One of the Guys

Chapter 1: Walls are Paper Thin

"Hey ladies," I say when I walk out of the stall. I have my shoulder pads and everything else on. "What are you guys doing?"

They look at me stunned and at a loss for words. They quickly gather their stuff and scurry out the door. I'm kind of used to the mean words, but they still hurt. I glance at the clock. It reads 6:54. It's time to head out there.

I walk to the door and down the empty hall that leads to the boys locker rooms. This part has always been awkward because we have to do a little knocking code so I know the boys are all dressed. I walk in there and coach begins as I sit down.

"Alright gentlemen," he says and earns a few laughs. "And Cecelia," He adds with an apologetic smile in my direction. I just shrug and he continues. "I'm gonna work you harder than you've ever worked this summer. You're gonna sweat like you've never before. You're gonna be in the best shape of your life! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir," a few mumbled. Big mistake.

"Do I make myself clear!" He shouts louder.

"Sir yes sir!" We all yell.

"Alright, glad that is settled," he says with an evil smile and rubs his hands together. "Now let's get down to business. Here's our roster. No, it's not everyone, so just calm down. I'm just telling some important ones and who they are. Okay, we have wide receivers: Wesley Divens, Justin Hawthorne, and Blake Bellinoid. Center is Nate Turner. Halfback we have Emmet Smith."

Everyone claps after each name and I can feel mine coming and I almost dread it.

"Fullback we have Ashton Mcallister. Last, but not least, we have our quarterback. Our captain. Our girl. Cecelia Anderson!"

An eruption of claps and hollers go up around me and I'm relieved. I'm getting pats on the back and nods of what seems like approval. I'm finally starting to relax.

"I will post it and you can look for your name as you walk out. Is everybody ready to get started? No? Sucks for you guys," he says and everyone gives him blank stares. He laughs at us. "Okay, time to get serious."

"It's going to be different. We've got a girl on our team now. Some of you were on her team in junior varsity. Now let's see," he says and pauses to scan the group. "Tell the other guys Nate, since you were her center before, how she runs her team."

Dread started to run through me. What's he going say? Please don't say anything bad! This is all I kept thinking.

Nate cleared his throat, "Listen. She isn't just some girl. she's our captain and our quarterback. She expects you to treat her with respect. Some of us newbies last year made the mistake of not. Let me tell you, you'll be doing the backward lunge walk until you can't move 'cause your "tired". Let me tell you boys something, you don't know tired until you know Cece's wrath." He smiles and goes on. "She isn't like any other captain you've ever had. This girl carried our sorry asses to the championships and we won. So careful because she knows what she's doing."

I didn't even know that's how he looked at it. I'm thankful that Coach picked Nate because I couldn't have said it better myself.

"Okay so my point is guys," Coach began. "Treat her with respect. She is equal to you. No sexual harassment. If she notifies me of any, it will go into an investigation and you will most likely be kicked off the team. I shouldn't have to tell you guys this, but I know how some guys can take it to far. I'm not saying don't joke around or anything because let's face it, she can handle all of you. Don't take it too far, though."

I'm glad he covered this. Not that I was worried or anything. It's just some of these guys I haven't had on my team yet and I don't know them so well.

"Last thing is rules. These two aren't mine so don't come complaining to me. I'm not reading the old ones. You should all be well acquainted with them by now. Rule one: Boys are to stay out of the girls locker room. Rule two: If found liable for sexual harassment, suspension from the team and possible suspension from school. That's about everyone, not just Cecelia. Lastly, this is my own, Play with your heart and give your all and that's all I'll ever ask of you. And run drills of course." Everyone laughs and he puts his hand in the middle, everyone follows suit.

"Who are we?" He asks.

"Panthers!" We yell back.

"Who are we?"

"Panthers!"

"I said, who are we?"

"Redwood Panthers!"

He claps his hands together. "Now let's get started."

_______________________________________________
Authors Note:
Hey Guys!
unstoppablereasoning here. This is my first book so make suggestions, ask questions, create covers, show me cool stuff. I NEED IDEAS FOR CHARACTERS, WHO I WANT TO PLAY THEM, WHAT THEYLL LOOK LIKE, ECT. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There will most likely be many spelling and punctuation errors I'm sorry just point them out. This isn't like set in stone if I don't like it I can change it.
THANKS EVERYONE 😘