Friday Evening
15 Minutes to the Homecoming Game...
I'm on the battlefield
Like, oh my God (ooh la la)
Knocking soldiers down
Like house of cards (ooh la la)
I'm a one woman army (ooh la la)
Yes, I'm a one woman army
(ooh la la, ooh la la, ooh la la)
Cassandra was in the locker room, earphones plugged in and listening to music. She was in her sports bra and yoga pants, stretching her limbs as she hummed softly to the music. She wouldn't admit it but she was nervous as could be. Who could blame her though? It was their school's first big game against their arch-rivals, Hearst High. It was also the determining factor to whether Autumn would finally transfer to their school. Autumn had told them that her dad had finally considered the option, seeing as the school had solid academics and sports programs. Cassandra could still see Autumn's eyes shining with happiness and hope at the prospect of her finally joining them. Julian had said, "We'll bring a win home for you, Autumn."
"We won't let you down, Autumn," Cassandra murmured to herself.
The school had been busy preparing for Homecoming. Payton had been organizing the Homecoming Dance and the Pre-parade; a tedious task.
Cassandra and Julian had been training the football team; an equally tedious task. Payton and Julian had gotten into an argument as they had been using the field at the same time and Julian had thrown a football into Payton's float accidentally. They had stormed off the field, each furious with the other. Cassandra couldn't practice and be mediator, but what choice did she have? She got the student govs, Jessica and Jacob to draw up a schedule for when Payton and Julian could use the field. There was also the issue of getting them to talk to each other. At Cassandra's wheedling, Julian helped Payton fix her float and got the team to help them practice for the pre-parade. "Ease up on Payton. She's trying to plan a float parade, AND she's getting ready for the dance. I know football is a big part of Homecoming, but the things that Payton is doing are important, too. Without them, Homecoming's just another game!" Cassandra reminded him. Payton and Julian finally made up and Cassandra thought that she had had enough drama for a week. But she was wrong.
Later in the week, as Cassandra and Julian were going for practice, Julian's phone buzzed with a text. He frowned and said, "Yo, Cass! There's something weird going on. I got a text from a blocked number... with a warning that someone was going to be recording our practice today to steal our plays! If Hearst High pulls that off, we're going to be in a lot of trouble. Can you keep an eye out while we run plays?"
True enough, as they were running plays, Cassandra spotted a quadrocopter in the sky. She yelled Julian's name and pointed out the object. His face contorted in rage and Cassandra tossed him a football and he hit it dead-on. It dropped out of the sky only for Max to show up out of nowhere and pick it up.
"Good throw, Julian. Too bad I already got all the footage I need!" Max jeered.
Julian grabbed the copter and slammed it on the ground.
"Still the same old Julian, huh? Never met a problem you didn't want to punch. Don't worry, that camera has been streaming everything straight to our football team back at Hearst High," Max gloated.
Cassandra and Julian glared at him as he strode off and laughed. They had been forced to write their entire playbook. Luckily, they had help from the other jocks and nerds. They worked together to make a beautiful blend of physics and psychology. The team practiced their plays, this time with the nerds helping them out by ensuring that no more tech was being used to steal their plays.
Friday arrived and the school was hustling in excitement. Cassandra was kinda nervous but her uncle had been supportive of her and promised to come by after work. As she and Julian walked with the football team down the hallway, looking oh so cool in their Letterman jackets, the other would hoot and holler in support and Cassandra was touched by all the love and support their classmates were offering. Later, the pre-parade started, the bleachers filled with their classmates and parents of kids in the school coming to show their support. Cassandra could even see Lance in the crowd, hooting and hollering. The school colours; black, blue and white were everywhere in the football field. Flags, face paint and posters were the order of the day, with the word 'KNIGHTS' on them. The marching band, mascots and the cheerleaders performed their routine with the float coming in and Bella, the head cheerleader began announcing the team members names, each of them running out as they were called out. Julian's name was called out and he ran out, waving at the crowd. Cassandra could only see the back of his jacket. "And finally, our school quarterback, the girl who brought us all here; give it up for Cassandra Sage-Beckett!!"
