The Perfect Game (GxG) (cliffhanger/completed)

'Not an Introduction but Not a Prologue'

I am reposting this story for those who loved it so much. Warning, I will not be completing it until I get far enough on "in Light of Things". Please do not ask for updates.

Nani Cazetti

-Last winter-

"There aren't many All-American players in Washington State," Coach Clark, the offensive head coach here at North Thurston Preparatory School, states loudly into the microphone as the Junior Varsity and Varsity fall sports teams crowd the commons room. All sitting at round tables draped in purple table cloths with small white flowers placed in the middle. "But, as a school, we have managed to produce three in the last three years, this year, I am more than proud to introduce this years' All American as none other than Nani Cazetti."

Thunderous applause for the first female All American football player.

I don't want to say a speech, but it's required.

I slowly stand up, thinking I see my mom far off to the left, but it couldn't be. I try to act normal as awards dangle from my neck, awards my mom should be tearing up over. Or at least my Pap...

Tunnel vision,

I run into someone's mother who is trying to find her way back to her seat from the refreshments table.

I laugh to myself, because if you don't give other a chance to bring you down, then they simply can't. I find my way to the microphone without bumping into anyone else's mother. I start with the basic speech introduction, "Hello, classmates, teammates, family and friends," I give each of group a loving glance.
I see her again, she's in the back, next to the door that leads to the Senior Privilege parking lot.
Her figure shadowy, like she's not really there, get it together. She's not here.
"To be honest, I never imagined myself as an All-American, but I know, without a doubt in my mind, that I wouldn't be as good as I am without my teammates. They kept me stable as I dealt with...the most difficult times this past season, and I don't think... I don't think I could ever repay them for that." My mom is clapping, but the room is silent except for the echo of my voice. A flashback of her funeral leaves my throat tight, and I know I'm about to cry. "And that's all I have to say about that," A little clapping, a little laughter, "Lead on, Crusaders, lean on!" I thrust my fist in the air in that Breakfast Club sort of way, and my salute is returned by the Varsity team.

More thunderous clapping.

-Later-

"Heya, baby," it's Hallie, my off and on girlfriend since freshman year second semester. She's wearing my favorite perfume, and I just know she wants something by the way she says baby.

I pretend to watch her wanting-ly, but really, I'm just thinking of one of the Varsity track girls straddling me and kissing down my neck, makes this relationship so much better, "Yeah, hun?" I wrap her in my arms and pretend it's someone else. We don't even like each other, but the whole damn school seems to think it's just perfect, so Hallie convinced me to date her. It only took one night.

She kisses me softly; she tastes like cigarettes, "What do you have planned for this Saturday?" She turns around in my arms to face me, her wavy jet black hair pulled back into a French braid.

"Hopefully going on a family trip, y'know, like my family-"

Hallie rolls her eyes, "Your drunk father won't put down a bottle long enough for him to even think about a fucking family trip. So seriously," with her nose in the air, she continues, "what are you thinking about doing this weekend?"

I shrug, "hang out with Pap."

"You're Pap hasn't done shit for you since your Ma got killed," she hisses, still smiling, "this team is more family than he'll ever be." And with that she's gone, and out of my hair for a solid two weeks.

Jessica O'Lauryn

-November-

An obnoxiously loud 5c going off is what I wake up to at three in the morning on a Saturday; I sleepily search for my phone with my eyes closed. Pulling it deep under the covers with me, answer with a curt, obviously annoyed, "Hello?" I rub the sleep out of my eyes with my free hand, it's my Father, "yeah, I'm up now." What...the...fuck. "Father, you do realize it's three in the morning here, right?"

Dramatic sigh, ruffling of papers, "Yes, darling, I know, we're on the same coast, you have a flight to catch. Remember?" I can almost see him glancing at me over his glasses that have slipped down the bridge of his nose.

Well, I have no choice now. "Why. Why can't I just stay here, it's my senior year, Father!" I gripe, he's bound to give in someday, I've been at this begging to stay thing since September. "I'm seventeen, Father, I can handle myself, I mean, I've been doing just that since Mother left, so why can't I-"

"In case something happens, I want you in the same state as me at least, I'll be in Washington by the end of the month. Now that's the end of it. I've already paid for your car to be transported, so just say your name to the consultants at the front desk and they should..." He trails off, "Look, I know it's hard-"

I hate when he pulls that shit, "No, you don't Adrian." I spit out, throwing my covers aside in frustration, "You don't know how hard this is. You stayed in NYC until you were twenty-two. You have noflippingclue what it's like to drop my life every time you have a new assignment!" I'm up and pacing my room now; it's a master bedroom with a view of the LA, which is farther away then it looks.

Stripped down to a dark purple VS set, Velveito, my tiny Havana Brown kitten moseys around looking for something to pounce on. I scoop him up, burying my face into his soft dark brown fur, meeeow, he cries as he rubs his face into my cheek.

"What about my little Velveito?" I ask softly to Father as I press the tiny kitten into my chest to curdle his warmth. I saunter into my closet; it's completely empty except for one outfit, which I picked out what feels like eons ago. I think it was yesterday.

Father scoffs, "What about him? It's a kitten, for crying out loud, not a runaway slave from the Middle East. He can go with you." Slurp. "They are animals of the wild, darling." Slurp.

"It's three in the morning, Father," I repeat, "I'm mentally drained, and now I want Starbucks. Thanks."

Sigh. "Would you get dressed and get to the airport, please. Call me when you touch down, okay?"

Click.

(Authors note: this intro/prologue is now completed)