"How has your day been so far?" asked Lacey as we walked through the lunch line.
I put a fruit bowl on my tray and sighed. "So many freshmen have asked to take pictures with me and I have so many classes with Ryder."
She nodded knowingly. "That's relatable. Braxton is in so many of mine. I wish we had more classes together... and our old friend group," she said as we sat down at a table with just the two of us.
With Becca graduating last year, we kind of drifted away from our old group because she tied us into that group. Ryder and Braxton did too, of course, but Becca was the mutual friend you could say.
Lacey and I have other friends, but we don't really belong to a group. Though, we don't mind.
As I was about to respond, Ryder walked by our table, but this time, with a girl. I did not even need Lacey to tell me who she was.
Ella. She had long, brown hair which was pulled back with a claw clip. Her skin was dark and she had freckles that complimented her eyes. She was rather tall, but wore a dress that you would not usually wear to school considering how short and tight it was. Though, she was drop-dead gorgeous and wore it well.
I had not seen her yet today which is rather surprising considering the school is small.
"So that's the famous Ella?" I questioned as she laughed loudly while taking a seat at a table with our old friend group. This group basically consisted of Ryder and Braxton, several of the football players, and other school athletes.
Lacey nodded. "I can't stand her. She's the Libero, but she can't even pass the ball without shanking. We have had two games and lost them both thanks to her," she ranted, "but everyone thinks she's so great."
I watched as the group laughed at something that was said. Ryder wrapped an arm around Ella and she placed a kiss to his cheek.
"They aren't even cute together either. Like, they get into fights 24/7."
I rested my chin in the palm of my hand and glanced back to Lacey who was obviously fuming. "I think you should come back to volleyball. States are at risk thanks to Ella."
"Yeah... we'll see about that," I responded with sarcasm because there was no way I was going to play volleyball.
Lacey sighed a sigh of annoyance. "Just go to practice. Guaranteed, Landen will take you. You could be on crutches and he would still play you. You're like his favorite player.
I thought for a moment because at first, my answer was no, but I found myself glancing to where Ryder sat.
What changed my mind was the thought of showing him how much he downgraded.
"After the doctor clears me... we'll see."
Lacey smiled a big smile. "Ains, you have no clue how much I love you right now. Thank you!"
I laughed softly. "Let Landen know. I have an appointment next week so hopefully I get cleared then."
Unfortunately, Friday came very quickly. I used to love Fridays because it meant Friday Night Lights. Not anymore though.
I was not able to come up with an excuse to get out of the game because the, 'I'm not feeling well' only works so many times.
So, I found myself walking onto the field alongside my dad. Cheers erupted from the packed stadium which is likely due to the success of the team last year.
"Thank you for helping, Ains. I know this was hard for you, but it means a lot to me," he explained as he handed me a headset.
I put it around my neck with dread because wearing it meant I would have to speak to Ryder. I have not talked to him at all despite sitting next to him in class.
"Of course," I murmured as the team took the field by running through a tunnel that the cheerleaders made. The band was playing and noise makers were going off.
They launched into an organized warmup and my dad handed me a play sheet which had all the play descriptions and their names.
"James is just over there with Cooper Duckstein... our backup Qb. Feel free to put in Cooper if James starts acting out. He's got a lot of talent."
"Is he a junior?" I asked as Cooper and Ryder threw long balls back and forth. There was clearly some talent within Cooper's throws.
My dad shook his head. "Senior. He's a transfer from a nearby school after we did so well last year."
"Is he any good?"
"Yeah, I might even have him take the starting Qb position. James has a better connection with the rest of the team, but Cooper is more consistent," my dad explained.
That was very clear by the warmup. Ryder was good, no doubt, but some of his throws were wonky. Cooper, on the other hand, threw dimes every time.
"Don't count on Ryder playing this whole game," I said as the players jogged off the field to join in one final huddle before the game was to start.
In the huddle, the starting lineup was announced and they went over a play strategy. I stepped out of the huddle and turned to see Ella on the bench with Katie. I went to turn back to the huddle, but my original spot was taken and Katie waved me over.
"Ains! How are you!? I have missed you so much!" Katie exclaimed, not even managing to hide the fakeness in her tone.
"Great..." I mumbled. "Why are you on the field?"
