over at me, Demetri, Ben, Alec, Seth, Sam, Quil, Embry, Jared, Paul, and many others who will be playing their last game at Forks High. "We only have sixty minutes left in a Titans uniform."
"Captains?" Coach gave me, Alec, Ben, Demetri, and Seth a serious look as seniors. The boys looked at me indicating that I should speak on their behalf, and knowing them without the need to read them, I face my team. This was the moment I had to rally the Titans and get their spirits ready.
"Alright guys," I began. "Hey, you heard coach. Those sixty minutes are going to stay with us for a long time after we leave Forks High. So… this is our last chance… to play together… and… to give the Warriors some hell!"
"Yeah, let's give them hell!" Demetri yelled as the rest of us got really fired up as we were soon banging lockers and throwing things around the locker room as we always do. This time, coach wasn't annoyed as I saw him smiling while shaking his head.
"Okay now that you're done destroying things in our locker room," Coach said after getting our attention. "I have a few things to go over."
"First, we have college scouts who are here to see both teams play thinking about who they want to play for their team,"
"In which it will be me obviously." I hear Mike talking to Tyler and Austin causing me to roll my eyes.
"So I want everyone to be at their best to impress them. We haven't had a student from Forks High being recruited since the 90s so this could be it." Coach continued on.
"Also, we have another guest who will be watching the game, and he's here to witness our quarterback attempting to break the league record for most passing yards throughout his high school career in history. If he's lucky tonight, then Edward could also break the record for most touchdown passes." The team cheered while Mike and his friends remained quiet.
The record for most passing yards in high school history is 18,930 and I am 120 yards short while I am five touchdown passes away to beat 229 touchdowns. I have confidence that I will break those records, but it all depends on if I can make the plays and throw the ball with help from my team.
"So let's make this game a night to remember for all of us!" Coach finished causing us to cheer.
Soon it was time for us to head to the field. We followed the coach and as usual, one by one, each players' name was called and they made their entrance running through a tunnel of cheerleaders. However, the managers of our team stopped me, and all the seniors of the team telling us to give them our helmets. In exchange, they got us to wear homemade leis (one made of flowers and the other filled with candy) and got us a rose as tokens for us seniors. They got us to line up in an order by positions for our names to be called. Soon, after my friends and the others were called where they were met with their families, it was me and Mike left.
"And for our quarterbacks,"
"Stand aside, Cullen," Mike said putting a hand out to prevent me from stepping forward, which I hadn't even moved. "They're about to call the Forks High's star!"
"First off, Michael Newton!" And that was Mike's cue as he took off running.
"Thank you! Thank you!" He yelled happily, his eyes were closed as he ran through the tunnel, though none of the cheerleaders didn't really cheered or show enthusiasm for Mike. Nor did the school as there was only polite applauses and cheers. But Mike was oblivious to it when he met up with his parents. I had to fight back a laugh wondering how long it would take for Mike to notice.
"And lastly, standing 6 foot two, the man with a rocket arm, the master tactician, the scrambler demon, the bronze and the slayer of all quarterbacks, your star student athlete, Edward Cullen!"
"Thank you! Thank you!" I said in the same way Mike did as I go running through the crowd as cheers were erupted louder than Mike gotten times a hundred. I had to hold my smirk doing that.
"And meeting him at the end are Dr. Carlisle Cullen and Esme Cullen along with little Renesmee."
And sure enough, there was my family at the end. The ones who supported me from the very beginning and cheered me on. My parents were dressed casual while Renesmee was in her cheerleading uniform as I met up with them. My mother hugged me so tight as she was crying on my shoulders. My dad gave me a proud look when he had his hands on my shoulders, not even bothering to express how proud he is. Renesmee was soon in my arms as she gave me a kiss then saying she's ready for her big cheer for me causing me to smile big as I faced the crowd.
The whole stadium from our side is packed with students and faculty along with family and friends all colored in blue and silver. There we saw banners of all the seniors with their names, their number, and phases to describe them along with pictures of us were shown. Though many of us, mostly me, had multiple banners displayed for me, Mike, I noticed only had one, which was simply plain (Go Mike! with no other decor), and I can hear him complain why his isn't in the stands, failing to see his lone banner. I saw the girls in the front and center where all the other students are. Heidi and Angela were wearing Demetri and Ben's jerseys respectively as Jane was wearing Seth's, after the guys and I gave him the confidence to ask her to, while Jessica was all dressed up in blue and silver outfits to show their spirits like everyone else is as they cheer us on. In the crowd were a few older men wearing attires from different colleges, who must be here to see the players and witness their performance. With them was another guy who held a notebook in his hand who must be the guy to see me break the school record.
I looked around and sure enough, somewhere in the audience where the families and guests sit, I saw most of my friends' family there to where my parents were probably sitting. And with them, were a group of people whom I'm sure people don't know them, but I sure know enough to recognize Bella along with her friends and family. Rosalie was wearing a long dark brown wig while surprising went to just wearing a big-hooded sweatshirt and ripped jeans. Victoria actually changed her hair color for real as it went from bright orange to straight dark red. Alice had a wig with the same color as her hair but longer while she stills wears her usual choice of fashion that's noncausal. Jacob went with long hair as well and he's wearing clothes that look like he came from a poor family. Though I'm concern about the jeans he's wearing. Jasper went with a hair color wig to match with Alice apparently and she also seem to made him match outfits with him. Emmett… I don't know what the hell is he thinking because he doesn't need to look that old with that weird ass wig and a mustache to his face. Charlie and Bella wore the same kind of disguises they wore last time they were at my game. The only person I didn't see was Bella's mother. I guess I expected that. Not that I care that Renee would come. I was just being nice.
My eyes were focusing on Bella as I saw through her disguise, wearing my jersey and smiled at her. The fact that she is now here was all I needed to get fired up for this game. And all the luck I need was her presence. When she made eye contact with me, Bella smiled and blew a kiss to me to which I caught it, even if it was just air.
(A/N: Play NFL Sunday Night them song introduction.)
"It's here at Forks, Washington on a cool breezy night as we take you to Valley Bay Stadium, home of the Forks High Titans, as they meet the Lincoln High Warriors on Friday Night Football!" Our commentator Chad, announces.
It was soon time and the families must return to their seats.
"Good luck, sweetheart." Esme said as she kissed my cheek.
"Go slay'em, son." Carlisle smiled as he ruffled my hair.
"I'll be cheering the loudest for you, big brother!" Renesmee said as she was waving her pom-poms in the air before they all left the field.
After I joined the other captains for the coin toss, in which, the Warriors won and elected to go first, we joined the rest of the team on the sidelines. And that was when we all turned to the big screen where it pans in on the city of Washington at night. There, somewhere in the abandon parking lot of a building was Heidi, where a different attire then what she is wearing in the stands in tight black jeans and a white top being covered by a black leather jacket, as some of the seniors, including myself were in it. The music started playing as everyone in the stadium started stomping to the rhythm and soon, Heidi started singing.
