Crushing on the Enemy (12 page)

“Because friends shouldn't keep secrets!” Mattie said.

Alyssa grabbed Mattie by the arm and drug her away from the squad girls.

“First you interrogate Jake and now you're lying about our relationship to those squad witches?” Alyssa demanded.

“Remember, Alyssa, you're a squad witch too,” Mattie sneered.

“Mattie!” Alyssa threatened, “You're supposed to be my friend!

“Then why won't you tell me what you're up to?” Mattie asked.

“What I'm up to?” Alyssa asked, “You want to know what I'm up to? What I'm up to is filling out an application to Georgia U so I can get away from jealous hags like you!”

“What?” Mattie shouted, “I thought you were staying here?”

“Well, you thought wrong!” Alyssa yelled back, “I would never stay here just to be friends with a deceitful hag like you!”

Alyssa didn't give Mattie time to retort. She stormed into the school and avoided her from the rest of the day. By the time the bell sounded to signal the end of her last class Alyssa just wanted to go home and hide under the blankets, but she still had two very important things to do.

She gathered her uniforms and pompoms before heading to Coach Bowen's office.

“Here,” she said.

“Alyssa, what are you doing?” Coach Bowens asked.

“I'm done! I quit! I won't be part of a squad that acts like a bunch of cackling ninnies and jealous hags!” Alyssa said and crossed her arms

“Wait a minute,” the coach sighed, “You mean to tell me after everything we've helped you accomplish, you're going to bail on us?”

“You bailed on me a long time ago,” Alyssa rolled her eyes.

“What's that supposed to mean?” she asked.

“When you benched me for reporting a crime,” Alyssa said.

“It was one game!” the coach retorted.

“One game too many,” Alyssa said and turned on her heels.

She headed to her car without looking back to see the expression on Coach Bowen's face. Let Katie have all the drama that came along with being head of the squad. Alyssa didn't want it anymore.

After phoning home to tell her mom she might be late tonight she dropped her application to Georgia U off at the post office and pulled onto the highway. The afternoon traffic was steady and she made it to Jake's school in record time, which meant she had over an hour to wait.

Alyssa pulled out her political history textbook and began to read the chapters her teacher had assigned as homework. She dug her fingernails into the book's cover as she waited impatiently for Jake.

Alyssa wasn't sure how hopeful she should be, but she wanted to be here for Jake no matter the outcome of the meeting.

Jake was waiting nervously in the coach's office for the Georgia scouts to arrive. He heard the coach talking to them on the other side of the closed office door, but couldn't make out the conversation. He reclined in the chair trying to look laid back, but his stomach was practicing gymnastics.

His heart skipped a beat when he heard the doorknob turn. Jake swallowed hard clearing the lump that had formed in his throat. The first scout was tall and lanky and Jake could never imagine him donning football gear, but he must know something about the game if he was a Georgia U scout.

The second man stood a good head shorter than him and had the stocky build Jake was used to seeing on the field. He had a slight limp in his left knee and Jake wondered if it was from an old football injury.

“Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Jake Taylors,” the coach said smiling.

They both shook Jake's hand in turn and introduced themselves.

“I'm Larry Nettles, one of the assistant coaches,” the tall man said.

“I'm Harry Stilles,” the shorter man said, “and once I sat in this same room waiting to speak with scouts from the very same school.”

“It's nice to meet you both,” Jake said.

“You nervous, kid?” Harry asked.

“As hell,” Jake admitted.

“Good,” the older man chuckled, “game nerves are always good. They keep you on your toes.”

As the meeting went on Jake was forced to admit that he had no clue what he wanted to take in college, but the scouts didn't seem too bothered by his indecision.

“Most people change their majors not long after they start anyway,” Harry chuckled.

Jake's hopes were high by the end of the meeting.

“We'll be watching you at state,” Larry said, “and if you can bring it home for your school, I'll promise you a place on our team next year.”

Jake left the meeting feeling upbeat and with a new found spring in his step. He almost walked right past Alyssa's car without noticing.

“Hey Jake,” she called.

“Oh, hi,” he laughed.

“So I take it from that smile you're wearing it went well?” she asked leaning out the window.

Jake sprinted over to her car and gave her a quick kiss.

“It went perfectly,” he grinned, “they said if we can bring home the state championship title, I'll be playing for them next year.”

“That's great news!” Alyssa cheered as she got out of her car and threw her arms around his neck.

Being close to her, reminded Jake that if his team win at state he wouldn't be seeing Alyssa very often. He hugged her and inhaled the scent of her shampoo. It smelled like some exotic fruit, although Jake couldn't recall which one.

“I have some news too,” Alyssa smiled.

“Yea?” Jake asked, managing a smile when she pulled away.

“I quit the squad,” she said hesitantly.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“Great!” she laughed, “Better than I have in a long time actually.”

“As long as you're sure,” Jake smiled.

“I am very sure,” Alyssa said.

“Good,” Jake said.

