The dimmed lights poked through the fog of tension as Kate sat on the brown mahogany bench.  Her legs swung back and forth like a child on a swing as I bounced back and forth trying to get rid of my uncontrollable butterflies.  My midnight blue jersey stared back at me as I check my gear again in the locker room mirror.

"I don't see why you're worrying so much, you probably won't even get to play," sounded Kates soft voice.

"It's called being prepared; anyways, whether I get to play or not today doesn't matter. As long as I keep working hard I'll get there," I spoke confidently as I turned around, hearing a bang on the door and a loud holler from Sam, the big star of the team. He's been quarterback #1 since freshman year of high school.

"Hey pipsqueak, let's go!"

"Coming!" I called back.

"Good luck!" shouted Kate as I ran out with my white helmet tucked under my arm.

"Took you long enough," Sam huffed and jogged to the opposite side of the gym where the rest of the team was crowded.

He was welcomed right into the group which left me to the side out of everyone's way. I shifted my weight back and forth as I waited for our cue to run out, which was taking longer than expected to come. I took a peek over at Kate who gave me a big grin as she walked out the gym doors to the bleachers.

"Seniors in front, newbies in the back!" shouted Sam as he pushed me up front with him, causing me to stumble a bit.

A few minutes later we heard some cheering as the opposing team was announced and came running out onto the field.

"Now welcome.. The Blooming Grove Lions!" shook the speakers as we all grouped up, put on our helmets and ran out ready for the Friday night game.

The doors flung open as we ran up to the field shouting as loud as we could. Soon the bleachers and field came into view with all the cheering fans. The opposing team stood silent, awaiting our arrival. We ran over to our side of the bench as the starting players jogged to the officials for the coin toss. The other team starts with the kickoff at the 40-yard line with Sam as quarterback 1, while I never played as quarterback 2. When I had first joined the team sophomore year I had only played a couple games for Junior Varsity. Now it was senior year and I had made it on to the Varsity team, but my playing time was gone.

The first quarter went by fast, and had us down by 14. Our Coach certainly wasn't happy when he called us in for a timeout.

We all huddled around him as he shouted out commands to the starters, mostly yelling at them to quit fooling around.

"I warned you this team was gonna be hard, so if you wanna win as much as your fans want you to, get on that field and show me! Now break on 3!" shouted Coach.

"One.. Two.. Three.. BREAK!" we shouted and clapped.

The starters ran out onto the field as the rest of us took our spots on the sideline unsure of whether we should cheer them on or stand there nervously. Coach was pacing up and down the field shouting instructions at Sam as they set up for a new play. I could tell that Sam was getting annoyed and more distracted from all the incomplete passes he threw. At this rate we weren't going to catch up and the fans on the bleachers knew. They hadn't cheered much since we fell back by 4 points.

When half time came around we all were ready to run over and beat the crap out of the other team.

"Meet me in the locker rooms," Coach barked angrily to us as we ran in.

I jogged up to coach to tell him I wasn't allowed in the locker rooms, thinking he only forgot.

"You'll be doing sprints outside till we're done," he said before I opened my mouth. I nodded and jogged down to the field hidden from the bleachers right outside of where the opposing team was meeting.

I took off my helmet, put my hair up and started my sprints since halftime was 15 minutes long.

My cleats kept digging up mud each step as I tried standing after about 10 minutes of sprinting. My head was getting a little foggy as I ran back and forth at a slow jog and before I knew it I was on the ground after tripping over my own feet.

As I layed there completely still, I heard some laughter erupt from the doors. When I looked up I found both teams walking out laughing and pointing at me.

"Might as well stay on the ground!" shouted one of the guys from the other team.

I sat up, picked up my helmet and put it on my lap as I watched the opposing team run up to the field. My team was waiting till they were on the field to run up which ended up being only a few seconds.

"Number 14 get up, we aren't waiting for you!" shouted Joe, the assistant coach.

I quickly got to my feet, put my hair down and threw on my helmet while trying to not let the dizziness get to me. I jogged over just as they started running up the field.

The fans cheered again even though we were down by 21 with no touchdowns. As we ran onto the field groggily, I saw Kate sitting at the edge of the bleachers with a couple of girls who seemed pretty bored. Kate saw me looking at her and gave me a thumbs up as I turned back to the field. I lined up on the sidelines again for the long awaited second half.