(A/N: Play Game On by Carrie Underwood from NFL's Sunday Night Football 2018 Theme Song!)
"Everybody's ready for the party
Everywhere coast to coast
Come on we're just gettin' started
Been waiting all day let's go
The gangs all here for a throw down
Rowdy crowd rocking the place
Warriors and Titans in a showdown
Fired up and ready to play
Game on!
Hey it's Senior Night
Game on!
Hey turn up the light
America's game, what a match to see
The only place to be
Game on! Game on!
It's Senior Night"
As the song was played where many of the players on the screen joined in by the special effects by the AV Club, highlights were shown from the past year showing all the players that has made an impact this year and the seniors showing their best moments and best plays before saying goodbye to the team (Mike was once again complaining about where his best moments' at). I couldn't help but shed a tear at how much this sport has means a lot to me.
"Oh America's game, what a match to see
The only place to be
Game on! Game on!
It's Senior Night
It's Senior Night
It's Senior Night"
(A/N: End song.)
"Valley Bay Stadium, home of the Forks High School Titans for fifty years and the crowd is packed in a sea of blue and silver. Everyone is here for a big game since tonight is Senior Night where the Forks High seniors are playing their final game at home. As the star quarterback and senior, Edward Cullen and the rest of the Titans take on the freshman sensation, Wyatt Phoenix, and the Lincoln High Warriors. Chad Robinson with Luke Russell and Rachelle Daniels here…"
"Let's do this!" Seth said as he got on his helmet and ran down to the field with the rest of the defensive players after the kickoff was made for a touchdown. They were joined by the Warriors' offense and there I saw the short light hair boy, Wyatt Phoenix, putting on his helmet décor in the away white uniform with red as he ran down to the field and huddle with his teammates on what to do. Time for me to witness the greatness of this so called Phoenix Enforcer.
We watched as Wyatt made a quick pass to one of his receivers for about six yards. The second one was blocked off from Quil as he was able to quickly see that coming. But on the next play, Wyatt was able to make a completed pass despite the defense going for a blitz and they were able to get a first down.
"Eh, beginner's luck." Demetri said like it was no big deal. Though I can see through him that he seem anxious about this now. And so am I.
We all watch as Lincoln High was cheering for their team just as the Warriors decided to run the ball but Jared stop them before they got to the line of scrimmage and they lost a yard. It seem like to most people that there's nothing to worry about, that is until on the next play when Wyatt got the ball, Paul and Jared were coming from both sides ready to sack him, but the offensive linemen were holding them off so well giving Wyatt enough time as he threw the ball big.
"A fake to Taylor, who blocks, and throws it deep and – OH HE'S GOT BYRON!" Chad announced as Lincoln High were screaming loudly while our side were stunned to see the receiver caught the ball with two of our defenders on his tail as he fell but manages to get the ball to the endzone beforehand thus giving the Warriors a touchdown. "No flags. Fifty nine yard strike! What a throw by the freshman Wyatt Phoenix and a great run by Don Byron." He said as we saw Wyatt earning high fives from his teammates before returning to the sideline so that their special team can kick an extra point, which they did successfully.
I was right. We shouldn't be underestimating them.
"Pfft, that's nothing. Wait until that little freshman get a taste for what I have." Mike boasted.
"Mike, you shouldn't underestimate Wyatt." I said to him in annoyance. "You don't know what he's got in store."
"Please, he's just a freshman, how's he going to win this when he deals with me?" Mike said as the next kickoff came and our team managed to get to the thirty yard line thanks to Garret's return. Mike was about to run off to the field when it was our turn for the ball when Coach Clapp stopped him.
"And who says you're playing?" He said to Mike in a piss off way. "I told you, Newton, that you're not starting this game! Cullen is!"
"But come on coach, he played terrible last week and I did better than him. You know that!" Mike argued.
"And did you help us win?" Coach challenged him causing Mike to be silent. "Didn't think so. Now go check on the players to be sure they're hydrated or something. Just don't even think about coming in without my say!" He demanded.
"But that's the water boy's job." Mike muttered as he walked away causing me to chuckle.
"Wipe that snicker, Cullen and get your ass on the field." Coach said. I nodded as I put on my helmet and ran onto the field joining the team.
"Alright guys," I said as I looked at my playbook on my wrist. "We're going for the Fox Illusion." I said to them as they nodded in understanding my code.
"Break!" We all said as we got in formation for the play.
I got my mouthpiece in place as I looked as at the defense and gave a quick scan as they watch us in anticipation as I was doing my best to block out the noise of the screaming crowd. I need my teammates to hear me for the call.
"Red 27, ready," I gave a brief second to see I could get the Warriors defense to jump for a neutral zone infraction but I guess they weren't buying it. "Ready, SET HIKE!" The ball was snapped into my hands and I quickly gave it to Ben as he made a run for our shotgun spread where he ran straight through our offensive line.
"Cullen, hands the ball to Cheney, he goes straight through the offensive line, and he knocks his way through and stop!" Chad yelled from the stands. "Stopped by Vlad but he was able to get nine yards on the first play!"
Ben got up as he handed the ball to the referee and met up with us as we huddled together again. I know that this is a game where I might break the school district record for most passing yards and touchdowns and in order to do that, I need to throw the ball more frequently, but this is the night I need to share with my teammates and that means play as a team.
"Phantom slash, down the middle." I said to them. "Ben, I need coverage. Alec, go right. Demetri, straight up!" We broke the huddle and I lined up behind the center as I looked up at the clock. Only four minutes into the game and we need to get things going. "Blue 27, ready, set hike!" I called as players broke out. I saw Ben ran passed me to help assist one of our guards block the defense as I saw Alec coming to where Demetri is as he was heading towards the Warriors' cornerback and without thinking, that player turn his attention on Alec when he stopped thus giving what I needed as I threw the ball.
"Cullen throws to Tracker and caught for a first down!" Chad yelled as Demetri caught it in his hands ran a bit before he was forced out of bounds. "What a way for Slayward and the Elite Four to fool the defense! And Cullen is already eleven yards down on his way to break that passing yards record!"
So far so good. I thought. Now we just gotta keep up the tempo that way. The next play, I threw the ball to Alec for five yards. On second down however, Ben was about to run the ball except the defense seem to have saw that coming and stuffed him from scrimmage thus causing us to lose two yards. Then on third down, I threw the ball to one of my wide receivers, but unfortunately, I threw it a little high for him to catch it and it flew out of bounds so we were forced to punt. Thankfully, coach didn't give me shit for it but expected me to do better next time we have the ball.
Brady punted the ball and sent it downfield when it landed on the five yard which is good. If we can prevent them from making big plays and give them a three and out, we might have good field position on our turn.
We all watched as Wyatt took the field and after huddling with his teammates, he got in formation while our defense were looking ready to go. Both Paul and Jared looked determine to give Wyatt pressure as Sam, Quil and Embry were on guard as they watch who they're defending against. Seth yelled out something to both sides before he faced the front. I wonder what they got going.
