Coach Miller had me run most of the drills he used to do at practice. He spent more time watching and breaking down technique for the players, more one-on-one stuff. It seemed really weird that I was giving orders to the players that were my grade or older. But the weirdest part was that they actually listened, never questioning me once, always saying, “Yes, Coach. No, Coach.” Chad was a big reason for the respect I got. The first time I was running a drill with the linebackers, I told Chad to drive through the ball carrier when he hit him. It was something Coach Miller had yelled at practice a thousand times. Everyone around quieted to listen to his response. Without hesitation, he said, “Yes, Coach Keller,” and got back in line. From then on, I had everyone’s respect.
After practice I was hanging out in the locker room with Eric. He was going on about one of his you-will-never-believe-what-happened-to-me stories, most of them about Livi or one of her girlfriends. I didn’t care much for the gossip, but he was a true showman—funny and entertaining—regardless of what he was talking about.
“So, Nicholas, are you going this Saturday?” he asked, changing the subject.
“To what?”
“Are you kidding? You’ve been here for a year. Do I really have to tell you again?” Eric rolled his eyes.
There was no way he could be talking about the quarry party. The last one ended with Elle and Oliver almost dying. Plus, I doubt the school would allow one to happen.
“You aren’t talking about the quarry party, are you?”
Eric pulled a piece of paper out of his locker, like he was pulling out the golden ticket. “Why yes, yes I am, and here’s the map. OHH! AHH!” He fanned himself with it.
“Are you crazy? Don’t you remember what happened at the last one?” I scolded.
“Easy, Coach Keller,” he said with thick sarcasm. “They aren’t doing anything stupid this year and they even got permission from the school board, the city council, and the owners of the quarry. The place that they picked has no water and it’s a big, open area. Some parents and staff helped to plan it. Relax. The real thing that caused all of the problems was the rite of passage, and that will never happen again. Chad took over the captain duties from Oliver and made sure it would be safe with no crazy challenge. There’s going to be a band there, the Rusty Griswolds. They rock. It’s going to be epic.” Then he echoed epic several more times like he was using a microphone.
It did sound a lot better than some crazy stunt between the football captain and another unlucky player. But why hadn’t Elle mentioned anything about this? She knew everything that happened at the school, well, most things. Was she still too shaken up about the last one and that’s why she didn’t say anything? I was still scarred from it and I was not the one trapped in the car.
I called Elle immediately when I got home.
“Did you know about the quarry party this Saturday?” I asked.
“Yes.”
There was a long pause on the phone.
“So are we going?” I asked. I had to be careful not to upset her if, indeed, she was trying to avoid talking about it or going to it.
“Not sure, do you want to go?” she asked apprehensively.
That was a loaded question. If I answered yes, she could be upset because I was being insensitive to her feelings, but if I answered no, she may think that I didn’t think she was strong enough.
“I just found out about the party from Eric today. How long have you known about it?” I said, avoiding her question.
“I knew something about it before school started, but not much. Chad had asked me earlier in the summer if I minded if he put it together. He circulated the map at lunch today after you and Coach Moore left to talk. I thought Chad would have told you. So do you want to go?” she asked again.
“Elle, to be honest, I’m not sure. It’s really up to you.”
“You’re so sweet, Nicholas. I wanted you to decide because I didn’t want to upset you.”
“I was doing the same thing,” I said.
“I just thought it would bring up bad memories for you, Nicholas. That’s why I didn’t mention it to you earlier.”
“Bad memories for me? I wasn’t the one who almost drowned in the sinking car.”
“I don’t remember much of that night,” Elle said. “You are the one who had to watch us go into the water and then pull us to safety, not knowing if I was going to be okay. You sat all of those days in the hospital, waiting for me to wake up. I just woke up and there you were.” She actually seemed okay with it.
“If you really don’t care, I say we go. Amber and Livi want us to go, and I heard there’s going to be a band,” she said.
“Okay, let’s go, Elle. It’ll be fun.”