Shedeur's Story.
Shedeur let out a breath after running yet another drill. He rested his hands on top of his head to increase air flow, walking in circles not wanting to stop moving.
It was Sunday at 2am and instead of being at home in his bed, he was on the football field, practicing. What everybody thought was a minor injury had caused Shedeur to miss the last four games, and it was starting to take a toll on him.
With Major by Young Dolph & Key Glock blasting from his beats headphones, Shedeur hadn't noticed his best friend joining him on the field.
Marley ran up and jumped on his back, laughing as Shedeur screamed out of fear. Marley got down, still laughing hysterically, tears forming in her eyes.
Shedeur smacked his teeth, removing his headphones from his ears.
"It wasn't even that funny." He stated, watching as Marley struggled to catch her breath. "If you heard how you screamed you'd be laughing too." Marley responded after finally getting herself together.
"What you even doing here?" Shedeur asked the obvious question.
Marley shrugged "I couldn't sleep so I called but you didn't answer. I checked your location and decided to join you. I got us some food."
Marley pointed back to the pizza, wings, and waters she had sat down when she got here, turning back and looking at Shedeur with a smile.
"I gotta practice Marley..." Shedeur stated, his mind still in a state of worry.
"15-minute break, then I'll help you practice, come on." Marley didn't give him the opportunity to respond, grabbing his hand and leading him over to the food.
The two sat on the field, having a picnic without the blanket. After eating Shedeur found himself staring into space, being brought back to reality by Marley clearing her throat.
"You ready to tell me what's wrong?" she asked, making Shedeur sigh.
"I guess I'm scared. Doctors said this was supposed to be a minor injury, but I been out almost a month. People been saying I'm never gone play the same...I'm worried about if I'm ever gone get to play again at all." He explained.
"You only been out this long because you refuse to be patient or give yourself any grace. You go to your sessions with the physical therapist and instead of going home you come out here for hours. If you would have actually followed the rehab plan they made for you, you probably could've played last week."
Shedeur stayed silent, knowing Marley was right. He had just gotten anxious, not thinking the therapy sessions were enough to get him back to the level he was at before injury.
"And since when do we worry about what other people saying? They say you not gone play the same, you come back and play better, simple. You trust me Shedeur?"
The question made Shedeur look up, offended she'd asked, "You know I trust you, why you even asking me that?"
"Because this week I don't want you coming out here. Go through this week of therapy, let the doctor clear you, and then next time you come back out here it'll be for a game."
Marley extended her pinky out to Shedeur "Promise you'll try." She didn't care how old she was, pinky promises would always hold weight. He locked pinkies with hers, unable to hide his smile.
"Now let's go I'm tired." Marley said getting up so they could clean up to leave.
That week Shedeur went to therapy with a different mindset, doing as Marley had asked. Before he knew it he was back on the field for a game, just like Marley had said.
He even had a record-breaking game, and nothing made him happier than to know he had made Marley proud. After the game, she was the first person he went to hug.
The moment they pulled away is the moment Shedeur felt his heart flutter. Realizing his feelings for Marley Grace, went much deeper than friendship.
└─── °∘❉∘° ───┘
Shilo's Story.
It was Shilo's 16th birthday. He knew 16 was supposed to be one of the important birthdays, but he wasn't in the mood for a big party. He just wanted to hang out with Shedeur and Marley, but Shedeur was sick, so it'd just be him and Marley.
There was a knock at his bedroom door, and he opened it seeing Marley's petite figure completely covered from all the gifts and balloons she was holding. He couldn't help but laugh as she set everything down on the bed, looking at him with a smile.
"You didn't have to do all this Mars." He stated, using the nickname that only he called her by.
"Yea I did. It's your 16th birthday! I expect the same treatment for my 16th next year." Marley responded jokingly.
Shilo took the time to open everything and reading the card Marley got him. He was shocked at how thoughtful everything was.
"Am I a great best friend or what?" Marley asked, feeling proud of herself to see how much he liked everything.
"The greatest. Shedeur gone be jealous." Shilo joked and Marley waved him off, "He got 2 more years before 16, I'll get him right when it's his turn. Now come on, we got places to be."
"You act like you driving." Shilo mumbled to himself, following behind her as they exited his room, and then his house. Marley wasn't the greatest driver, and always got sensitive when her best friends teased her about it.
She instructed Shilo to drive to all of the places where she had made reservations. They bowled, played laser-tag, went go-kart racing, and even to museum. They were ending the night off in a park, eating take-out from his favorite Chinese restaurant.
"Did you enjoy your day Shi?" Marley questioned while finishing off the last bit of her shrimp fried rice.
"Easily the best birthday ever. Thanks for everything Mars."
Marley couldn't help but smile softly, "Thanks for appreciating me Shilo."
Shilo furrowed his brows at the change of her tone. She sounded sad, or hurt, or both.
"You okay Marley?"
Marley hated that question. She had been keeping herself together all day, but that question was enough to make her come undone.
She shook her head no and before she knew it, she felt the tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry Shi, I shouldn't be crying on your birthday." She said frantically wiping the tears away, but they wouldn't stop coming.
Shilo moved to sit directly next to her, pulling her into a hug. He allowed her to cry, rubbing her back comfortingly until she was able to speak.
"Noah broke up with me this morning....said something about he found somebody else." She explained briefly, but that was all Shilo needed to hear.
She had been dating Noah for the past year. He and Shedeur had tried to warn her about him, easily being able to see the boy didn't deserve her, but she was blinded by what she thought was love.
"I'm sorry Marley. He didn't deserve you, and he definitely don't deserve your tears." Shilo said wiping the girls face dry.
Marley gave a small smile "Thanks...we don't have to talk about it today though. Today's still all about you."
Shilo nodded and he allowed Marley to lead the conversation, until they were both ready to go.
After dropping Marley off at home, Shilo was left with his thoughts. The fact that she went above and beyond to make sure he had a good day, despite her own feelings, made everything even more special.
As Shilo laid in his bed, staring at his ceiling, Marley flooded his thoughts. When he realized he couldn't stop thinking about her, he knew his feelings for the girl were growing beyond their platonic relationship.
└─── °∘❉∘° ───┘
Two different stories, with the same ending.
Marley, just by being herself, had accidentally found herself at the center of both the Sander's boys' universe.
But who would she make the center of hers?