Freaking out about getting everything ready.
What she doesn’t realize is that I am right behind her. Well, we all are actually. We meet Coach and the rest of the additional manpower we gathered, in the back parking lot right by the soccer fields where field day is being set up.
We quickly get to work, setting everything up with the help of the other parent volunteers. We state we will happily take pictures after everything is set up which they are all fine with.
Thanks to all the additional manpower and the organizational skills of the teachers preparing everything beforehand. We have 23 stations set up and ready to go before the students are even finished with breakfast.
The kids come out in a tidal wave of giddy screams. The youngest ones are ecstatic because of the simple fact it’s field day, the older ones, are more star struck by their favorite players being there.
I’m working at the water balloon station with DJ, when I see her for the first time since she left in the morning. Elle is there wearing a purple shirt signaling that she is part of the kindergartenteam. Her brown hair is pulled up in a high ponytail and she looks completely in her element. Albeit a little shocked. I see it etched on her face, the wonder of how this all came together so perfectly. Then she sees it. The Wolves logo on the water bottles.
I watch as she scans the crowd. It takes everything I have not to call out to her.
Then she sees me. That beautiful smile stretches across her face.
I know she can’t leave her class, and I don’t want to leave my station, forcing DJ to man the water balloons alone.
“Go get her already!” DJ quips.
I’m already running. Not full speed, I’m afraid I might run over a seven-year-old.
I physically restrain myself from wrapping her in a hug when I reach her, trying to remain professional.
“Archer Earnest Bell!” She whispers. “Did you do all this?!”
“Well,” I smile. “Steph did a lot of the organizing. Ty and I just had the idea.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” She covertly tries to wipe her eyes.
“Anything for you, plus the boys really missed you. Mack especially. He drug some of his boys here.” I nod toward Mack and the Thundersnow players. Theplayers looking like giants compared to the kids. One of the players has a second grader on his shoulder. It must be his daughter or niece. She lets out a joyous laugh. “Let me introduce you to my kids.”
I’m introduced to twenty-four tiny children, who stare at me in wide eyed wonder. I don’t think they know who I am exactly, i think my height is really what wows them. I crouch down to take a group picture that Elle insists on taking. She’s standing behind her kids, while I’m surrounded by them. One of the parents takes the photo for us, and Elle immediately uploads it to her parent app.
After the picture, she explains the station to the children and lets the parent volunteers take over. I take this opportunity to sneak a quick hug.
“I can’t believe you did all this!” She says looking at me.
“I can’t believe you didn’t catch me, there were so many times I thought I was going to be busted by you.” I laugh.
“Thank you Arch, seriously, this is amazing. The kids will remember this forever.”
“Anything for you.” I say giving her one more quick squeeze. “I’ll see you guys at the water balloons.” I blow her a kiss before jogging back off towards my station.
Chapter 70
Elle
“I
t’s time!” Iris claps her hands.
Hair and makeup are done. We’re all in our dresses, Vi’s vision, a stunning reality, came together flawlessly. Our dresses are all unique yet somehow complement one another perfectly. We’re all lined up waiting for Vi’s big reveal. The photographer is ready. The silk screen parts.
Vi steps out.
A collective intake of breath ripples through the silent room. The only sound is the shutter of the camera.
Her dress is a masterpiece. She doesn’t just look beautiful; she looks confident, and utterly herself.
