Second Down - Chapter 29

Melanie wasn’t exactly cold to me the next day at school, but things after our disastrous study session seemed off all day. It was homecoming day and everything was crazy, so maybe it was just the whole day that felt off. We had no practice that afternoon, even though we had a game the following day, because of all the prep for the dance and for the varsity homecoming game, including a pep rally that took up the last two periods of the day.

Varsity was pumped. Today they were playing Midland, our biggest rival, even though we’d lost to them the last three years in a row. Still, Melanie confirmed we were still on for the dance and I was picking her up with Mickey, who had a vehicle and was driving us and his date.

All the commotion really put me behind, so I was just getting dressed in jeans and my jersey when I heard his jeep pull up. I grabbed my letterman’s jacket, which we’d gotten today also, and ran out of the house and down the driveway carrying a suit bag with my clothes for the dance.

Hanna was already sitting beside him in the passenger seat.

“Finally,” Mickey called. “We thought you bailed.”

I tossed my bag in the back and said, “Not a chance.”

“We picking up Melanie next?”

I nodded. “She’s ready, or so she said.”

We pulled up to Melanie’s house and I hopped out, going to the back and pulling the homecoming mum I’d picked up that afternoon out of my suit bag. The thing felt like it weighed twenty pounds, and it actually might have.

Between the massive blue and gold flowers, the endless cascade of ribbons with bells on the ends, it was exactly the kind of over-the-top Texas tradition that made absolutely no sense but you had to do anyway.

“Man, you went all out,” Mickey said from the driver’s seat. “That thing’s bigger than she is.”

“That’s kind of the point, isn’t it?” Hanna said. “The bigger the mum, the more you like the girl. You should take notes.”

Hanna was already wearing her mum and it was also ridiculously big, although maybe a little bit less so than the one I got Melanie.

I rang the doorbell, and Melanie answered wearing her JV cheerleading uniform, her dress bag draped over one arm. Her smile lit up her whole face. It was the first real one I’d gotten since she literally ran away from my house the day before.

“Hey! Come in for a second while I grab my stuff.”

I followed her inside, where her mom and sister Donna were waiting with a camera.

“Just one quick picture,” her mom insisted.

“Not yet,” Melanie protested.

She looked at the mum, clearly waiting for me to give it to her.

“This is for you. I hope it’s not too...”

“It’s perfect!” Melanie threw her arms around my neck, careful not to crush the mum between us.

I helped pin it to her uniform while her mom snapped what had to be thirty pictures. The bells jingled with every slight movement Melanie made.

“About yesterday,” I said as we finally escaped and walked back toward Mickey’s jeep.

“Don’t.” Melanie squeezed my hand. “That wasn’t your fault. And I’m not going to let your brother ruin tonight.”

I took her dress back and carefully laid it over my suit bag to keep it from getting messed up, then helped her up in the back seat. Her damn floral arrangement was almost like a barrier between us, taking up half the back seat.

“He did good, didn’t he?” Melanie asked Hanna when she looked back at us.

“He really did. Mine is just flowers. No writing. No bells. Most guys don’t have a clue what looks good.”

I’d had them put “cheer” across the middle part the flowers circled, and a little megaphone and two pom-poms. The lady at the store thought it was a good idea and I was really glad they approved.

“Hey, I asked you to homecoming, didn’t I?” Mickey said as he pulled away from the curb, not missing the dig against him.

“After Joe asked Emily and you panicked about being the only single guy on the team.”

“I did not panic! I was being strategic.”

“Strategic about what?”

They were actually kind of funny. Apparently, they’d been friends forever and had dated extremely briefly in middle school, and since then, they had remained friends. I wasn’t sure what caused Hanna to set her sights on him again, but my memory was that she had asked him to homecoming, or at least engineered it so he asked.

At school, we split up at the locker rooms to store our dance clothes in our lockers. As part of the team, we were both expected to wear our team gear in support of varsity.

The stands were already packed when we found seats with the rest of the JV team and cheerleaders, and our guys were already on the field stretching and warming up.