The crowd went wild and rose to their feet at her name. Cassandra ran out and she saw Lance beam at her and she smiled back. She looked around her and saw the excited and pumped faces of her classmates and their parents. She was determined now more than ever to to do right by them and make them proud.
Cassandra felt a hand on her shoulder and she was drawn out of her flashback. She turned around and saw Julian looking at her. She removed her earphones and asked casually, "What's up, Vega?"
"You okay?" He asked, giving her a look of concern.
Cassandra sighed and replied, "I'd be lying if I said I'm not nervous. A lot of people are counting on me, on us to bring home a win. Autumn and all the others watching. There's a lot riding on this...I don't know if I can do this, Julian."
Cassandra looked down, hiding her face so that he wouldn't see her nervousness. Julian put his left hand on her shoulder and used his right to tip up her chin so that they were making eye contact. His chocolate brown eyes bore into her steel grey ones.
"Listen to me, Cassandra. I know how it feels. That pressure when you feel like everyone is counting on you? Trust me, you aren't the first. But you need to know that you aren't alone; the team is here with you, we are all here with you. We're gonna stand together. And we believe in you. You brought us to this school as our leader."
Cassandra gave him a warm smile at his words. He smiled back as he traced his thumb across her cheek. She gave him a tight hug which he returned. She said, "Thank you, Julian."
"Now, you ready to lead the Knights, Sage?" He asked.
"You know it, baby," she replied enthusiastically.
"That's what I like to hear," he grinned. Cassandra took out her uniform as he left to give her some privacy to change. She took a look at her jersey with her last name at the back and her number '23'. She sighed and began dressing up. She laced up her boots and took her helmet and went to the meeting room, where she found the rest of the team going through some last minute details with Julian. He looked at her and walked over after excusing himself. "Hey, Cass. You feeling better now?" Julian asked.
Cassandra nodded and Julian grinned, "Great."
He cleared his throat. "Well, since you're my co-captain, I was thinking that you should give the team a rousing speech," Julian suggested.
"Me?" Cassandra asked in surprise.
"Yeah, as I told you, these guys look up to you. You brought us all here," Julian told her.
Cassandra said, "I'll... I'll do my best."
Julian whistled and the chatter in the locker room came to a hush. Julian hollered, "Hey, everyone, listen up!"
Cassandra began, "Okay, team! Tonight, we're standing on the edge of greatness. If we beat Hearst High, we'll be making a statement. We're playing for our school! Think of this game as an epic battle! We're going out there tonight to do battle! And we're going to WIN!"
The team yelled, "Hoorah!"
She continued, "Now, get out there and just remember...that we are the Avalon Knights! Let's go, fight, win!"
They began to chant, "GO, FIGHT WIN!"
"That's right! Who are we?" Cassandra hollered.
"Knights!" They hollered back.
They cheered and walked out of the room to the field, where they were welcomed by the cheers of the crowd, who were waving their flags and posters in excitement, the cheerleaders encouraging them. They walked to the field where they were joined by the Hearst football team. Max was leading them and underneath his helmet, Cassandra could see his cocky smirk. "Let's see what you've got," he challenged.
"It's on," Julian scowled.
The referee called Cassandra and Max for the coin toss. Cassandra called heads and Max tails. She glared at him as the referee tossed the coin. She won the coin toss, giving her some satisfaction at Max's look of shock.
They lined up in their positions when the referee blew his whistle. Cassandra breathed in and out as she took her position as starting quarterback and she called out the first play. "686 Pump F-Stop on two. Set. Green 80, Green 80, Hut-Hut."
Cassandra caught the ball and she tossed it to Julian, effectively starting the game. It wasn't an easy game, Cassandra had to say. Hearst was really good and Max a good leader. But Cassandra was determined to win this game and she and Julian rallied the team to fight back. They were neck and neck.
