Falling (Bits and Pieces, Book 1)

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  We walked down to the football field, paid for our tickets and entered. The field was a lot bigger than I imagined. The track circumscribed the football field. Maybe that’s why it seemed bigger. The stands on the home side were filling up quickly. The visitor side had a decent amount of spectators, they probably wanted to be sure their team got some support knowing how loud our side would get.

  I scanned the wooden bleachers hoping to find seats near the top, but it was full. I saw lots of students, parents, teachers and alumni showing their “Tiger Pride” by wearing the school colors. There were banners tied to the stands saying things like: “Tigers Roar Over Mustangs!” or “Once a tiger, always a tiger. Welcome back Alumni!”

  Jason found a place for us to sit near the center, about halfway up the bleachers. We couldn’t all sit in one row, so we’d be split between two rows. It would actually be easier to talk to everyone this way, than in one long row of nine people.

  Becca held Patrick’s hand and went down the row first. She nestled herself in his arms. I sat down on his other side, with Tony on my left. Kraig finished off our row. Bobby, Emily, Cassie and Jason filed into the row behind me. I was glad that the rest of the crew were immediately behind me, because I didn’t like having my back to strangers.

  I sat with the crew around me watching the game. I had a really hard time following the ball. I never was able to keep track of it—my eyes always seemed to follow the fake outs. I felt stupid. The band played songs, or parts of, that would get the crowd excited. The cheerleaders never seemed to stop cheering. They went from one to another, sometimes seeming to relate to the game, sometimes to get the crowd to join them.

  The noise, the heat, the pounding in my head—it was like I could hear my pulse echo—were getting to me. I took several deep breaths to try to calm my head, before it turned into nausea. It wasn’t working. I started feeling lightheaded.

  I leaned forward with my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. I felt everyone around me jump to their feet and their loud cheering were like daggers in my head. I had to get a grip. I wasn’t going to let how I felt ruin my time at the football game with the crew.

  I pushed myself up to stand and see what was going on in the game. I saw one of the players on our team running to the end zone. It looked like he had the ball. He got tackled just before the end zone. Everyone around me was cheering with their hands in the air. Why? Didn’t he get stopped? Why would they cheer that?

  Our team hiked the ball. Once again, I seemed to be the only one who followed the fake play, because the next thing I knew the ball was in the end zone and everyone was celebrating. The cheerleaders ran down to that end of the field. The crew were high-fiving each other. Patrick hugged Becca then turned to high five me.

  I hated high fives. I was always afraid I’d miss and look like a complete moron because of it. It didn’t feel natural to me. Probably because I never was the athletic type. And I never cheered with a bunch of people. And avoided physical contact with strangers. Any one of those reasons.

  “What a play! I can’t believe Dylan caught that pass!” He waited for me to slap his hand in the air.

  I did it, but it was so not natural or comfortable for me. I meekly smiled, “Yeah.”

  He was amused. I think he could tell I didn’t follow the play. “You did know we just scored, right?” He teased.

  “Yeah, that much I got.” I smirked.

  Patrick laughed. “Just checking.” He slapped his stomach. “Man, I’m hungry. Anyone want anything?” He turned to his girlfriend. “Becca?”

  “Ooh. Yeah.” She grinned sweetly. “Get me some popcorn and a Diet Coke. Make sure it’s cold.” She kissed his cheek.

  “Okay.” He turned and looked at me. “What about you?”

  “No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”

  Patrick asked the others if they wanted anything. Jason went with him to the concession stand, to help him. When they came back, they handed out the chips, hot dogs and drinks to the crew.

  Patrick presented Becca her popcorn and soda with a flourish, “Your order, Becks.”

  She wrapped her arm around him and pulled him close. Becca kissed him, “Yummy!”

  He laughed and nudged my side. “Here. Thought you might be thirsty.” And handed me a bottle of water.

  “Thanks.” That was nice of him. The bottle felt cold in my hand. I quickly opened it and drank half the bottle. It felt so good. I really needed it. “Hey, what do I owe you?”

  “Don’t worry about it. You can buy next time.” That was kind of him.

  Wait. Next time? What did that mean? Did they go to lots of football games? Basketball, I didn’t mind. I liked basketball.

  By halftime, the score was 14 to 10. We were winning. The band, tall flags, letterettes, twirl flags and dance teams performed on the field during halftime. It was actually kind of cool. When they were done, there was still time before the third quarter started. The crew started talking about the homecoming dance tomorrow night and their plans.

  “So, Liz…” I couldn’t believe Becca was speaking to me. “Are you going to Homecoming tomorrow?”

  “Uh, no. I’m not.” I shook my head. Thank goodness.

  “That’s too bad.” Somehow I didn’t think she really felt bad for me. “Don’t worry, I’m sure some day you’ll find a guy who thinks your…” She looked me over, rolling her eyes. “Style, is…cute.” Only she could be so condescendingly bubbly. Her smile made me think she actually thought she was being nice.

  “Of course, she will.” Patrick smiled and shrugged. He seemed to think as if that wasn’t so far-fetched. I thought so. What guy would want the mess that was me? “Lots of guys think you’re cute.”

  I scoffed. “Yeah, right.” I highly doubted that.

  “Joey sure thinks so.” He teased.

  Ugh. Joey.

  “Joey is so annoying. He used to always come up from behind me and make these disgusting noises.” Cassie cringed at the memory.

  “I know! Same here.” Emily agreed. “He doesn’t seem to get that that does not make girls like him. He needs to grow up.” I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought so. “It’s too bad though. He’s kinda cute.”

  “Hey!” Bobby exclaimed.

  “Don’t worry. You’re cuter.” She smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

  I couldn’t picture Joey as cute, only as irritating.