Chapter 45: Wednesday, Sept. 26

Despite Kacie’s bed being about twice the size of mine, we took up no more space with the way she was plastered against me when I came awake. The fact we were both nude and the fact light from something other than the sun was coming through a window opposite from where I was used to forced me to take a few seconds to get my bearings. It had been a while since my sister had let me spend the night in her bed. I think I was 6 or 7 the last time it happened.

I didn’t know the time, but the amount of darkness still in the sky meant it must still be fairly early. I stifled a groan as I rolled out of bed, causing Kacie to whimper at the loss of contact. I was in definite need of a shower after last night as I headed to my room to get some clothes. My clock showed it was a little after 6, meaning I needed to get a move on so my sister could take over the bathroom.

After a quick shower that would at least get me through athletics, I was brushing my teeth when Kacie stumbled in. She waited sleepily until I finished, claimed her good morning kiss and pushed me toward my room. That we were both nude had me thinking of going for a quickie in the shower, but Sherry expected me to pick her up by 7:30. And Mom and Dad were surely up and about by now.

I made it to the kitchen, where Mom was already finishing her breakfast, and grabbed a bowl of cereal. Dad came in and went directly for the coffee. I didn’t want to know how much of a toll last night’s activities had taken on him, but he always needed his caffeine fix to get going in the mornings.

“Rescuing more damsels, I hear,” he grumbled as he took his seat. “Might ought to get you checked for White Knight Syndrome.”

“It wasn’t like that,” I protested. “What if it had been Kacie yelling at some guy to get away from her?”

That at least made him think about it a little.

“Just watch yourself,” he muttered after a few seconds. “That fellow may decide to pay you back. You’re racking up quite the list of enemies this week.”

“Will 7 o’clock Saturday be good for you to have dinner at the club?” Mom asked as she went for a coffee refill. “It shouldn’t be a problem to get everyone else there by then.”

“If Stephanie actually asks me,” I said. “If she doesn’t, I think I can still eat with the rest of the family. I don’t have any other plans.”

Dad looked at me curiously at that.

“What about all your other girlfriends?” he asked.

“Staci and Bethany are waiting for Homecoming next week and Morgan has other plans,” I hedged. “I’m pretty much on my own this weekend.”

“How convenient for you,” Dad said, not sounding totally convinced.

“I need to get going,” I said, hoisting my still-overloaded backpack. “I’m supposed to give Sherry Parker a lift this morning.”

With the admonition to at least try to avoid trouble for once, I was out the door and soon heading to Sherry’s house. I pulled up right at 7:30 and she was already coming down the walk. I didn’t even have time to get out and open the door for her.

“You’ve got some splainin’ to do, mister,” Sherry said as she climbed in. “All I heard about yesterday afternoon was you rescuing that little freshman. Spill!”

I waited until she was buckled in and settled before putting the car in gear and pulling away. I gave her my version of events as we made our way to school, arriving early enough to beat most of the traffic.

“I couldn’t just ignore the situation even if it did mean getting into trouble,” I said, pulling into my assigned parking spot.

“It sounds like you did the right thing,” Sherry said as I helped her out of the car. “I hope other girls don’t try something like that.”

Good God. That’s all I need in my life, I thought.

“Surely the girls in this school aren’t that conniving,” I said hopefully.

“I don’t think conniving so much as they’ll see that it got your attention,” she said, clutching my arm as we headed for the main building. “And don’t call me Shirley.”

“You can help me out by spreading the word that it won’t work,” I said. “I’m not looking for more girlfriends. I’ve got more than I can handle already.”

“I’ll see Staci at lunch,” Sherry said. “She’ll have some ideas, I’m sure. And your sister seems to be helping shield you. I know she’s kept the drill team off you so far.”

“I wonder how she did that,” I mused.

“Threatened to have the band sabotage their halftime routine,” the cheerleader giggled. “Imagine the wrong song being played in front of a packed stadium.”

“I most certainly do not need to deal with that,” I groaned, wondering just how conniving the girls in this school actually were.

We arrived at Sherry’s locker with a few minutes to spare, so I took advantage of the opportunity.

“Speaking of you seeing Staci,” I said, handing over her bookbag, “anything I should know about the cheer program?”

“Nothing that I’ve heard,” Sherry said as she began organizing things for her morning classes. “Kelli’s been pretty quiet about things, from what I understand. Most of the varsity girls are about ready to stage a coup, though. I know there have been some complaints to Coach Wilkes, but I haven’t been involved in practices much lately.”

