Chapter 35

“What are we?!” 

“COBRAS!”

“What are we going to do?!” 

“WIN!” 

“What are we going to be?!” 

“NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!” 

“Who do we fight for?!” 

“WEST HIGH!” 

“What are we?!” 

“COBRAS!” 

“LET’S WIN THIS!” 

The locker room broke out into cheers and screams as we got ready for our game. 

We ran out to the field, yelling and cheering, ready to win the game. 

For some reason, Coach made me get dressed in my pads, even though I probably wasn’t going to pay. 

There was no reason for me to play. Andrew was our QB, he was the one who played with the team all season, he deserved this. 

The first half was awful. 

There was no score, both teams were throwing and receiving awful hits, bone crunching hits. 

We were all silent in the locker room, nobody knew what to say. 

Parker was standing in front of the room, his arms crossed, looking down at the ground. 

I glanced around the locker room, everything looking all too familiar to the locker room during halftime at the last nationals. 

Nate was holding a wet paper towel to a nasty gash on his forearm. Matt was running his hands through his hair in frustration. Luke was blankly staring ahead. Dylan was looking down at his feet, his legs jittering anxiously. Andrew was clenching his teeth, pain written on his face while Bill taped up his extremely swollen ankle. 

“This is not over.” Parker said seriously. “This is definitely not over. Why is this not over? Because we’re the best team out there, okay? We have the power to win this. We can win this. We will win this.” 

“Excuse me.” Coach muttered as his phone started ringing. He left the locker room as he answered it. 

“Andrew, you’re out. Sam, warm up, you’re going in.” Parker said, looking at me. 

My jaw dropped as my heart started beating faster. “Wh-what?” I asked quietly. “N-No I can’t even throw far enough.” 

“You can run the ball. You can pass off. Better you’re out there than Andrew is with that ankle.” Parker said. “Listen to me Sam, you can do this.” 

I took a deep breath, my eyes meeting Dylan’s. 

“I have to go back to Birmingham.” Coach said, walking back into the locker room. “Marissa’s in labor.” 

“What?!” Andrew exclaimed. 

“It’s fine, she’s fine, she’s on her way to the hospital, but I have to be there.” Coach said, pulling on his jacket. “Good luck out there boys, I know you’ll do great, but I need to go right now.” 

“Dad!” Andrew called after Coach. Coach turned around before leaving the locker room. 

“Tell her I love her.” 

“Me too.” I added, squeezing the bench that I was sitting on. 

Coach just nodded, pushing open the door to leave. 

Parker ran his hands through his hair. 

“We can do this, alright? You are the best team out there and I know that you all know that. This is our game, and we’re going to go out there and defend your title, okay?” Parker said. 

Andrew rested his head against the lockers that he was sitting next, his eyes closing in pain. 

He stayed behind in the locker room with a few medical trainers while we ran out to the field. 

“Dylan.” I said urgently, grabbing his arm as we stood on the sideline while the other team kicked off. “I love you.” I said softly, looking into his eyes. 

“I love you too.” Dylan said, pulling me into a tight hug. “Are you okay?” 

“Yea, I’m good, I just needed a moment with you.” I said, nodding as I stepped back from him. “Gosh can you believe Marissa’s having the baby?” I asked, tightening the straps on my helmet. 

Dylan just nodded. “You’re going to be a big sister.” 

A smile grew on my face. 

“A little baby girl.” I grinned. 

Andrew joined us on the sidelines, on crutches without a shoe on his left ankle. He wasn’t wearing his pads anymore either. 

“You good?” I raised my eyebrows. 

“Possible stress fracture. They wanted to take me for x-rays but I made them let me stay to finish the game.” Andrew said. 

“Sam, you’re up.” Parker said, calling me over to him. 

“Looks like Coach Parker is putting in number 27, Sam Carson. We haven’t seen her in a while, let’s see if she can work her magic again like she has for the past 3 years.” The announcer was saying. 

My heart was racing as he told me the play we were doing. I nodded as I ran out to the field. 

This was an easy play, it just required me handing it off and getting out of the way. 

I could do this. 

I rubbed my hands together as we lined up opposite the other team. 

The ball was snapped and I readied my hands to catch it. 

My running back was waiting to my right as the ball flew towards me. My hands made contact with the leather and I immediately tossed it off, jumping backwards to avoid a tackle. 

He took the ball up about 15 yards before getting tackled. 

We’d gotten a first down. 

I glanced at Coach for the play, my heart jumping in my throat as I turned back to the huddle. 

“Fake hand off to Wyatt, then off to Nate 20 yards up.” I said quietly, my hands shaking. 

I felt like I was going to be sick as I waited for the ball to be snapped. 

It hit my hands firmly, but as I pulled my right hand back to throw it, the ball slipped right out of my hands. 