Later...One Minute to the end of the game...
At the Avalon Side bleachers:
Payton gasped, "OMG! Time's almost up and we're down by four!"
"It's okay. We've got one last shot to score a touchdown. If we make it, we'll win!" Brianna said hopefully.
At the Hearst Side bleachers:
"Come on, you guys. You can do this," Autumn whispered.
Back on the field...
The Knights were in a huddle and they were listening to Julian.
"Okay, team. This is it. Everything comes down to this last play. Get into position..." Julian instructed them.
They complied and this time, there was a slight change in plan. Ross took over as quarterback while Cassandra was made receiver.
Max jeered at Julian, "You ain't getting past us, Vega."
"Shut up and play, Warren," Julian scowled.
The referee blew his whistle and Ross threw the ball to Cassandra, who caught it, just ten yards from the endzone. She began running, only for Max to say triumphantly, "Not so fast!" as he tackled her.
Cassandra threw the ball back to Ross who caught it and at Julian's encouragement, ran to the endzone. The referee blew his whistle, signalling the end of the game. The crowd went into a frenzy at the touchdown.
"Yes!" Ross cheered.
"We did it! We did it!" Julian yelled happily.
Cassandra rushed to Julian who lifted her up and gave her a huge hug. Cassandra laughed. Max growled, "This is NOT HAPPENING!"
"Believe it, Warren. It is," Cassandra told him.
Payton ran out to the field and shrieked, "Congrats, you guys! I finally understand why Julian is always going on about football. It's hard work!"
"True. But you supported us through it, which was also vital to our win," Julian said warmly.
"Hiya guys," they heard Autumn call out to them. They turned around and saw her run up to them. "I might have been sitting with the Hearst High fans, but I was cheering for you!"
"Really?" Julian asked.
Autumn replied, "Yeah, people started throwing things at me and telling me to shut up... but I was just so excited! You were awesome out there!"
Julian looked down and smiled, "Thanks."
Payton cleared her throat and said, "Now we have a Homecoming Dance to attend. You guys did an a-ma-zing job! Now it's time to celebrate! Autumn, this Homecoming Dance has a no-Hearst-High policy, but I think we can make an exception for you."
Autumn gushed, "Aww! Thanks!"
At the Dance...
The school was at Party Central which had been decorated with the school colours and they were dancing in celebration of their victory. Cassandra complimented Payton, "This is awesome, chickie!"
"Thanks, but Julian helped too!" Payton said.
"You two make a great team!" Cassandra said.
"Yeah, we do! Go Team Pulian! Team Jayton? Hmm, neither of those sound right..." Payton said thoughtfully.
"Heh, well, while you work it out, I actually got you something. I remember you always liked it after a celebration..." Julian said as he handed her a peppermint latte.
"Yay! You remembered!" Payton exclaimed.
As he handed her the latte, their fingers touched and they looked at each other. "You know, Julian you're a pretty awesome guy," Payton remarked.
"You're pretty okay, Prep."
Autumn interrupted their moment when she shrieked in delight after reading a text, "Guys! I've got great news! My dad thought your Homecoming was great!"
Julian asked, "So it means...?"
"I'm Avalon High's newest student!"
Julian swept her in a huge bear hug before quickly putting her down and stepping back.He blushed and quickly said, "I, uh, mean... congrats."
Cassandra gave Autumnn a hug of her own and smiled, "It's time I officially welcomed you to Avalon High, my dear," and she cupped Autumn's face.
Author's note:
Wow, another chapter is up! I have to admit I had a difficult time with this one, researching more about American Football, not to mention that I was busy getting ready for back to school and all. So, finally Autumn joins Avalon. The first song I used is One Woman Army by Porcelain Black. For the Homecoming game, I was listening to My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) by Fall Out Boy. As always, reviews and ideas are welcome but no flames please. Thanks for following this story. I also apologize for any typos or grammatical errors made. Bye bye! Canary out! : )