“Well, try to stay out of the line of fire,” I advised her. “I don’t want you catching heat because you’ve been seen with me.”

“I’ll be fine,” Sherry said, giving me a smooch. “I don’t think Kelli would risk looking bad by going after me. I can take care of myself if she does. Pick me up tomorrow?”

“Same time?” I asked, receiving a nod and another kiss.

I let Sherry go to her first class while I headed for Mr. Cochran’s room and Economics. Chuck only glanced in my direction when he entered the room just seconds before the tardy bell, but didn’t seem overly hostile. I figured it would be fourth period before we could discuss the situation regarding Kelli, if then. I’d probably have to buy him another meal to allow that to happen.

We got another homework assignment, but were given a few minutes at the end of the class to start working on it. I managed to work through a few of the problems, but held off on graphing the results. I’d have to make sure I did that in study hall this evening.

Western Civ was easy enough. We turned in our essays and took notes the rest of the period.

On my way out of the classroom at the bell, Mrs. Edwards stopped me.

“I had an interesting conversation with Mrs. Cohen this morning,” she said. “It seems you’re turning in my assignments in her class.”

“It seemed like a good idea,” I said. “An appropriate topic that I was going to have to do anyway. I did do a bit of a rewrite and made a couple of different points on the version I gave you. They aren’t word-for-word, just mostly.”

“I’m just surprised it took this long for someone to do it,” the teacher said with a hint of a smirk. “We usually have students doubling up right away.”

“This was one of the first times it worked out for me,” I said. “I could have done it a couple of weeks ago, but I wrote about the game against the Eagles for Creative Writing instead. I was wondering if we’d get to the Tudor period in this class so I could do something on Elizabeth I and Shakespeare that I could turn in for Creative Writing, Western Civ and English IV.”

“Probably not,” Mrs. Edwards said. “I generally stay away from England in this class and focus more on Continental Europe. You’d better get to your next class.”

The next class, of course, was English IV. Mrs. Albracht went over our reading assignment in her lecture and assigned us an essay on some of the subject matter we covered. I kept my fingers crossed, hoping I could knock it out in Creative Writing. There would be no need for additional research, but I bet I could pick up something interesting from one of the websites Aunt Karen had shown me.

I’d been dreading athletics all morning. I figured Stephanie would take the first opportunity to ask me out if she was going to. The fact I never saw her only heightened the sense of anxiety. It was almost like waiting for Morgan to pounce after I first asked her out back in May. I was determined to protect my virtue this time, though.

As it was, I should have been dreading the flexibility workout Coach Bennett put us through. Working with Justin Johnson, my body was forced into contorted positions that just weren’t natural. I think I would have been better off letting Coach Tucker strap me to a blocking sled. I was so sore by the end of it, I had trouble staggering to the team room for one more video session.

Coach Ramirez had us looking at clips of the Lions’ special teams units. I didn’t have to worry about covering their returns, thankfully, but paid attention to their coverage units since I’d be out there for kickoff and punt returns. The one thing I noticed about their kickoff coverage was how they failed to contain anything in the middle of the field. Two of the touchdown returns they’d allowed had been straight up the gut. They did a better job when kicking to a sideline, but that risked a kick going out of bounds and giving up field position on the penalty. I just hoped Ronnell would be able to field their kicks, which rarely got inside the 10.

On punts, they did go with a lot of rugby kicks to their right. They’d occasionally try to kick deep, but I didn’t see much difference in distance either way. The rugby punts were more difficult to field and usually got a decent roll when return men just let the ball go, which was pretty much what they were hoping for.

I was making bets with myself as to whether I’d line up to receive more punts or hold for more extra points. We’d have to try to avoid scoring more than 60 points against these guys. It was just a matter of how many big plays they could hit against our defense.

We were released to go get ready for lunch and I headed straight to the showers. I think I could have spent the entire lunch period letting the hot water work on my sore muscles, but I was starting to get hungry. Morgan would probably be waiting on me, anyway.

I was still moving somewhat stiffly when I dressed and exited the locker room to find the little brunette right outside the door.

“So, did Stephanie get to you yet?” she asked with more than a hint of a smirk.

“Never saw her,” I said. “I don’t know if she was avoiding me or her father.”

“Are you still on for dinner at the club?” Morgan asked.

“That’s my plan,” I said. “Mom said she’d invite my grandparents, but wasn’t sure about my aunts or cousins. You and your parents should come if you don’t have other plans. Maybe the Pattersons and Metzgers could join you. Having the other girls I’m dating on hand might make Stephanie realize I’m not the guy for her.”