The ball was snapped as Wyatt got the ball and movement broke out.
"Blitz, Phoenix – IN TROUBLE!" Chad announced as our school erupted in cheers when we saw the linebackers helped the defensive linemen try to break through the O-line and Paul and Jared got each of the offensive linemen occupied, giving Seth a chance to come out of nowhere like a cannon and sacked Wyatt straight into the endzone. "Buried by Seth Clearwater for two!" We all cheered for Seth as he got up and was celebrated by the team for getting us on the board. It may be only a safety for two points, but we're getting somewhere. What's more, it's still our ball.
We got our ball on the kickoff with no return putting us on the twenty five yard line. On second down after Ben got us three yards, I almost got sacked when I was wide open until I quickly found Ben who got us another first down for twelve yards. I'm less than a hundred yards away from the big moment. On the next play, I missed a pass to Alec as he was a finger away to make contact with the ball. Ben ran on the next play where he got six yards on the carry. Then on third down, I was able to throw it to Demetri but he was two yards short for a first down and because we weren't at mid field, we were forced to punt again. Damn, the defense really has improved.
It gets worse when we punted the ball and the returner brought it in at midfield giving them a good position. Fuck! I thought as on the first play, Wyatt threw a twenty yarder to his receiver. There, we got a yellow flag for pass interference but it was declined since it didn't matter because they got a first down.
"Warriors at the Titan's thirty yard line," Chad announced as the Wyatt got the ball where movement broke out. He threw the ball and,
"Intercepted!" Chad yelled when Embry jumped in front of the target receiver and took off the other way where the Warriors were supposed to be heading. "Picked up by the safety Call! Embry Call with a foot race!" We all watched and cheered as Embry continues running passed the Warriors, leaving him open as he makes his way to the endzone. "Jackson won't get him! That would be six! No flags, touchdown!" He announced as Embry made it to the endzone where the rest of the defense joined in on the celebration, where our mascot pretended to take photos of them in a group shot.
I said the defense of the Warriors has improved, but we're getting stronger. And now, because of our defense, we are now 9 to 7 taking the lead. Now I gotta help do my part.
It's gonna have to wait since the Warriors get another chance at redemption when they got the ball again, and Wyatt redeemed himself from the interception where he made big plays leading his offense all the way to the endzone where he handed the ball to his running back and sliced his way through our defense putting them back in the lead after adding an extra point now 14 to 9 Warriors. Those big plays were mostly due to Tyler screwing up on the plays where he thought there is an "I" in Team where he should've blocked those receivers and instead tried to jump for the ball where it slipped off his hands and helmet and fell right into the hands of another receiver. All of that is what caused coach to sit Tyler out for the rest of the game.
It was our turn for the ball and after a total of eight yards of throwing, I threw a deep ball to Garrett who caught it before he was down for a total of twenty five yards. But on the next play, after Ben rushed for eight yards, I threw the ball away when no one was opened as I was being pressured by the Warriors defense again. It's third down and second and we were at around the Warriors' thirty yard line. If we don't make this one, we can make a field goal, but we gotta score big. I tried to throw it when I got the ball but got myself another incompletion as I got hit by the defense.
At least, that's what the referees believed. Because a few seconds later, Coach Clapp called for a challenge that during that play, right when I was about to throw, one of the defensive players made contact with my throw on my elbow before I arched it from a throw, thus it was actually ruled a fumble. And because Alec was luckily there to recover the ball to where it fell passed the first down marker, before he was forced to stay down, it is our ball still and we are at the twenty yard line. Hell yeah!
After an incomplete of the first down pass, I got the ball when the Warriors defense went for a blitz and I quickly got out of the way with my scrambling ability. Whoa!
"There goes Honcho, he was knocked off that time," Chad announced as Honcho quickly got up and came at me, not before I threw the ball, and hit me. "Time for Cullen to the endzone – CAUGHT FOR A TOUCHDOWN, TRACKER!" He yelled as our school erupted in cheers when Demetri dove in at the endzone and caught the ball before they both hit the ground. "Slayward kept it alive to Brave Bird. No yellow on the field. Touchdown, Forks High!" He said.
I ran up to Demetri, the same time Alec and Ben did and if on cue, the four of us jumped and spun until our shoulders bumped into each other for another touchdown celebration as we were back on top, 16 to 14 after the extra point..
"Dude, this game is getting intense." Demetri said to me as we returned to the sidelines while the Warriors got the ball.
"Tell me about it." Ben said. "They were not kidding about Wyatt."
"Yeah, I knew he was going to be good, but not this good." Alec said.
"Relax guys, this is only the first half of the game." I pointed out seeing that it is the second quarter now with twelve minutes left until halftime.
"In which we should be winning if I was playing!" Mike said as he came over to us. Oh for fuck sakes.
"Mike, would you just grow up and just zip it?" I said in annoyance as I saw Wyatt threw a deep pass to his main receiver only to be blocked by one of our cornerbacks who is only a freshman leaving what appears like the Warriors are on third down and six. "This game isn't about you, it's about this team wanting to beat the Warriors for a good spot in the playoffs." Before Mike could say anything,
"Here comes the blitz!" Ben said as we all saw the defense go blitz without warning and quickly surrounded Wyatt and the O-line.
"Jackson tries to block and – there he goes!" Chad announced as we all cheered to see Wyatt taken down by Jared. "Wyatt gets hit on the play by Jared Cameron! And that's another sack on Phoenix as he gets dominated by The Pack!"
"Now if you'll excuse me Mike, I'm needed." I said as I got my helmet on and ran down to the field after the Warriors had to punt and got us at the fifteen yard line.
After telling my team on what play we should do, we got in formation and I looked up at the roaring crowd as they cheer us on. I looked to find Bella as she watches me from afar. This is game is going to be special for the both of us and I want Bella's experience at my game as my girlfriend to be something to remember.
That is if I can get through that Warriors defense because we got a three and out on this drive. That's because when Ben ran the ball, he was stopped the minute he had it in his hands and lost four yards. Thankfully, we recovered on the next play where I threw the ball intended for Garret only to get tipped in the air and luckily and I rushed in and caught it, running for a few yards I say five yards. But on third down, after evading many of the defenders who were trying to sack me, I had to throw the ball away thus giving the Warriors the ball again.
After punting the ball to them at the ten yard line, Wyatt was able to go big on the first play where he threw a fifteen yarder to his tight end for a first down. After the next play where they ran the ball only to lose two yards thanks to the work of Paul and Jared again, the O-line made a big opening allowing Wyatt to run the ball himself and made his way close to midfield after a twenty yard rush. Damn, how is this kid so good?
…
And why is there something familiar about him?
