With that, Todd separates from the team along with a few other guys. Rebecca joins them on stage decked out in her cheerleading uniform, and there, behind the drums, is Shane. I look at Sid whose mouth is wide open. I have to fight the urge to laugh because, for once, she is speechless. I realize that I, too, am supposed to be shocked so I say, “Oh My God!” Luckily she is so shocked that she doesn’t even notice what a terrible actress I am.
Todd’s voice booms through the gym “This one’s for you, EHS!” And the band kicks into “We are Young” by FUN. They sound amazing!
I look over at Sid and can’t help laughing now; she almost looks catatonic. Not only is her brother up there singing in front of the entire school, but Shane is playing the drums. Now I know what I must have looked like when I walked into the auditorium that day. Todd’s voice is incredible and he seems completely natural up there; he isn’t nervous at all, which is good because I think I’m nervous enough for all of them on stage. Well, except for RTS. Shane looks so good, like he really knows what he’s doing. Even RTS sounds good, unfortunately. Their secret rehearsals have really paid off. Everyone in the entire gym is up on their feet, jumping up and down as if they’re at a real concert. The excitement is palpable.
“He’s not in the band?” Sid finally screams to me over the cheering.
“I guess not. You were close, though, he is in a band.” Sid starts to laugh.
I finally have an excuse to just stare at Todd without worrying what anyone else will think because everyone is staring at him. He is breathtaking. His hair is perfectly messy, his voice is unbelievable and he looks incredible in his football jersey. I could watch this forever.
Yet forever doesn’t last very long. Before I know it, the song is over and the entire auditorium is going crazy. Shane has a huge smile on his face, which makes me almost as happy as getting to stare at Todd for three and a half minutes. Almost.
Principal Marks jumps back up on stage and takes the microphone from Todd. “That was incredible!” For once I agree with him; Principal Marks is a very smart man. This was a brilliant idea. The crowd starts chanting, “MORE! MORE! MORE!” Todd puts his arms up in the air and the crowd goes wild. Is it possible that he gets hotter by the second?
“Thank you to the Sour Lollipops.” I look at the clock and it’s almost two forty-five, so the dismissal bell is about to ring. That went so fast. Wait; Sour Lollipops? “And now the moment you’ve been waiting for, the winning class of Spirit Week. We had record participation from each class this year and you should all give yourselves a big hand. “
The bleachers erupt again; I think everyone is still on a high from the performance. I glance over at Brian who is trying to quiet down the team. I know he is convinced the juniors are going to take it from the seniors this year and he really wants this win.
“And the winning class for Spirit Week for the first time in school history is the Junior Class. Nicely done juniors!”
The juniors’ section is going insane. Brian jumps up and down while pumping his fists screaming, “YEAH! We did it.” Brian and Ryan hug, Todd jumps off of the stage and they all chest bump each other. You would think they just won the National Championship game with how pumped they are. The entire senior class starts screaming “Boo.”
Principal Marks shouts into the microphone to regain control of the room. “Ok. Ok. Settle down. The seniors came in a close second, followed by the sophomore’s and finally the freshman. Thank you all for participating and making this an incredibly successful Homecoming Week. That wraps up our Pep Rally.” The dismissal bell rings and Principal Marks continues talking as everyone starts leaving the gym, “Remember, be safe and have fun tonight. Go Get ‘Em Trojans! We’ll see you all at the game!”
Sid and I are trying to push our way through the throngs of people to get to Shane. Well, Sid is going to see Shane, I’m more interested in seeing Todd. When we finally get to them, they are surrounded by the football team and cheerleaders congratulating them on their performance. All of the juniors are still celebrating their victory.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Sid asks Todd and Shane in the middle of the chaos.
"Awe, Sid, we're sorry. Principal Marks swore us to secrecy," Todd says as he pulls her into a playful headlock. They’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember. Shane looks at me and winks, we both can’t believe we actually kept this a secret.
"I guess I forgive you, but only because you guys sounded amazing!" Sid smiles as she pulls away from Todd.
