“Carol, what year are you?”
“I’m a sophomore. Can I say something without making you mad?”
“Why not, everyone else seems to think it’s okay.”
She pondered her statement.
“Now that I think about it, I don’t want to come across as a bitch.”
“Carol, just say it.”
“Why are you so stuck-up?”
Okay, I hadn’t expecting that. I needed more information before I could decide if I was pissed or not. Right now, I was leaning towards pissed.
“You know, no one wants to come off as stuck-up. How could I change so I’m not stuck-up?”
“Well, for starters, you only hang out with upperclassmen. I’ve never seen you at one of the freshman or JV games. You never go to any of the parties. You’re always in a hurry and never make time to speak to anyone in your classes. I don’t know, you, you seem like a jerk.”
Was it even worth defending myself? I hung out with upperclassmen because I played varsity football. I didn’t go to the freshman and JV games because I practiced or worked out when they played. I didn’t party because I didn’t drink. I was in a hurry because I had a lot to do.
It wasn’t worth it. I was attracted to older girls because of crap like this. There was no need to get mad. Not everyone would like me.
“Thanks for being honest with me. I’ll work on that. Hey, I want to say hi to some of my friends. Are you opposed to meeting some upperclassmen?”
She didn’t say anything, so I headed over to where Magic and Luke had a table. I noticed that Carol had followed me over. I guess I wasn’t getting rid of her that easy.
“Oh my God! It’s porn-star Superman!” Luke said, as he hit himself in the head.
“Did they run out of adult-size outfits?” Magic added, as he put his two cents in.
“I think he looks hot,” Cindy said, coming to my rescue.
They all threw their napkins at her. I came up with an idea on how to get rid of my ‘date.’
“Guys, this is Carol Wirth. She’s a JV cheerleader. She had the misfortune of winning a date with me tonight. As you all know, I’m a stuck-up jerk,” I said, and then turned to Carol.
Leave it to my friends to agree wholeheartedly with that statement. I looked around the table and saw Bill Callaway, who seemed to be the only single boy at the table. Bill was a good-looking guy and my wide receiver. Being a new starter, the girls hadn’t found him yet. Carol would be a good fit for him.
“I brought her over here to see if maybe an upperclassman would show her a better time. Bill, would you be opposed to dancing with Carol?”
Bill got up and asked Carol to dance. I saw her smile at him. Maybe this would work out.
“You okay?” Luke asked.
“Thanks for asking, but I’m okay,” I said and then I grinned. “You’re not going to believe my last date.”
Everyone gathered around.
“Tami sets me up,” I began.
I told them about being stranded overnight.
“So that’s why I’m off the market. No more girlfriends until at least after football.”
“If I had your luck, I wouldn’t date either,” Magic said as he shook his head.
I glanced over at Cindy, and she wouldn’t even meet my eyes.
“Are you coming to my party tonight? I know you don’t drink, but maybe we could hook you up.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I need to be ready for the game tomorrow.”
“We know, but every party needs a stuck-up jerk, and you’re our favorite one.”
“I love you guys, too.”
I was between tables when Gina caught me.
“Oh David, I have someone you need to meet.”
“Dang it! I saw your sister, and she was better-looking in person. I need to focus on football right now. Can I meet her after the season?”
Gina gave me the look that Tami does when I’m being stupid.
“Come on. Meet my sister. You two are perfect for each other.”
“Gina,” I said, and then just sighed. “Okay, this is for you.”
We walked over, and Kara took one look at me.
“Great, you make me meet all your loser friends, and now you bring over some pretty boy with a fake-muscle shirt and stuffed shorts.”
I broke out in a huge grin and hugged Gina.
“Thank you. I’m no longer infatuated. Kara, it was nice to meet you.”
I turned around and walked away. I heard Jeff and Alan burst out laughing.
This was turning into the worst dance I had ever attended. I might as well put another nail in the coffin. I tracked down Reese.
“Hey, I wanted to take a moment and talk to you.”
She looked nervous. I might as well let her off the hook.
“Look, I know you accepted this date under less than ideal circumstances. Carol told me that I’m a stuck-up jerk. Another girl called me a fraud. If you want out, just let me know. The last thing I need right now is a pity date.”
Hysterical laughter was not what I was expecting. That tore it! I was out of there. I felt my face get red. I was so done with women. I turned to leave and headed toward the door. I lost myself in the crowd as I walked to the door. I stopped myself. I needed to tell Tracy I was done with the dance. I found her talking to Mona.
“Hey, I’m leaving.”
“What’s wrong?” Tracy asked.
“I’m just not into this tonight,” I said. I didn’t want her tagging along. “Look, you stay and have fun with your friends. I’ll walk home and see you tomorrow.”
She looked concerned.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, have fun.”
I made it to the front door and slammed the crash bar. It was a nice fall night. Maybe it was a little too cold to be running around in tights. At least now I could hear myself think. The music was starting to give me a headache. It was a good thing I wasn’t going to Magic’s party. I could have easily gotten drunk tonight. My mind went in circles. When I got home, I took a shower and went to bed.
Friday November 1
WHEN I GOT TO PRACTICE, Bo and Coach Lambert were waiting for me. Coach Lambert had some bad news.
“David, did you go to Magic’s party last night?”
“No, sir.”
Both Bo and Coach seemed to relax.
“Last night the party was raided by the police. They arrested twenty-six football players for underage drinking. In one of the bedrooms, they found a girl who was half naked. That’s why they arrested everyone. They’re all getting DNA tests to see if they were involved. I’ve been on the phone with the athletic director and principal. We’ve decided to suspend all twenty-six players for tonight’s game.”
“Oh man.” I was worried about Tracy. “Does one of you have a cell phone?”
Coach Lambert gave me his. I called Tracy’s cell, and she answered.
“Thank God. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, what’s going on?”
“Did you go to Magic’s party last night?”
“No, I’m not allowed to go to something like that.”
“Good. The party got busted and we lost twenty-six players.”
“That sucks.”
“It gets worse. A girl was found in one of the bedrooms, and it looks like she might have been molested. Check on your girls and make sure they’re all okay.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know. I’ll see you at school.” I needed her to take care of a couple of things. “Can you grab my stuff, and then call Kendal and let her know?”
“I’ll take care of things. Focus on football.”
“Tracy, you’re the best. When the season’s over, I want to work on building our friendship again.”
“I love you, David. Don’t worry about anything. Just get ready for the game.”
COACH LAMBERT WAS ABLE to get both Kevin Goode and me excused from classes. It turned out Kevin and I were the only two starters that didn’t go to the party. We met in the coaches’ conference room. We were trying to put together a roster of scout team, JV, and freshman players. The biggest problem we had on offense was that the JV and freshman teams still ran the veer. There was a huge debate as to which offense we should run.