We all continued to watch where after the Warriors failed to get a first down with one yard short, they went for it and his running back barely made it passed for a first down causing our school to groan while Lincoln High cheered on a successful play. Soon after another successful play where there was miscommunication from our defense where the Warriors star wide receiver caught the ball just when it looked like he let it bounced off his hands. And then, on the next play, Wyatt was able to score a touchdown to another wide receiver, where after the extra point was made, it is now 21 – 16 Warriors.
"Come on guys!" I said as we all huddle onto the field after the next kickoff for a touchback. "Let's go, Homing Attack!" We all got in formation as I looked at the clock. Five minutes left before the second half. What's more, I'm only forty four yards away to breaking the passing yards record. I have to make this drive.
"Red 27, blue 18, ready, SET HIKE!" I yelled and soon the ball was in my hands. I made a fake hand off to Ben where he got the defensive line's attention with help from out O-line thus giving me a chance to throw to Alec who was near the edge of the field where he caught it while he fell out of bounds, his feet still in before that.
"Volturious caught it! And he stayed in bounds for a first down from a twenty four yard pass from Cullen!" Chad announced.
After the referees placed the ball at the spot for the next drive, my teammates and I were signaling the crowd to settle down as we huddle for the next play.
"Alright, we're going for a slant route. Right here. Right here!" I said to them as they understood what that meant.
We all got in formation as the defense was watching us, getting ready to stop this drive. I wouldn't count on it.
"Blue 27, get ready, set, SET HIKE!" Soon, the ball was snapped and I took a few steps back just as everyone on the field broke out and my team were doing their part of the job to follow the play. That's when I saw him, pulled back to wind up and let her rip!
"Cullen," I stood and froze in mid form after the throw as all eyes were on the ball to where it ended up. "Wide open," Chad announced, followed by Luke's comment as Garrett caught the ball as a defender came at him. "And McGovern," Cheers were erupted as Garrett avoided the tackle, stayed in bounds… and ran all the way to the endzone! "WHAT A WAY TO DO IT!"
"YES!" I cheered for the biggest accomplishment I've ever made in high school. Soon, Demetri ran at me happily where he jumped onto me for a hug as we were soon joined by Alec and Ben who tackled me for a hug as well and soon the rest of the team that was on the field joined in as we were all jumping up and down on the celebration. I can't believe I actually did it!
Soon after we were done celebrating, my teammates stepped away from me as the head referee came over.
"Congratulations Edward, for your biggest accomplishment on breaking the record." He smiled as he shook my hand.
"Thank you." I said as he gave me the game ball that made it happen and then he held out a thin paper that has been laminated. I took off my helmet as I secured the ball in my arm as I accepted the certificate, reading the fine print that I am now the official record holder for most passing yards throughout high school. Damn.
I looked at the crowd to see them all cheering loudly for me along with the rest of my team on the sidelines. As the clock was stop for this occasion, I see many banners were now added that involves what has happened.
Congratulations Edward!
All Time Passing Yardage Leader!
Slayward The G.O.A.T!
More banners were shown, including where there were pictures of two other quarterbacks who had the top passing yardage of their high school careers, before I took over as shown with my picture shown. As I made my way to the sideline, I saw them. Standing next to Aro were my parents and my sister, but the person that had my attention the most, was the girl in disguise as she was smiling proudly at me.
"Well done, Edward!" Aro smiled as I gave him the ball before shaking his hand and then I turned to my family.
"Oh sweetheart, congratulations!" Esme said as she hugged me tightly where I felt the tears coming from her on my shoulders.
"I'm proud of you son!" Carlisle said as he too embraced me in a hug.
"Edward!" Renesmee called me.
"Hey sis!" I said as I happily scooped her up in my arms and spun her around and held her. "How about that, huh?"
"You were awesome big brother!" Renesmee said excitedly.
"Let this be shown that you can accomplish anything in life that you work for, right?" I said to her.
"Right!" Renesmee said as she planted a big kiss on my cheek and pulled my head towards her for a hug. I sat her down and turned to her.
"That was for you, love." I said to her softly as I held her in my arms.
"Congratulations." Bella said. "You were amazing."
"It's not over yet." I said.
"But I have no doubt you can do this." Bella smiled. "Now go get them and win this game."
"You know it." I said as I gave Bella a kiss before I went over to the rest of my team who congratulated me.
"MY MAN!" Seth cheered as he gave me a big bear hug as I returned one for him.
"That's our quarterback!" Embry yelled as he and the rest joined in.
"I'm nothing without you guys." I said to them as I wiped off a tear and then made my way to coach who gave me a hug. "Are you kidding me?" I asked tearfully as coach laughed it off. "Thank you for everything."
"Alright, enough sob talking." Coach teased as he playfully shoved me to let go.
"Yeah, let's win this game!" I said as the next kickoff came in for the Warriors with only the two minute warning left before the first half is over.
After the Warriors tried to make one last push with a few seconds left which resulted them into a field goal, it is now halftime where the Warriors are leading 24 – 23. The cheerleaders from our school along with the junior squad did their performance along with the marching band on their halftime performance. Soon it was time to get back on the field and thankfully, it's our turn to start the game.
We returned the kickoff for only twenty yards which was where we start and on the first play, I had a completed pass to Demetri for five yards. However, we got penalized because one of our O-linemen was called for holding thus giving us a ten yard penalty. Honesty, how can you expect the O-linemen to defend the quarterback? Just hit the defense with their chest?
Anyway, we recovered from the penalty when I threw an eleven yarder to Alec so we can have some room in case we have to punt the ball back. Thankfully, we didn't have to because I handed the ball to Ben on third down and he tackled his way to get the first down and more.
"It's now second down and eight," Chad announced after four minutes into the game where we ran the ball again only for two yards. The ball was snapped into my hands as movement broke out. "Volturi with the block." I remained in my spot as I threw a big one despite the pressure. "Cullen heaves it down – CAUGHT!" Our school went wild when one of my wide receivers caught it, despite three secondary players on his tail. "At the Warriors' ten! Hogan was beaten and what a catch by Peter Channing who was able to outrun the secondary with his high speed chase!"
"Let's keep it rolling." I said to everyone as we ran up at the line and then I gave my team the next play. Once I got everyone in formation, "Get set!" I looked around real quick. "GET SET! Red 27, ready, SET HIKE!" I got the ball and fooled the defensive linemen to shift all the way to the right when it looked like I was going to give the ball to Ben only the offensive line shift them all that way to the right as I made a turn and threw it at him so quick causing our school to cheer.
"Touchdown! For the second time tonight, wide receiver Demetri Tracker!" Chad announced as Demetri got ready when Alec, Ben and I run up to him for another touchdown celebration. This time with the most complicated handshake we have created which became successful, for another successful drive that put us back on top, 30 – 24.
On the Warriors' turn, our defense stepped up a bit and only allowed them for a field goal to make them trail behind us by three. On our turn, Ben ran for seven yards on first down and after incomplete pass from me, I threw a good one where Garrett dove for the ball and caught it for thirteen yards close to midfield. However, it looks like the Warriors defense stepped up as well. Ben rushed for three yards but I had another incomplete and on third down, I got sacked after a blitz came in and I couldn't be able to escape from that so we had to punt the ball this time.