"You guys sounded amazing!" I’m in an I-can't-believe-how-hot-Todd-is daze until Sid gives me a what's-wrong-with-you look and I realize I just repeated exactly what she said. "I mean you really were great! Are you excited for the game tonight?" I’m reaching for anything as I try to save face.
"Yeah! Speaking of, let's go eat," Brian says as he cuts into our semi-circle and leans his elbows on Todd and another player’s shoulders. I wasn’t even talking to him, but before I know it, everyone is walking away.
"Bye, guys," they call back as they’re almost out the door. It’s as if the room suddenly goes into slow motion as I watch Todd leave. His jeans hug his butt flawlessly, the back pockets are worn-in to perfection; it’s like pure Heaven!
"Good luck," I say under my breath as the echo of the door closing rings through the gym.
Chapter 7: Game
The bright lights of the field light up the black sky and their glow is reflecting off of the freshly cut grass. The newly painted white lines pop off of the deep green and you can tell the field has been meticulously manicured for our Homecoming Game. The metal bleachers are bursting with black and gold; excitement and energy is pouring out of every direction of the Easthaven side.
Shane has a surge of new found popularity after the pep rally. People he doesn’t even know are coming up to him at the game and congratulating him, complementing him and asking how long he’s been playing the drums. Some people even mention how much he reminds them of Roger, which I’m sure is bittersweet.
I’m always really cautious of bringing up Roger. Mostly because I don’t know what to say so I always let Shane do the talking. He seems to take it in stride, but he rarely opens up about it.
We are in the middle of the homecoming game and it’s a lot closer than anyone wants it to be at halftime. The score is tied seventeen to seventeen. Our team is usually a second half team, but I know how important this game is to Ryan and I really want them to win.
Halftime is the usual parade of the homecoming court, basically it’s the most popular people from each class in their semi-formal dresses and suits on the field. Well, except for the players who are still in uniform since they’re in the middle of the game. Of course all three boys were voted on the court, but since they are only juniors, none of them could be voted Homecoming King. Since Ryan is playing and he was voted on junior court, my parents are here, too, but luckily, they have a parents’ section far away from the students’ section. It is nice to finally, officially be in the student section!
We’re so used to seeing our brothers out there, who needs to watch? So Sid, Shane and I see this as the perfect opportunity to go to the snack stand. Normally, I'd try to make an excuse to stay and watch Todd, but as luck would have it, he’s paired with RTS for the junior court and I've had just about enough of seeing them together.
"I have a question; who came up with the name Sour Lollipops?" I ask as we devour our hot dogs. I've been meaning to ask Shane since I heard the name.
"Todd." Shane says with a mouth full of hotdog.
"Of course! He’s said since he was a kid that if he had a band, he'd name it Sour Lollipops because they are the perfect food." Sid laughs and then practically chokes on her hot dog.
"Who knew he liked sucking on things so much," Shane cuts in.
Both Sid and I give him a look like that was uncalled for, but I know that comment was intended for me, so I secretly smile at Shane.
Once the king and queen ar
e announced, the homecoming court is replaced by the school marching band for their big halftime show.
"I'm glad you didn't join the band." Sid puts her arm around Shane.
"Was I thinking about it?" Shane asks, genuinely confused.
"Let me take this one, Sid. Her theory for the drumsticks was that you had joined the band to impress Stacy Roberts.”
Shane spits out some of his soda. "What? That is the most insane thing I've ever heard. Wait, is that why you were always asking me how band practice was?" It all seems to suddenly click and he can’t hold back his laughter. "Stacy Roberts? Really? Wow,” he says a little more hurt than I think either of us expected.
"What's wrong with Stacy? She's cute," I say as I spot her out in the middle of the field.
Before he can answer, the announcers come back on over the loud speakers and the players for both teams run back out onto the field.
The cheerleaders promptly go into a cheer to get the crowd up on their feet. "Let's Go, Trojans! Let's go!”
Everyone in the stands has a new sense of determined seriousness; collectively, the entire stadium starts paying attention again.
