“I will in a sec, I have a question for Todd first.” I scramble for an excuse.
“Hey, guys,” Ryan says as we approach everyone. I can hear my heart beating in my ears, I am seriously that nervous. I look at Todd. His left eye is swollen and it looks like the outside is almost as blue as his actual eye color. There is no hiding that. Then I look at Brian. Todd was right; he does have a pretty big gash above his right eye and his lip is definitely swollen.
“What happened to you guys?” Ryan asks, it is obvious as soon as you look at them that they were in a fight. Todd couldn’t have been more right, there is no hiding it.
“There was a misunderstanding,” Brian says. “Right Todd?” he adds, looking right at him.
There is silence for a beat longer then there should have been. “Yeah. A misunderstanding.” Todd isn’t as good of a liar as Brian or he isn’t as comfortable telling this lie because it’s not at all believable when he says it.
“Man. That must have been a pretty drastic misunderstanding.” Ryan looks at both of them and then glances at Gretchen. He is appeasing them, but I can tell he doesn’t buy it for a second. The way he looks at Gretchen, I am pretty sure he has an idea it involved her, too.
***
As Shane and I finally make our way to our lockers an excited buzz is vibrating through the hallway. Today is a big day: the pep rally—which means we get out of class early—the Sour Lollipops performance and the game. On top of everything, there are now massive rumors flying all around school about Todd and Brian. The only people who really know the truth, though, are Shane and me. Oh, and Todd, Brian, Gretchen and RTS. Hopefully, it stays that way.
I see Blythe walking down the hall, and when she spots me, she comes running up to me.
“Ash, what is going on?”
I don’t have to ask, I know exactly what she is talking about. She can’t know the whole truth, but she knows enough to piece things together.
“Were they fighting because of Brian and Gretchen?” I can see the genuine concern in her eyes.
“Something like that.” I keep it very matter of fact.
“How’s Ryan?” My heart aches a little; she wears her true feelings all over her face whenever she mentions him.
“He doesn’t really know why they were fighting so please don’t tell anyone,” I say, almost pleading with her.
“What does he think?”
“Well, I actually think he has an idea now. I mean he obviously knows something is up. The guys said it was a misunderstanding.”
“Don’t worry, Ash, I won’t say anything to anyone.” Her southern accent slips through.
I believe her, but since I also know she really likes Ryan, this could be the perfect opportunity for her to make a move. I really don’t think she will; she’s above that and too pretty to need to stoop to such low levels. Then again, you’d think the same thing of Brian.
Ryan and Todd both aren’t at lunch. I keep expecting them to walk through the cafeteria doors any minute. It isn’t the same without them, but it is the first time in weeks I actually eat. I notice Blythe is mysteriously missing, too, but that isn’t as strange as Todd and Ryan since Blythe skips lunch a lot these days to avoid any added tension. Maybe it is just a coincidence? However, it doesn’t exactly help prove Brian wrong in Gretchen's eyes.
Brian is with Gretchen at their usual table, along with RTS and a few of the other players and cheerleaders. He is the life of the table as usual. I think the fight only managed to up his status. There is practically a line to get to their lunch table to talk about the game.
“What happened with Todd and Brian?” Simon asks our table as he sits down with his lunch tray filled with slop.
“Todd said it was a misunderstanding, but they don't tell us anything.” Sid shakes her head only half caring as she glances up at Shane and me. The relationship with Simon really has mellowed her out; I kind of miss the old, over-reactive Sid. I guess Todd is sticking with the “misunderstanding“ story.
“You guys don't know, either?” Simon asks Shane and me.
Shane and I look at each other. We know the real answer and the answer we need to give.
“Nope. No clue,” Shane says.
“Yeah, Sid’s right; they don’t tell us anything. It’s probably nothing,” I say, maybe that’s overkill, but Simon seems to buy it.
“Are you guys psyched for the game tonight? I know I am. I’ll be happy when double band practice is a thing of the past.”
