10. Crazy begins with the letter T

I sat on the cold bleacher waiting for that winning touchdown that Blake was suppose to give. The wind was cold and I definitely didn't wear enough articles of clothing. The crowd was going wild, standing up from their seats to see. So to see what the fuss was about, I stood up. That's when I saw him. It wasn't Blake making the winning touchdown. It was. It was Theo.

• • • •
A couple hours earlier
• • • •

I did what I do everyday. Wake up, push my dog off me, complain to myself, and finally get out of bed.

The air was cold. Colder than the usually morning days. It was the type of cold that if you inhale a giant amount of oxygen, it feels like your lungs are on fire. That burning sensation only last a couple seconds than it begins to feel like a mint before eventually cooling down all together.

I pulled out a simple, long-sleeved, baseball T-shirt. My dad got it for me a couple years back with a tiny card to go with it. I still remember that tiny card till this day.

You may not play sports, but you hit a home run in my heart.

I pulled it over my head and the light blue sleeves felt warm against my arms. Convincing me, I don't need anything else to cover it. I found some plain black leggings an put those on too. I walk into the bathroom. Combed out the thick bird nest I call my hair. Then decided to out then into two simple, but cute, French braids. Ever since I learn how to do them, I'm pretty sure it was last year, they became my go to hairstyle if I wanted to do something other than a ponytail.

Koda barked behind me.

"What boy?" I ask him. His ears perked up and quickly, he trotted to my computer.

I sat on my bed and lifted up the screen. Rebecca picture appeared with the buttons accept or decline call underneath.

Of course I accepted.

"Ciao!" She said right when my face appeared on her screen. "It means hi." She then tells me. Probably because of the look of confusion written across my face.

I know Spanish and a little bit of French (mom's side of the family), Italian is like new territory for me.

Koda jumped on my lap at the sound of Rebecca's voice. Sometimes I think Koda loves Rebecca more than me. I guess that makes sense, she always brings snacks for him when we hung out.

"You have Koda!" She yelled in I hope, excitement.

Koda barked at his name. Letting his tongue hang out.

"Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?" Rebecca used her baby talking voice. In fact, because of Rebecca, I started to do it with Koda more.

He barked again.

"Koda you hungry?" I asked.

His head turned in my direction and liked my face.

"Be right back." I quickly tell Rebecca.

Koda followed me to the kitchen where I prepares his favorite meal. Wet dog food. I don't know, something about it makes him go crazy. We just don't like feeding him it all the time due to his long white fur. Usually when he's done, he needs a bath. Lucky for us, he enjoys baths. Kind of.

I sat back on my bed while Koda was eating. Staring at my beautiful beat friend. She was already a dark person, but from what I could see, she got even darker.

Her jet black hair was up in a messy bun. Black rimmed glasses were on top of her eyes. Even without makeup, Rebecca looked model status gorgeous.

"How's schooling?" I ask. Interested on what is really going on in her world.

"It definitely harder than regular school." No duh about that one. "I have to attend a two hour language class everyday to learn he language. Then I got to a sewing class for another two hours, not to brag. I'm the best student."

"I already know that. I remember when you tried teaching me, I sewed my finger." I grin. Laughing along side with her. "Sewing seems impossible."

After she finished laughing she continued on. "Then I go to my lunch and get this. The school lunch campus area, whatever you call it, it's right along the beach. Most people bring their swimsuits and surfboards to catch the noon waves."

I can just imagine. Seeing half naked Italian boys makes my heart flutter. So wishing I was there right now.

"After lunch I have a three hour fashion designer class which is my absolute favorite." She squeals in excitement. Even her squeals are adorable.

"You're making me wish I was into fashion." I tell her.

"You'll have to come here one day. Its absolutely stunning and the boys are just, attractive." She grins.

"Well right now, I gotta go to school." I complain.

"I'm so sorry for you." She tells me.

"Me too." I grin before ending the call.

I kissed Koda goodbye, his pure white fur covered in brown. I'll wash him when I get home. Then I was out the door.

I waited for Blake by his truck, but he was nowhere to be seen. So I decided to do what ever other teenager does in this situation. Pull out their phone and pretend they're doing something. Just in case someone walks by and thinks they're a loner. I don't know why we do this.

