One With the Ball

Destiny

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In the span of two hours, I've already been called out at least three times. That's three times more than I've ever been called out since first grade, and I have Sean to thank for that.

It's currently lunch and Saffron got the both of us to change into our cheer uniforms, before heading to the field. I have a spare during last period, so I have to use my time working on setting the field up for tryouts. Saf said she'd handle the papers and the list of names, once we get to the field.

"I've still got some leftover cookies from Mrs. Knight. Want some?" Saffron offers with a proud smile, already knowing my answer.

"What happened to your strict diet, Ms. Captain of the Cheer Squad?" I giggle, snatching the cookie out of her hand and eating it for myself.

I make my way over to the bleachers where Saffron and I have always sat since freshman year. Royal's usually here too, but that's only if he's not on the other side of the field, goofing around with the guys. We've gotten used to Royal's ways and appreciate his never leaving.

Stay friends no matter what we said. And fulfillment is what we've always got. Nothing or no one can break our trio bond even if they tried.

"Hey, leave her cookies out of it," Saffron jokingly demands. "These don't count," she adds, shoving another one into her mouth.

We've always been the ones to maintain a somewhat healthy diet. Shocking I know but coach is pretty strict with what we consume, especially during games and competition.

My parents have their ways at the dinner table which makes it easier for me, and I love it. Saffron does too. She practically lives with us, and I'm not even exaggerating.

But hey, as a teenager I have my fair share of junks every once in a while, and to let you in on a little secret, Saffron and I never take coach's dietary restrictions seriously.

"Saf, let me see the tryouts list," I ask, reaching out for the paper that she was now handing over to me.

She was right. It's only been a couple of hours and the list is already filled up. "Do you have extra sheets?" I wonder.

"I do, and I've already replaced the one by the main office. I'll check on it again later and if the list is full, I'll grab it the minute I'm dismissed from last period. No big deal. Tryouts go all month."

Oh great. All month. If you haven't caught on already, football season in an average high school would be held around September to December.

Not in our area.

Every year, football season is to be held in early January to late April. Better weather conditions, and all.

"I'll check on it during my spare, and while you're doing your stuff with that." I gesture to the papers. "I'll just write in my journal."

"What or who could you possibly be writing about this time?" Saffron beckoned, holding her hands up to her heart for a dramatic effect.

In my defence, I am not writing about anyone. I'm actually writing something relevant to me, like my schedule for the rest of the semester.

"Quit it, Saf," I went on, truly annoyed. Saffron and her damn fantasies.

Love you though.

Turning my back away from her laughter, I notice Sean sitting down on the other side of the field.

He's looking over here, simultaneously having what seemed to be, a serious conversation with Jason and River. Holding the stare for what seemed like an eternity, I finally let go, fixing my attention to the sound of Royal's voice.

"Giving up on your diet already?" Royal teased, pointing to the cookies in Saffron's hand.

Taking a seat beside me, he continued. "At least share," he chuckled, grabbing the container from her hand, having his fair share.

"How's the tryouts list coming along? Is it filling up?" he questioned impatiently.

"One page filled and counting," I proudly announce, showing him the list Saf handed to me a few minutes ago.

"With a list like that, we'll definitely have a squad by next week," Saffron hopes with excitement.

Taking the container from Royal's hand, she continues. "What about your list? Got anyone trying out for football this year?" Saffron asks, shoving another cookie into her mouth.

"Of course I do. Football is everything in this city, you know that." He pulls out two pieces of paper. "Two pages filled and counting," he smiles, turning towards me, mocking my exciting announcement from earlier.

He's right.

Football has always been a big thing in this city, especially in schools. People take pride in this sport and it's shown throughout endless news going on about our winning teams. It brings smiles to people's faces and most importantly, it's what brings the community together. It shows that we can compete, take defeat, and live on.

Till the next game that is.

"Congratulations, Royal. But it's not a competition," I laugh, grabbing the container from Saffron and eating a cookie for myself. "But I bet we can get more than two lists filled by the end of the week," I challenge.

"I bet 10 bucks on that," Saffron adds on.

Royal and I look at each other and laugh. She is not serious and we know that for a fact.

"I call your bullshit. You'd never make a deal involving your own money," Royal claims.

"I wanted to be apart of the conversation," Saffron shrugs. "And whoever said that I was betting my money," she teases, covering both of my ears.

"Shut up," I laugh, shaking her hands off me.

"Ladies, Grant."

We turn to acknowledge the greetings coming from a familiar voice. The face of it all, Coach Lennon.

"Good to see you Coach," Royal greets.

"Glad to see both lists filling up. We're going to need all the support we can get if we want to keep our winning streak."

Ever since Royal became captain in junior year, the Knights haven't lost one game. I'm not jumping to conclusions or anything, but this year will mark our fifth win in a row. That is if we don't lose.

A game is a game, and win or lose, I've never really been the one to care about the ending results.

The suspense, the excitement in the crowd, the support in our promised cheers, the loyalty that so obviously lies within each team. That's what I look for. That's the kind of stuff, worth writing about.

"Looks like the Davis brothers will be a big source of winning this year," Saffron coons, looking in the direction of the middle of the field.

"That's a lot of air," Royal takes in, as we step down to watch the football that Kordell has perfectly thrown into the air, fly across the field as if it were following the outline of a rainbow. "And his form. Not bad Kordell, better than I remember," Royal proudly chimes to himself, with wide eyes.

Coach Lennon on the other hand, seems to have his complete and undivided attention on Sean. Each step he took was like a perfectly calculated formula. He moved one with the ball, maintaining his speed on the field, showing just how much he's capable of control. It's like the only thing in his way, was the wind, and the ground.

"Looks like Carter and Seth want to play too," I say, noticing the two coming in quick.

They're as quick as Sean but their strategy seems different. Instead of being one with the ball, they seem to be with one with it all. The ground, the wind, they're using all they've got just out of pure instinct.

"Does Sean even notice?" Saffron wonders, voicing my thoughts aloud.

"Look at the boys' eyes. He seems to be aware of his surroundings but is focused enough to lay out the next steps in his head. However, he's still able to move one with the ball. If the boy was smart, he'd pick up his speed as a surprise technique. Carter and Seth wouldn't see it coming because they've already gotten lost in his speed," Coach Lennon narrates.

He's right. Sean seems to have already noticed Carter and Seth. The difference between Sean and the other two is that he's able to stay aware of his surroundings while focusing his attention on his desired catch. Carter and Seth's goal is clear.

Just as Coach Lennon predicted, Sean picks up his speed at the last second, jumping for the ball, leaving just enough room for the unexpected— but expected— collision.

"Exactly what I expect from a Knight," Coach Lennon nods proudly.

Saffron and I look away while Royal laughs out loud with the boys, holding his knees for support. "That had to hurt," he implies, pointing out the obvious.

"They play just like their grandfather," Coach Lennon admires before blowing his whistle.

Silence fills the air leaving only an echo of laughter in our heads.

Relatives that are also into football? Not even surprised.

"Welcome to the team boys," Coach Lennon invites, as the guys make their way closer to where we stand on the bleachers. "Looks like we've got potentially new candidates to run for captain," Coach Lennon decides, giving Royal a nice pat on the back, earning fake dramatic gasps from almost all the guys.

Sean stayed silent.

I know Royal, this won't bother him. If there was anything he loved more than football, it's competition even if it is against his best friends. And being the person he is, he would never let football get in between them.

"Bring it on Davis," Royal provoked.

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Thanks for reading!