I roll my eyes and then realize that I’ve just done that in front of him. I suck. “Sorry, Simon, that wasn’t directed at you. I'm just tired of hearing about the game.”
“It’s cool,” he says, but I can tell it really isn’t. I honestly like Simon, I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings; I need to pull it together.
I look back over at Brian’s table to mentally get away from our table for a second. There are non-stop people over there; wishing him good luck, asking about the fight, talking to Gretchen, RTS and the rest of the girls. Everyone is in full game gear; cheerleading uniforms, letterman jackets and jerseys. It is quite possibly the last game of my freshmen year and there is not any part of me that is excited for it. In fact, I am dreading it. I don't see how this can work out well with so much tension between all of them.
***
By the time we are in Spanish class, I can’t stop looking at the clock. Shane is so lucky that he gets to miss all of Spanish because Senora Gonzales is teaching us football terms and making us repeat them out loud.
Throw. Lanzar.
Pass. Pasar.
Touchdown. Aterrizaje.
Is there no place I can go to escape the excitement for the game? What is wrong with everyone? My stomach feels like someone is squeezing it, I’m so nervous. The only glimmer of excitement I have is that in less than twenty minutes I'm going to see Todd sing. Just as I start running through a list of songs they might perform for the millionth time, the early dismissal bell rings.
“Finally! Let’s go.” Sid immediately jumps up. She read my mind.
“Wow! Are you excited to see the Sour Lollipops?” I probe with sarcasm to try to hide my own excitement.
“Yeah, it’s fun to watch them up there." She smiles and answers honestly, ignoring my sarcastic stab. "I have no idea what song they’re doing, do you?” Sid asks as we make our way out into the crowded hallway. We are suddenly thrust into a sea of students pushing their way toward the gym.
“No idea, but I’m curious to see them all together after the fight.”
“Ash, do you know more than you’re telling me? You seem really nervous. Why?”
“I’m not nervous. I think I’m more worried about the game tonight. This is a big deal for all of them,” I try to cover, as I narrowly avoid getting elbowed by the tall lanky guy next to me.
“Yeah. I guess it is, especially for Brian and Ryan. I never worry about Todd. Things always just work out for him. Always,” Sid says it so matter of factly, it's funny; she’s usually really superstitious.
Everyone is pushing and shoving to get into the gym as if they are on their way into a rock concert. What a difference compared to the last pep rally. When we finally make it into the gym, the same makeshift stage from homecoming is set up in the middle of the polished wood court and you can feel the excitement from everyone in the stands. It’s electric.
The cheerleaders come out and do a dance that brings everyone to their feet. The energy level can’t get any higher, even Principal Marks gets a huge ovation. He introduces the varsity team and all the players come running out, wearing their jerseys. I feel a small sigh of relief when I finally see Ryan and Todd standing with Brian. At least they’re all talking or, at least, standing next to each other.
“Let’s hear it for our Trojan Varsity football team and cheerleaders!” Principal Marks shouts into the microphone. The room goes crazy, the players roar and it seems like every cheerleader is being thrown up in the air at the same time. “And now a special p
erformance from the Sour Lollipops!”
Todd walks out from the group of players with a few of the other guys, looking amazing in his jersey and wearing an EHS hat, which helps hide his eye a little. It already looks better or maybe it’s because I’m sitting so far away. My heart starts beating faster when I see him pick up his guitar. RTS is up there in her cheerleading uniform. For the first time, I realize Shane is the only one on stage not in uniform.
Shane kicks the song off with a drumstick countdown and, the instant the music starts, everyone is back up on their feet. The band sounds incredible as they perform Imagine Dragon’s “It’s Time”. The entire gym is clapping and stomping their feet to the beat of the song. As soon as Todd starts singing, the crowd goes insane. I always forget what a great voice he has until he starts singing. It’s like he is meant to be up there. The way he grabs the microphone in the stand, the way he strums his guitar, the way he moves on stage; you know that’s where he belongs. He seems so in his element, so comfortable, so natural.
