(October 21st, 2020)

The fall semester was in full swing on the campus of The University of Michigan. Leaves were in the process of changing colors to welcome in that cool Midwestern air. Students traded in their shorts and tanktops for jeans, long sleevers and the occasional scarf. One thing that remained constant however, was the abundance of masks students displayed, be it medical grade, their own personal designed mask or one that they had in bulk. One such student was freshman Jayson Butler enjoying the cool breeze whip around his face as he was sporting a team issued Polo which was obscured by his jacket, jogging pants with thermals underneath complete with a fresh pair of Jordan XI's better known on the streets as the Space Jam Jordans. After stopping at the local coffee shop to get his fix of caffeine to start the day, he had reason to be excited as the week came to a close. Delay after delay but it was finally happening. The first college game of his young life was set to happen against the Minnesota Golden Gophers this coming Saturday. Of course with COVID protocols still going strong eight months later, Michigan Stadium wouldn't see it's usual sold out capacity of just over 107k ravenous Wolverine fans. In fact there was a listed capacity of 589 in attendance not accounting both teams, their respective coaching staffs and other essential staff. That didn't matter to him. All he was focused on was contributing anyway he could as he probably wouldn't be getting the start but was told by the wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis he'd see significant playing time just to see how much he'd develop over the course of camp, summer lifting and the combined walkthroughs they did that were sanctioned by the university. But now he was more focused on making it to his first class of the day towards his communication major. That's right while in the midst of settling down as a student athlete and seeking advice from teammates and fellow academias alike as to which degree he could seek out while he was stationed here for the next three, possibly four years. Some said do something he was passionate about, others gave their two cents but it was ultimately fellow stu-lete Olivia Dunne who gave him the push he certainly needed and it came while they actually hung out a freshman welcome banquet and he met some of her fellow gymnasts. The Texan finally made his decision just before the semester finally began opting to go the same route she was.

Olivia: Morning there Jay!

A smile spread across his face as she waved him over as she was talking to her fellow gymnasts gals as they entered the North Quad.

Jayson: Morning there Liv, hey Abbie. I see you guys were able to survive the dead of night as well.

The New Jersey native frowned as she signaled for the Ann Arbornite to go on ahead of them as she stared Jayson in the eye with a twinge of concern.

Olivia: Didn't get much sleep I take it? Well the season's about to begin for you guys, so I'm not holding it against you if you're excited.

Jayson: Don't get me wrong, I'm amped up. That's been the whole mood we've been in. We also have been on eggshells given we were supposed to start playing last month. A lot of guys have been itching to touch that Go Blue Banner not naming myself. So... still regret not going to LSU like my older brother?

Olivia: A part of me definitely does. My mom and dad weren't upset with the sudden change of heart but between you and I? I think they secretly had money on where I was going to go. Let's just say I made my sister relatively richer.

Jayson: I'd like to hear more about your family after class.

Olivia: Um.

Jayson: If that's okay with you! I mean, you just strike me as the family girl type- ahh shit!

Olivia: I'm just messing with you. You're right about the family though, I'm very grounded to them in terms of seeing if they're alright and the whole "my needs are their needs" or vice versa. What about you- Close with your family?

Jayson: Yeah of course. But I'll have you know I was definitely the spoiled one, I just never tried acknowledging it. There the fact I'm going to be an uncle within the next few weeks and I still can't have a drink.

Olivia: You never mentioned this before. Is it a boy or girl?

Jayson: Funny that you mention it, Chase and Lex never got the chance to reveal the baby's gender. Supposed to happen in July.... just as it hit peak COVID. I just know I'm due for a lot of babysitter duty when it's offseason but damn if I don't spoil my future niece or nephew.

Professor: Ms. Dunne and Mr. Butler, I'm glad you're both able to join us.

Jayson: Shit... we're not late, are we Professor?

Professor: Language aside, no you two made it with three minutes left to spare. Please take a seat anywhere you'd like so we can begin today's lecture.

He took a seat next to her as they pulled out their respective textbooks, laptops, whatever they felt was necessary when he got a text message from Abby.

Abby: Hey busy? ;)

Jayson: Yeah unfortunately, got a class that runs for 45 minutes but I'm definitely free to talk after. What's up?

.... .... .... .... .....

Abby: Oh nothing just woke up. Wanted to wish you luck before Saturday. And not getting sick leading up to it.

Jayson: Hardy har har smartass, go and get some more sleep, I'll text you whenever I can, that is if I don't crash out after this lecture.

.....

