Our Invisible String (Complete Version)

12 (Travis Version)

"Alright boys!" I called them into a group as I stopped by the edge of the football field and they all crowded over. "Right, so let's take it easy before the game since we don't want anyone burning out from too much practice." I said, and got a few chuckles in response. "Easy on the warmups, you already know everything and it's too late to jam anything else in. Just practice anything you're a little less confident in, split into groups, however you want. I'll come around to check in and let you guys know how the game's going to go, but you'll do great." I smirked. "And we'll beat the crap out of St Johns."

"Yeah we will!" Jacob crowed, and everyone joined in.

They split into groups at my suggestion, bundling together based on what they wanted to practice. I watched for a few minutes before taking my clipboard and going around, talking to each boy at a time to discuss their role in the game and if there was anything else they wanted. By the time our opposing team arrived, the boys were buzzing with confidence and adrenaline. The bleachers were full as both teams warmed up properly for play, cheerleaders sitting on the front row of our side, ready to jump up at any given moment.

I glanced up when I saw the marching band filtering out onto the grass, smiling to myself when I caught sight of Taylor. She wasn't wearing an all out costume, but god, the sight still took me away. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail, and she was wearing a pair of white trousers with a white and silver marching jacket over the top. It only just reached her waist and fit perfectly like it had been tailored, the silver ties stretching over her chest. I watched as she laughed at something someone said, organizing the band to sit on the grass next to the bleachers. They'd do a little halftime show, so they just sat back for now.

Taylor glanced over at me in the middle of a conversation with someone else, and I caught a slight smile tug on her heart shaped lips as she raised her hand in a half wave. I lifted mine back, and she looked away, but I couldn't stop looking at her. There was something so attractive about her in that marching jacket.

"Ooh, coach has a crush!" Someone sang nearby, and I quickly looked over to see a few girls giggling on the bleachers. I just rolled my eyes at them, knowing that if I engaged and responded, they'd find a way to twist it back on me. Damn high school kids.

The thoughts of Taylor all but vanished from my mind as the game started, and I focused on my team. They did really well, and I felt a twinge of pride that I'd managed to pull this off. I knew it was only partly due to my effort, but it still felt good. The little marching show in the middle was fun, I guess, but my attention was mostly captured by the blonde in the white and silver jacket. I could have sworn at one point she'd thrown a little wink my way, but I could have been mistaken.

We won the game. Only by a few points, but the boys were ecstatic as the bleachers went wild on our side, the cheerleaders launching to their feet to do a victory dance. I chuckled, folding my arms as I watched the team celebrate, people starting to moved around. Then I heard someone come up behind me and turned around.

"Hey." I smiled.

"Good game." Taylor told me. She'd unbuttoned the front of her jacket, exposing a sliver of white tank top beneath. I forced my eyes to stay on her face. "You did good with those boys." She motioned out to the field.

"Why Miss Swift, was that a compliment?" I directed the question at her in a slightly teasing tone, and I received a small smile in response.

"Don't get used to it." She said, folding her arms. "I'm just saying that you must have done something right to beat St Johns."

"Well, thank you." I told her, and her smile tugged a fraction of an inch wider.

"Hey coach." Someone said, and I glanced over to see a few of the boys on the team holding one of the plastic barrels from the storage room. "Have you heard of the winning tradition?" Taylor let out a giggle and I glanced at her to see her covering her mouth. Turning back to the boys, I shook my head. "Well, when we have a new coach and we win our first game on home turf, you get a whole barrel tipped over your head."