Page 5 of No More Jocks

"Yeah, Caleb," Ryan added, smirking. "Where'd you get those shoes? Women’s Footlocker?"

Their laughter wasn't overly loud, but it stung just the same, each chuckle like a needle pricking my skin. I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them see how much their words affected me. I was used to this kind of treatment, but that didn't make it any easier to bear. Every fiber of my being wanted to shrink away, to disappear into the crowd of students milling around us.

Before I could respond, a familiar figure caught my eye. Marcus was approaching, his face set in a determined expression that made my heart skip a beat. He stopped right next to me, his presence suddenly a shield against the ridicule.

"Hey, Caleb," Marcus said, his voice loud enough for everyone around to hear. "How's it going?"

I blinked in surprise, then quickly recovered, grateful for the interruption. "Hey, Marcus. It's going good. Just getting ready for class."

Jake and Ryan exchanged confused glances, their smirks faltering. "Why are you talking to him, Marcus?" Jake asked. "He's just a?—"

"Just a what, Jake?" Marcus cut him off, his voice hard as steel. The sudden shift in his demeanor was startling, his usual easy-going nature replaced by a fierce protectiveness that took my breath away. "Just a guy who's helping me with my grades? Just a guy who's smarter than you'll ever be?"

The hallway grew silent, and I could feel the eyes of the other students on us. Marcus stood tall, his jaw set, and for the first time, I saw him as more than just a football player. He was standing up for me, defending me against his own teammates, and it meant more than I could express.

"Come on, man, we're just messing around," Ryan said, trying to laugh it off. His voice held a note of uncertainty now, the bravado from earlier evaporating under Marcus's stern gaze. "It's all in good fun."

"Doesn't seem like fun to me," Marcus retorted, his eyes flashing. "Why don't you try respecting people for a change?"

Jake stepped forward; his expression serious. "What's your problem, Marcus? You're defending this...this guy over your own team?"

Marcus didn't back down, standing his ground like an immovable force. "Yeah, I am. Because Caleb's done nothing wrong. And if you've got a problem with him, you've got a problem with me."

For a moment, it looked like Jake might push the issue, but then he backed off, muttering under his breath. "Whatever, man. Let's go, Ryan."

As they walked away, the crowd began to disperse, the excitement of the confrontation fading. I turned to Marcus, feeling a mix of gratitude and awe that left me almost speechless.

"Thanks, Marcus," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did," he replied firmly, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. "Nobody deserves to be treated like that. Let's get to class."

We walked down the hallway together, and I could feel the eyes of the other students on us, but for once, I didn't care. I knew Marcus had done the right thing, and that was all that mattered. As we walked, I snuck glances at him, seeing him in a new light. Marcus wasn't just another jock, or even just a nice guy. He was someone who stood up for what was right, someone who wasn't afraid to challenge his peers. And that, I realized with a flutter in my chest, was incredibly attractive.

4

CALEB

At lunch, I found my usual spot in the cafeteria, a little corner table where I typically sat alone. The noise of the lunchroom washed over me as I unpacked my carefully prepared meal, a turkey and cheese sandwich with sour cream and onion potato chips with a bag of black seeded grapes. Despite my best effort, my mind was still replaying the events from earlier. I was so lost in thought that I almost missed Marcus heading my way, his tray in hand and a determined look on his face.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, smiling that warm smile that seemed to light up the whole room.

"Not at all," I replied, gesturing to the empty seat across from me, hoping my voice didn't betray the sudden nervousness I felt. "Thanks again for earlier."

"No problem," Marcus said, settling down. His knee brushed against mine under the table, sending a jolt of electricity through me. "We all need to look out for each other, right?"

"Right," I agreed, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the temperature in the room. "So, how's practice going?"

"Tough but good," Marcus replied, taking a bite of his sandwich. A smear of mustard caught on his upper lip, and I had to resist the urge to reach out and wipe it away. "Coach is really pushing us hard."

As we ate, the conversation flowed naturally, far easier than I had expected. We talked about our favorite movies, debating the merits of classic literature adaptations versus modern blockbusters. We discovered a shared love for indie music, and Marcus promised to send me some playlist recommendations. When the topic turned to our plans for the future, I found myself opening up to Marcus in a way I hadn't with anyone else at school.

"I want to study English Literature in college," I admitted, pushing my glasses up my nose. "Maybe become a professor or a fiction writer someday."

Marcus nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That suits you. You'd be great at it, based on how you've been helping me."

His words sent a warm glow through me, and I ducked my head, hoping he didn't notice the blush creeping up my cheeks.

"What about you?" I asked, eager to shift the focus. "What are your plans after high school?"

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