"I'm so sorry. I'm late!" I hear Blake scream. It was at least ten minutes later at this time and I've memorized every apartment number.

I turn to see Blake and my eyes widened. He was adjusting the gray tie so it would hang nicely around his fancy black buttons up. Which was tucked into long dress pants that covered church like shoes.

He looked up and noticed my facial expression and lost for words. "So how do I look?"

He even turned around in a circle like what girls do in the movies when finding their perfect outfit.

Extremely attractive. "You look like a dork."

He smiled. "So you're coming to the game right?"

Now I understand why he so dresses up. It's the homecoming football game.

"I already told you, it's not my thing."

"At least come for Theo." He says, almost like he was gonna guilt trip me into showing up. "He's family won't be there tonight."

"Why?" I ask.

"They're on some sort of business trip." He explains. "Theo has no family that gonna be there tonight and I feel like having you will boost his confidence."

"Right." Something seems fishy in this. I just can't tell.

"Please Julia?" He begins to beg now. It's kind of cute.

"Fine. But only because I'm a good friend to Theo." I remind him.

He smiles before starting up the truck. Turning the engine on.

"You're truly amazing, you know that?" Blake says.

"I get that a lot." I smile.

• • • •

Theo was stoked when I told him I'm coming to the game to support him. In fact he was more excited for another reason.

"Julia you are the best!" He said in true happiness.

I smiled.

"And now I won't have to hang around Blake and the devil spawn." He cheers.

"Best day ever!" I cheer along side him.

He pulled me into a hug so tight, I could feel my lung about to collapse.

At least he's excited.

• • • •

So here I am. Sitting on a cold ass bleacher. The freezing wind blowing into my face. Theo gave me his leatherman jacket right before the game and even with this oversized jacket, I'm still freezing.

The student section around me were cheering loud.

It was a close game. South High with 53 points and us at 52. Only a couple seconds left of the game.

I sat on the cold bleacher waiting for that winning touchdown that Blake was suppose to give. The wind was cold and I definitely didn't wear enough articles of clothing. The crowd was going wild, standing up from their seats to see. So to see what the fuss was about, I stood up. That's when I saw him. It wasn't Blake making the winning touchdown. It was. It was Theo.

His light gray number, 25, was clinging to him for dear life as he sprinted down the field. Football in hand.

Some dude went in for a tackle, but only got the tip of his finger on the bottom of his cleat. I don't want to know what would happened if he got stepped on. The crowd began to go wild as he was only inches away from the touchdown line. Then just like a match lighting a fire pit, the crowd roared. Chanting Theo's name when the referee called it good.

Theo did a victory run before hugging Blake in a massive bro-hug.

They started the next play, but right when the referee blew his whistle, the ending buzzer rang.

Our side erupted in the school cheer im celebration of our win. It was an amazing feeling to be apart of the crowd in this victory. I didn't cheer though.

Once the crowd calmed down and the football players began to head back inside for an inspirational meeting, I walked down by the gate and waited patiently.

"Julia!" Both Blake and The I screamed when they saw me.

I turned my head to see them. Not before long, Tara joined into this conversation.

"Blake you did so good!" Tara greeted him with a long kiss.

Theo came over by me.

"Congratulations on winning the game," I told him.

"Thank you for coming." He grinned before pulling me into a sweaty bear hug. A lot less constricting this time. Just the smell was burning my nostrils.

When we pulled away, we noticed Tara smiling at us. "Aren't you guys just the cutest. Don't you think Blake?"

"Yeah, I guess." Blake obviously disapproved on this situation.

"You two should date." Tara squealed.

Theo and I exchanged looks. The type of look where we are mentally saying what-the-hell-is-this-girl-on.

"Dude let's go!" Theo dragged Blake along with him. Leaving me alone with the devil.

It was an awkward silence between us now. Except there was definitely some tension protruding off her.

"Listen." Tara glared. "It so nice that you finally realize that Blake doesn't like you."

Is this what its about?

"But you don't have to go for his beat friend to make him jealous." She jumped to a whole new level of conclusion.

"Tara. Blake, Theo, and I are just friends." I remind her.

"And it's gonna stay like that." She turned quickly. Making a wave of flowers almost suffocate me.

God she's crazy.