"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖."
~~~
𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐞'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕
The art of pretending.
As humans we're good at it. Making sure something that made us uncomfortable, tense, and even giddy never happens again without warning.
It's a natural instinct, so I don't blame either of us for not uttering a word to each other for the past couple of hours.
We were here for a game.
That was all
Mrs. Rayes spoke, interrupting my thoughts, "As acting journalist for today you all will be observing your partner on the field, critiquing their every move. She pointed towards the bare field then continued, "What you liked? Disliked? Things they could be better at. Remember this is an opportunity for you all to get familiar with the sport for future projects."
We were currently sitting in the partially filled stands as students from the other school piled into the large stadium. Groups of friends, couples and staff amongst them.
I kept my eyes on the field, waiting for the guys to show up for their practice throws and drill runs but mainly to see Zach in his element.
For the project of course
"Girl, we are so lucky we got the football team this year." Izzy beams taking a seat beside me, a bag of snacks in her hands.
"Are we really?" I ask.
"Trust me you wouldn't want to be stuck with soccer or even worse— cross country," she adds shuddering at a memory.
Zach wouldn't think so
Despite the long and tiring bus ride Izzy looked refreshed in her black cami and flared skirt. Just about ready for anything to take place tonight. Trying to conceal my identity, I looked quite the opposite.
"You didn't look too happy about your partner," I responded, giving her a look. I noticed the boy she was paired with could barely keep his eyes open and looked disoriented on his way to the bus.
She rolls her eyes then says, "AJ and I have some work to do but that's the least of my concerns. You gonna tell me what you and our wide receiver are about?"
"Wide receiver?" I question. My knowledge on the positions and who played them were scarce and I was trying my best to learn them in time for the game that would soon be starting, with my phone open to google.
"Zach is the team's number one wide receiver. You know, the player that catches the ball and runs to the end zone."
Interesting could've pegged me for the cocky quarterback type.
I nod writing that down so I don't forget and Izzy laughs beside me. "Don't tell me you sat with him for five hours and didn't even get what position he played."
I hardly remembered the ride. It was all coming back to me in pieces and I had no idea why. We briefly talked about the questions. Then dad texted me and next thing I knew I was fast asleep, nowhere near Zachs big head.
"We answered the questions, sort of." My brows furrowed at the memory of Zach barely letting me in. The answers to the questions were vague and gave me nothing to report on, which was initially the task Mrs. Rayes had given.
"Sort of?"
"I got tired and we both fell asleep," I shrug and her eyes go wide clearly not expecting me to say that.
"I didn't think it was true. So you actually woke up underneath Zachs hoodie.
I nod confused when she continues, "The guys were giving him shit about smelling like perfume all afternoon once we got off the bus."
"That was nothing. I was cold and he was just being nice," I replied soon after. The words sound weird coming off my tongue but I don't take any action to recant them.
Izzy gives me a look, confirming she didn't believe a word that left my mouth. "The dude barely socializes with his own teammates. Trust me he's far from nice."
"Yeah bu-"
"We'll talk about this later, the game is starting," she interrupts me and begins motioning her hands in the air, cheering in sign language. I grab my pen and notepad that I had set aside and open it to the first page.
The first words I write is Zachariah Stone. Wide receiver.
Isabella does the same for AJ as her excited expression turns serious, obviously turning into her reporter mode.
It's only when I look around and notice the bleachers are now completely filled. Overflowing with students, alumni, parents and fans decked out in school spirit gear.
The scent of fresh popcorn filled the air and day-old hotdogs rested in the hands of everyone around me, including Izzy. She politely offers me one but I decline not feeling up for the greasy snacks.
I haven't ate anything all day. They were working.
The cheer team makes their way to the sidelines, flipping and their swinging pom poms in the air as the clock strikes seven.
"Now introducing the Alabama Crimsons!" the announcer shouted, making everyone immediately stand to their feet. The stadium erupted into a fit of cheers and whistles that people wearing school spirit shirts and holding up signs block my vision entirely.