Shane sounds incredible on the drums, too. Unfortunately, even RTS sounds great; she really does harmonize well with Todd. Their voices are completely in sync. It’s such a good song choice! When they are done, everyone starts chanting, “Lollipops… Lollipops…” over and over.
Todd is sweaty and a little out of breath, which makes him even hotter. “Thank you, Easthaven High,” he says into the microphone, his voice echoing through the gym. The stands are going wild and I fear a few of the girls are going to topple down the bleachers they are so excited.
After the pep rally is over, the entire team is surrounded. Sid and I once again have to push our way through the crowd to get to them. When we finally get to the middle of the chaos, Shane is getting high-fives from everyone.
“You can really play.” A cute football player I’ve never noticed before is saying to him. I think Shane looks like he is blushing. I make a mental note to ask him about that later.
“Shane, you were unbelievable!” I say, running up and hugging him. Luckily, Todd is standing right there. “You, too, Todd.” I’m trying to decide if I should hug him, but I take too long, and now it would just be awkward. Another missed opportunity!
“Thanks, Ash! What did you think, Sid?” Todd nudges her arm.
“It was okay, I guess.” Sid shrugs her shoulders. “Please, it was A-mazing,” She says as she huddle-hugs Shane and Todd.
While they are talking, I start scanning the crowd for Ryan. When I finally spot him, he is in the corner talking to Gretchen, it doesn’t look like a conversation I should interrupt.
“Hey, where were you guys at lunch?” I ask Todd.
“You noticed?” He seems surprised. “I’ll tell you later,” he says a little lower so no one else can hear. “Let’s just say, Ryan and I had a long talk.”
“He knows?” I whisper back. My stomach is back on that stupid roller coaster.
“He figured it out. I didn’t agree or disagree, I just listened. He really needed to talk so we skipped the cafeteria.”
“How is he?” I look back over at him talking to Gretchen; it doesn’t look like a happy conversation.
“Angry,” Todd whispers back.
My eyes connect with Todd's; we both know this isn’t going to end well, but there is no turning back now. “Just keep an eye on him, please. Don’t let him do anything stupid.”
Chapter 11: The Wildcats Game
We all meet up at the field before the game. Sid, Shane and I stand by the fence outside of the locker room to wish everyone luck and cheer the team on as they run out on the field. When we get there, Ryan is off to the side talking to Gretchen. This isn’t a good sign; he should be concentrating on the game, not her.
“Just tell me, I need to know. Is it true?” We overhear him asking her.
“Ryan. I…” She falters.
“Is it true; were you with him?” he asks again.
“I thought... I mean, you were…” She stops and looks down at the ground. “I thought you were with her…” she says, not making eye contact.
“I’m not asking what you thought. I’m asking what you did,” he says. I’ve never seen him so focused or so angry. She doesn’t say anything however, her silence says everything. “I thought so.” He shakes his head as he turns away from her and runs out on the field to join the rest of the team.
Gretchen is trying to hide it, but I can see her wiping her eyes, covering up the fact that she is crying.
“Come on, guys, let’s go get seats,” I say to Shane and Sid. No one says anything about what we’ve just witnessed.
The stands are already going crazy. It is a sea of black and gold and everyone is holding homemade signs. A lot of them have Ryan’s number and say, “Toss it to Taylor”. “We will Rock You” is blaring from the marching band; they are so loud we have to scream over them and I feel the music vibrating through my chest. If the excitement of the crowd means anything, there is no way we can lose this game. All of our parents are in the parents’ section and somewhere out there are the scouts that could put an end to a college football career before it even starts. I scan the field as I take my seat and Gretchen is on the sidelines talking to RTS; she is visibly upset, but putting up a good front for the crowd.
As soon as the game starts, it is clear everyone on the field came to play. I can immediately sense the tension between Brian and Ryan. Off the field, they are nowhere near each other when usually, they are talking strategy. On the field, though, they are playing hard. Brian seems to know how important this game is and he is really in it. He throws pass after pass to Ryan. The game is neck and neck through the first half and at half time the score is tied. The Wildcats obviously want this just as much as we do. It’s clear it is going to be a fight to the end.
