Endurance

I Get Attacked by the Football Coach

So, your probably wondering what the heck this story is about. Trust me, I was wondering that too. I had no choice but to realize that all this time I was a—

Never mind. You'll figure that out. 

And for the record, Apollo is forcing me to write this. He says it helps with trauma— then he explains how he was a mortal named Lester  Papadopoulos.

Now let's jump right in.

My name is Cole Jacobson, and this is how my life got turned into a bad haircut like Medusa's. (I mean this metaphorically). 

I ran down out of my room, and slid down the railing that led downstairs. I jumped up and grabbed some Aloo Paratha and stuffed it into my mouth.

"Where do you think you're going in such a rush?"

I looked up and smiled at my mom. She was Indian. She had long black hair, and dark brown eyes. Her deep tanned skin seemed to reflect the light in the room.

"School." I said quickly grabbing for more Aloo Paratha.

My mom raised an eyebrow and out her hands on her hips as I groaned. Who was I kidding? I hate school. Always have, and always will. 

"I wanted to talk to the football coach about playing next season." I mumbled. 

I looked up to my mom who nodded. This year I was unable to tryout because of Family Drama. And trust me. Us Indian families have LOTS of it. 

Mom nodded her head, and walked over. She gave me a small smile, and handed me my backpack and lunchbox. I didn't care if I was in eighth grade. My mom made the BEST Butter Chicken around. 

"Stay safe okay. You almost left without your school stuff."

I looked down as embarrassment flushed my face. Stupid ADHD. It made me forget a LOT of stuff. 

"I will." 

Mom smiled at me and lifted my maroon hair and kissed my forehead. Yeah... I have maroon hair. It's not died, but natural. So, if you would, image seeing a thirteen— almost fourteen— year old Indian kid with dark tan skin and maroon hair running around. Yup. That was me. 

Mom won't tell me where my hair comes from. In fact, she wouldn't tell me anything at all. Like, ever.

I ran out of the house and onto the buss as it pulled into its stop and jumped in. I headed to the back of the buss, and laid back. I watched as a few other kids got on, and gave a small sigh. Having weird hair and dark skin made people uncomfortable. They didn't like talking to me, and well... I was alone. 

Th buss started to pull off to the next stops before taking us all to school. I watched as kids gave me looks and sat away from me.

Normal.

The buss finally pulled into its stop and dropped us all off at my school. Redwood Middle School. The football coach here coached Middle School, and High School football at a near by school. If I was lucky I would get to talk to him. He was often here in the morning. 

I walked over carefully and fixed my backpack and walked into his office. Lucky me. Coach Lyle looked up at me.

"Um... who are you?"

"Um, Cole. Cole Jakobson. I was the kid who couldn't tryout because of a family—"

"Oh yes yes!" He said jumping up. "I remember! Your mother sent me an email actually. I was just reading it!" He said.

My face narrowed and my eyes widened with embarrassment. "M-My mom—?!"

"Yes yes!" He said putting an arm around me.

I felt my body go stiff and my brain yelled, RUN AND PUNCH HIM!

I looked up nervously as he looked at me. He looked up and closed the blinds. He looked over and gave a small smile.

"I've been waiting for you half breed."

"Half what now?" I asked taking a step back.

He looked at me carefully and I watched as his eyes vanished and one eye appeared in his forehead. 

"You're a half-blood surly you knew that."

I took a step back as my hand grabbed a pen from his desk. My bones filled with fear as he took steps closer to me. 

"And... I do love you half breeds cooked."

The Coach Monster Thingy— look, I  can't remember  stuff on the spot— jumped at me. I threw the pen at him as it hit his eyes and he yelled in pain. I turned to run for the door, but he grabbed me and flung me down to the wall.

Black spots danced in my eyes as my head ached. I fell to the ground as he came running at me. I got body slammed through the brick wall and found myself laying on the grass. I groaned and tried to move but ultimately failed. 

"See! You half breeds are so unless." Coach Lyle said blinking his eyes. "Although that did hurt."

He ran over with ease, and I watched as the black spots in my eyes turned red. Energy flooded over me and I jumped up as he went to pick me up. 

I couldn't control myself as I punched him. 

The coach went through the already broken brick wall and I watched as he went through lockers and another wall.

My eyes widened as his eye looked up at me with weakness and 'What The Heck Just Happened' edged on his face.

So I did what any other almost fourteen year old would do.

I booked it.