“You’re sure going to a lot of trouble to make sure this date isn’t a success,” Morgan said. “I’m glad you never tried that with me.”

“I actually wanted to go out with you, though,” I said.

I suddenly had a tongue down my throat as Morgan laid a kiss on me that was far beyond an excessive PDA. We were lucky that the coaches usually had lunch in the fieldhouse and the rest of the faculty was either in the cafeteria, the teachers lounge or their classroom. But some of my teammates certainly noticed based on the hoots and catcalls.

“Good answer,” Morgan husked when she finally came up for air. “Keep it up. You just might get lucky on our next date. Too bad we don’t have enough time to visit the apartment before fifth period, but I’m on the shelf this week and we need to eat.”

I resisted the urge to say luck had nothing to do with it and resumed our journey to the cafeteria.

“Sherry Parker brought up an interesting point this morning when I gave her a lift to school,” I said. “She said other girls might try to stage a scene like we had with Stephanie yesterday. We probably ought to warn Mrs. Montero. I’d hate for innocent guys to get in trouble just because some girls want to get my attention.”

“I doubt any of the guys in this school are all that innocent, but I get your drift,” Morgan said as we reached the southeast entrance to the main building. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make everyone in school go through sexual harassment training like the cabana attendants had to do at the club. And it goes both ways. Boys can be victims just like girls.”

“Tell me about it,” I said, thinking back to my encounter with Kelli on Saturday night.

The line wasn’t terribly long when we reached the cafeteria entrance and there were no cries of damsels in distress. We made our selections and hit the checkout stand with our student IDs, then headed for our regular table where much of our regular crowd was already wolfing down their food.

I hadn’t seen Kelli all week. I didn’t know if she was eating off campus or just avoiding a confrontation with me, but Chuck was in his usual spot.

One addition to the lineup today was Vi Ochoa, who was squeezed in between Andrew Pearson and Oscar Hurtado. Her eyes lit up when Morgan and I sat down.

“I saw something interesting about you,” the goth girl said to me. “Your name’s on the walls in most of the girls restrooms. I don’t think it’s supposed to be a compliment.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said. “Of course, I’ve never been in any of the girls restrooms. That would definitely land me in detention or ISS.”

Vi looked around as if making sure we had privacy, which was pretty much impossible with all the players listening intently. She leaned close with a conspiratorial glint in here eye, the rip in her artfully ripped T-shirt exposing more than I’m sure she intended. It was rather distracting. She had nothing to be ashamed of, that was for sure.

“‘Gary Robinson eats pussy like a girl,’” she stage whispered, causing some of the guys, including Chuck, to sputter and choke on their food. “Is that true?”

“I have no idea,” I said, trying to avert my gaze from her rack and avoid any food that my teammates may have let escape. “How does a girl do it?”

That drew a few snorts from the guys. Vi turned her gaze on Morgan.

“Is it true?” Vi asked again.

“I don’t know,” Morgan whispered, blushing furiously. “A girl’s never done that to me.”

Several guys caught on that the little elf wasn’t denying that I had performed the task and cast me curious glances. I just did my best to look innocent. I’m not sure I pulled it off, though.

“Maybe you can give Andy some pointers,” Vi cooed, causing our backup right guard to match Morgan’s blush and setting off the rest of the table.

“I’m not sure this is appropriate dining conversation,” I muttered. “Besides, I don’t think Morgan or any of the other girls I’ve gone out with are the type who would go around writing graffiti on restroom walls, whether about me or anyone else.”

“I most certainly am not,” Morgan asserted. “I’m not so sure about Holly Moseley, though. I’ll check with Bethany and see if she knows anything. We have World History together sixth period.”

“Holly wouldn’t know how or if I did it, anyway,” I said. “At least they aren’t accusing me of sucking cock like a girl.”

“Don’t even joke about that,” Jed said. “Too many people know we’re friends and someone would think I was queer by association.”

“Then it’d be the whole team by association before ya know it,” Marshawn added. “Next thing ya know, people be callin’ us the Mighty Rainbow ‘steada the Mighty Blue.”

That drew several snorts from around the table.

“Well, I can vouch that Gary isn’t gay,” Morgan said. “I’m sure y’all would’ve noticed by now if he was.”

“Nah, he ain’t,” Marshawn agreed. “Ny’Quesha’s still hopin’ she’ll get a shot. She wouldn’t be like that over some rump ranger.”