It was like slow motion as I watched it fall backwards onto the turf at my feet. It was half a second before I reacted and dove on the ball immediately, ensuring our possession of the ball. 

I was stuck at the bottom of the pile of people scrambling for the ball, but I emerged with it firmly in my hands. 

“Same thing.” I said firmly to the team. “We got it this time.” I said with a nod. 

Nate’s eyes held mine for a second too long, and I couldn’t help but notice the lack of confidence. 

My teeth were clenched tight as the ball flew back towards me. 

I held it firmly in my hands as I took a step back, squaring my shoulder to throw it out to Nate. 

I held my breath, watching the ball fly through the air directly to Nate. Or so I thought. 

My heart sunk as it fell just a few yards short, causing Nate to have to dive forwards onto it. 

I squatted down to my knees, putting my head in my hands. 

What the hell was Parker thinking, putting me in? I couldn’t play for shit right now. 

Tears filled my eyes as I stood up, breathing heavily. 

“Same thing.” I said, my voice shaking. “I promise.” 

Last time, only my hands were shaking. This time, I could feel my whole body trembling as I stood with my hands ready for the ball. 

I couldn’t keep my right leg still, it was bouncing up and down as I tried to not let myself explode. 

I took a deep breath as the ball hit my hands, collecting myself. 

Just get it to Nate. That’s all I had to do. I clenched my teeth, throwing the ball over the line of players. 

My heart jumped as Nate caught it firmly in his hands and turned to run it up the field. 

I jumped up, my hands on top of my helmet as I watched Nate run it the 30 yards needed for a touch down. 

A smile spread on my face as we scored. 

This was exactly what we needed. The first number on the scoreboard was ours, and I know it gave us the confidence we needed. 

“Get a drink, calm down, and stretch out your arm. From the sidelines I can see how tight it is.” Parker told me, shoving a bottle of water into my hands. 

I nodded, walking over to stand next to Andrew. 

“You fumbled.” He said, obviously biting back his laugh. 

I glared at him, spraying some water in face. 

I poured some water in my mouth as I swung my arm around in circles, trying to loosen it up. 

“This hurts like hell.” I muttered, holding it across my chest. 

“You okay to play?” Andrew frowned. 

“Well obviously one of us has to be.” I rolled my eyes, handing him my water bottle. 

I stood on my tiptoes to watch the other team’s offense. 

They made it all the way to our 15th yard line before it was intercepted and taken back to our 30. 

I patted our cornerback that caught the ball on the helmet as I ran out to the middle of the field. 

This play was easy, just a simple 30 yard pass. 

I was much more confident than before as I caught the ball in my hands and prepared to throw it out to Nate. 

But there was a safety right on him. 

I swore under my breath as I glanced around the field for someone to pass to. 

Against better judgement, I tucked the ball under my arm and ran around to the right, running as fast as I could up the field. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a defensive tackle on my left, heading straight for me. 

My heart was racing as I quickly stepped out of bounds, not willing to risk getting tackled. 

But we’d taken the ball 25 yards, and were on the opposing team’s 45. 

This was looking good for us again. 

But we didn’t score that time. There wasn’t another score for the rest of the third quarter. 

“Any news from Coach?” I asked Andrew as I took some water. 

“Sam he left like 30 minutes ago, he’s still got over four hours of driving to do.” Andrew laughed. 

“There’s this thing called phones, and I dunno. Marissa could’ve had the baby and called him.” I shrugged. 

“Told you you’d be fine.” Dylan smiled, appearing behind me. 

I rolled my eyes, bumping his hip with mine. 

“I fumbled.” 

“Once, you’re doing great now.” Dylan said, kissing my cheek. 

“I’ll just be glad to go home and sleep for about 10 years.” I sighed, taking another sip of my water. 

“After we win Nationals, of course.” Dylan said, raising his eyebrows. 

I sighed again. “This is our last game together, guys.” I said softly. “I’m going to miss this...” 

“Aw look at Sam getting all emotional and shit.” Nate teased. 

I rolled my eyes, turning away from them. 

They’d scored a field goal and a touchdown during the fourth quarter. It was awful.

But with 4 seconds left, we were on our own 40, with a very slim chance of getting a touch down. 

But on Parker’s orders, we were attempting one. 

My heart was racing as the ball was snapped. 

I waited for our receivers to get far enough down, took a deep breath, squeezed my eyes shut, held my breath, and aired out the ball with all the strength my arm could muster. 

I opened my eyes as it flew through the air. 

This was the moment. 

The deciding moment of whether or not we were still the best in the country. 

I put my hands behind my head, having just completed the last play of my high school career. 

I could hear my breath heavy in my ears, my heart pounding. 

I saw Nate’s hands close around the ball, his feet landing firmly in the end zone. 

