Football season, or the first semester of college seemed like it took 2 years to complete. I was making friends from football, but outside of football I didn't really want to hang out with them. I wasn't a big drinker and I didn't smoke or anything else that a lot of the guys were doing. Not trying to make myself sound as I was above them, it was just simply not what I was interested in doing. So while I could avoid parties on the weekend that were at the upperclassmen's college houses, I could not avoid my teammates in my dorm. I would leave my dorm to avoid Tyler and the mess he made of the room and instead go to the main floor lobby. But as soon as I got some peace, then more of my teammates would come down to the lobby and sit next to me. But with as much complaining as I'm doing, I got to admit, the guys on the team were hilarious. They had me to the point of tears because I was laughing so much. A lot of nights in the lobby would end with members of the team freestyle rapping. It was absolutely terrible but it was hilarious. And while I wasn't the closest with Tyler, he always wanted to hang out. Even though I didn't view him through the lens he viewed me, I didn't want to be rude. It was his first year too and I was his roommate, I shouldn't try to ruin his experience. We would explore the dorm together. We got into the top floor of the dorm, the janitor must have left the door unlocked. There was a bunch of random furniture and other items. It started to get a little creepy up there and we agreed this would be the place a serial killer would hide so we got out of there. 

The college food did get boring real quick. But that's probably because I got the same thing everyday when I had plenty of other options. Regardless, I would go with some other teammates to places like Taco Bell late at night just to get something different to eat. We had a team karaoke night and other fun events, but it still just didn't seem like the right fit for me. Football just wasn't how I wanted it to be. 

...

Before the school year started, all the freshman at Elm were taken on a field trip to Philadelphia. It was 40 minutes away, and the trip served as way for the freshman to see how close they were and what they could explore if they wanted to go off campus. The freshman were split into small groups. When I got my group assignment, I kept telling myself that Claire was going to be on it, but she sadly wasn't. I was with some people I hadn't met and two other football guys. But the great thing is that one of the people I hadn't met was on the track team: Logan. Logan was also currently in cross country season. This was the first person I had met in person from the track team. It was a breath of fresh air. We talked about our high school running seasons and what we were excited for with running in college. We were attached at the hip for the rest of the trip. I kept searching for Claire, but all the groups were spread out and taken to different destinations. There were just so many people and I couldn't spot her. 

As we rode back to Elm on the bus, I looked at the Elm schedule of events. Tomorrow was still a free day. Class wouldn't be starting until the day after. The big event tomorrow night was glow in the dark bowling. I had such a fun time talking to Logan that I wanted to meet up with the other members of the team. I got Logan's attention a couple of seats ahead of me and asked if he thought it would be fun. He nodded his head. I went to the group chat that all the freshman track athletes were in. It was not a very active chat, the last anyone had used it was when we all introduced ourselves. "Would everyone be down to meet up and go to glow in the dark bowling tomorrow night?" I texted. Logan responded right away to get the train going, and after a few minutes, more people responded that they thought bowling sounded like a fun idea. 

...

We had a rough practice. It was an off day for everyone. Players were lazy rotating from station to station. The offense wasn't running their plays the right way, as per usual. Coach ended practice an hour early because it was going so bad. In our team huddle, coach ended the day by yelling at us until he about passed out. I was hoping the bowling at night would turn the day around for the better.

But what really kicked off the terrible day was film study at the start of practice. The defensive unit was going over a new defensive scheme. At the start of each session, our defensive coordinator counts the players in the room. If we are missing any player who doesn't have an excused absence pre-approved, then we have to run that number of sprints times 5. Counting me, there were 9 defensive backs. At the meeting, there was only 8 of us. It was the usual suspect: Carter Pitts. Carter is a sophomore, but you would think he just entered his first year of middle school. He whined every time someone got a practice rep instead of him. But then every time he got in, he wouldn't remember the play. Then he'd go cry like a little baby when coach yelled at him. Or he would act like he was injured. He was usually wrapped in ice by the end of practice. That's rude to say, maybe he was actually getting hurt. But if that was the case, I was really starting to worry about the health of the guy. 

Anyways, when Carter wasn't getting hurt or embarrassed at practice, he spent his time being late to practice. But he wasn't just late today, he just wasn't there. Our defensive back's coach called and texted Carter. There was no response. Our coach said he was going to run to Carter's room. He added that "if he isn't there, then y'all better pray." I rolled my eyes as soon as coach said this. I was over this whole paying for other peoples mistakes thing. Coach finally came back just before we wrapped up our film session. He pulled all the defensive backs to the side and gave us the rundown of the situation. Coach has campus safety unlock Carter's door for him after Carter failed to respond to his knocking. As he entered the room, all he could smell was weed. Carter was passed out on his bed. Coach told Carter to not bother showing up to practice. But he let Carter know and then us that were would be later consequences. I wasn't smoking weed, I wasn't showing up late for practice, but yet I had to pay the consequences of the guy who was doing the opposite? But besides some rough defensive back drills at practice, the consequences weren't that bad. 

...

I didn't know what to wear to bowling. I wanted to wear something practical. It was a little chilly out and I was going to be walking to the bowling alley, so I wanted to wear something a little warmer. But at the same time, I wanted to wear something good for Claire. She hadn't responded that she was going to bowling but I was really hoping that she'd be there. Maybe I could wear a nice collared shirt. Maybe some nice shorts. I wanted to dress properly but at the same time look attractive to Claire. It was silly, I was worrying about looking good for this girl like it was our first date. 

Tyler walked into the room as I put on my collared shirt and some khaki shorts.

"Getting ready for a date?" He asked.

"Nah, I'm meeting the track team for the first time tonight."

"There must be some girl you think is hot."

"No."

"Yes there is."

"No."

"Oh I think there is. Why else you getting all fancy?"

"This isn't even fancy man."

"Well I hope you two hit it off." He then grabbed his computer and left the room. 

I was hoping Claire and I would hit it off too. And as I sprayed way too much cologne on myself, I got a group chat notification. I looked to see a text from the defensive back's coach to every defensive back on the team.

"Be at the track in 10 minutes! We're running 400s for our mistakes from earlier. If you don't show up, don't bother showing up to any practices for the rest of the season." The text said. 

This must've been the actual consequence that coach was talking about earlier. The glow in the dark bowling started in 5 minutes. I was really going to miss it for another player's mistake. I figured it would be okay. I'm sure we would be done in time so that I could make the last couple of rounds of bowling. Sure I could skip the running, but I really wanted to get playing time this year. This was a good opportunity to show how committed I was to the team. I didn't waste time texting the track group chat that I couldn't make it. I switched into athletic clothing and rushed over to the track.