We get the ball first and Brian looks like he is all business. That’s one thing that I have to give him credit for, he is a really good player. He has an awesome arm and my brother has this sixth sense, he always knows where Brian is going to throw the ball. Together they are almost always unstoppable. Although I want to see our team score, I’m secretly hoping we'll get down just far enough to go for a field goal so then I'll get to see Todd kick!
Brian brings the ball all the way down the field and it is like watching a perfect dance with Brian and Ryan. I feel bad for some of the other players because it is almost as if they aren't even there. Occasionally, someone will run with the ball to throw the Hornets off, but for the most part, watching Brian and Ryan weave in and out is like a well-synchronized tango.
We are on the two-yard line and Brian does a great fake then passes it to Ryan. It is perfect because the other team isn't expecting it and Ryan makes a beautiful catch for a touchdown. Bam! He gets hit hard and I hold my breath because he got hit on the same side as his surgery and he’s not getting up. I grab Sid's hand and squeeze it. Is he ok? I quickly scan the parents’ section to see if I can see my mom.
“The Trojans take the lead and it’s twenty-three to seventeen with a beauty of a catch from Ryan Taylor. Oh, it looks like he might be down on the field, the trainers are coming out to check on him.” The announcers voice echoes.
I close my eyes and tell myself to breathe. He finally gets up after what feels like an eternity, but is actually only a few seconds.
The entire Trojan side is up and on their feet screaming, “RYAN! RYAN! RYAN!” It is overwhelming! He got hit right where he had surgery and he is fine; I feel like I can breathe a little easier for the rest of the game.
To make things even better, Todd comes out to kick the extra point. It’s as if all sound is muted; people are screaming, but I can’t hear anything. All I can see is Todd. The entire field is empty and I’m the only person in the stands; it is just him and me. He kicks the ball and it rotates in slow motion right through the uprights.
“And the kick is good by number eighteen, Todd Hamilton,” the announcer’s voice rings in my ears and snaps me back to reality. Everyone is back on the field and the crowd is roaring with excitement. The scoreboard finally has us in the lead, twenty-four to seventeen, yet our defensive players aren't quite as strong as our offense and the Hornets make it within field goal range on their next drive. We get our stride back and we’re able to hold them off on their next few plays so they don't get a touchdown. Their kicker comes out to attempt a field goal.
“And the kick is good! The Hornets are catching up with a score of twenty-four to twenty,” the announcer’s voice rings through the stadium.
Brian and Ryan are back out on the field. They get us in field goal range, but they can’t get passed the Hornets for the touchdown, so Todd comes back out to kick.
I look at Sid who is biting her nails. This time, she grabs my hand and squeezes it. “I can’t look!” she says as she buries her head into my shoulder. I can't not look. He looks incredible in his uniform.
“And the kick is GOOD!” Sid and I both start jumping up and down screaming! The cheerleaders are tossing girls up in the air and everyone in the crowd is up on their feet. The score is twenty-seven to twenty going into the fourth quarter, however all the Hornets need is a touchdown to tie the game. I don’t like it. As I watch the time left tick away, my stomach starts turning over. I’m so nervous for the team that I feel like I’m out there on the field myself.
We keep shutting them down throughout the fourth quarter and we are able to maintain our lead. I really want this game to be over now so we can keep our lead and win! Our defensive players are getting tired and they’re starting to let things slip.
There is a minute left on the clock and it’s the Hornet’s last chance to tie up the game. Their quarterback throws a long pass, hoping they’ll get a Hail Mary touchdown. Out of nowhere, Darren Smith—one of our players—jumps up and intercepts the ball! The stands go absolutely crazy! I’m screaming so loud that I barely have a voice left.
Brian and Ryan are back out on the field. All we have to do is hold on to the ball to keep our lead as the clock ticks down and we’ll win the game! After a few plays, we get pretty far down the field and I guess Brian doesn’t want to just hold onto the ball anymore because he throws a long pass to Ryan. Once we see the ball launch into the air, Sid and I look at each other in shock. We don’t love football the way our brothers do, but we want to win.
