She's One of the Guys

1.) "Isla McKinney at your service"

It's not Isla's fault she can't sit still. She's young, hyper, and extremely anxious.

Cub football tryouts are being held at the high school field, and she knew she'd be the only girl. And there were bound to be plenty of running backs trying out.

Lots of them probably from her class. She sighed just thinking of the stares she's going to get. And the laughing that's bound to follow.

It's not like she wasn't good enough. She knew she was. It doesn't matter what the guys think.

"Isla! We need to leave soon!" Her mom yelled up at her. Running shorts and a tank top is decent attire for football tryouts, right? Grabbing her bag on the way out, she caught her brother's eye, and he gave her a reassuring smile, which was all she needed.

He had complete faith that she'd make the team. He already played on the high school team and said she was better than a lot of the guys on his team.

Now or never Isla.

She runs out the door, trying to tie the braid she just finished off. Dutch braids were always her go to for football. She can easily tuck the long braids into her shoulder pads or helmet so the other team can't pull them.

Learned my lesson there. She thought bitterly.

Sitting down in the car, she closes the door, and buckles up, her leg bouncing up and down, to the rhythmic beat of the song on the radio. Her mom starts the car, and the five minute drive seems to take years.

"Alright, we're here. You'll do great! Just remember, don't be scared of the boys. You've got more guts than most of them. And try to come home in one piece." She smiled. Her mom is always so supportive.

"Bye!" Isla waves as she drives away. Taking a deep breathe she steps onto the turf.

"Come on Isla, don't chicken out." She muttered as she took another step.

"Hey! You got the wrong place princess," a youthful male voice calls out. Princess? Two steps in and she's already scowling. The kid who called out is standing with his helmet in his hand, a football in the other. He's taller than Isla, by maybe five inches. His straight dark brown hair contrasts her curly blond hair, and his grey eyes opposite her bright sea green eyes. He's slightly less tan then her, since she just went to California with her brother to look at colleges, and got a nice golden tan while she was there. She's never seen this kid before.

"You sure you don't have the wrong place? Pretty sure cheerleading practice is in the gym." The innocence drips off her words. Can't be mean, the coach is right there. He smirks.

"Donovan O'Connell. Who are you?" His voice turns curious, almost as if she just earned his respect.

"Isla McKinney. Are you a running back?" His build is lightweight, lean, but sturdy. He's bouncing back and forth. He has too much energy.

"Yeah, you already know, or lucky guess?" His head tilts to the side, surveying Isla like she's a test he forgot to study for.

"Guess. But you look fast, and you're light, but sturdy. Too much energy, too. Probably a running back so you can run off some of that." She analyzes. Now he's grinning.

"I guess that means you're a running back too McKinney." She's just about to nod, when the coach blows his whistle. Everyone runs over.

"Alright! Welcome to tryouts, toda-" he trails of when his eyes land on Isla.

"What're you doing here? Think this is some funny joke? Cheerleading is in the gym."

Isla is about to say no, when Donovan speaks up.

"No, she's a running back." some of the guys laugh, and lot of them stare, but she grins.

"Isla McKinney at your service. So, what were you saying?" She grins. Coach keeps looking at her, but shrugs it off.

"Okay, well we'll start off with a short mile run. You can sprint or jog, but don't overwork yourself now, there'll be more running." Everyone runs off, starting the mile. Isla starts the mile in a fast jog, but slowing down a bit when she senses a person beside her. Looking, she sees Donovan's grinning face.

"You're welcome." He says. Her eyebrows knit.

"For what?" He rolls his eyes.

"For helping you back there with coach. For some reason I get the idea that you would've mouthed off." Smirking, she turns her head.

"I've known you for five minutes, and you already know that. It's slightly creepy." He laughs, and the noise is like music.

"Please. I'm not creepy. But how fast you're running is getting slightly weird." He tilts his head toward the group they left behind. She didn't even realize she started sprinting lightly.

"Can you go faster?" He asks.

"Can you keep up?" She fires back. He laughs.

"Definitely." She sprints off, full speed as he chases her. They only have half a lap left, and sprint their way to the end. Isla has left him five feet back, even though he is sprinting, too. She slows down as she passes the end. Turning around she smiles, not even out of breath.

"Thought you could keep up?" She asks, the grin nearly splitting her face.

"I didn't think you were that fast!" He says, taking a deep breath.

"Are you always going to be playing catch up?"

"Not always." His voice changes subtly. And Isla can hear the underlying secret in his words.

924 words!

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