Wyatt was able to drive the ball all the way to our side but thankfully our defense barely stopped him thus only allowing another field goal to tie the game with five minutes left in the third quarter. We were close when it was our turn and after another incomplete pass, I threw one to one of my fullbacks who caught it and ran all the way until he was stopped, just ten yards away to the endzone. Unfortunately, on the next few plays, despite I got nine yards caught by Alec, Ben was stopped before he could reached the one yard to get a first down and my next throw was a failed catch by one of my receivers thus making us do a field goal, which Colin did to extend our lead, 33 – 30.
Coach Clapp looks a bit frustrated and maybe nervous on how this game is. I would be too since the Warriors are looking like actual professionals for this district. We just got to find a way to get past that hump.
We all watched as Wyatt threw a total of twenty five yards on their drive. It was right now second and seven and Wyatt threw the ball.
"Phoenix dances with one of the Titans defender – AND IT'S INTERCEPTED AGAIN!" Chad announces when Quil came in place for one of Wyatt's receivers. "This is Quil Ateara, following blocks and down at the Warriors own sixteen!"
"Cullen, you better pull this one off!" Coach said to me.
Like I haven't been trying? I was able to get a first down right away by throwing a twelve yarder pass, but on the play on first and goal, Ben was stuffed immediately after I gave him the ball and then I continued to fail to get any completed passes and to make it worse, Colin missed the field goal. Coach seemed pissed about how we failed to make use of that pick.
It was now the fourth quarter and things were getting intense as the crowd was getting louder, getting our teams pumped and ready to win this game. We have to win this game. All my efforts for this season and my achievement as the record holder for passing yards leader must not go to waste.
I watched as Wyatt got a thirty yard pass to his number one receiver as his school were cheering for that. He followed that up with a deep ball going forty eight yards where his receiver was one yard away for a touchdown. There, on the next play, Wyatt got the ball when Jared zipped passed one of the O-line and made a grab for Wyatt only for Wyatt to spin from that from where he stood, allowing Jared to fall. Wyatt stayed on his feet as he evaded Paul's grasp as well, still on the same spot he had the ball and threw a bullet pass to his teammate for a touchdown.
The play may have cause cheers from Lincoln High while Forks High groaned that we're trailing by four points, but that there, hit me.
The way Wyatt plays, the way he moves, his style of playmaking, his leadership skills on the field, all of that were so familiar to me. It reminded me of someone who played like that in his freshmen year. How it all started out with a school that has become mediocre until now, and getting students hyped up about it. The name that sticks to it. Making their team a surprising contenders for a championship. That someone… was me.
I remember exactly how I felt after winning my first game when I stepped in for Mike. It was then I have made a name for myself being recognized by the school and everyone around for my amazing skills as a quarterback as I helped Forks High become a championship caliber. And something tells me, Wyatt will be no different. Only tonight, he's going have to get pass me. And something about Wyatt, that spark, that fire in his eyes, something tells me that it's going to make me give it my all. Something I need to make this Senior night the best one ever.
Game on. I thought as I took the field with my team.
"Blue27, SET HIKE!" Ball was snapped and I caught it and quickly made a big pass down field.
"Cheney in the back field." Chad announced. "Going for a deep ball and HE'S GOT IT!" He yelled as Peter caught it. "Channing! Pushed out of bounds but got a big play for fifty five yards!"
That was the momentum I needed as on the next play, after eight rushing yards by Ben, I threw a five yard pass to Alec to which he caught it, evaded the defender, and ran until he was force out of bounds giving us first and goal.
"It's now first and goal, Cullen gives a fake handoff to the fullback and it's CAUGHT!" Chad announces as our school cheered seeing Ben zipped passed the Warriors and caught a touchdown. "That was The Train's fifth touchdown reception of this season!"
After our touchdown celebration which involves a game of leap frog, things were looking great since we were back on top and I now tied for most touchdown passes in my high school career. That is until on Warriors' turn where they rushed for only three yards, Wyatt threw a pass to his star his receiver, and somehow got passed our defense and ran all the way down to the endzone for a touchdown. There was a flag on the play, but that was on us so it didn't matter because now the Warriors are back on top, 44 – 40. And there was only four minutes left in the game. Fuck.
"Cullen, you ready?" Coach asked me.
"Yeah," I answered but then I grimace from something in my body.
"Cullen, what's wrong?" Coach asked sounding worried.
"I'm fine, I think I just felt a twinge in my shoulder. It's nothing." I assured him while giving my throwing arm a light rotation.
"The hell it isn't!" Coach said. "I'm not letting you risk your body in this game!"
"I'll do it! Forget about Cullen and let me play." Mike said excitedly as he came up to us looking determined. "Come on coach, Edward can't play in this condition." He said to him. Like hell he is! I thought.
"Fine." Coach said causing me to be shocked and of course in disbelief as Mike took off like a little kid who snuck out stealing candy from a store as he ran onto the field causing the team who were already on it to be surprised. "It's only for a few seconds. I'm only giving you that long until you catch your breath." He said to me.
I nodded my head in understanding, though in disbelief, as Seth stood by my side.
"You think it was a good idea for coach to bench you for a bit?" Seth asked. "We all know how he plays like dog shit. And this is coming from a pack of dogs."
"Technically, you guys are like wolves." I pointed out and then smirked. "Though come to think of it, you guys do act like dogs." I teased causing Seth to playfully shove me as we watch Mike take charge on the field.
On the first play, Mike threw the ball which was over the head to one of the receivers. I'm surprised that he didn't yell at that player for something so "easy." Then on the next play, Mike somehow evaded a sack and ran the ball. Despite that he's as slow as Tom Brady, maybe worse, he manages to get a first down causing some surprise from us. Then Mike surprised us even more by throwing the ball to Peter for a first down and more by at least ten yards. Mike never threw more than three yards before. Than at our opponent's territory, Mike made a run with the ball but this time, he looked like he was playing smart and got another first down. Is this really the same Mike Newton who played like ass?
"Wow, he might actually help us win this game." Seth said in amazement. And though I wouldn't say it out loud, I think so too. Mike actually improved a bit. He might actually pull through. I thought as we all watch Mike having the ball in his hands and then threw it to our receiver,
Only it wasn't our receiver, it was a Warriors defender who was right in front of our receiver and Mike threw the ball right to him.
I take my compliment back about Mike. I thought with a frown as I should've known while there were many groans of disappointments from our school while the other team cheered in pleasure.
"How could you have let that guy catch the ball?!" Mike asked that targeted receiver in a piss off way as they came back to the sidelines.
"Me?! He was right in front of me! What were you thinking throwing it to him?!" He asked in disbelief.
