It took about 2 minutes to run toward us, when he got to us, his smile grew. “Yes, coach?!” he said, excitedly. Coach looked at me then back at Jonah, “Adelaine, here needs a try out partner, and since she says that she is only comfortable with you, you’ll be that partner.” coach said, getting all smiley. Jonah’s smile grew even bigger, “I’ll go easy on you, Addy?” Jonah said, he said my name questionably, like he didn’t know he was allowed to call me that. I nodded, “That’s not necessary Marais, I can handle myself.” I said, as loud as I could so I didn’t mumble. All the boys came over to talk to the coach, they all looked at me weirdly. Coach told Jonah and I what to do, we went off our own way. Daniel looked at me and Jonah, ‘Is she really trying out for the team? I hope she makes it, I can maybe get to know her better!’ he thought happily. Jonah helped me, after about an hour, Jonah was doing his own thing, practicing team stuff with the boys. I was sitting down drinking water, watching Daniel. He was moving so flawlessly, every step just as graceful as the last. No matter how aggressive football was, Daniel made it look like an art form. He also looked really hot when he was sweaty. Geez Adelaine, shut your brain up! Coach sat next to me, “Justin Herbet, huh?” he said, looking at my shirt. I stopped looking at Daniel and averted my attention to my shirt, “Of course! He is only the best quarterback in football history!” I said excitedly.
“Nah, Dak Prescott is better!” he replied. We kept going on and off about how each person was better than the other. “Ok, I guess Herbert is better….” he said in defeat, “I can see that you are very passionate about football, and a good player I might add. I just wanted to let you know that you're our new quarterback. If you want?” he was so nonchalant about it, like this wasn’t the best thing that has ever happened to me. “OMG! Of course, I’ll be your quarterback!” I kinda screamed, jumping out of my seat. Coach stood up too, all the boys stopped what they were doing and came running over. Jonah stopped in his tracks and looked at me, without having to say a word, I didn’t even need to read his mind. I just nodded and walked over to him. I reached on my tippy toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, he didn’t complain and just wrapped his arms around my waist, picking me up slightly. He started to spin us around, I giggled, “Jonah stop!” I whisper screamed at him. He complied and stopped spinning. He didn't let me go, I buried my face in his neck. Hugging him made me feel so safe, secure and most of all loved, I didn’t want to stop but in the end I knew I had to. “Thank you!” I whispered, lovingly. I let go and backed away, everyone was staring at us, when I looked at them they all looked at each other like they were having a conversation. We walked back over to coach, I said bye and ran over to Chrissy, who was getting frustrated about showing the girls how to do a round off, back tuck.
I reached her, “Look guys, it’s not that hard. Watch!” I said, still extremely happy about my win. I ran down the field and did a perfect round off, back tuck. Chrissy started clapping and walked toward me, giving me one of her specialty hugs. It was nothing compared to Jonah’s but I was still happy, “Did you make it?” she asked, looking down. I looked at her and smiled, “Of course, I made it! I’m amazing!” I said happily.
She started jumping around and screaming. All the girls looked at us, “What are you on about over there, Tina?” Jennifer asked, her tone a lot nicer than when she talked to me. Chrissy took my hand and walked me over there. “Welcome our new quarterback!” she said, her smile growing. My heart warmed hearing those words, “I, Adelaine Marie, am the new quarterback for the Lincoln Cardinals.” I exclaimed, hugging Chrissy again. She told the other girls practice was over, so we could celebrate. She wrapped her arm around my shoulders, so I did the same to her, we walked side by side to her car. I hopped in the passenger side of the car, I go a text:
Jo Hoe: “Remember that practice is tomorrow and you get your jersey!”
Addy: “YAY! Joe Hoe, thank you again!”
Jo Hoe: “Don’t thank me. I got you into the try outs, you made the team by yourself! :)”
Addy: “You right! I did it!”
While I was texting Jonah, Chrissy looked at me. “Who are you texting?!” she asked, smiling. I hid my phone from her.
Jo Hoe: “You did and I’m very proud of you for it, kiddo!”
Addy: “Shut up Jonah! I’m only like… Wait, when is your birthday?”
Jo Hoe: “June 16, 2002. You?”
Addy: “Same, what a conscience!”
Jo Hoe: “Right! That’s weird! Well I gtg, talk to you later?”
Addy: “Yes of course, see you tomorrow!”
I put my phone down and look at Chrissy, she’s driving but she was also trying to figure out who I was talking to. She kept looking down at my phone, our eyes met for a brief second, ‘She’s texting Jonah! Maybe mom and dad should tell her?!’ she thought. I was confused, what hadn’t they told me? I just shrugged it off, we parked at Olive Garden. We celebrated the rest of the night.
A few days later, Friday. I woke up to Coco licking my face, I rub behind his ears as I check my phone, I still had like 30 minutes before my alarm went off but I couldn’t fall back asleep now. I got up, not caring what I looked like and filled Coco’s bowls, then let him go outside to use the restroom. I sat on the couch and looked through my phone, while Coco did his business, after about 5 minutes he started clawing at the door, I let him in and went to get ready. I got to my room and showered in my bathroom this time, to avoid any more mishaps. I put on a long sleeve emerald green v neck, ripped jeans, and some white air forces. I put my hair up real fast and did my makeup. I put my football pads, jersey, mouth guard, helmet, etc. in my football bag. Today was the first game of the season, and I was extremely excited. Practice was a lot this week yet it was still really fun. All the boys think they have to go easy on me because I’m a girl, when I am the one taking it easy on them. I’ve gotten closer to all the boys, we’re not best friends but I can talk to them. Jonah said I should talk to people more, so I’m trying. I walked downstairs expecting Chrissy to be waiting, instead I saw a note written in her hand writing:
Laine,
I’ll be at the game cheering you on but after I can’t take you home. I have to go to Gabbie’s afterward. I couldn’t drop you off, mom needed me for something. Daniel should be over around 8:30 to pick you up! Love ya!
-Chrissy