Abby: Later Jayson :)

Classes moved on the for the weary freshman, really the one thing above all else was go back to his dorm, MAYBE just maybe catch a winks of sleep, do his assignments so he'd have nothing to look forward to hanging out with friends, teammates. Maybe polish his helmet. All he knew is he had.... three years?! Maybe four? Nah fuck all that. He was smart, don't get our guy twisted was brilliant but he wasn't so sure he could do another 3-4 years of this. At least football and the establishing relationship slash friendships would keep him afloat in the meanwhile. He walked through the student quad, stopped by a few students for pictures as they were just as excited the season was right around the corner. Now right in front Schembechler Hall, he swung the doors open to see student athletes left and right bustling through with tutors, before settling in a secluded seat which featured what felt like the world's comfortiest lazy chair. As he grinded through his math homework and began pulling out his homework a group text from junior and fellow teammate Aidan Hutchinson hit his phone.

Aidan: Coach called a mandatory meeting. Everyone, go to the film room, it has to do with the first game of the year.

Jayson: Coach Harbaugh and Aidan for the W. I can just dedicate early tomorrow morning to homework and go to walkthroughs worry-free.

(Full Team Meeting Room.)

Everyone began filing in, making sure they were on time and Jayson was one of these people. To his coaches they described as a kid who had high character and someone who obviously loved the sport he participated with a overwhelming hunger to not only contribute but bring chips back to Ann Arbor. Nah folks not Lay's or Ruffles but the very same championship his brother won last year in Santa Clara. All in all, the forecast for the Texas native was very good as he found himself as fourth-string receiver. Translation? He wouldn't be starting but he'd see decent playing time. He still had to pay his dues as a freshman.

Jim Harbaugh: Alright everyone hope we've enjoyed this decent day. I know some of us are still exhausted. But I just wanted to make sure everyone's ready for Saturday. In accordance with the before every gameday, we will be going half-pads. No need to risk any silly injuries before we set the tone for the season, so bring you shoulder pads, tennis shoes and a pair of cleats. Yes, question Jayson?

Jayson: Do we know what uniforms we're going with on Saturday?

Jim: We're going with our all-white combo this coming weekend since we're going on the road. Pertaining to team entrance, I know we would've loved see our friends, families and significant others as we take to the tunnel but unfortunately due in large with the pandemic we won't be able to do that, the walk remains and I know a lot of us were looking forward to a sold out crowd. Not so fast, we're only going to be at around five percent capacity so please tell your friends and associates to stay in their dorms to prevent possible illness. Now then... now that the boring is out of the way, we leave at 5 P.M. sharp so I'd advise you all to get any and all assignments or work from your professors and lecturers. Same with turning it in early as we won't be back until Sunday afternoon more than likely. Alright let's go ahead and watch film on our opponents to the West....

After about an hour, everyone began to leave Schembechler Hall, Jayson ran into a familiar face.

Jayson: Livvy, hey. What's going... on?

Olivia: Jayson, hey. Mind holding this real quick?

She waved her backpack around her as he gladly took it-

Jayson: Sure I don't mind helping ya out, FUCK!

Not realizing how heavy her bag really was.

Jayson: The hell is in here, Livvy?! It feels like you just purposefully stuffed boulders in here.

Olivia: Stop being a big baby, I assure you. Nothing in my backpack is even that heavy unless the big burly football player can't hold a few textbooks.

Jayson: Keep playing and your textbooks are gonna be a-gonzo!

Olivia: Fine, if you must know why my backpack is so heavy is because I got swamped with homework before the weekend.

Jayson: Seriously, I thought our Media Processes homework was the only thing we had to do. I mean granted I still got one hella of a partner to help me out while I'm gone. And don't worry I'll hold up my end of the bargain with this assignment, I'll work when I'm the road, God forbid I don't have any WiFi.

He handed the gymnast her bag back when she signaled for it.

Olivia: So again I ask, with a full day under your belt. Have your nerves settled before Saturday? Please say no.

Jayson didn't know what his fellow freshman was hoping for but decided to play along with her little scheme.

Jayson: Curious to ask but what happens if I say no?

Olivia: It'll make it a lot easier then.

Jayson: Alright I'll bite then... no the nerves haven't settled before my first college game.

Olivia: Yes! Come on follow me you won't regret it because we're going to test your singing. We're going karaoke and exploring our college's town!

She suddenly grabbed his hand and let's just say the night was very eventful. Maybe the writer will re-visit this in a future chapter. But now it's time for the game.

(October 24th, 2020; University of Minnesota. TCF Bank Stadium.)