"Jesus christ, they're hot," Izzy mutters beside me. I could barely hear her between all the noise but what she said held some truth to it.
"Remember they're the enemy." I appreciatively eye the other team before muttering, "even if you're right."
As I waited I did some digging on our opponents and they were good. Maybe more than good. Their quarterback was number six in the country and already getting NFL offers but he refused, insisting on finishing college first.
Smart of him
The Crimsons had made it this close to the championship, losing by one point in the final four. So I'm not surprised by the determined looks on their faces. This was going to be a tough one but our guys were equally as determined, if not more and I had a feeling they would be able to pull it off.
"And introducing our guest team— all the way from New York, the Syracuse Oranges!" The cheers are ear piercing causing me to bring both hands to the side of my head, but nowhere loud like the ones that came before.
Our team comes trampling out onto the field and in the mix of shouts, our opponents student body could be heard booing.
Despite that my eyes are instantly drawn to number four. His build and ink is familiar and I instantly recognize it to be Zach.
He's the last one out but his entrance is nothing but monumental, stopping me in my observance of the rest of the team. I added a number four by his name that I had just written in order to build the profile I was working on.
Zach looks at ease, in his element and most of all carefree. But I could still tell he was in the zone, ready to bring a win back home.
I noticed the same guy who looked half sober this morning came running out as well, confusing the hell out of me.
Stone wasn't the only one to notice his state this morning.
My mother used to be the same way
"Diaz is on the field?" I ask apprehensively.
Izzy looks at me weirdly before answering. "Yeah, why wouldn't he be?"
"No reason. He's the backup quarterback for Ezra right?" I question after hearing about the player that was home injured.
"Yeah, he's gunning for the captain and quarterback position once Ezra leaves. His attitude is a little iffy but he's got the stats to back him up," she adds enthusiastically.
I nod then go back to watching the game. The Crimsons had the football and were about to make an offensive play. I spot one of their players, the wide receiver catches the ball in mid air using one hand as he begins running to the end zone.
But our guys are quick. Specifically the one who decided to wink at me this morning. Dave. David. Whatever his name may be was on his tail like a high speed chase, sprinting as if his life depended on it.
"Cmon, cmon number eight," Izzy whispered beside me. She sat down and stood back up down, clearly nervous about this play. My stomach was in knots and the game just started. "I hate you David but you better make this play." I mutter to myself.
His legs moved quickly, decreasing the distance between the two and just about everybody was on the edge of their seats waiting to see if our player was going to get the tackle or let him run into the end zone.
The last thing we needed was to be down this early in the game.
"He's got him, look!" Izzy pushes my shoulder, stopping me in the middle of my notes. I look up just in time to see David hovering over the other player holding the ball, inches from the white line that signified a touchdown.
The crowd around us sigh in defeat, lowering their obnoxious signs and I almost smile at the sight.
While Izzy is distracted from the mini celebration, I dig into my bag while everyone is distracted, taking another white tablet as my stomach makes a noise.
___
"It seems like we will be going into halftime at a tie. Teams will go back into their locker rooms for a brief moment while we showcase live entertainment!" the announcer boomed.
"That was way too close," I say, turning to face Izzy. She sits down rubbing her temples, I hope not at my comment. "You okay," I ask immediately.
"Fine, it's just this hearing aid and the noise doesn't mix well," she groans in pain.
"If it gets too much for you let me know and we can go inside somewhere," I say trying to soothe her worries. She nods appreciatively at my words.
Once halftime was over, things picked up quickly.
We scored.
They scored.
They scored again.
They scored again.
We scored...barely.
The game time had dwindled down and only five minutes remained on the clock. After a series of foul plays, touchdowns and interferences, the score was 28-23. We were down five points and the crowd never failed to remind us.
The team was huddled into a circle on the sidelines, I can only assume discussing a play in order to conjure up these last few points that could signify a win.
Every two minutes or so Zach would glance up to where Izzy and I were sitting, scanning the crowd in search of something, someone. It's almost as if he knew we were assigned to this section but couldn't pinpoint me out.