It seemed like the whole town was here, probably because they were, and every one of them started cheering and stomping when our guys ran out onto the field.

Except for the few times we’d made it as far as the division playoffs, this was the biggest game of the year for us. Midland was the closest school to us and kept beating us year after year, making them our all-time rival. I’m not sure if they felt the same, although their side of the stadium was packed as well, so maybe they did.

The first half was a real back-and-forth affair. Both teams traded scores, neither able to pull away decisively. We’d surge ahead, then Midland would answer right back. It was a nail-biter, the kind of game that kept you on the edge of your seat the whole time, not that any of us were actually sitting.

Coach was, of course, sticking to the running game. He was a big believer in “if it wasn’t broke, don’t fix it,” although considering we always lost to Midland, I guess in this case it was, even if it is broke, don’t fix it.

Me and the guys were really into the game, screaming our heads off every time one of our guys finally got to break into open field or our defense had a good stop. Melanie and the girls, on the other hand, were really only half paying attention, going from watching the game to socializing, and Melanie was at the center of all of it. She wasn’t even at our seats half the time, running off to talk to kids in our class that weren’t part of the athletics program.

“Blake!” someone called from behind us.

I turned to see Eduardo and his brother coming down the steps toward me. His parents were way up at the top of the bleachers and waved to me when they saw me turn around.

I waved back and moved over to make some room for them between me and Mickey. He wasn’t part of our group, but he’d been with us at lunch enough that most of the guys just kind of accepted him being there.

“You guys made it.”

“Alex wouldn’t stop bugging me until I brought him,” Eduardo said.

His little brother bounced excitedly next to him, decked out in Wheaton gear.

“This is so cool!” Alex said. “We’re gonna win, right?”

“Course we are,” Mickey said. “Just gotta start throwing the ball more.”

Alex launched into a diatribe of plays and possible ways the team could break out of our rut if we had more of a passing game. It was all kind of surface level, but their enthusiasm was there. In a few years Alex would really be one of those guys who knew everything about football.

You could just hear it in his voice.

“You’re still coming to my game tomorrow, right?”

“Hel … I mean, heck yeah. Remember you promised to get me on the field.”

“You did?” Mickey asked, looking over them at me.

“Before the game, just for a minute.”

“Hey, it’s your life.”

I was less worried about it. Coach wasn’t the hard ass he made himself out to be. I figured if I presented it right, he’d let me get them down for just a minute.

We went into halftime tied at fourteen to fourteen. I’d looked back at the previous years’ records and honestly, this was the best showing we’d had against them in a long time. We were pretty evenly matched, and it seemed like we might be able to pull it off.

They called the cheerleaders down and Melanie and the rest of the JV squad hurried to join Varsity cheer on the field, leaving their big mums with us, since they obviously couldn’t actually perform wearing the things. The few senior JV players went down with them.

The marching band began setting up as the announcer’s voice crackled over the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members for our annual homecoming recognition ceremony!”

The seniors lined up first, football players mostly still in their gear only with their helmets off, interspaced with the few JV guys in jerseys, cheerleaders and dance team in their uniforms, band members in their stiff outfits and big hats. Parents joined them on the field as the announcer read each name, listing off achievements, where they were going to college, and future plans.

Once all that was done, the cheerleaders and dance team took center field. The music started, some pop song I vaguely recognized, and they launched into their routine. It looked pretty good to me, but I didn’t really know much about dance. All I knew was that Melanie told me they’d been working on it for weeks.

“They’re really good,” Eduardo said.

The routine built to a series of impressive stunts, although mostly done by the seniors. Melanie and the other JV girls were there for support as much as anything else.

The crowd cheered as they stuck their final poses.

As the cheerleaders cleared the field, the marching band took their places. The drum major blew her whistle and they began their big halftime show.

There was something about a high school football game that was just amazing to experience.

Unfortunately, the rest of the game didn’t live up to that high point. At first, it was more of the back and forth. We’d score, they’d answer. They’d score, we’d answer.