“I have one more thing to tell you,” Alyssa grinned.

“What's that?” Jake asked.

“I sent off my application for Georgia U today,” she laughed.

“What?” Jake asked.

At first he thought he misheard her, because just a few days ago she had been firmly against going to an out of state college.

“I just thought it would make things easier,” she shrugged.

“I don't even know if I'll be going there yet,” Jake said, trying not to show his confusion.

“You will!” she smiled, “because you're going to win at state!

Jake wasn't sure what to think about any of it. He didn't want Alyssa to feel like she had to follow him around while he tried to fulfill his dreams. It wasn't even like he wanted to play football forever.

“I don't want you to feel like you have to come with me if I do go,” he said.

“I don't,” she frowned, “I want to go with you and after today I know for sure I don't have any reason to stay.”

“What do you mean?” Jake asked.

Alyssa sighed and told him about her fight with Mattie.

“I thought she was up to no good,” Jake frowned.

“I never thought she'd act like that,” Alyssa shook her head.

“I'm sure you two will work it out,” Jake said, trying to sound reassuring.

“I don't know if I want to, Jake,” Alyssa sighed.

“She's just upset because she feels left out,” Jake said leaning back against the car.

“Well, a relationship is two people, not two people and the best friend,” Alyssa said.

“Truth,” Jake sighed.

Jake and Alyssa went out for pizza, but Alyssa was unusually quiet. Jake knew she was more upset about the fight with Mattie than she was letting on, but he didn't bring it up again.

After he dropped Alyssa off at her car Jake drove to the park and walked the trail alone. He should be happy that Alyssa wanted to come with him, but he couldn't help but to wonder if she'd hate him for it later.

For the next month Alyssa avoided Mattie. She arrived to school early and left late to avoid running into her in the parking lot. Mattie had tried to call her a couple of times, but Alyssa refused to answer. Mattie had crossed a line from which Alyssa felt there was no return.

She fought with her mother about all the nights she was out late watching Jake play at the state championship. There was only one game left and if they won the title would be his. She ignored her mom's pleas that she come home earlier, because she wasn't going to miss his last game for anything. The ring on her finger symbolized a promise made between them. A promise of a bright future together, a future Alyssa couldn't wait to start.

Her mother didn't know about the Georgia U application yet, but Alyssa knew it was only a matter of time before she found out. If she received an acceptance letter her mom would just have to learn to cope without her, because come fall she would be gone, if not sooner.

She and Jake had discussed their summer plans. If he was accepted to the team he'd have to leave earlier than she did, for summer practice and training. Alyssa wasn't sure whether she was going to make the drive down with him or if she would wait for the start of the semester.

Alyssa was unsure of what she was going to do, because she was nervous about moving to a new state where they would know no one. She knew that Jake would make friends easily because of being on the team, but where would that leave her?

She spun Jake's ring around her finger. It was too lose and didn't fit properly, but she kept forgetting to pick up a chain to wear it on.

“I could do that now,” she thought to herself as she finished her dinner of leftover meatloaf, “Nah, I don't really want to go anywhere.”

Her thoughts turned to what she would wear tomorrow. Jake's team was done with practices, meaning they would have most of tomorrow to spend together before Jake's last game.

“Maybe, my pink skirt,” she mused as she rinsed her plate and placed it in the dishwasher, “Or I could wear the new sea foam green one. It's really cute and Jake hasn't seen it yet.”

Thinking about clothes made Alyssa sad, because up until their fight Mattie had helped her decide what to wear. Now, that she wasn't talking to her she missed it greatly. Fussing over clothes wasn't as much fun alone.

Alyssa opened her closet door and sighed.

“I need to go shopping,” she sighed.

“Maybe we could go together tomorrow,” her mom said appearing out of nowhere.

“I can't tomorrow, Mom, I told you tomorrow night is Jake's big game,” Alyssa sighed.

“That's tomorrow night,” her mom said, “What about tomorrow afternoon?”

“I'll be with Jake then,” she sighed, “I know you're lonely, but I have things to get done.”

“Aren't you so nice?” her mother asked and left the room.

“You should have thought about that when you let Cody be an ass to me for years,” she thought to herself and resumed looking through her closet.

A few minutes later her mother appeared in the doorway again.

“What now?” she asked.

“Mattie's downstairs,” she said.

“I don't wanna talk to her,” Alyssa said, rolling her eyes.

“I think you should,” her mom said.

“Fine!” Alyssa sighed, “Send the witch up!”

Alyssa slammed her closet door shut and sat down on the window seat.

“Okay, you're here, what do you want?” she asked as soon as Mattie entered the room.

“I just wanted to say...” Mattie said, but stopped before she said much.

“Wanted to say what?” Alyssa asked, crossing her arms.

“That I'm sorry, okay?” Mattie frowned.

“Well, you should be,” Alyssa said.

“So should you!” Mattie retorted.

“For what?” Alyssa demanded.