Coach Benson seemed to notice his distracted state before looking up over to me, then speaking a few stern words to him. Zach shook his head and looked down while both of his hands sat on his waist, trying his best to refocus.
"Mhmm," Izzy hummed beside me, a smirk playing on her lips. Shit she noticed too. Before I could reply, a group of girls a few rows ahead of me caught my attention.
To others it might seem like a harmless group selfie, yet the camera was angled away from their faces and towards mine, where they were able to take as many photos of me until the game was over.
It was clear the baseball cap I had on did nothing to hide my identity in the midst of the college stadium.
With nothing much I could do, I ignored the girls hoping they would stop without me having to ask.
For a minute I was starting to feel like a regular college student. That minute was now over.
A few moments later, the referee blows his whistle calling both teams to the middle line and into their start positions.
Number four better known as Zach seems to be contemplating something. Looking back and forth between his teammates as if they were going with a completely different game plan than discussed in their previous huddle.
AJ, who seemed much more focused than this morning, bopped his head twice, before shouting a series of words, only the players could hear.
In a split second the ball goes flying and landing into AJ hands. Izzy and I are on our feet completely disregarding our task of taking notes. We had two minutes left.
120 seconds
I notice AJ is taking his time deciding where to throw the ball. Matter of fact who to throw the ball to.
Coach Benson could be heard on the sideline shouting but he didn't spare him a glance, too concentrated on his teammate who was running down the field waiting for him to throw.
As realization dawned on him, AJ sent the ball flying higher than I've ever seen before, captivating everyone in the stands. "Holy, shit." Izzy murmured.
"Number twenty two has just thrown the ball down half the field, giving Syracuse a chance to take this game home." Spectators all around including myself are holding their breaths. Both of us have different reasons as to why. "Will number four be able to complete this play? Zachariah Stone, the highly anticipated player of the season, has caught the eye of the crowd."
The announcer continued to ramble, suddenly stopping once the ball fell into Zach's hand. With whatever energy he had left, Zach bolted, sprinting to the end zone, ultimately giving us the lead.
The clock strikes zero, meaning they had won their first game of the season.
As AJ and the guys run to surround Zach in a fit of celebration, he uses his hand to cross his heart and point to the sky as if he were speaking directly to someone.
___
I made my way out of the stadium alone, seeing as Izzy couldn't handle the constant noise.
We were supposed to find our way back to the locker room to find Mrs.Rayes and the team, but it seems like I might've been lost.
In the midst of the smelly hall that looked like it led to the locker room, Zach sat on the bench with his head held low while he fiddled with a locket that resembled a raindrop.
His team jersey swung across his shoulder, while I got the perfect view of his bare back. He tenses hearing my footsteps but makes no move to turn around.
I stare. Maybe a little longer than I should have.
"You done watching, Winters."
"Hardly," I mutter to myself. In the corner of my eye I catch a slight smirk mask his lips before it's gone again. Nice going Sage.
"What I meant to say was—good game."
"Not even close. We almost went home empty handed today." He got up stuffing the silver chain into his pocket where I could no longer see it.
"I'm assuming that's why you changed the play last minute."
"I did what needed to be done. If that means making a sacrifice and having Coach kick my ass then so be it."
"I never said I disagreed with your choice," I responded walking closer to him. He scanned my outfit, confusion in his eyes at the baseball cap and dark clothing I changed into.
"Where were you?" he questioned suddenly, facing me. I now had the perfect view of his chest and I noticed a couple of raindrop tattoos littered right over his heart.
Quickly averting my eyes, I replied "Izzy and I sat in the back section. She said the view was better at that angle."
"Next time sit in the front. Isabella doesn't know what she's talking about." He pauses before muttering slowly, "And don't wear this hat. I want to see you."
Coach Benson walked up to us in a few steps before I could reply. Zach immediately steps back and walks into the double doors behind him without saying a word.
"Sage, right?" he questioned instantly, rubbing a hand over his beard.
"That's correct." He looks behind me where Zach left before nodding knowingly.
"Great, that's all I needed to know. Monica is waiting by the buses in case you get lost." I nod thankful for his direction when he adds "I'm assuming you didn't."
