I’m running from one end of the field to the other when I’m roughly pushed from behind. I hit the ground face-first. I didn’t see who it was. I manage to rise to my hands and knees, then sit on my butt. Damn, my head hurts. I know one of those bitches did it. Jamal is by my side in a few seconds, helping me stand.
“Are you okay?”
‘I think so. Who pushed me?”
“I honestly didn’t see who did it.”
“What happened?” asks Mr. Williams as he approaches.
“Someone pushed me from behind.”
“I don’t see any bruising. Shower and go to the nurse’s office.”
I leave the field. The nurse gives me a clean bill of health.
I meet Kate and Lucy in room 205 after school. It’s not a classroom, more like a small conference room with a long oval table in the center with chairs surrounding it. To the right is a square table situated against the wall with a computer stationed on top. The room also has a printer.
“Lucy, tomorrow go to football practice to take pictures while players are in motion. We’ll have to schedule a time to interview key players by Friday. The pep rally and homecoming dance are on September nineteenth, with the first game of the season the next evening. I want to get the first school paper published as soon as possible,” says Kate.
We speak more logistics then call it a day, leaving school. It’s time for me to head to the pizzeria for my first shift.
I was a fucking mess at football practice today. I was repeatedly being tackled and dropping the fucking ball. I know it’s all her fucking fault. I couldn’t get her out of my mind.
Cocoa.
Her thigh felt so damn supple and soft. I wanted to bury my face between them. The sound of her melodious laugh across the cafeteria did something to me. I don’t understand the feeling that she stirs within me, but I know I hate her for it, and it makes me want to hurt her more.
Dee and Nix are waiting for me when I leave the locker room after my shower.
“Mav, what happened in practice today, man?” asks Dee.
“Get your shit together, you know we go against the Jaguars on the twentieth,” adds Nix.
“You don’t fucking think I know that?” I snap.
“It’s her, you couldn’t take your eyes off her during the whole lunch period,” says Dee.
I don’t respond to that.
“I’m going to Mary’s for dinner. You guys going?”
“Yep, I could eat a big fat Stromboli right about now,” says Nix.
“Cool, I’ll meet you guys there.”
I walk towards my black Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. I open the door and throw my gym bag on the passenger seat, climbing inside. I close the door then start the engine to make the twenty-minute drive to Mary’s.
Dee and Nix are already there when I arrive. I park in the first unoccupied spot I see then exit my jeep. We walk to the entrance together. I step inside and meet the golden eyes of Cocoa, who’s standing behind the cash register.
Fuck, I just can’t get away from this girl.
Her smile vanishes when she sees who enters the building. Remembering she’s at work, she plasters a fake smile in place.
“Hello, welcome to Mary’s Famous Pizzeria. How may I help?”
She would run away screaming if I told her how she could help me. I don’t answer. I just stare at her.
Dee clears his throat.