"Don't make excuses! You let him walk right pass you since you were so weak to go against him!" Mike said.
"You're the one who fucked up, Mike!" I snapped as I shoved him to back away. "You were that blind that there were others available but you were too high on yourself to think they weren't good enough for you!"
"Shut it, Cullen! This has nothing to do with you!" Mike said to me angrily.
"Actually it does," Coach Clapp said as he came over to us looking extremely pissed. "What you did affects this game. And if our defense doesn't pull through in the next two and a half minutes, it's all on you for fucking this up!" Mike shrunk as he backed off.
We all watched nervously as the defense were preparing to stop Wyatt and the Warriors. If they continue to get first downs before the minute warning, even if we use our timeouts, it'll be game over when they take a knee and kill the clock. We can't let that happen.
The Warriors made the first move where Wyatt faked a handoff and evaded a sack, started scrambling until he ran passed the first down marker causing our school to groan while the other school cheered. Mike, I will put you on top of my most hated peoples list forever if we lose.
After using two of our timeouts to save precious time on the clock and with a minute and fifty five seconds left, it all comes down to this.
It's third down and four. We all held our breaths as Wyatt gave the ball to his running back who looked ready… only to be stopped right away!
"SHY OF THE FIRST, IT'S JARED CAMERON AS HE IS ABLE TO BRING HOPE TO THE TITANS!" Chad announces as we all cheered for a chance to turn this around.
"Cullen, get in there!" Coach commanded.
"What?! Why?!" Mike complained.
"Because I'm not letting you fuck this up for us!" Coach said in annoyance. "Besides, Cullen only needed a few seconds to rest."
"But –"
"THAT'S AN ORDER!" Coach yelled causing Mike to stomp away like a five year old that didn't get his way. Come to think of it, Mike does look like he has a baby face.
"Cullen, you better make this count." Coach said as I nodded my head.
"And it all sits right in front of Edward Cullen." Chad said as I ran down to the field after the Warriors punted the ball at the twenty yard line. "Can he and The Elite Four make a huge turn around on this drive?"
I looked at the scoreboard. Warriors 44, Titans 40. I need a touchdown to not only beat another record for most touchdown passes throughout high school, or at least let Ben run the ball, but to win this game. And with one minute and forty seconds left on the clock with no timeouts due to that we used the final one after stopping their play, this is the final strike we have to make, and I know how to pull this one off. All I need is help from my teammates.
"What's the plan captain?" Ben asked as we all huddled together.
"Alright," I said as I got on one knee. "I got a way to win this game. Do you remember freshmen year, our first game?"
"You mean when you came in after Mike sucked ass?" Alec asked with a smirk.
"Oh I remember that," Ben smiled. "You shocked everyone when we made a huge comeback."
"Not to mention what he did during that game." Demetri asked with a snicker as some of the players were curious to what happened.
On the very first game of the season my freshmen year, things started off… well embarrassing if I had to describe it and you can tell it was all because of Mike. He started the game to this day, none of us understood how he manages to stay on the team throughout high school or why they even made him a quarterback where there are others who could try out (unless he threatened them to back out). Anyway, we all knew he was bad right after he made the first play. Mike made a miscommunication on the audible, which was illegal formation, that caused the center to snap the ball right passed Mike, straight to the endzone for a safety, and the rest is history. He threw back to back pick sixes and caused two fumbles where one became a touchdown from the other team. After the team scored another one, it was 30 – 0. And that was after the first quarter.
So Coach sent me in despite that I was ineligible to play and after the first two drives where I scored two touchdowns, something happened that I was not so pleased to hear about.
Flashback
Freshmen Year – First Game at Home
After Vipers punted the ball when we gave them a three and out. I ran down to the field with my team as we got in formation.
"Let's see if Cullen can work some more magic into this game." The announcer said as I got the ball when it was snapped and threw it to one of the wide receivers. There he was wide open and the ball was coming to him, but before it did, one of the defenders, who was on the receiver's tail, had his arm over him and dragged him down before the ball hit the ground. "He's got Deacon wide open – Ooh! That's got to be pass interference. But the ref is waving it off." He said when the referring who was right there where it happened, threw out his arms as a signal for an incomplete pass.
"What?!" I said in disbelief. That was clearly pass interference! He dragged him down before the ball even came. What the fuck?! Where's the flag?
"Come on!" I hear Andre said angrily as he went up for ref that made no call. "I've been through worse that. Be a man and make the call."
"You're right," The ref said and Andre gave a humph saying "Good" as he walked away as the ref threw out a yellow flag. "Unsportsmanlike conduct, Number 89 Offense." He pointed at Andre.
"What?!" Andre snapped as he was pulled back from his teammate from coming at the ref, who smirked while our school was booing. Are you fucking kidding me?!
"This is bullshit!" Andre said in disbelief when we all huddled together.
"Forget it guys," I said to them knowing this is not the time to get upset… until after the game. I gave them the play to go for and we all got in formation.
I got the ball when it was snapped and handed it to Carson as he avoided a tackle and made a run for it to give us some needed yards for a first down.
"The give is to Wallace. He spins to the outside. Wallace has room. He's at the thirty five, the forty – Ooh! He's been brought down hard by a face mask." He announced as another ref just stood there and did nothing. Oh come on! I thought.
"What? Oh come on man!" Carson said at the ref as I was running up to them. "That was a face mask!" He said, showing an example of it on himself. "You're not gonna call that?"
"I saw a clean tackle." The ref said with a smile as I saw clear through that white lie.
"Are you f –" I covered his mouth and dragged Carson away before he could cost us another penalty. "Someone oughta tackle your head right into someone's ass!" He said out loud.
"What the hell is going on?" I asked my team. "Why are the refs not making any of those calls?" This isn't the first time. Earlier a referee threw a yellow flag at my face when he was trying to call for false start. It may look like it was unintentional, but I clearly know that wasn't the case. What's more, there was no movement before the snap!
"They're bullshitting us. That's what's up." Andre said, clearly pissed. "They always do this."
"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.
"Well, Forks High haven't been the best team in like forever so we're pretty much the underdogs." Dustin explained. "And as underdogs, people love to talk shit about us that we suck and will never win a championship. Hell, to even win a game. We're pretty much the laughing stock of the league."
"If you think that's bad off the field, on the field is worse." Conner said. "And I'm not talking about us getting our asses beat."
"The refs are somehow making up excuses to make sure we don't win." Andre said. "They rig everything whenever we play. Last year, we all saw them move the football pass the first down marker when it was shy inches short after they went for it on fourth. They denied it."
"Another time is when we made a very big play from our twenty five making a pass to go all the way for a touchdown, only the refs purposefully took that away saying we made an illegal formation, which we didn't." Travis said.
"Three years ago, we were about to kill the clock with a minute left in the game, but the refs made a call to review the play, two plays ago, which you cannot allow! And they took away those plays and gave the ball over to the other team to win the game!" Connor said.
