Page 159 of The Glittering Edge

A slow grin spreads over Naomi’s face. “You’re scared.”

“I’m not scared of anything,” Dylan snaps, but color rises in her cheeks. Something catches her eye, and she frowns. “They’re here.”

Penny follows her line of sight to see almost the entire Barrion family. James Barrion leads the pack, waving and saying hello to people as they make their way to the front row of the home team’s bleachers. Julian follows him, hands stuffed into the pockets of his black jeans and eyes cast downward. Helen is there, looking even more somber than Julian. Principal Ames runs to meet them, removing theRESERVEDplacards from their seats one by one.

“No grandfather?” Penny says.

“That’s good, but we still need to stay far away from them,” Alonso mutters.

After Dylan rejoins the cheerleaders, the rest of them find seats near the top of the bleachers. Penny’s hands are shaking. It’s only August, so it’s not cold that’s making her shiver. A second later, a weight lands on her shoulders. It’s Alonso’s leather jacket, which is entirely too heavy for the season, but he’s never been one to sacrifice aesthetics for the sake of weather.

“Thanks,” Penny says, but inside she thinksPlease don’t let this be the last time I’m with him. Please let this work.

The music cuts off, replaced with the voice of the emcee over the loudspeakers. “Good evening, everybody! How are we all doing tonight?” The crowd roars in response, and he laughs. “Sounds like you’re ready for some football. I’m Jeff Riley, and when I’m not teaching history, I’m emceeing for our very own Tigers. Before we welcome them, let me introduce tonight’s visiting team, the Muncie Marauders!”

The Idlewood fans boo as the Marauders line up on the field, their white-and-yellow jerseys vivid under the floodlights.

“And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Please join me in welcoming our very own Idlewood Central Tigers!”

As every member of the team gets their own introduction, Penny tries to steady her breathing. Dylan is on the field with the other cheerleaders, shaking her pom-poms as everyone is announced.

“And, last but not least, give it up for our quarterback! Welcome number three, Corey Barrion!”

Penny’s ears ring with the crowd noise as Corey runs onto the field, high-fiving his teammates. Everybody stands and cheers, and even Alonso claps, his hands high above his head.

“And with that, let’s officially begin this year’s football season!”

Down on the field, the teams get into formation. Corey’s voice echoes as he calls out the first play, and a few seconds later, the teams are a blur of motion, crashing into each other. Corey dodges two members of the opposing team, and suddenly the football is sailing toward him. He jumps to catch it and then he weaves between the Marauders. He’s so quick that it almost looks like the rules of time don’t apply to him. He makes it all the way to the twenty-yard line before someone rams into him, knocking him over. The crowd holds its breath as the referee whistles. The Marauders disperse, and Corey is on the ground. At first it looks like he lost the ball, but then he rolls onto his back and—

The ball is clutched against his chest.

The crowd roars. “Would you look at that?” Mr. Riley says. “What a way to start off the game!”

“Damn,” Milton says as Penny and Naomi scream.

“I could do that,” Alonso says, but he’s grinning.

The first quarter passes in a blur, and the second goes even faster. The Tigers are winning, but Penny’s cheering loses its energy. It’s almost time.

With one minute left on the clock, Milton nods toward the opposite bleachers. “You should probably get moving, Naomi.”

“Pray that the Muncie fans don’t attack me.” Naomi’s smile fades as she pulls Penny into a hug. “You’ve got this.”

“Love you, Nay,” Penny whispers.

“Love you, Penz.”

When they’re alone, Alonso says, “So your week was… good?”

Penny’s throat goes tight. “Not really.”

“Yeah. Sorry, I say weird things when I’m nervous.”

Penny has been trying not to look at him, but now she has to. “That’s my line.”

Alonso stares back at her. His jaw is tense, but his eyes are soft. The feeling makes Penny feel like a liquid instead of a solid, like she’s discovering something universal but also entirely unique to them.

Still, there’s hesitation in Penny’s gut. Even though he’s here now, she remembers the way he looked at her in the record store parking lot. It was like he wanted nothing to do with her.

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