06

CHAPTERS 06

I clear my throat. Say it. Say ‘Thank you for saving me on the bus’. Say that I’m sorry that the guy attacked you.

But I just can’t bring myself to do so. « I… I heard about the big game tomorrow, » I stutter. « I… I wish you the best of luck, Jake. »

Now, I can hear that the guys are muffling their laughter. I want to run away from this place in an instant.

But Jake’s reaction is different. Instead, his eyes soften. « Thank you. » A soft and genuine smile forms on his lips, and my heart beats twice.

Before I can humiliate myself even more, I decide to turn on my heels and walk off, feeling my cheeks heat up.

Friday has come, and after school is over, most of the students are out at the football field, waiting for the big game to start.

It’s about to reach twilight now.

I’m sitting at the bleacher. I’ve never got the chance to watch a football game before – this is my first time.

And I swear that my heart is pounding hard inside my chest, as if I’m the one going to play. I just can’t help it.

Today’s game is a big match for Jake, our school against the rivaling school that’s also famous for its football team.

Again, I see Jake’s sister, Melanie, a few seats ahead of me. She’s watching with her friends, who seem to be fangirling Jake with the way they scream for him when the players and referee finally enter the field.

My eyes zoom in Jake, who looks dashing and so manly in his uniform and gears. They still place him as the captain and quarterback, so I’m having a high hope that his wound has indeed already healed.

The referee meets Jake and the opponent team’s captain to start the game with the toss of a coin. From what it looks like, Jake wins and choose the kickoff as well as the end of the field for his team.

The game begins with the snap of the ball from Jake’s team at the line of the scrimmage.

As the quarterback, Jake calls out a play in code, and the centre player passes the ball. From there, Jake continues and takes a quick decision to pass the ball even further, tricking the defence from the opponent team.

But then, as our team continues progressing with the ball, a defence player from the rivaling team tackles one of our players, causing the crowds to gasp. This makes my heart sink.

Next, our team tries to advance the ball in a different way. One of our players passes the ball to Jake, and Jake runs with it, attempting to gain as many yards as possible by escaping the opponent’s defensive players.

I hold my breath as I watch how determined he is, how strong and fast he is.

« Go ! Jake ! » I can hear Melanie supporting her brother, screaming at the top of her lungs.

I’m also screaming the same thing. But it’s a silent scream. Only my heart knows how anxious and nervous I’ve become.

Jake carries the ball and crosses the opponent’s team end zone, earning a touchdown. The crowd roars.

My heart leaps as he successfully earns the first score.

I never thought that I could become this happy just by watching a game, but I guess that I know how it feels now.

Melanie squeals and bursts into giggles with one of her friends, both of them jumping excitedly.

From then on, I watch as both offensive teams take possession of the ball and try to advance the ball by throwing and running to the opponent team’s goal post to score points.

Both teams try to gain points by crossing the goal line and getting into the end zone.

During the game, the offensive and defensive team change roles, and it continues back and forth. By the time that almost all quarters of the game have been played, Jake has conquered plenty of scores and touchdowns.

But still, the score points between the two teams are tight. And we only have around five minutes left.

I can feel that my hands start to get sweaty, nervousness building up inside me.

What will happen to Jake if he loses the game ? Will he still be able to get the scholarship that he’s been dreaming of ?

I watch with anticipation as Jake tries to advance the ball to the end zone again. But to my surprise, a defense player from the rivaling team rushes to him and tackles him. It looks slightly barbaric for me, because the tackle players are allowed to use their hands against Jake.

My heart stops when Jake drops to his knees, losing the possession of the ball. A gasp leaves my mouth as I notice that Jake is now gripping his left upper arm, wincing in pain as he lies on the ground.

Oh, no. Did he just open the wound ?

The referee pauses the game and runs to Jake. He bends down next to Jake and speaks something to him, but Jake shakes his head, signalling that everything is under control before sitting up.

My heart screams for him. I can see that he’s trying to hold the pain that just struck his arm. He’s still so very much in pain.

And it’s all because of me. My heart breaks, and a tear threatens to fall from my eye.

A glance toward Melanie tells me just how much she’s also worried about her brother. She’s staring at him with eyes wide, her hands covering her mouth.

« Jake Spencer ! Jake Spencer ! Jake Spencer ! » the crowds are shouting his name, hoping that their hero will get back up and bring them victory.

Jake stands up on his feet again, his team members helping him – one of them pats his shoulder, encouraging him. The crowd cheers.

We only have a few minutes left. Now, the offensive players from the rivaling team try to get as much space as they can and move closer to our defence’s end zone.

The crowds gasp in excitement as one of our defence players stop the rivaling quarterback from progressing with the ball, tackling him that his knees touch the ground.

From there, the ball is passed to Jake, and my heart beats twice as Jake once again carries the ball, advancing the ball.

The rivaling team rushes to him, moving in incredible speed to strike Jake down, but Jake still gains control over the ball.

There are only seconds left until the game ends, and the crowds are dead silent now, all of us holding our breaths, watching with mouth agape as Jake crosses the goal line.

Before the last second ends the game, Jake manages to get into the end zone, earning a touchdown and enough significant points to win the match.

And the crowds stand up – no, they jump. Jake’s team immediately run to him, crashing him, roaring their victory.

Melanie and her friends scream in delight, clasping their hands with each others’. Meanwhile, here I am, still glued to my seat, starstruck.

I can’t believe that he just won the game.

His team lifts him, and Jake takes off his helmet, throwing his fist in the air.