"There's also the one time when our best offensive tackle three years ago suffered an injury to his eye when the referee threw a flag at him for holding." Wilson said. "That time, they used flags that had pellets inside and that hurt big time for Isaiah. Not only did he get banned for the rest of football for tackling the referee out of anger for purposely doing that, which we all believe, he now has suffered blindness to his right eye."
"Rashad had it worse when he got accuse for a dirty hit which there was none and they purposefully knew about his temper problem that got a rise out of him to not only tackle the referee, but got him arrested as well!" Jason said in disbelief.
"And let's not forget last year when we were this close to make the playoffs on the last game of the season, we were about to get a touchdown to extend the lead and win, only on the play when we threw the ball, we got interfered on the pass, but the refs didn't make the call at all and let it slide to where we lose later on!" Andre said.
I just sat there listening in disbelief hearing all the stories of what the referees been doing to this school, just because this school isn't good?!
"So you're saying they've been discriminating us and making sure we'll never win, continuing to do so, even when we are starting to become good?" I asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, pretty much." The others said as blood was boiling inside me.
There are two things that pisses me off. One, Mike Newton for being a complete douchebag and everything. And two, nobody, and I mean nobody gives out bullshit on something I love. I look at the clock and saw we have five seconds left on the play clock.
"Time out." I called causing the whistle to be blown. I ran down to the sidelines to meet up with Coach Clapp.
"What's up, Cullen?" He asked me.
"Coach, you and I both know that we're never going to win this game, or even get anywhere with what's been going on. You saw it all happen." I said.
"Well what do you expect we do?" Coach asked. I leaned in to whisper in his ear of my idea. He pulled back and looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "You know that might cost you more than your turn on the ball."
"Better that than what we're dealing with." I shrugged. Besides, I'm not at all worried of what's going to happen after.
"Okay, I'll let you handle this." Coach said and I ran back to the field to where my team is waiting on me.
"So what's the plan, Edward?" Conner asked.
"Okay, I got an idea to end this bullshit once and for all." I said. "Just let me handle it, do your own thing. BREAK!"
We all got in formation as the defense was waiting for us, looking pleased with themselves. Not for long. I thought.
"Down, set! Blue 27, set, SET HIKE!" I got the ball as movement broke out. I looked around until I found him. I pulled my arm back and threw a bullet pass right where he least expected as the ref gave out a cry and fell to the ground, cupping his balls as the crowd made out a noise like they received the hurt too while adding some laughter as well. I smirked as I hear my entire team laughing their asses off at what I did. Even coach was amused as he tries to hide his laughter.
"He was like "Oh, my balls!"" Travis said as he demonstrated what had happened as my team laughed.
"Nice one, Cullen!" Andre said in pleasure as I smiled.
"So what do you guys say? Should I go for the left nut this time?" I asked.
"Hell yeah!" They answered as we got in formation watching in amusement to see the ref was pointing at the other direction as he was recovering from the hit I gave him causing the other referee to move him aside and take his place.
"Well, I don't quite get this," The announcer said. "It's fourth and twenty two, and yet the Titans are going to go for it."
"Blue 27, SET HIKE!" I said as the ball was in my hands and without hesitation, I threw the ball at the ref the same way I did to the other one causing him to fall down as he was cupping his balls.
"You gotta always protect the McNuggets." Andre said to the ref as the others laugh it off and walked away. I walked my way over to the ref just as all the other referees came to check on him. I got down on my knee and took off my helmet.
"So how about for now on, you give us a fair game?" I asked him with a smile. "Stop discriminating our team. Throw the flags away from us. Never make up excuses to take away our plays. Follow the rules as given. Make the damn call when you see it. Stop bullshitting us!"
"Sounds good." The ref said weakly as he was still on the ground, cupping his balls.
"And you better tell the rest of the referee community to never do this to us again and in future. Or else they'll get something worse than what you've gotten." I said as I put a finger in my mouth and stuck that finger in his ear for a wet willy causing him to quiver. I got up and looked at the other referees who like they were about pull the card to stop me from playing. "That's not going to be a problem, is it? I can always bring it to my uncle. Does the name Eleazar Denali ring a bell?" I asked with a raise eyebrow. That there, caused the other referees to immediately shook their heads violently since they know full well about my uncle.
I turned around and walked away to the sidelines as the ball was turnover on downs for the other team while I had a smirk on my face.
End of Flashback
That there made the referee to stop their bullshit and gave us a fair game. Along with being sued by Forks High with help from my uncle for how they've been rigging our games, ruining students' future in football and a lot of other bullshits they've pulled on us. And because of that, I was able to score four more unanswered touchdowns and shocked everyone of our amazing comeback.
"Do you guys remember on the last drive to win that game?" I asked.
"I see where you're going with this." Demetri said excitedly as Ben and Alec nodded their heads.
"You guys know the drill." I said to them and then to the rest of the team. "Everyone else, follow their lead. BREAK!" We broke out and got in formation ready for the moment. This is it. It's do or die time!
"Blue 27, ready, SET HIKE!" I caught the ball in my hands just as movement was made and that's when I started making a run for it.
"Four man rush," Chad announces as he sees me avoid the blitz easily and ran down field when two defenders came in front of me until I did this. "Cullen's going to run for it, he's going to – FLIP THE BALL TO BEN CHENEY!" He yelled as our school roared to see Ben got a first down when he caught the ball I tossed, got what looked like a tackle from another player only to somersault over him and landed right passed the first down marker on his feet at our thirty five yard line. The Warriors head coach tried to contend that what I did was a forward pass, therefore I should be penalized. However, it was ruled a backwards pass since I was still behind the first down mark and Ben caught it two inches before he made the run for it so therefore, we're good.
We quickly got in formation since we had no time for a huddle as time was ticking with only a minute and thirty seconds left, but I didn't need for a huddle. I know what I'm going to do.
The ball was snapped in my hands as I was given enough time with help from Ben who assisted the O-line to hold off the defense as I found my target and threw a deep ball to him.
"First and ten for Edward Cullen," Chad announces as we all watched the ball being thrown. "Side-stepping and throwing. Garret – WHAT A CATCH!" He yells as our school screamed to see Garret jumped for the ball and caught it the same time a defender tried to cover him. "Beating Rowan, bouncing back up, McGovern is down at the Warriors' thirty five!" He said as Garret got up and celebrated for that catch.
"Come on! Come on! Come on!" I said as we rushed into formation again since we got a minute left. I quickly checked to be sure we're good before I made the call. "Ready, SET HIKE!" I caught the ball and got ready when my team made the move and I waited until I saw him and threw it.
"Cullen again," Chad says as Demetri caught it causing more cheers from us. "And this time it's Tracker! With a fifteen yard catch, it's another first down as the Titans are getting closer to the endzone.
He's got that right. The only problem was that Demetri caught it and was down inbounds. Which means the clock is still ticking since he didn't run out of bounds. And with no timeouts, we have no time! As if Demetri knew me so well before I even had the chance to think, he quickly got up and sprinted to the middle of the field where he met up with the referee and handed him the ball to place.