“What is he doing?” I scream.
“I have no idea,” Sid shouts back.
The ball spins through the air and Ryan jumps up, making a beautiful catch right in the end zone.
“TOUCHDOWN! With less than a minute to go, the Trojans make a fantastic play to seal the deal,” the announcer screams into his microphone.
I’m surprised the bleachers don’t fall down we’re all jumping up and down so hard. Todd comes out on the field to kick the extra point and my heart starts to pound. I’m not sure why, whether he makes it or not doesn’t matter, but I desperately want him to make it even if it is only for him. I want him to be able to end the game on a huge high note. My fingers are crossed as everyone gets in formation. Please let him make it. Sid must be feeling the same way because she grabs my hand again and squeezes it. I squeeze back. Todd always does this little jump when he kicks the ball. All I want to see is his little jump. He runs into the kick, does his little jump and the ball is soaring through the air.
“The kick is GOOD!” the announcer shouts. “The Trojans have done it. They’ve won the game, thirty-four to twenty.”
The stands go wild, people are hugging people they’ve never met; even the players can’t contain their excitement down on the field. I see Gretchen run up and hug Ryan. The coach has a strict no PDA on the field rule so all the players are very careful. Hugs are acceptable, but nothing more or they will pay for it at the next practice. I quickly search the field for RTS to see who she is hugging, hoping it is anyone but Todd. As luck would have it, Todd is surrounded by players and RTS is clear across the field. Brian, however, is talking to Blythe over the fence. Wow, maybe he really does like her!
“What’s up with Blythe and Brian?” Sid notices at the same time.
As soon as I got home last night I texted Sid and told her who Shane and I saw Brian making out with at the bonfire. We all came to the conclusion that it was a product of the bonfire and nothing more, but maybe we were wrong.
“Word on the field is, Blythe and Brian are going to the dance together,” Shane says as he comes up from the lower bleachers. It’s almost as if he knew exactly what we were just talking about. We all just look at each other with disbelief. Could Brian finally really like someone?
Chapter 8: The Dance
Every year our school
has their homecoming dance right down the street from school at the town’s country club, which sounds much fancier than it really is. It’s called a country club, but really, it’s more like a Town Hall.
Brian, Todd, Ryan and their dates are all meeting at our house before the dance. This is amazing because I can see Todd in his suit and tie before the dance and horrible because I’m also going to see RTS posing for pictures with him. Everything about this is perfect except for RTS. Maybe she’ll break her leg on the way over and she won’t be able to go then Todd will realize he really wants to go with me. WHY didn’t I think of this before? I could have really planned something out. Suddenly, images of me organizing a cheerleading “accident” flash through my mind; I’ve officially gone insane.
Sid is coming over early so we can get ready for the dance together, and luckily, Todd is driving her here. Even more luckily, they are both spending the night. This is why no one can ever find out my true feelings. If my Dad knew, he would never let Todd spend the night. EVER.
“Sid’s here,” Ryan calls up from the bottom of the stairs. HOORAY! Because that also means Todd is here. Not that I don’t want to see Sid, but seeing Todd is like the cherry on top of the sundae! I run out of my room and practically slam into him.
“Hey, Ashley!” he says in his beautifully deep voice.
“Hi, Todd. Where’s Sid?” I ask, trying not to look as flustered as I feel.
From behind him I hear a squeal as Sidney runs up the stairs. “It’s our first Homecoming Dance, can you believe it?” She hugs me so tight, I can’t breathe.
“Sid is a little excited,” Todd says, explaining her behavior.
“I can see that,” I reply while Sid is still attached to me with my arms pinned to my sides.
“Geez, Sid, Ashley can’t breathe,” Todd chastises as he sort of pries her off me.
“I can’t wait to see your dress on you, it’s such a pretty color! I’ve got mine right here. Come on, let’s go get ready,” she says all in one breath as she holds up a garment bag and starts pulling me toward my room.
Accidental Crush Page 6