He laughed again, louder this time, and gave me one last lingering glance before running off to join the rest of the varsity team waiting to rush the
field. I watched him go, not entirely hating the view. That had been a surprising interaction with Collin. I never would’ve guessed he was the sort to interject himself in the problems of the lesser people. Maybe there was something different about him.
But my musings on that matter were cut short by the screeching of my name in a decibel only dogs could hear. Savannah stood in the place where my father’s new wife had just abandoned moments ago. She wore a mask of rage, her lips twisted as she beckoned me to follow.
“Get out here, Audrey, the game’s about to start,” she hissed.
That was my cue. Dropping the raccoon head over my own, I jogged to her side and ignored her whispered threats as we joined the rest of the squad. The football team had already rushed the field and now it was our job to pep up the crowd with a few sideline routines. Mom and Lexi were already seated in the stands and sharing a box of popcorn. Every few seconds, Mom would wave at me like a maniac and Lexi would bury her head in her hands. I waved back, and allowed myself to thoroughly enjoy the look of pride on my mother’s face.
I was right. It hadn’t mattered if I was in a skirt or a costume, having a daughter on the Rocky Valley cheerleaders made my mom happy. If I croaked in this smelly suit, at least it would be worth it.
The game started and then all I had to do was jump about and occasionally wave at the crowd. It didn’t take much brain power. Which probably was a bad thing because I found my attention wandering back toward the field, where Collin stood on the side line watching the defense play. Number 27. Hard to miss with his tapered waist, muscular arms, and commanding presence. He had his hands on his hips, his attention thoroughly on the field, and my eyes glued to his shapely back.
Try as I might, I just couldn’t figure him out. Bad boy jock with an infamous reputation with the ladies. Now a knight in shining armor for the school’s ridiculous mascot. It just didn’t make any sense. What did he get out of helping me?
“Heads up!” called a voice.
Collin had already turned to look in my direction before I realized that warning had been intended for me. By then, it was too late. A football smacked me hard on the side of my raccoon head, making my own head ring like a bell. I collapsed to the ground in a heap, my raccoon limbs flailing.
I was Rock Valley road kill.
With my cheeks burning, I jumped back to my feet as quickly as possible. Maybe, no one saw. A girl could hope. But that hope was soon crushed when the sound of raucous laughter poured from the stands.
Everyone had definitely seen that.
“Are you okay?” one of the cheerleaders asked out of the corner of her mouth as she raised her pom poms in the air.
“Yeah, just fine,” I said, breaking the cardinal rule of silence for all mascots and earning a withering glare from Savannah.
Still, my stomach was tangled in knots so severe that I thought I was going to collapse again. And when my vision finally cleared, I could see half the football team still laughing at me. Front and center stood Collin, with what looked like something that resembled concern for me printed on his face. It was a shocking contrast to his buddies around him, who didn’t seem to care that I’d nearly been brain damaged thanks to their massive lack of athletic skills.
Collin took a step toward me, as if to rush to my side and my chest burst with hope for the fate of all jock-kind. Maybe not all of them had to play the roll of the jerk. Collin had surprised me today. Defended me against my father. Maybe they weren’t all that bad.
But instead of coming to my rescue, Collin froze on the sideline next to his buddies, his eyes narrowing in confusion. I wasn’t sure what was going on inside that helmet of his, but the wheels were obviously turning. The sound of a whistle must’ve broken his concentration though, because he suddenly shook his head and turned back to watch the next play begin, forgetting I even existed.
So much for a knight in shining football pads.
It was official. I was done being the laughing stock of Rock Valley High.
That centennial performance was going to be mine on Monday. And then they’d all see what they were missing.
Chapter Six
Mrs. Banks must’ve been a ninja in another life, because every time I saw her in the hallway at school on Monday, she’d disappear into thin air. And it wasn’t like her purple hair blended into a crowd. She should’ve been easy to find. But no, whenever I followed her around the corner, she’d be gone. And I would be left grinding my teeth, waiting for my chance to ask her for the centennial spot.
It wasn’t until the very end of the day did I finally find her sitting in her classroom, reorganizing sheets of music. With my Gibson guitar strapped over my back, I marched right in and planted myself in front of her.
She didn’t even look up. “Yes, Audrey?”
“What do I have to do to convince you I’m right for that performance slot?” I asked, taking my guitar off my shoulder. My fingertips tingled, already itching to perform the chords. “I’ll play you something new, right now, if that’s what it takes. I need this. Please.”
Her lips quirked with an amused smile and she glanced up at me. “I can tell you this, I’ve never had a more persistent student.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” I pressed my lips together and bounced on my feet. “That means I have the drive to make you proud.”
She put down her music and finally gave me her full attention. “Oh, Audrey, you already have made me proud. And I know you’ll kick this performance right out of the park. Which is why I have, in fact, chosen you.”
“Are you serious?” I felt like screaming and doing cartwheels around the choir room. Instead, I squealed as quietly as I could manage and hugged my guitar to my chest. “You won’t be sorry, Mrs. Banks. I promise.”