One of the Boys

“Four more days,” Jake said, as we pulled into the school parking lot.

“I cannot wait until Winter Break,” I said, hopping out of Jake’s jeep. “I’ve been waiting for this since school started.”

“Have you guys decorated your house yet?”

I gave him a look. “We’ve been at the hospital dumbass.”

He shrugged. “I was just wondering.” He hopped out of the driver’s seat. “So I’m going crutches-less.”

“Is that so?”

He nodded, hobbling over to me. “Starting today, there will be no more crutches.”

“I have total faith in you,” I said, with a cheesy smile.

He punched my arm, and I burst into laughter.

“Do you think Coach is going to kill us today?” I asked, as we approached our usual spot.

“Because we didn’t show to practice yesterday?” Nathan asked.

I nodded.

“Nah, he’ll just tell us that we better have a good reason, which we do.”

I looked around. “Where’s Blake?”

Nathan shrugged. “Around I would guess.”

I couldn’t help but think about his weird behavior. “Do you think he’s okay?”

“I’m sure,” Jake said, offhandedly.

“Even you know?” I demanded.

“I just found out on Sunday, and Blake made me promise not to tell you,” he said, throwing his hands up in the air. “He wants to tell you himself.”

I let out a growl. “When I find that son of a bitch, he’ll have some questions to answer.”

“He’s probably avoiding you,” Luke called.

“He can’t avoid me forever,” I called back. “We have football practice.”

As it turned out, he could. Because the entire morning went by, and I didn’t see him once.

“Ryan,” I called, as he walked into Chemistry.

“You’re talking to me?” he asked, his jaw dropping. “What is this?”

“Where’s Blake?”

“Now I see why you’re talking to me.”

I punched him arm. “I’m serious.”

“Didn’t come to school.”

“What? Why?”

“I don’t know; I’m not his stalker.” He punched my arm. “But apparently you are.”

“Ew, gross, no. He has explaining to do.”

“Yeah, well you’re going to have to wait, because he’s not here.”

“Douche,” I muttered, shaking my head. “He’s avoiding me.”

“I don’t think his whole life revolves around you,” Ryan said, laughing.

“Shut up.” I leaned back in my seat. “Is he going to show up to football practice?”

“I highly doubt it.”

As it turns out, Ryan was wrong. As I headed out to a practice I couldn’t participate in, Blake was already there, talking to Coach.

“Hey,” I said, approaching the two of them. “Why aren’t you dressed out?”

“Not participating,” Blake answered.

“Why are you out here Evans?” Coach demanded. “You were put on strict bed rest, am I correct?”

“Yes sir. I’m not allowed to do schoolwork either,” I said, with a smirk. “But I’m here to show my support.” I looked at Blake. “So what’s the plan for this Friday sir?”

“That’s what I’m discussing with Blake,” Coach said, with a sigh.

“I can throw the ball sir,” Blake said. “I just can’t participate in contact today, or probably tomorrow.”

“You’d be Quarterback Blake,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You wouldn’t be participating in contact during practice.”

“I’ve seen you get hit during practice,” Blake argued.

“And whose fault was that?”

“That’s another thing we need to discuss,” Coach said, interrupting us. “Who would play Blake’s position?”

“Does it have to be Dustin?” Blake asked. “I don’t feel comfortable with a Freshman blocking me.”

“No, there’s a Junior that plays that position too,” I said. “He was just out the game Jake was injured.”

He also should’ve taken Jake’s place when Jake was injured, but I didn’t mention that part.

“Awesome, where is he?” Blake asked, scanning the field.

“Want me to call him Coach?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Chance!” I called, waving him over.

“His name is Chance?” Blake asked. “Who the hell names their kid Chance?”

“His mom’s name is Breeze,” I said, with a smirk. “So fill in that blank for yourself.”