Katie smiled. "We are team managers! Have you met Ella yet!? She's Ryder's girlfriend!"
I glanced at Ella who was gazing at me coldly. Her arms were crossed and she wore the biggest pout.
"No... I haven't. Who did you say you were?" I asked with a smirk.
She sat up from where she was slouched on the bench. "Ella. Don't act like you have no clue who I am."
I shrugged. "I'm not. I have never seen you before," I said, which was a lie.
Ella scrunched up her nose. "Well, all you need to know is I am Ryder's girlfriend. Do I need to remind you of who he is too?"
"No need. I have enough to remember him by," I said with a smile as I turned my back to her so I could focus on the game since the boys were beginning to take the field.
We were receiving the ball, so the other team set up to kick off. As I waited, someone stopped beside me, so I looked up to see who it was.
"Cooper, you're Ainsley, right?"
I was so taken aback as he pulled off his helmet. Cooper had jet black hair and blue eyes. I had to clasp my mouth shut because I knew it had dropped open.
"Sorry, what?" I asked.
He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm Cooper. You're Ainsley, right? Your dad told me to talk to you."
"Y-yeah, nice to meet you," I stammered. Cooper was definitely one of the finest men I have ever seen.
"You too. So I'm not really sure what he wanted us to talk about but I have to ask... you coach?"
"Surprisingly enough, yes, sorta. My dad lets me help out on occasions with the Quarterbacks."
He flashed me a smile. "That's impressive. I take it you are part of the reason why they did so well last year?"
"I mean, I'll take the credit for it," I said, which made Cooper chuckle.
"Glad to know you'll be here to help us," he said as Ryder jogged onto the field.
"Yeah, well, get ready to play. One screw up from Ryder and you're in."
Cooper laughed and put his helmet back on.
Then, the ball was snapped. Ryder juked away from the opposing team's defense. I was actually impressed as he managed to throw a long ball too. Carew caught it effortlessly and took off towards the end zone, but he was tackled a few yards short.
"What do you say, Ains?" asked my dad as he stopped beside me.
I skimmed over my play sheet and pointed at 'Orange 86,' a handoff play.
"James, Orange 86," said my dad into his own headset.
To my surprise, Ryder listened. For whatever reason, I was not expecting him to follow the play, but he did, and we made it right into the end zone.
My dad and I shared a glance because neither of us were expecting Ryder to actually play decently. He always needs some sort of assistance.
Though, his dependent side definitely showed through by the end of the second quarter when he threw an interception. Then, in the third, he only got us one down.
"Cooper, are you ready to go on?" I asked as the offense jogged off the field.
"I think that's a good idea. Make sure your arm is warm," said my dad.
So, a moment later, Cooper had taken the field. It was rather awkward because Ryder threw a bit of a fit when he found out he wasn't going back on.
I was grateful because I managed to go the whole night without talking to him, though.
"Do a passing play," I said into my headset.
Cooper nodded from where he was on the field, and when the ball was snapped, he initiated a perfect passing play. He threw the ball to Braxton who caught it easily. Although, he was tackled just a few yards from where he caught the ball.
"Good. Hand it off now, preferably to Jackson because the defense is struggling to mark him."
Once again, Cooper did exactly as I told him to as everything he seemed to do was perfect. I glanced back at Ryder who sat beside Ella on the bench. His arms were crossed and he was glaring straight at the field.
"Alright. Try and throw the ball; get us into touchdown territory," I said.
The line of scrimmage was on the 40 yard line, which was a little far for our kicker to kick a field goal in the case that we can not advance any farther.
The crowd was completely silent as the ball was snapped. Cooper bought time by juking the defense so the receivers could get down the field. Time seemed to move at a crawl because he was taking so long to throw the ball, but he seemed relaxed because the throw seemed so effortless. It was an incredible throw and definitely unexpected. As a defender sprinted at him, he released the ball. It was a long ball all the way to the end zone. My thought was he was going to get us to the 20 yard line, but his throw went all the way to the end zone where Braxton had broken free from his defender. Cheers erupted from the stadium as Braxton caught the ball and took the final two steps needed for the touchdown.
"I think you have your new starter," I whispered to my dad as the boys on the field ran up to Braxton and Cooper to congratulate them.
"No doubt. That was some NFL stuff right there," he responded.