While I was watching I saw that Sam only used pass plays to get the ball down the field creating a hole in the defense. I knew Sam, or one of the running backs, could easily run through the middle to get a touchdown and easily clear the 30 yards.

I walked over to the Joe, the second coach, as he stood on the side near the coach. When I walked up he looked at me and then turned back to the game with a look of annoyance.

"Uh Joe, I have a play that could work to get a touchdown," I shyly spoke when I got close enough to him.

"Don't care," he said flatly and walked away.

"But Joe, if one of the backs just ran through the middle they could get through for a touchdown. They've only been doing passing plays and now defense thinks that's all they're doing," I said quickly before he could cut me off. He turned around and stared at me and then stormed towards me.

"If you haven't noticed it's fourth down and their safeties stay near the middle. So no, your plan won't work." He spun around and walked over to coach as the third down play finished.

As I walked back to my spot on the sidelines I heard coach call Sam in quickly before they began another play.

When the play began the ball was snapped to Sam and the center and guards blocked the defense back with a run block. Sam brought the ball up to throw but quickly tucked it under his arm and ran through the hole that was formed. Seconds later he was in the end zone as we all cheered. The starters ran over to him to pat him on the helmet and cheer him on as the fans screamed from the bleachers. The special team used for kickoffs and field goal attempts ran out for the field goal attempt as the starters quickly jogged over to get water.

The special team luckily made the field goal and the 11 players were back up and running onto the field.

By the time the game was over we won by a field goal which was a great turn around for how the game had started out. We all ran inside to get changed and go home before we all started sleep walking from exhaustion. I ran in the back of the group and watched as everyone was jumping on each other from all the adrenaline of winning.

When I was done changing back into my regular clothes I walked out to the front of the school where my bike was locked. I knew I had to bring my gear home, but the fact my parents refuse to pick me up made it difficult for me to carry it on my bike. Every since I decided to join football they acted distant, and its just been getting worse after every practice. It's been a couple years since I sat down with them for a family dinner.

By the time I got home it was 30 minutes later and dinner was already over.

"Where the hell have you been?" shouted my father as I walked in the door.

"You're grounded, no more phone, sleepovers or computer. It's your room and thats it," followed my mom.

"I had a game," I spoke calmly as I grabbed a protein bar out of the cabinet.

"And you didn't care to tell us this?" spoke my mom abruptly.

"I did, you just didn't listen," I sighed and started to walk upstairs. "Oh and am I still grounded?"

"Yes, you are," said my mom.

"Okay," I shrugged my shoulders and walked up into my room.

I'd been through the routine of being grounded every game since I started football. I never got annoyed since no one ever wanted to hang out with me.

I threw my backpack on the floor next to my desk and then flung myself onto my bed. My yellow room stood out from all the other white rooms in my house. Mine also had more posters than any other room I'd seen. Anime posters coated the walls of video game animes to swimming animes to even fantasy animes. Pulling myself up I slowly changed into my sweats and t-shirt and then stood in front of my bookcase. I always liked to read manga before bed to relax me after a nerveracking day of football. As I stood there and scanned the bookcase all my eyes read was titles of manga books, I always like to think of it as my secret addiction. After I picked out one volume I hadn't read in a while I plopped into my bed and read till I fell fast asleep.

The next few weeks passed in a blur with the same routine of friday night games and occasional Tuesday away games, biking home, and a lot of practicing with Sam. Soon enough I was in the girls locker room preparing for another Friday game with Kate chilling near by.

"You sure you can't come over after the game?" asked Kate as she helped me get my shoulder pad straps tightened.

"Yeah I'm sure. My parents ground me everyday, literally!" I replied.

"Aw, well maybe after football season we could hang," she sighed out.

"Pipsqueak!" sounded Sam's voice.

"Got it!" I screamed back. "Well guess I have to go stand on the sidelines again," I sighed and ran out to find Sam waiting.

"Why do you always take so long?" asked Sam.

"I'm a girl. It's in my nature," I ran ahead of him to the team and took my place at the front as he came around to stand next to me.

We ran out like usual as the crowd cheered with rain pouring down on them. The field and coaches were already soaked as we came out.