I just kept my mouth shut, wondering how this conversation had shifted from my supposed cunnilingus technique to my sexual orientation so quickly. I finished my lunch, bade Morgan farewell and went to dispose of my tray before it got even more outrageous.

With a few minutes to spare before the bell, I dropped my backpack off at my desk in Mr. Henderson’s room and went to check on my locker. The chance to lighten the load I’d been lugging around the last few days was overshadowed by the prospect of having to carry it all back to the East Wing in case repairs to the locker hadn’t been completed.

My decision proved to be the correct one. While the door had been replaced, the lock still needed to be installed. Maybe I would have use of it tomorrow or Friday. I’d better check at the office to see if I’d have a new combination.

The bell rang as I was making my way back to Mr. Henderson’s room. I got more than one speculative look from girls, but thankfully none asked for a demonstration.

Algebra II wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Mr. Henderson gave me back Monday’s homework assignment, telling me I was doing a good job, and quickly launched into the next lecture. We were assigned the next 10 problems in the chapter we were studying and told Thursday would be spent reviewing for a test on Friday. It looked like we were back into the routine after the round of six-weeks tests last week.

Cody, with Zoe close behind, stopped me on our way out to make sure we could go over the assignment in study hall. It wouldn’t take too long to do so, and I’d be able to finish the Economics assignment with Chuck. If he didn’t beat the shit out of me.

Evidence that the gossip mill was in fine working order came in Chemistry before the tardy bell rang when Elise wanted to know if Stephanie had asked me out. She actually seemed disappointed that it hadn’t happened yet.

“Look,” I sighed, “it’s not necessarily a bad thing if she doesn’t. You know how complicated my life is. Add in the fact her dad doesn’t want it to happen and that I really don’t want to be on his bad side, it won’t hurt my feelings if she doesn’t.”

“And if she does?” my lab partner grinned.

“I’ll follow Coach’s orders and try to keep the drama to a minimum,” I said. “Which probably means saying yes.”

“So where are you taking her?” Elise smirked.

“I was thinking dinner at the country club,” I said. “That should be a safe choice. Good food, nice atmosphere, plenty of witnesses.”

“That doesn’t sound very romantic,” Elise said, smirking even harder. “Is your little cousin going to be there to tell Stephanie she can’t be your girlfriend?”

“I can only hope,” I said. “My mother is inviting the rest of the family, but I don’t know who all will be able to make it.”

“I may have to ask Daddy if our family can have dinner at the club Saturday,” Elise mused. “What time did you say you were getting there?”

“I didn’t,” I said as the tardy bell rang.

Mr. Debussy saved me from further interrogation by giving us another pop quiz. It was basically a rehash of our lab from Tuesday, so the information was still fresh in my mind. It still took a good chunk of the class period to finish.

I turned my quiz in with nearly 20 minutes to go until the bell. I figured I’d better get a jump on my homework and pulled out my laptop to get started on my English assignment. Mr. Debussy had a curious expression as he waited for a few stragglers to finish up, but I was able to knock out a couple hundred words before the class ended.

“I hope you’re not playing games on that thing,” he said quietly when he came up to me.

“Working on an English paper,” I responded just as quietly lest I disturb any of the other students. “I don’t even have any games on this. It’s just set up for schoolwork.”

The teacher took a look at the screen, humphed and returned to the front of the room.

At the bell, I loaded up and made the trek to Mrs. Cohen’s room. After going over our assignment from the day before, she insisted on lecturing today rather than give us another assignment, but finished in time that I could do more writing for English. I almost got finished, basically needing two more paragraphs to wrap it up. I’d be able to do that in study hall or at home after practice.

Things got a little weird when I reached the fieldhouse. Stephanie Tucker was in the training room when I went to get taped. I hopped up on the table she was manning, figuring I’d let her get her shot in. The little freshman just turned red and didn’t say anything to me until she had both ankles wrapped.

After a couple of false starts, she finally got out a coherent sentence.

“I wanted to thank you for helping me yesterday,” she finally mumbled.

“You’re welcome,” I said as neutrally as I could manage.

“Um ... I was wondering...” she squeaked, turning even redder.

“About...?” I prompted.

I thought the poor girl was going to hyperventilate and pass out, she was blushing so hard.

“I was wondering,” she repeated, “if we could ... if you’d like to...”

She wasn’t making this easy on herself. I had to remind myself this was probably the first time she’d ever tried to ask a guy out. I just wished she’d get on with it. I needed to be on the field before Coach Tucker got out there.