Falling (Bits and Pieces, Book 1)

by Shirley Miranda

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  I was glad when half time was over and the focus was on the game instead of me. I may not understand the game of football and what was happening, but I was still having fun. I cheered when the crew cheered. That got me by. I usually was able to piece together what happened after the ball stopped moving. I faked my way through the game until some point in the fourth quarter. That’s when I got so confused.

  “I don’t get it. The ball didn’t move, but the players are switching. I thought the Mustangs had the ball. Why do we get it now?” I wanted to know what just happened and why everyone was cheering.

  Patrick and Tony tried to explain it to me. I still didn’t quite get it. Something about it being the fourth down, not punting, going for the play, but being incomplete.

  Becca looked at me with an air of superiority. “It’s not that hard to follow. Paddy I thought you said she was smart.”

  Patrick turned to look at her. His voice was soft but firm. “She is. Come on, Becks. It’s her first game. Leave her alone.”

  “Fine.” She pouted.

  “Don’t be that way.” He wrapped his arm around her and squeezed. Becca leaned her head on his shoulder, then looked up at him. She lifted her head up to him and kissed him. When Becca finally let him up for air, he turned a little to face me. “Don’t worry about it. That kind of play doesn’t usually happen. I understand why you’d get confused. The important thing is that we get the ball now.” He smiled.

  That was a little comforting. It was nice to know that I wasn’t a complete idiot, just a partial one, especially when it came to football. I tried to put Becca’s comments out of my mind and focus on the game and the crew. Nothing else happened that required me to ask for clarification. Thank goodness.

  I did understand the final round of cheering. It was because we won. Tigers 28. Mustangs 20. I was up on my feet with everyone else cheering along. Tony and Patrick put their hands up for high-fives. Ugh. Here we go again. I carefully slapped their hands in the air, making sure not to miss. It was great to be in the middle of celebration. I guess, it was a big deal that we beat Rio Vista.