Chapter 34 The disastrous match
Kendrix
It was like the day of the state championship game all over again. The atmosphere was so thick that a single wrong move from either team and the tension would explode.
The Eagles felt the pressure at the very beginning of the match. It didn't matter the pep talk Coach gave us in the locker room, we were the one who lost something, we had something to prove by winning this game.
But it seems I underestimated DHS by thinking this would be an easy win. By the time the first half ended in a tie, it became obvious that we weren't the only one who had something to prove.
As much as I hated to admit, winning was going to be a bit difficult, but I wasn't giving up.
“Alright boys, we still have some time to turn this around.” Coach said in a hopeful voice.
I couldn't decide if he was being truthful or just being a good coach by encouraging us. But it didn't seem like his pep talk was really working.
“You've been treated badly. They've taken away something you worked for last season, the championship title. I understand your frustration.” He paused and groans agreeing with him echoed in the locker room.
“But there's something that even the state board can't take away from you. Your passion. The same one that pushed you to win the championship in the first place. Now, I'm going to need you to go out there and show everyone that same burning passion, or else your fans will begin to doubt you. Are you going to let that happen?”
Murmurs broke out and the players began exchanging glances. No one gave a coherent answer.
“Answer me. Are you going to let your fans and yourself down today?” He asked, louder this time.
“No!” The single word pierced the thick atmosphere and everyone began sitting with their back straighter.
I caught sight of Collin leaning on the locker, his head hung low. He had been suspended from matches till further notice.
“I can't hear you.” Coach said again.
“No!” the word echoed again, louder and full of confidence.
Coach seems more satisfied with the response and he nodded. “Eagles on three, Eagles on me. One! Two!! Three!!!”
“Eagles!”
Roars of excitement filled the space and the energy returned in the full. A smile tilted at the corner of my lips a second before JJ bumped his shoulder with mine. I swayed but managed to catch myself from falling. I turned to glare at him only to see him flexing his muscles. I simply shook my head.
Soon after, half time was over and we returned to the field with renewed energy. The fans cheered for us as we jogged out. It didn't matter that we didn't have a very good start. The second half was going to be better and we were going to win the damn game.
I found myself scanning through the crowd, eyes searching for a particular dark haired lady. It didn't take long before my eyes met hers. It didn't matter that the stadium was full to it's brim, I found her effortlessly in the crowd by some feeling I couldn't quite explain.
Stephanie smiled at me and dipped her head slowly. She was here, she was here for me. I hadn't really expected her to come, that was another reason I reminded her again this morning, but I couldn't deny that seeing her here calmed me in some ways.
I gave her a simple nod and quickly returned my attention to the field. I reined in my flinch as I saw Sebastian standing so close to me, a wide grin that was visible despite his helmet. Then he took a few steps back and fell into position.
The whistle blew and the second half of the match began. The Eagles were in the lead at first with Samson, a junior right wing, catching the ball and running to score the touchdown. He didn't make it a few paces before a DHS student collide with him, sending him crashing to the floor hard and loosening his grip on the ball.
Sebastian was quick to grab it and was running to score it. I signaled to my teammates and they immediately got the message. We kept the other players occupied, let them believe they've already scored the touchdown.
The plan worked as Sebastian was so focused on his destination that he didn't see JJ coming, and of course, couldn't stop him as he crashed into him hard and tackled him to the floor. Cisco immediately grabbed the ball, ran until he had a clear shot to me and threw the ball to me.
I jumped up and caught it with practiced ease. I raced to the finish line without any hurdlt and easily won the touchdown. The stadium erupted in cheers, fans jumping up and screaming at the top of their lungs, but my eyes only searched out one person.
Stephanie was jumping up, screaming, and clapping her hands. She hugged Brooklyn and they jumped up together.
Despite that the match wasn't over yet and DHS could still take the lead. Being excited at this stage could very well mean the death of us. But despite all of it, I let myself smile.
“Well done, brother.” Cisco said and clapped my shoulder.
“That was one hell of a touchdown.” JJ exclaimed and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Sure was. Now, let's finish this motherfuckers.” I grumbled.
“Hell, yeah.” JJ grinned.
We went back into position and resumed the match. The Eagles scored another touchdown and the stadium erupted in another round of cheers.
The Eagles were excited, we were back. DHS, on the other hand, were frustrated. The match was about to end and we were in the lead. Their frustration is making them sloppy. But somehow, Sebastian still had the insufferable grin on his face.
“Maybe he doesn't realize they're losing.” Cisco muttered under his helmet.
“He does. I'm sure his mother dropped him on his head when he was little, that's why he's acting like this.” JJ responded, his words somehow coherent despite his mouth guard.
I was about to ignore the both of them when I noticed something. Sebastian was studying up at the crowd, right where Stephanie was sitting and then he pointed at her. My eyes narrowed as I tracked his movement.
Why was he pointing at Stephanie?
Sebastian took advantage of my momentary distraction and snatched the ball into their possession. I snapped out of the surprise and bolted after him, but he was faster. I ran after him, increasing my speed. I was not going to let them win, not today.
As he was preparing to make his throw, I launched myself on him and we crashed on the ground hard. But he managed to send the ball into the air before I could stop him.
I could only watch as the oval brown ball landed at the finish line and the DHS students scored a touchdown. The timer buzzed loudly indicating the end of the match. It had ended in a tie.
A tie. We had lost the game. Or at least that's what I'm going to tell myself and tuned out the commentors
Sebastian shrugged me off him and pushed himself up. But I didn't remain on the ground for long, I jumped to my feet immediately while my team gathered around Coach.
“Well, looks like we tied. What a shame.” He didn't act like the turn of events annoyed him.
“Yeah, a shame.” I huffed and began walking away.
“Hey, I hope you don't mind if I take your sister on a date later this week.” He said after me. I skidded into a halt, my brain refused to comprehend what he's saying.
“What?” I asked instead.
“Your stepsister. You see, we had a little bet in the bathroom earlier. If I win, which I obviously did, I will take her on a date.” He grinned.
My fist clenched at my side. I had to remind myself that I was in public and I cannot hurt him in front of everyone. He seem to realize that as he walked towards me, patted me on his shoulder and whispered.
“Say Hello to your beautiful sister, please.” He winked at me and brushed past me.
My anger exploded.