Page 63 of How We Fooled

I laugh out loud with a huge smile on my face.

No. She asked me to work the football game tonight and mentioned how good you were. Then, she told me about the other TimeLand kids.

Oh, yeah? What’s that teacher’s dirt on us?

Maya is a sweetheart. Dalton has his moments but is a good kid, and Ben, as she said it, is a cocky SOB.

Ha! She nailed that one.

The warning bell rings, and kids start to enter my class, so I put my phone away, only to feel it buzz with one more text.

See your beautiful face soon.

I melt at his words, but don’t respond as I slip my phone in my purse and stand to greet the students for the morning.

I show up at the football field at four thirty and am bummed when I don’t see Eli anywhere. I walk to where Sarah told me to meet the other teachers who are working the event and am greeted by a few of them. We introduce ourselves just as Sarah arrives.

“Yay, you made it. So, I take it, you met everyone?” she asks me.

“Yep.”

“Good. I asked if they were okay with you working the field gate so you can watch the game. We all rotate, so you won’t get that spot every time, but they were fine with you taking it this first game. Follow me, and I’ll show you around.”

I do as she asked, taking in the stadium for the first time. Last time I was here, I was in such shock from seeing Eli that I didn’t look around to see just how incredible this place was.

“I can’t believe this is a high school field.”

“Welcome to TimeLand Stadium. The CEO’s son is Dalton. He’s one of our best players and already committed to go to Stanford.”

“Really? Stanford?”

“All the TimeLand owners graduated from there and moved back here. So, they had that connection. But Dalton is really good, so that spot is earned, for sure.”

I point to the field. “Those aren’t the varsity players, right?”

“No. They’re probably in the locker room, going over plays and preparing. This is the JV team warming up.”

She walks me to a gate that leads to the football field. “Your job will be to stay here and monitor this area. People will be coming and going, but they need one of these”—she hands me a lanyard to put around my neck—“to get through, unless they are cheerleaders, drumline, or drill team.” She ticks off on her fingers. “But they have to be in uniform. No uniform, no field access.”

I give her a firm nod. “Got it.”

“You have my number, and I’ll be the floater today, just walking around, making sure the crowd stays in line.” She covers one side of her mouth, like she’s trying to hide what she’s saying from anyone around, although it’s only the two of us here. “And make sure kids don’t sneak under the bleachers to get it on.”

I laugh at the way she says get it on. Oh, high school … I remember doing some things under our bleachers that were probably frowned upon. I guess the same runs for all schools, no matter what state you’re in.

“Okay, I have to run, but I’ll check in on you throughout the night.”

I give her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be right here.”

“Thank you again,” she says, waving over her shoulder as she walks away.

The JV game begins, and I’m actually surprised by just how many people use this gate throughout the entire game, showing me firsthand why they need someone here to monitor it. The stadium is built into the earth with steps going down to the field, so from my higher vantage point, I can actually see the entire game, which is pretty cool.

The fourth-quarter horn signals the end of the game just as drums playing in the distance catch my attention.

I turn around and see the drumline, along with girls twirling flags in the air, approaching me in a parade-like fashion. It takes me a few seconds to realize it’s because the varsity football team is behind them. This must be their grand entrance.

My heart starts to race as I realize their only way onto the field is through me.

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