Something In Between

Chapter 1; page 5

                                                                                   Elijah

After studying at the school then actually going to my classes, I didn't ride the bus with Grace because,I had football practice and I couldn't stop thinking about whether she might actually go on a blind date with some random dude she's never met. She couldn't be that naive. Could she? 

I've been working my ass off at every practice and game we've had because I really want to be promoted to team captain. The current captain, Brad, was only picked because of his non-stop begging. He wasn't actually good at football. Usually, skill wouldn't matter over personality but his personality is worse than his skills. He's a total douche. He Is always reported for assault especially on the girls at our school but is never given consequences because his dad is the schools biggest donor. Constantly supplying our school with money that only goes to sports and not the actual education of students.

He needs to be humbled. My best friend is Luke. Me and him were known all last year for being cold and rude. This year people still know us for that but I've been trying to be kinder, especially because I don't want Grace to see that side of me. Luke just doesn't talk much but when he does he's either, cold and quiet or loud and positive. We are both trying to be better people. But, Brad makes that extremely difficult.

I got into 5 fights last year. All because people wanted to talk shit and couldn't back it up. I won of course. Luke got into 3, for the same reasons. I've never fought someone because or over a girl. I don't do girlfriends. It's too much work. I've never even had a girl over at my house. My dad used to encourage it, saying that maybe dating a nice girl will have a good effect on me. No. 

Grace is so pure. She's also gorgeous. She doesn't need to be with a guy who would corrupt her. The guys at this school all have disgusting intentions. They tend to charm the girls and then assault them. Mainly Brad. If she goes on a blind date with Brad I swear I will fucking beat the living shit out of him. I think today Grace saw a glimpse of my coldness. When we were in the library studying I was clenching my jaw and probably had a facial expression that wasn't so pleasant. But, if she sees that I can be cold she might not want to be friends anymore. Not that it would affect me because we're strictly just friends. 

I headed to the boys locker room carrying my duffel bag around my shoulder. The guys on my team all tend to get along like a real family. We're all brothers to one another. We all know that we have each other back. Besides Brad. No one gives a fuck about him. We all dislike him. A lot of the guys on my team have girlfriends so if they're with their girlfriends and Brads around they make sure to keep a healthy distance between them. 

The locker room is loud all the guys already starting to change. I walk in and walk over to my locker which is where Luke was already hanging around. 

"What's up, E" Luke asks dapping me up quickly as he took of his shirt in one clean swoop. Luke was tall but I was taller. I'm 6'3 and he's 6'2 so not a hug difference but it gives me a small boost for my ego. My ego's pretty big i wont lie but It's simply because i know i'm hot. Last year i had girls falling on their knees begging me to date them. But, like i said, i don't date. Ill do the occasional make out at a party or something but never an actual relationship. Luke's the same way. I don't like many people but Luke is the most tolerable.

"not much." i say as i put my duffel bag down on a bench by my locker and I pull out my foot ball jersey and equipment. I throw off my shirt with one hand as Luke just rambles on. 

"so, how do you feel about grace?" he asks curiously while taking off his pants and pulling shorts out of his freakishly organized locker.

"She's cool i guess, why?" i ask as i pull my jersey on over my head.

"I don't know man, I feel like a blind date is a good idea but If Cindy pairs her up with you-know-who, we might have to get in yet another fight which could ruin our scholarships that we are being offered.." he states with uncertainty in his voice.

"No, you'll  have to get into a fight. I'm not throwing away my scholarship and some new girl that I just met." I say with a hint of coldness in my voice as if I don't care, Because, I've worked to hard for this scholarship for some girl to get with the wrong guy and cause me to lose it.

"so...you don't care if..." he took a break in between his words making sure Brad wasn't around. "if..Brad assaults her?" he asks as if looking for a different answer.

"I mean, shes not really my problem." I say nonchalantly as I pull on my shorts and stuff my duffel bag into my locker and push it closed.

"oh..right." he responded quietly as he closed his locker as well. The team members were leaving the locker room now. Me and Luke were walking out as well besides each other having our helmets in hand. To be honest like I said if Brad did put his hands on her i'd definitely do something but, I wouldn't let others know that I cared for her well being. Then, certain people would try to do something just to get a reaction out of me and I wasn't going to have it.

We jogged onto the football field where the coach was already waiting. He gave us a small little speech about how we've been doing so well this season and what not. The entire time a certain brown haired girl was on my mind. No matter how hard I tried not to think about her I was. 

"Rodriguez!" The coach shouted at me. He looked pissed. That meant laps.Ugh.

"yes coach." I looked up at him. I looked around the circle where we were all on one knee and all the guys looked nervous for me.

"Are you a member of this team?" he asked with a sharp tone and his jaw clenched.

"yes sir." I stated the obvious. What was he talking about?

"Do you like being a member of this team?" his face never changing.

"of course sir." I said that because I was not about to say 'well your annoying most of the times and you chose a shit captain but other than that, sure.' even though it was the truth.

"Then, I suggest if you want to stay on this team you get your shit together and listen when I call your name the first time! is that understood!?" He shouted at me. And the whole circle of guys were just staring at me as if they thought I was going to say something stupid and telling me not to.

"of course, sorry coach." I hadn't heard him calling my name. Fucking grace. I need to stop thinking about her. It wasn't a hard task. but God damn I couldn't.

"5 laps, all of you." The coach demanded. The people who were facing his back rolled their eyes in  annoyance. And I mentally groaned. There was no way I was gonna act pissed off In front of the coach. I didn't feel like being kicked off the team today.

I stood up and Luke looked at me and rolled his eyes.

"sorry man. I swear I didn't hear him calling my name." I stated the truth.

"bro what are you thinking about. You never get yelled at by couch you're always on your A game?" he asked as if I was crazy or something. I was not telling him that I was thinking about Grace 10 minutes after I said she wasn't my problem and I didn't care for her.

"nothing man..." I mumbled as i started jogging. I hated laps. Even though I was one of the fastest people on our team I still hated running.

5 laps later and a whole practice later me and Luke were walking back to the locker rooms together. After practice we all smelt horrible. When we entered the locker room we were immediately hit by steam and heat. The showers were in use and I pray that there's one open for me. Luke walked away going to change because I guess he didn't  have time to shower and smell better. I walked over to the showers and there was one left. Thank God. I stripped off all my clothes and automatically hot water ran and I felt like I was in heaven. The water was burning my skin but it felt so nice. I was exhausted and tired. I ran my hand through my soaking wet hair and I always brought my shower products from home to make sure I was clean. I hate being dirty.