Halfway through the second quarter the winds picked up a little bit as everyone set up at the line of scrimmage. We had possession of the ball at about the 45-yard line towards the opposing teams endzone.

Sam received the snap from the center player as he got ready to do a pass play and ran back a couple steps. He stepped back another step and turned his feet slightly when a defensive player tackled him to the ground. As if someone pressed slow motion, he fell as one of his feet stayed attached to the ground by his cleat. His ankle seemed to bend too much for the fall not to cause damage. His helmet had fallen off and the ball rolled away as the officials blew their whistles. We all stood there on our tippy toes waiting for Sam to get up, but he didn't. He crawled slowly over to his helmet as the officials and the coaches ran over. It was difficult to hear what had happened over the wind and rain.

Not soon enough Sam got up with the help of the coaches and hopped over slowly to the sidelines with a color of pain all over his face. We all started clapping for his strength and tearless face as we waited for the coaches next move.

The clock was stopped as the coaches grouped up to figure out who would take his place. If I wasn't looked down on the quarterback #2, me, would be sent out to take Sam's place but no one was in favor of me.

A stretcher that was already sitting by was brought over the bench where Sam was sitting and I watched him as they helped him up and layed him down careful not to touch his foot. As he passed everyone we all turned around to high five him but when he started passing me he motioned for me to come over, which I did. He grabbed my jersey and pulled me down so he could whisper in my ear.

"Take care of the team for me, Pipsqueak." He let go of my jersey and winked at me as they rolled him off towards the ambulance.

I stood there watching him go, unaware of my surroundings as I thought about what he said. Take care of the team? Did that mean I was in charge?

"14!" shouted Joe.

"Huh?" I turned around to find everyone completely still as Joe walked towards me. "What do you need?".

"You're up! Go!" he shouted.

"What?" I asked completely confused.

"You're quarterback 1! Now get out there! The plays are your call! Go!" he shouted and pushed me towards the field where the 10 players awaited instructions.

"Wait what?" I said while slowly turning around back to Joe.

"GO!" he screamed at me.

I ran out onto the field where everyone was huddled already. When I came over they all dropped their arms and whispered to each other.

"No way am I taking orders from a girl, especially someone who hasn't played before," spoke the center player.

"Yeah well guess it's a tough day for both of us, I'm quarterback and you're gonna follow what I say if you want to win this game," I spoke shakily trying to get my nerves under control. The center player looked like I had punched him as they all got back into their huddle.

"Okay listen up, if you haven't noticed passing plays aren't Sam's specialty so we're gonna try a counter play okay? Got it? Good." I looked up and found everyone looking at each other confused. "Do you guys not know that play?" I asked disappointedly looking over at coach who was giving me the signal to hurry up.

When I looked back up everyone was shaking their heads unsure as the rain bounced off their helmets and mud coated their jerseys. I thought of what was an easy play to do when I remembered the play I suggested a while ago to Joe. When I looked up I saw the other team standing there arms crossed like this was practice to them.

"Okay change of plans we're gonna do an up the middle play. I know you've done this play before, I saw you guys do it. So center snap me the ball I'll hand the ball off to the running back as guards and center create an A gap. Hike when I say 17, now break on 2," I screamed to them over the beating rain.

"One, Two, BREAK!" shouted all of us as the official set the ball on the line of scrimmage.

I set up behind the center to receive the snap as I signaled the running back to run across and get ready for the hand off.

"3... 5... 20...17!" I shouted and the center snapped me the ball.

I caught it luckily with a strong grip and took a couple steps back as the running back came up behind me. I handed him the ball before he ran through the gap between center and guard. I followed behind in case a defensive lineman became unblocked.

We made it to about the 7-yard line before he got tackled. I looked over at coach who was signaling me to come over. I quickly ran over about halfway where he met me on the field.

"Tell them we're doing a flag play into the endzone, got it go," Coach spoke quickly as he pushed me back onto the field.

I ran back as they huddled up and told them the play, which this time they understood. We set up for at the line of scrimmage with two wide receivers on the line. I received the snap and took a couple steps back looking for an open wide receiver. On the left I saw a lack in defensive linemen and threw a pass. It barely made it into the wide receivers hands as he jumped up to catch it, landing in the endzone.

