The Guy Who Gave Up His Jersey

The Guy Who Gave Up His Jersey(4)

“Have you lost your damn mind?!” I fussed at Alejandro, throwing the bucket full of water in the fire.

What the hell was wrong with him? Did he know what he just did; burning the jacket was like throwing away your dignity. That jacket was his pride and joy. And like nothing he threw it into the pit of fire.

I grabbed the toasted jacket, examining it. There was no way I would be able to restore this jacket. I shook it around; watching as it disintegrated. Alejandro snatched the jacket out of my hands, chuckling with amusement.

“Damn, I’m surprised I actually had the balls to throw it in there.” He said, looking at the jacket, happily.

“What’s wrong with you? Do you not know what the hell you just did?” I asked him, frustrated.

He shrugged. “I quit the game,” He responded, simply as if he didn’t care.

I looked at him stupidly. This had to be a joke, Alejandro; one of the school legends quit the game. Did he bump his head onto something?  No one in Roosevelt High has ever quit the game. The guy who helped start the game gave in his jacket, why?

“Are you high?” I asked him, giving him an odd look.

He gave me the “are you seriously asking me that” look. “Why would I be high, Juliana?” He sounded ticked off.

I threw my hands in the air. “I don’t know…maybe because you burned your jacket!”

He rolled his eyes; ignoring my over the top reaction. Maybe I was over-reacting or maybe I was confused why he would do it. All day today I have been wrong about him, well some parts I was wrong. But this had to be the most confusing moment of them all.

“I told you I’m going to win your heart Juliana.” He responded, firmly.

“Why! Do you not get I don’t like you?” I asked him, stupidly.

“You make me sick, I told you once and I will tell you again: I wouldn’t dare you even if my life depended on it!” I growled, annoyed.

He nodded, understanding what I was telling him. “I know you wouldn’t. Honestly, I wouldn’t either. But that’s why I’m determined to fight for you even if I don’t succeed, at least I’ll know I tired.” His brown eyes piercing through mine.

My heart skipped a beat from the sincerity in his voice. He honestly was going to try to win me over. I slapped myself, mentally. Get a hold of yourself here Juliana; look who you are talking about. Don’t forget rule number one: Once a player always a player. Just because he gave up his jacket doesn’t mean he’ll give up his ways.

He glanced down at my hand; the blood had soaked the bandage. He grabbed on to my hand, looking at it.

“Why did you go nuts all of a sudden today?” He asked me, quietly.