"Hustle! Hustle! Hustle!" I yelled at my team as we all rushed as fast as we could to where the ball is placed at the twenty yard line. "Get in formation! Get in FUCKING FORMATION!" Once we got in formation, I yelled the play. "Titan Finale! Titan Finale!" I said as I put my mouth piece back on and looked at the scoreboard where there was only thirty seconds left. It all comes down to this.
"Ready, set, HIKE!" I yelled and the ball was in my hands. I saw the defense being held off by the O-line as they do their best to give me time. I looked around to see my players moving around while being guarded by the secondary. Just when I thought about throwing the ball away, I saw an opening and I only had a split second which was all I need when I made a bullet pass to him.
"Cheney in the back, Cullen looks down field, he's going to throw and it's – ALEC VOLTURI!" Chad announces as our school erupted in the loudest cheers possible when Alec caught the ball and easily ran to the endzone. "TOUCHDOWN TITANS! Are you kidding me?! Holy catfish! What a play! What a drive! And the Forks High School fans are going nuts!"
"YEAH!" I cried as I ran down the field to join Alec along with Ben and Demetri as we jump up and down while throwing up arm after arm pretending to dance to retro music we hear on Thursday's practices to which we like to call it Techno Thursday.
After celebrating and getting the extra point, not only did we take back the lead, but I have officially broken another record for most touchdown passes throughout high school. Now all that's left is for our defense to finish the job since there were twenty seconds remaining in the game.
We watch nervously as Wyatt got the ball as our defense went for a blitz. And soon, after much struggling, Wyatt was brought down.
"Paul Lahote!" Chad announces as we cheered to see him sack Wyatt. "Timeout by Warriors and it's the fifth sack by the Titans tonight."
Fifteen seconds left and the Warriors backed at their own fifteen yard line. I know it's second and twenty but anything can happen in the game. Come on, defense. I thought as Wyatt gave the audible. Make this count.
My teammates and I held on to each other as we saw Wyatt threw a deep ball to what appears to be an attempt for a hail marry.
"Four man rush, second down and twenty." Chad says as the balls starts falling into the hands… that allowed us to cheer! "Going deep and – IT'S SETH CLEARWATER!" He yells as Seth caught the ball and slides until he lays down with the ball in his hands. "Beast Boy seals the deal and Forks High is going to win it!"
"Newton, go out and kneel!" Coach said to him. "And don't even think about pulling any moves that is unnecessary!" Mike grumbled as he ran onto the field to get in formation and when he got the ball, he quickly took a knee thus ending the game.
"And there you have it! Edward Cullen, the all-time passing yards and passing touchdowns leader, has made a comeback to help Forks High win this game in a spectacular showdown, 47 to 44." Chad announces as the team and I shook hands with the Warriors for a great game. After a line of handshakes, I went through the crowd on the field making my way until I spotted him.
"Hey Wyatt!" I called out. "Wyatt!" I made my way until I caught up with him. "Hey." I said.
"Hey man," Wyatt said as he shook my hand and grasped it while patting my shoulder. "Great game, Edward. And congrats on your records."
"Thank you." I smiled. "And hey listen, you did great out there. I love what you got. Love that fire in your eye, the spark you gave out. You really made me gave it my all. You got what it takes to be a quarterback. I can see greatness in you man. You got this. Just keep grinding and you'll be great."
"Thanks man, I appreciate that." Wyatt smiled as I can see a bright future for him. Once I graduate, the torch will definitely be passed down to him. He will soon be the star quarterback in school history.
"Of course, and hey, whatever you need, I got you. I got your back. I hope to see you again." I said as I gave Wyatt's hand that still has mine a firm squeeze.
"You got it." Wyatt said as he gave me a light punch to the chest before we let go and walked away. As I was congratulated by other players, Coach Clapp pulled me aside where I was met up with a few other guys who I know must be. Respectively, they represent University of Washington, University of California Berkeley, Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, University of Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Louisiana State.
"Gentlemen," Coach Clapp beamed to them with pride. "You got any empty lockers for new quarterbacks?"
"Not for long, I hope."
"This guy is definitely going to be the future of college football."
"We can obviously see talent in this guy."
"Especially with the way you played out there, and led your team to the very end, that's the kind of player we want to see at college."
"Hey, we hope to see you next year. After you make the choice that is."
"I'll let you know." I smiled. Though I have already made my decision to stay here in Washington. I shook hands with the scouts before they left, leaving me and coach alone.
"I'm proud of you, Cullen." Coach smiled. "But you know what will make me the proudest?"
"You don't have to ask," I smirked. "Let's fucking win that championship!" Coach laughed as he patted my arm. "But first," I left him as I met up with the entire team, though I saw Mike and his friends leaving already, as we all got into the middle of the field, just as the music started playing. The thing my team and I've been planning on the past few days as a tribute of celebrations.
Let me show you what you're missin', paradise
With me you're winning, girl, you don't have to roll the dice
Tell me what you're really here for (here for)
Them other guys? I can see right through ya
You seem like the type to love 'em and leave 'em
And disappear right after the song
So give me the night to show you and hold you
Don't leave me out here dancin' alone
I was lip syncing to the part of Justin Bieber as my teammates got around me. Soon, they all joined me as we actually sang to the song.
Can't make up your mind, mind, mind, mind, mind
Please don't waste my time, time, time, time, time
Not trying rewind, -wind, -wind, -wind, -wind
I wish our hearts could come together as one
Shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lover
Shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lover
Shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lover
Shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lover, oh-oh-oh-oh
As we were jumping and dancing along in celebration, the whole school was joined in from the stands. Even the teachers were celebrating with the students along with the cheerleaders and the family and guests that came. There, I see Bella and friends dancing along as they were singing. Our eyes met and she gave me a wink causing me to do the same before I resume celebrating with my team on what has been the greatest Senior night.
What a game, huh? I hope you guys liked it, along with what the aftermath was with the Rider and Bella scandal. Now, do you guys think this is the end? Wrong! XD
There's still more that's going to happen. So get ready, you're going to be here for a while. Also, stick around, and maybe in a few chapters, I will announce a special surprise for you all. ;)
Guess you'll have to wait and find out. See ya next chapter! Also, are you guys excited to see the Twilight Saga come to Netflix? I think we all know what we're going to be doing. Please review.
Also, a few things. That flashback of Edward's freshmen year was inspired by The Longest yard where Adam Sandler threw the ball right at the refs' crouch and the fact that I hate the refs for always rigging the games. Say what you want, I know favoritism when I see it. And Alec's touchdown celebration was inspired by the Seahawks of their Techno Thursday dance.
The big game was inspired by the 2017 matchup between my Seattle Seahawks and the Houston Texans where Russell Wilson outdueled Deshaun Watson, in one of the best games I've ever witnessed.