The charter buses began pulling up to the stadium after passing the main campus grounds of The University of Minnesota. As players and coaches began pouring out of the buses, Jayson took in the view of the stadium. He had actually had his mind not only on the game but his older brother Chase and his girlfriend Alexis... any day now his niece or nephew would be due and the only reason he never knew the baby's gender was surprise, surprise of the whole pandemic shutting everything down from travel, to major events and even including the cancellation of a shit ton events that couple had planned including a baby shower. Chase told his baby brother to stay on guard, as the WWE Superstar would go into labor within the next few days, with yesterday morning being a scare for the ages.

Chase: Just go handle your business lil brother... I've got mom with us right now and I know she'd want you to go to war and T'up for your brothers. I'll keep you posted if Lexi goes into labor.

Jayson: Thanks, Chase and don't name the baby till I at least get there man.

Chase: I'd never deprieve you of that. Now go Jay! Win this damn game.

Jayson: Already know it. Love ya man.

He put his iPhone in his bag as he adjusted his tie and Michigan 'M' pin on the right side of his suit, being one of the last offensive players to get off. As he got a fist bump from one of the assistant coaches, he along with the rest of the players entered the visting team locker room. Jayson took a free seat over next to fellow freshman Braiden McGregor and senior captain Kwity Paye.

Kwity: First game kid.... any jitters?

Jayson: I mean of course. But I've had classes as well as the impending arrival of my future niece or nephew to keep me at bay.

Kwity: You ain't tell us you were going to be an uncle, congrats Jayson!

Jayson: Shh... No one else knows because I didn't want it to distract from the team y'know? I mean we're already running behind schedule Kwity. But I promise first chance I get, I'll send photos of myself holding the little rascal.

Kwity: No doubt. I'll catch you later, gonna take in the enviorment of the stadium while it's still relatively calm.

Jayson nodded his head as the NFL-bound player left the locker room. He then began unzipping both of his bags, pulling out his all-white uniform combo complete with the Jordan shooter sleeves, his wrist coach, a headband, a pair of Jordan Knit football gloves and his blue and maize cleats.

Jayson: Ahh yes the fit of a champion. Killer look, Jesus himself couldn't pull this off.

He put on his warmup tanktop as well his protective gear, finally stopping short of pulling out his own Wolverine helmet with one lonely sticker signifying the number game it was in prestigious history of the program as well as the actual Wolverine football logo, placing it in a cubbie high above his other gear. Once all was done, he grabbed his headphones along with his gloves and cleats, putting them on and exiting the locker room to soak in the sights. While the stadium wouldn't be sold out, he didn't care, he was one step closer to getting towards the NFL. He waded through the busy going ons through the tunnel finally catching the wide recievers coach who was working with the others.

Josh Gattis: There's my freshman to watch. Ready to get some quick reps in before game time?

Jayson: Hell yeah, I'm ready to let loose!

Josh: Exactly what I want to hear... Usual route combination, start with a slant, then go post, curl and finish off with a go route.

Jayson lined up on the goal line and went through the combined route tree his coordinator put him through and he crushed it with flying colors. Heading back to him, Josh nodded in excitement as the Communication majoree threw him the ball.

Josh: I like what I'm seeing kid, stay ready tonight... we're going to put you through some feelers, you won't be starting tonight but you'll definitely be seeing your fair share of reps and targets. We'll keep you posted but until then, replenish your energy, get some stretches, listen to some music do whatever it is you kids love doing to get prepped for battle.

Jayson: Appreciate it, Coach.

He put his headphones on putting some Young Dolph and Key Glock as 'One Hell of a Life" began streaming on his phone, walking back to the locker as the hours continued to tick down to his major achievement.

END OF CHAPTER FIVE.

A/N'S for this chapter.

1) As you saw in the prequel book "Goddess of Football" Alexis was indeed pregnant and she conceived back in January 2020 so extropolating, the baby's due date is sometime in late October, early November. Try to guess when the little miracle is due.

2) I haven't decided yet but I might go with at least two moments that defined Jayson's maturation as potential NFL'er but it's down to the 2020 Wisconsin game or the point where the season got cancelled.

3) Abby will be featured more in instances where Jayson's not on campus, which will most likely be a majority of the story. So like Spring Break, Summer Vacations, is where we'll see our bodacious bodybuilding babe.

Alright so with Author Notes out of the way, Jayson is on the verge from his first collegiate football game, will he knife through the Golden Gophers Defense or will he crumble under pressure? Find out in the next chapter of..... Little Slice of Heaven!