Neither defense could seem to keep up with the other’s offense.

Midway through the fourth, Midland kicked a field goal to put them up by three. Our offense got the ball back with just under two minutes left, one timeout, and seventy yards to go. It was do or die time.

Kenneth actually did a decent job moving the ball down the field, mostly running, of course. He got us down to their twenty-yard line with thirty seconds left and then, on second down, they set up for what I knew was a passing play. I think the coach was hoping for a short dink to get us within distance to power through and win the game, probably calling a timeout as soon as the pass was completed to stop the pocket.

None of that plan worked out.

The pocket collapsed almost as soon as the ball was snapped. Kenneth scrambled to his right, looking for an open receiver, but there was nothing. He tucked the ball, trying to make a run for it, but a Midland linebacker caught him from behind.

Kenneth went down hard, the ball popping out of his hand and hitting the turf. Everyone piled on it. The whistle blew, the clock stopped. When everyone got up, one of their players had the ball. We’d turned it over. Worse, Kenneth didn’t get up.

A hush fell over the stadium as people started to realize he was still down. Trainers rushed onto the field, surrounding him. They worked on him for what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few minutes.

Thankfully, they were able to get him to his feet. He looked shaken and they walked him off the field, letting his backup come out and finish the game. He was walking under his own power, but he was clearly shaken and not really able to keep going.

The crowd applauded, relieved that he was at least able to walk, but the mood had shifted. The energy was gone.

Our defense took the field, but it was all over. They made a run and then let the clock wind down.

We’d lost another game against Midland. It was a lot more quiet and less exciting as we made our way down the stadium toward the fieldhouse.

“Man, that sucked,” Mickey said.

“Yeah, but at least Kenneth is okay. It could have been a lot worse.”

We all nodded our agreement. At the halftime show presentation, he’d announced signing with North Carolina State. Although they were only ranked twice in the last four years, it was still a decent program and he had a full ride. Getting injured now and losing that would be a major blow and the thing everyone who played football feared.

We split off at the locker rooms to go get changed. It was one of the benefits of being in one of the athletics programs, we had our own lockers inside the locker room to change clothes in. Other kids, unless they wanted to go home, had to just go into a school bathroom to change.

I’d brought my Sunday suit, which was about as nice as I was going to get. It fit well and wasn’t baggy like a lot of guys’ suits, so it looked nice, and homecoming wasn’t a tux-worthy event.

Most of the guys did the same, and all of us felt kind of uncomfortable. The girls might like playing dress up, but we’d prefer to be dressed for practice than a big to-do any day of the week.

Once we were all changed, we headed out of the locker room, meeting up with the girls outside.

Melanie looked great in her dress, a short, dark blue thing that showed off her legs. Her hair was down, loose around her shoulders, and she was wearing makeup, but not too much.

“Wow. You look nice,” I said.

“Thanks,” she said, smiling. “You too.”

All of the other girls look great too, although once we got their mums back on, they tended to hide most of their dresses behind flowers and ribbon.

The group of us walked over to the gym where the homecoming dance was being held. It had been transformed. Blue and silver streamers hung from the ceiling and banners were stretched across a bunch of the walls. Hanna had been on the decorating committee and was smiling ear to ear as we all looked around impressed.

A DJ booth was set up on the stage, already playing music with some people on the dance floor.

“Pictures first!” Melanie pulled me toward the photo backdrop.

The photographer, a short woman in a bright sweater, had set up a small arch with a sparkly backdrop. She instructed us to stand a certain way. Mickey and Hanna went first, and we watched them pose. Then it was our turn.

Melanie looped her arm around my waist. She stood on her toes a bit to match my height for the photo. The camera clicked. She giggled because the flash was blinding.

On the next one, Melanie turned, pulling my arms around her waist with her back to me in the standard prom pose. They gave us some kind of number and we could order them in a couple of weeks. Melanie was pleased though, which is all that really mattered.