Toward the end of the third quarter, the Wildcats make it into field goal range, and their kicker comes out to try to get three more points on the board.
“And the kick is GOOD! The score is fourteen to seventeen. The Wildcats are in the lead,” the announcer’s voice echoes.
The clock is ticking down and finally in the fourth quarter, Brian gets us into field goal range. Sid and I grab each other’s hands and squeeze them so tight. We know Todd is coming out to try to tie the game.
“Number eighteen, Todd Hamilton, is coming out to attempt a forty-two yard field goal,” the announcer’s voice resonates through the loud speakers.
The entire crowd is holding their breath, I can’t watch; I bury my face in Sid’s arm. I picture Todd doing his little jump. I hear the release, the kick, and then the bleachers erupt, I immediately look up.
“And it’s good! It's all tied up at seventeen,” the announcer’s voice rings through the stadium.
It’s good! The entire team is jumping up and high-fiving Todd as he rejoins them on the sidelines. The score is tied again; at least the Wildcat’s aren’t winning. There are only three minutes left in the game. We just need to keep stopping them so we can get another chance to score. Our defense is good, but so are they and they get back in field goal range. Their kicker comes out...
"And the kick is good! The Wildcats are in the lead and it’s twenty to seventeen," the announcer shouts.
We need to score a touchdown to win; with two minutes left in the game, Brian brings the team down the field fast and we are close to field goal range. All of a sudden, Brian starts running the ball and stops throwing it to Ryan. The crowd starts chanting, “RYAN, RYAN, RYAN!” They know if Brian gets the ball to Ryan we will win. I look over at the parents’ section to try to find my mom and dad. I can’t see them through the crowd, but I know somewhere over there my dad is the proudest man in the stands. The crowd keeps chanting Ryan’s name over and over. For some reason, Brian doesn’t listen, though, he seems to get more frustrated and he tries to run the ball himself. It’s third down and he gets slammed pretty hard just shy of field goal range so we need to punt the ball.
The Wildcats get the ball back with a little over a minute
thirty of play left on the clock. Our defense is amazing, they stop them on every play and the Wildcats have to punt back to us with a minute left on the clock. I think Brian’s need to win wins over his ego because he finally goes into play-to-win mode. He passes to Ryan play after play and they make it down the field in no time. There are thirty seconds left on the clock and my heart is in my throat. I am squeezing Sid’s hand so tight that she has to be losing feeling, but she doesn’t even notice.
We are first and goal and we need a touchdown to win. On the first pass Brian over throws the ball and there is no way Ryan can catch it. Second pass, Brian runs the ball; they gain a few yards, but no touchdown. I can tell Ryan is frustrated because he was wide open but for some reason Brian chose to run instead of pass. They set up for the third down and we all know that this is it. Ryan runs into the end zone and the other team is all over him. Brian throws what looks like an impossible pass to catch, but somehow, Ryan jumps up and catches it in mid-air.
“The catch is good! Touchdown by Ryan Taylor, number twenty-three,” the announcer’s voice reverberates through the stadium.
Ryan gets slammed down hard, but he gets right back up. Sid and I are still holding hands as we are jumping up and down, screaming. The bleachers are shaking, the crowd is going crazy. We are in the lead, twenty to twenty-three when Todd comes out to kick the extra point.
“And the kick is GOOD!”
The cheerleaders are shouting and jumping up and down. The stands are on fire with excitement. The Wildcats have ten seconds left on the clock and they have to get a touchdown to win. Their quarterback throws a Hail Mary that spirals through the air in slow motion, their best receiver is there to catch it and somehow he is wide open. No one moves in the stands on either side. The ball touches the tips of his fingers, it looks like he is going to gain control, but he can’t hold on, and it slowly tumbles to the field with a thud.
“And the catch is no good! The Trojans win it twenty to twenty-four! They will move on to the State Championships!”
Accidental Crush Page 16