I let out the breath that I’d been holding, a smile growing on my face as I knelt down on my knees, relief flooding through me. 

Next thing I knew, Dylan and Nate were pulling me up, the entire team crowding around us in one big huddle of celebration. 

My mind went fuzzy from that moment. Everything was a blur of celebration. 

I remember being hugged by almost everyone on the team. I remember the group huddle the seniors had, everybody silent for a moment as we took in the awesome memories of the season. I remember Dylan hugging me so tightly that I felt like I was going to explode. 

I remember getting on the bus knowing that we had a long journey back home tonight, and that it would be completely filled with celebration and partying. 

And I remember that 10 minutes into the bus ride, most of the team was fast asleep, exhausted from the hour we’d spent running around our floor of the hotel as we packed.

******************************

I pushed my hair back from my face as I walked into the hospital room behind Andrew who was on crutches. 

It was about 4 in the morning now, the entire team had come straight to the hospital rather than go back to the school, all of us wanting to see Coach and his new baby girl. 

“Hey...” Andrew said softly, crutching into the room. 

“Shh... She’s sleeping.” Coach said, glancing at Marissa. “Do you guys want to meet your little sister?” 

Andrew’s gaze met mine as we went over to Coach. 

He looked completely different with a little baby girl in his arms. 

His entire personality was changed from his usual tough attitude on the field. 

“Lorraine... This is your big brother Andrew, and he’s going to get in a lot of trouble later because he’s on crutches and didn’t tell his daddy.” Coach said, giving Andrew a wink. “And this is your big sister Samantha... I hope you turn out to be just like her someday.” 

“Can I hold her?” I asked softly, holding out my arms. 

Coach nodded. “Be careful of her head though.” Coach said softly as he handed me the little ball of blankets. 

“Hi Lorraine.” I said quietly, sitting down in the chair next to Coach. “I’m Samantha, but most people just call me Sam.” 

A smile grew on my face as I observed her adorable little face. 

“Did we win?” Coach asked softly. 

“Sam threw a 60 yard touch down.” Andrew said proudly. 

“Shush let’s focus on the baby.” I mumbled, looking down at my little sister. 

“Guess what Lorraine... You’re part of a family that loves football. And as soon as you’re old enough, we’ll go outside and play catch alright?” Coach said, looking over my shoulder. 

“She’s so precious.” I whispered, handing her back to Coach. 

“Let’s go introduce her to the team.” Coach smiled, standing up. 

“You can do that?” I raised my eyebrows, unsure if he was allowed to take her out of the room. 

“I’m her father. I can do whatever I want.” Coach laughed. 

I followed him out of the room and down the hall to the waiting room, the sound of Andrew’s crutches following us through the silent hospital. 

“Boys, boys quiet down for a minute.” Coach said, walking into the waiting room. 

A chorus of ‘aw’s spread throughout the room, and it was all I could do to not burst into laughter at this group of tough football players awing over a baby. 

“I’d like you all to meet the newest member of the West High Cobras, Lorraine Jessica Lowellson.” Coach said softly. 

I felt a smile grow on my face as the team crowded around coach to get a look at Lorraine. 

Dylan wrapped his arms around my shoulders and I leaned back against his chest. 

I smiled, knowing that this little girl would always have a huge support group following her everywhere. I knew that as long as Coach was coaching at West High, Lorraine would have twenty guys protecting her with everything she had. 

Dylan kissed my cheek. 

“Are you happy?” He whispered, rubbing his hands over my shoulder. 

“I think this is the happiest I’ve ever been.” I whispered, resting my hands on top of his. 

And I meant it. 

Looking around the room, this was all I’d ever wanted. 

I had a family, a family who loved me, and who was biologically related to me and understood me and my love for football. 

I had four National Championship Titles. I had a team that I knew would always be close to each other even in 10 years when we all have our own families and careers. 

I had a boyfriend that I knew I’d be spending the rest of my life with. 

Whether it was in 5 years, 10 years, or 20 years, I knew we’d be getting married someday. And one day, we’d be here for ourselves, holding our first child. 

I knew that life couldn’t get better than this. 

As I looked up at Dylan, my heart warmed to see that he was looking down at me. 

“I love you.” He whispered, placing a soft kiss on my nose. 

I closed my eyes, resting my forehead against the side of his jaw, finding comfort in his arms. 

This was all I ever needed. 

THE END

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I thought I was going to upate this tomorrow, because I was supposed to be gardening with my aunt all afternoon. But about 5 minutes into gardening, I got an awful bloody nose so we just sat inside with my cousin the whole time. 

My cousin just wrote a song and him and his friend produced it I'm so excited :)

YES there will be an epilogue and MOST LIKELY a sequel, but not for a while. 

I'll post the epilogue later and the bonus chapter tomorrow. 

-Panda

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