After pictures, we joined the rest of the JV squad near one of the tables that had been set up along the periphery of the dance area for kids to congregate. Melanie immediately dove into conversation with the other cheerleaders while I hung back with the guys.

“Man, look who actually showed up,” Mickey said, nodding toward the entrance.

Eduardo walked in with Sarah, both looking slightly uncomfortable but happy. Sarah wore a forest green dress while Eduardo had on what looked like a brand new suit.

“Good for him,” I said. “Didn’t think he’d actually ask her.”

“More like she asked him,” Joe said. “Emily told me Sarah’s been watching him for weeks.”

The opening notes of “All-4-One” started playing, and Melanie appeared at my side, grabbing my hand.

“Come on, we have to dance to this one.”

I let her pull me onto the dance floor, wrapping my arms around her waist while she placed hers on my shoulders. We swayed to the music, and for a moment everything felt perfect.

But only for a moment, because one of the JV girls I didn’t know well came up and grabbed her and said, “Melanie, everyone’s here. We’re taking a group photo.”

“Just one second,” Melanie said, already pulling away. “Save my spot?”

Before I could answer, she disappeared into a crowd. I made my way back to the guys, who were busy critiquing everyone’s dancing skills.

I was glad Eduardo showed up, but I kind of wish Li had too. I explained to her if she wanted to get on student government, it wasn’t going to be enough to just be on the basketball team. She had to start socializing, and this was a perfect place for it. She’d been adamant that she didn’t want to be here, although she’d used her mom as an excuse, saying she’d think it was a waste of time.

“We should get dinner in about an hour,” Joe said, checking his watch. “Maybe an hour and a half?”

“That’s way too soon,” Emily protested. “We haven’t even really danced yet.”

Mickey let out an exaggerated groan. “We’ve been dancing for like twenty minutes.”

“That was just warm up,” Hanna said. “You can’t rush these things.”

“Hey, just go with it,” I said. “Make the girls happy and your life gets a lot easier.”

Emily pointed at me. “You guys should listen to Blake. He’s wise in the ways of women.”

“Yeah, that’s why they all want me,” I said, striking an exaggerated pose.

“Maybe don’t listen to Blake after all,” Hanna said, causing everyone to laugh, which was what I’d been going for.

I spotted Eduardo and Sarah standing awkwardly near the edge of the dance floor. I’d kind of been keeping an eye on Eduardo, trying to make sure he had a good time. While this was a good thing for him, and probably a big deal, it was huge for avoiding the future I was trying to prevent. From the reading I’d been able to do, one of the precursors to someone joining a gang is not having structure or support in their lives. The gang offers that, gives them a home to go back to. Especially if they had nothing to lose.

If I could give Eduardo enough so that he had something to lose, and reasons to not go, it would be a step further to making sure he was never out there stealing a car and my dad never got shot.

“Hey, they should come to dinner with us.”

Joe frowned. “I don’t know...”

“Sarah’s cool,” Emily said quickly.

I was surprised she wasn’t already hanging out with the other cheer girls, either the ones with our small group or the other half of them across the way, trying very hard to ingratiate themselves with the varsity girls.

But it made sense. It was one of the reasons I thought she’d be a good fit for Eddie. She wasn’t quite like most cheer girls. She was smart, driven, and seemed more … reserved and quiet. Eduardo was all of that except for being driven, a quality I hoped she rubbed off some on him.

Plus, she was cute as hell.

“Eduardo’s alright too,” I added. “Just quiet. Come on guys, eventually I’m going to get you all to come around on him. He’s my buddy.”

The group exchanged looks before Hanna shrugged. “Sure, why not? More the merrier.”

Melanie returned, sliding her arm through mine. “What’d I miss?”

“Making dinner plans. You up for Napoli’s later?”

“Perfect.” She tugged my hand. “But first, more dancing.”

The DJ switched to “This Is How We Do It” and Melanie pulled me onto the floor. I wasn’t much of a dancer, but I did my best to keep up with her. She laughed as I attempted some truly awful moves.

“You’re terrible,” she said, laughing.