"No sir, I was actually looking for Mrs. Rayes," I responded curtly.
"I'll pretend I believe that." With that he walks off into the direction of the locker room.
***
"You think we'll be able to share a room. I can not sleep with Evelyn, she snores louder than my grandfather and I have proof."
Laughing, I reply in hopes we could. "I can't imagine sharing a room with anyone else here. You're like my only friend in this group." Izzy crosses her arms to her chest grinning like an idiot.
"Yeah we definitely don't count Zach as a friend if he's clearly more than that," she adds plainly.
"On second thoughts, I think I'll take my chances with Evelyn tonight."
The guys on the team had an opportunity to sit one on one with NFL recruiters tomorrow, so we had to stay overnight much to my dismay. The hotel only being a couple blocks away allowed us to walk the short distance with our stuff still in the bus.
It was eleven at night and both the team and group were exhausted from today's game, some more than others.
All I wanted was to sleep in a bed, any bed. As long as I got some much needed rest away from reality.
With the guys still high from their win, the noise level was louder than usual.
"Alright, alright settle down," Mrs. Rayes repeated for the second time. "Once again congratulations on your win. You guys did an amazing job. I know Ezra would be proud."
The guys including Zach nod in appreciation, a small smile greeting his lips. Did he ever smile fully?
"Now with the room situation. You all are adults so you'll be staying in a room with the person you sat next to on the bus. Each of you will have your own bed so there's no issues."
Wasn't it an unwritten rule on school trips guys and girls are never to room together. This had to be punishment, a good one at that. Like the team player I am, I refused to complain since no one else seemed to be.
I mean how hard could this possibly be. Sleep, wake up, shower, then leave.
No interaction required
"You can grab your keycards from Coach Benson and Newsletter Club members. I expect your full evaluation report by the end of tomorrow."
"The things I'd do to be in your position," one girl says to me before walking off. Izzy gives me a small smirk before sending a thumbs up my way. My glare sends her running in the opposite direction and I sigh in relief.
I walk over to Coach Benson first and he hands me my keycard, while glancing behind me. I take it from him, making sure to read the room number and head for the elevator, before spotting Zach staring into space a few feet behind me.
I was getting to the room first to pick the window bed. After all, it was the best choice.
Who in their right mind wanted to sleep closer to the door?
I stepped out of the elevator and immediately two girls who looked about fourteen stopped me. Already knowing where this was going, I brace myself for the squeals. "Oh my god! It's really you. Some girls posted you at the game. Can we please have a picture."
Uncomfortable with how I looked, I contemplated declining but ended up taking the pictures anyway.
I take off my cap, letting my hair free and the relief sends me a reminder of how annoying it was to have my hair tied back. Smiling into the camera, the girls cheese extra hard, immediately warming my heart.
Fame never used to be this bad. I loved interacting with people, especially younger fans that looked up to me.
They were my inspiration
But with the positive came the negative and mentally I didn't carry enough strength for it.
I wasn't as strong as her for this business and she never failed to remind me.
After taking a few more photos with each girl, I make my way down to the end of the hallway. I immediately spotted room 320G.
The floor was quite seeing as everyone else was placed on the fourth and fifth floor, while we got stuck on the third, secluded from everyone.
Just great
I swipe the card in and the keypad immediately turns green, signifying the door was now unlocked. Stepping into the dark room, I drop my duffel bag and graze my arm across the wall to find the light switch.
With my lack of luck and coordination, someone does it for me and I immediately know who it was.
I don't shed a single care for that right now.
The only thing that seemed to have my entire focus is the single king size bed placed right in the middle of the room initially meant for two.
"Well I'm definitely not sleeping on the floor after that game," he revealed, closing the door behind us.
This was not happening
"Oh but it is, partner."
End of Chapter
If you're active on my conversation tab you know what's coming next *wink wink*
QOTD: Are you in school yet ? How is it so far?
• not in school yet and internally grateful ( :
word count : 3621
MASK UP AND SEE YOU NEXT TIME BESTIES <33