Second Down
Copyright© 2025 by Lumpy
Chapter 38
“What if I say something stupid?” Eduardo said, not quite whining, but definitely heading that way.
We were sitting on the bleachers in the gym after school, watching Li and the rest of the team practice. Even though I’d celebrated being done with football just before Thanksgiving and having a much more open schedule, being able to just go home after school, Coach had cornered me and convinced me the day before, basically told me, that I was doing seven-on-seven and needed to start doing the practices after school.
While he was right that, after all the pushing I’d done about getting more training, I couldn’t then turn around and skip opportunities to work on skills in a smaller, more focused environment. But I had really been looking forward to just relaxing for a while without the constant pressure of having things to do.
Still, sevens practice was a hell of a lot shorter than regular practice during the season, so it gave me a chance to stop and see Li’s practice after I finished, and then walk at least halfway home with her before turning to go to my place.
There wasn’t a lot of call for spectators at girls’ varsity basketball practice, so I’d been by myself yesterday and was surprised when Eduardo showed up a few minutes after I sat down.
Or at least, I was until he jumped into his actual reason for coming to find me. He’d asked Sarah out yesterday and they’d set up their first real date for tonight, and he was freaking out.
“You talk to Sarah all the time. Hell, I think you two were the last ones to realize you were going to start dating. What’s the difference between all the other times you two talked and tonight?”
“It’s completely different. Here at school or when we talk on the phone, we’re just hanging out. Tonight’s like ... for real.”
“You’re overthinking it. For real, it’s just regular hanging out with the volume turned up. You already know her and are comfortable with her, and I’ve seen the two of you flirting. Yeah, it’s official, but just do and say the kinds of things you usually say.”
But what if...”
“No, you’re going to freak yourself out with what-ifs. Just be you. You already know what she likes to talk about, what makes her laugh.”
“Yeah, but before, if I said something dumb, it didn’t matter as much.”
“Ohh, it definitely mattered, trust me. She wouldn’t have said yes if she didn’t like you, and I know for a fact you’ve said some dumb shit.”
Down on the court, Li stole the ball during the scrimmage they were playing and drove for a layup. Coach Weyland’s whistle stopped the play before she could finish.
“Just be yourself,” I continued. “That’s who she wants to go out with.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re headed to be the star of the school. I’m nobody.”
“First of all, you’re not nobody. And think of it this way, a lot of people date someone because of the status it brings them. Look at Brandy, for Christ’s sake. She’s already dumped Mason to start dating one of the sophomores on varsity, and she’s been flirting with Ben damn near constantly, since he’s going to be quarterback and team captain next year. You know Sarah likes you for you.”
“Because I’m a loser who has nothing to offer?”
“Exactly, because you’re a loser,” I said, laughing as he shoved me. “Where are you taking her?”
“Jimmy’s, then maybe the bowling alley to play games.”
“Jesus Christ,” I said, dropping my head in my hands. “Have you ever known Sara to play video games?
“Uhh...”
“When we talked about it the other day, did she seem interested, or bored to tears?”
I already knew the answer because Melanie definitely was, and she and Sarah started making comments about not wanting to spend time with nerds. They were kidding, but even jokes have a core of truth to them.
“I didn’t think of that.”
“Okay, think about this. Still take her bowling, but just bowl. Don’t go near the games.”
“I suck at bowling.”
“Even better. Something you two can laugh about. It’s better than the movies because you can talk while you’re doing it.”
“That’s a good idea,” he said, but then got quiet again, clearly still fretting. “But, like, how do I make it feel different? Special and not just like we’re hanging out.”
“Little things. For one, dress nice, but not like ... church nice. Also, let her know the plans so she can dress accordingly. Compliment her when you pick her up. Notice something specific, her hair, outfit, whatever, and tell her you like it or it looks nice. And during the date, find excuses for small touches.”
“Small touches?”
“Yeah, like putting your hand on her back when you’re walking through a door. Or touching her arm while you’re talking. Little stuff that shows you’re interested.”
“Won’t that be weird?”
“Not if you’re natural about it. She’ll do the same thing back if she’s into it.”
“Okay, but at the end of the night, what about ... you know...” he trailed off, face going red.
“Kissing her?”
He nodded.
“Unless the date goes horribly wrong, she will be interested. Just pay attention to her signals. If she’s standing close to you, finding reasons to touch you back, that’s a good sign.”
“What if I mess it up?”
“Then you’ll both laugh about it later and try again. Stop overthinking.”
Eduardo took a deep breath. “Okay. Yeah. You’re right.”
We watched the team run drills for a few minutes. Li was getting a lot of time in the scrimmage; I just hoped it translated into time in the game itself.
“Hey,” Eduardo said suddenly. “Speaking of trying things, I might throw a party.”
I turned to look at him. “Really?”
“Yeah, my parents and Alex are going to my aunt’s birthday party in a few weeks, just after we go on Christmas break. It’s Rafe’s mom, so I asked to stay behind cause I just can’t deal with him. Dad was pissed but Mom talked him into letting me stay home. I think she was relieved, actually.”
“She probably was. She is not his biggest fan.”
“Ohh, I know that. But ... I’ve never really thrown a party before, though. I don’t know how to set it up, and I don’t want it getting crazy.”
“That’s the easy part. Tell Sarah about it, I’ll tell Melanie, and they’ll handle everything.”
Eduardo’s eyebrows rose. “They will?”
“Trust me, cheerleaders live for planning parties. It’s like their superpower. I’ll make sure to let Melanie know to keep it from turning into a whole school thing and to not just go popular kid, although you want a little of that. It’ll be good for your cred.”
“That would be good. I don’t want the house trashed.”
“I’ll talk to the guys at lunch about it, make sure Li knows. Between Melanie and Sarah, they’ll keep it to the right size.”
“Really? Just like that?”
“Just like that. Dating a cheerleader has its perks.”
Eduardo smiled. “Thanks, man.”
“Hey, that’s what friends are for,” I said, giving him a shove.
My legs felt like they were on fire, and the cool air was burning in my chest. I’d really enjoyed my two days of actual sleep after switching my workouts to the afternoon, and had cursed myself since Monday for having to be back at this early morning shit.
Not that I had anyone other than myself to blame. I’d been the one to ask for this, and even though Coach only required me three mornings a week, I’d been coming out the other two to practice on my own. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, and it wasn’t so bad on those extra days, but I could kill dream me each time I got to the end of one of Coach Greer’s sessions.
Or rather, I felt like past me had tried to kill current me, because I was hurting and I still had a full day of school to get through after this.
Not that I was going to stop.
I positioned myself between the cones for another round of sprint and cut drills, which was the thing Coach had focused on all this week. At least the kids walking in from the parking lot had grown used to it enough that they didn’t really stop and stare at me practicing anymore.
I ignored them as Coach said go, focusing on pushing off and driving my legs forward the way he’d shown me. Even tired, I felt good about how I’d done as I rounded the last cone, pushing through the burn in my quads. I jogged it off for a second, letting my muscles cool down, before heading over to join Coach Greer.
“Good work,” he said, handing me a water bottle. “Your cutting technique is improving, but you’re still dropping your shoulder a bit on those sharp turns. Keep your upper body more upright.”
I nodded, gulping down the water. “Got it. I’ll watch it.”
“Good. You know, I’m really impressed with your progress since we started training. You’re noticeably faster and more agile now.”