After a kickoff and a few more plays it was halftime with us in the lead by 6. We all cheered and I received quite a few pats on the helmet on our way off the field.

"We're meeting in the gym!" shouted Coach before we got too far.

When were all settled in the gym sitting in a horseshoe shape the coaches walked in to pep talk us.

"As all of you must noticed we had an abrupt change in players because of an injury. Now we got word that it's only a sprained ankle, but Sam will not be playing again this season. If you also noticed we have a new quarterback 1, Jacquelyn." Everyone started cheering for me as I sat there with my head down a little. "She's been doing well and we're keeping her in for the second half! Good job guys. You kept playing even after Sam's injury, but it's not over yet so get ready for the second half!" bellowed coach while following up with a full 15 minute talk, giving everyone advice on how to improve and what never to do again.

When the 15 minutes were up we ran out just as the rain settled down, helping our view during the game. Our jerseys and gear were still soaked from the previous rain as we jogged out onto the mud coated ground up to the field.

The game was a tie until the last few minutes, where we won by a field goal. The fans that stayed cheered out of control until we were back inside of the school. The boys all headed to their locker room while I headed down the hall to mine.

When I walked out I found Kate just walking in with a rain coat on and a big smile on her face.

"Oh hey!" I said with my backpack hanging over my shoulder.

"Oh! great game! My mom's here to give you a ride home, if you want since it's still raining and all," she grabbed my backpack off my shoulder and waited for my answer.

"Oh that would be great, is it okay if I bring my gear? I haven't exactly washed it in a while," I laughed and ran back in after she gave me the okay.

Kate's mom dropped me off at the end of the driveway and drove away as I waved goodbye. I put all my stuff down on the ground so I could get the mail from the mailbox. When I opened it I found a few small letters and a couple magazines.

I picked up my bag and stuffed the mail in the top pocket and then picked up my gear and walked up the driveway to my house. As I opened the door I found both my parents asleep on the couch in front of the TV again. Looking I noticed they both had a glass of wine and the couple empty bottles sitting out.

I quietly put my stuff at the bottom of the steps as I grabbed a couple of snacks from the cabinet. I walked over to where they sat and grabbed their wine glasses, bringing them over to the sink I dumped them. Walking back over I lightly shook them awake so they could sleep in their bed instead of the uncomfortable couch.  I took out the mail, looked through it and found an envelope I had been waiting for in the pile of bills. Last year the coach introduced me to the Oregon University football coach who turned out was interested in having me on the team. I accepted his offer quickly and sent in my college application that night.

I quickly grabbed the letter and ran upstairs to my room leaving my gear, soaking wet, at the steps. I jumped on to my bed grabbing the scissors and ripped open the letter.

I slowly unfolded the paper scared of what I was going to read with nerves racing through me. I'd been thinking about this letter ever since I had created the application and realized a college was interested in me. As my eyes scanned over the words my heart jumped; I couldn't believe it. I reread it three more times before I could actually think that I had been accepted into the University.  I reread the letter again another six times before jumping around my room, silently screaming.

Suddenly the phone went off and I quickly ran to get it before it woke my parents.

"Hello?" I spoke into the phone.

"Hey; Pipsqueak! how's it going?" sounded Sam's voice form the other end.

"Sam!! Guess what!" I shouted as I walked back into my room.

"What?!" he responded quickly.

"I got accepted into University of Oregon!" I reread the letter again while on the phone just to make sure I read it right.

"Wait, that's same college I applied to!!" he said excitedly.

"Wait, that's great! right?" I sat on my bed relieved that I'd know someone there. "Oh how's your foot?" I asked quickly feeling bad that I'd forgotten in that moment.

"Completely fine! I'll be back up and running soon enough! But anyways yeah I got my acceptance letter when I got home yesterday," he spoke with a sigh of relief in his voice.

"Well I guess I'll see you around, Sam! Get better quickly!" I layed on my bed hugging my letter.

"Yep, see ya around Jacquelyn," he softly spoke, then a click and he was gone.

I put my letter on my bedside table and got under the blankets ready for an early morning jog. As I turned off my lights I watched the moon as the thought of what's going to happen next ran through my mind and once again I had fallen asleep, ready for a new day.