“I contain multitudes of talents. Dancing just isn’t one of them.”

We made it through several songs, switching between fast and slow. During “Stay” by Lisa Loeb, Melanie rested her head against my chest as we swayed.

I honestly was having a great time, just dancing with her, being close to her and holding her. After how worried I’d been last night, it felt like this was a good sign that it wasn’t going to ruin our relationship.

“Can you get me something to drink?” she asked after we’d danced to like six songs. “I need to talk to Jessica about something real quick and I’m dying.”

“Sure thing.”

I headed to the refreshment table while she headed over to some of the varsity girls, digging in my pocket for change. I was a little distracted, and didn’t even see Elijah until he stepped into my path.

“Well, if it isn’t the great Blake Sims.”

I tried to step around him. “Not now, Elijah.”

He blocked my way again. “Must be nice, having Melanie on your arm. Though I notice she spends an awful lot of time running off to talk to other people.”

“Move.”

“Especially the varsity guys. Kenneth in particular.” His smile turned nasty. “But hey, maybe she actually likes you. Or maybe you’re just her stepping stone to bigger things.”

“Say one more word about her.”

“What? Just telling you what everyone can see. She’s playing you, man. Using you to get closer to varsity. Of course, she’s going to have to spread those legs if she really …”

I stepped forward, my fists clenched. I’d been able to push off his BS so far, but he was stepping over the line and I was ready to say fuck it, and take a swing. Thankfully, before things could escalate, Mickey, Joe, Dan Cunningham our backup center, and Dean Kevin, one of our defensive tackles, appeared on either side of me.

“Problem here?” Mickey asked, voice cold.

After another moment, Andre and Jerry joined us, forming a wall behind me. He looked at each face before taking a step back.

“No problem. Just having a friendly chat.” His eyes locked on mine. “See you next season.”

He stalked away as Melanie bounded up, practically vibrating with excitement. The guys, seeing that the moment was over, headed back to their dates, Dean and Andre slapping me on the shoulder good-naturedly.

I must have been doing something right to get those guys on my side like that. Or maybe it was just Elijah doing his best to annoy people.

“Blake! You’ll never believe what just happened!”

I paid for a drink and handed it to her. “What’s up?”

“Kenneth said I should try out for varsity in the spring! He thinks I have real potential!”

I know it shouldn’t have and that Elijah’s was full of crap, but the moment she said Kenneth’s name, everything he said popped back into my head.

“That’s... great.”

“I know! He said he talked to Jessica and she said I was all but a shoe-in. If I get in Sophomore year, it means I will have a good platform to make co-captain Junior year and Captain My senior year.”

I tried to focus on her words, to be supportive, but I couldn’t. Her entire face lit up talking about Kenneth’s praise.

No. I was letting Elijah get in my head. Melanie had given me no reason to doubt her. She’d been nothing but sweet and genuine since we started dating.

The DJ’s voice came over the speakers. “Alright couples, last slow dance of the night.”

The opening notes of “I’ll Make Love to You” filled the gym.

Melanie stepped into my arms, and we began to sway together. I pushed what Elijah said out of my mind and tried to focus on just her, and how she smelled and felt.

Until I noticed her gaze drift across the room to where Kenneth swayed with his girlfriend, his arm in a sling from the game injury.

I tried to ignore it, but I couldn’t. As we turned slowly on the dance floor, I couldn’t quite convince myself it was just in my head.

“Hey,” Melanie said softly, drawing my attention back to her. “Everything okay? You seem distracted.”

“Yeah, just tired from the game I guess.” I forced a smile. “Ready for dinner soon? They’re talking about Napoli’s.”

“Starving. Though we should probably wait for the song to end first.”

“Probably smart. I hear it’s rude to abandon your date mid-dance.”

She laughed and laid her head on my shoulder. I held her close, trying to focus on the moment, on how right she felt in my arms. But my eyes kept drifting to Kenneth, wondering if I was seeing things that weren’t there or missing things that were.

Not the fairytale ending to the night I’d hoped for.