Page 76 of Spiral

“They’re with the other players in the entrance tunnel, waiting for us. We’ve got to hurry… Eleanor, you look really nice.”

She smiles at him, her cheeks blushing bright red, and giggles.

Did Eleanor seriously just giggle? At a boy? What is going on?

I don’t have time to dwell on it, knowing that the game will be starting soon. Within a few minutes, the entire TU Titans football team has spread out across the entrances to Mason Field, handing out flyers to anyone who will take one.

“Glow in the Garden?” Jonah asks as he receives his stack, “I thought it was called ‘Fuck Coach Bryer.’”

“That was the working title,” I murmur, gesturing for him to keep his voice down.

“I’m so proud of you, baby.” Henry envelopes me in a hug, his protective gear practically suffocating me as he does it.

“I’m proud of you,” I retort, unable to stop myself from smiling as I gaze up at him. “You made it to the Championships!”

“Not yet, babydoll,” he replies, his tousled hair falling in perfect tendrils across his forehead. “We’ve still gotta win this one. Then we can celebrate.”

He smiles in that boyish way, dimples carved into his tanned cheeks and lips rosy from the sun.

Ugh, he’s so pretty.

“We’ve gotta get to our seats, Georgie – Danny saved them for us!” Eleanor begins to pull me by the arm, away from Henry.

As we make our way through the stands of Mason Field, my heart flutters seeing the hundreds of people holding our flyers as they cheer for the Titans.

“This might actually work,” I whisper to Eleanor, my voice barely loud enough to be heard above the roaring crowd.

“Of course it will,” El remarks, shaking her head, “Ooh, here’s our seats.”

She plops down in a hard, scorching chair just a few rows back from the field. Even though it’s practically winter, the Texas sun still nearly blinds me and blazes with the heat of summertime.

“Quarterback and Captain Henry Anderson takes the field along with his team of fightin’ TUTitans!”

The announcer’s booming voice reverberates throughout the stadium, hitting us like a shockwave. Eleanor, Danny, and I all stand instinctively, cheering as the Titans take the field and get into their positions. Our rivals, the Mississippi State Mudcats, follow close behind them.

"The Texas Titans aren't going to back down, folks! They're here to snatch victory from the jaws of the Mudcats!”

The crowd roars as the Mississippi quarterback calls the first hike, officially starting the game that will decide who advances to the NCAA championships.

"And we're off! The Mudcats kick off the game with a powerful drive down the field, but the Titans' defense is holding strong!"

Jonah flies down the field towards the Mudcats’ wide receiver in a desperate attempt to tackle him, with Henry following close behind.

“McGee and Anderson following after number 85 and… touchdown, Mississippi Mudcats! What a play! Mudcats take an early lead against the TU Titans.”

The stadium erupts in a deafening chorus of boos as the rival team scores.

“Jesus, that was quick,” Eleanor remarks, sipping her drink and squinting towards the field.

I whisper under my breath – just loud enough to where only I can hear:

“Come on, Henry… take ‘em down.”

Both teams quickly line up for another play, this time with Henry holding the ball. He calls a hike and, in one fluid motion, soars the ball across the field towards a sprinting Todd Watson.

“But wait, the Titans aren’t giving up without a fight! They’re mounting a fierce comeback, driving deep into Mudcat territory! Watson catches the ball as he dashes towards the end zone… TOUCHDOWN, TU Titans!”

My ears immediately begin to ring from the sonic boom of cheers radiating through Mason Field. Eleanor and I hug each other, jumping up and down, screaming in support of the team.

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