Page 24 of Heart of Gold
“You look like shit,” Huddy says matter-of-factly, and I look at myself. I do kind of look like hell. My feelings match because my mood just isn’t it.
I don’t know where my head is, but it’s not here.
The five minute drive to the field flies by and the next thing I know, I’m standing on the field ready to practice. We run drills and finally line up the first string offense and defense then run some plays.
Coach swaps out two potential starting quarterbacks each play, trying to show that they will have to earn their spot. I doubt he will announce the starter until closer to our first game.They are both good, but our newest freshman recruit is cocky and, for that reason alone, I don’t think he will succeed. I don’t know much about him other than he is the only other five star freshman recruit on this team besides myself. I don’t even know his full name. He can play ball, don’t get me wrong, but it takes more than that to be a successful quarterback in a D1 program. You need to be a leader, and your team needs to trust you. Collins isn’t a leader.
I watch as Coach grabs him by the shoulder pads, yells something inaudible, and shoves him toward the bench.
“Bro needs a fucking reality check, I’m glad coach doesn’t take his shit.” Our free safety, Jamal Taylor, says as he lines up for the next play.
I watch the sideline as our quarterback coach and Collins exchange words.
The ball is snapped and Jaylen Warren, our senior QB, scrambles around in the pocket before eventually throwing the ball away. He had no open receivers, none that he trusted could make a catch with myself or Taylor guarding them. I watch as he chews on his mouth piece, very obviously aggravated.
Everyone breaks for water and Coach Baker, our defensive coordinator, comes up and pats my back.
“Good job, two. Keep that up, and with that kind of coverage, it’s gonna be hard to score on us.”
I wipe my forehead with a towel, “Thank you, sir. I will.”
“You always such a suck-up?” I turn toward the voice, and see Collins sprawled out on the bench.
I smile condescendingly, “It’s unfortunate that you are such an asshat, maybe we could win games if you gave a shit about the team.”
I toss my gatorade bottle back in the carrier with the others and head out on the field. I’ve dealt with players like him my whole life. This kid doesn’t phase me one bit.
chapter ten
Quinn
I have a pounding headache as I drag myself out of the twin sized mattress that is supposed to be my new bed for the next four years. The smallest room ever, with a stranger I’ve known for a few days, isn’t my idea of home. That’s what you get when you choose a college based on your ex-boyfriend’s choice, and that college is ten hours away from home where you know not a single soul.
I didn’t realize when I signed up for classes that I have early classes nearly every single day. I’ll endure it because that’s what I’m used to, but it will suck. This whole situation might suck, but I refuse to let Grayson be the reason I decided not to come here. This is a great school, even though it wasn’t my first choice, and I do think it will be good for me to get away from home for a while. Figure out who I am, you know, all the things that eighteen year olds need to do.
Groaning, I drag myself out of bed and pull on my typical jeans and sweatshirt combo. It’s the first weekend of September so it’s not too cold, but it’s 7am, so I don’t expect it to be warm either. I slide a brush through my blonde hair, and sigh when Irealize it’s much shorter than it was a few weeks ago. I needed a change so cutting my long hair up to my shoulders seemed like the right thing to do.
“You have early class?” My new roommate, Ava, groans into her pillow.
“Unfortunately, what about you?”
She sits up a little, her eyes barely open, “Not until 9:45. American Lit.”
“I have that one, too,” I sigh. “They say that class is impossible, at least we will suffer together.”
She smiles, “Yeah, true.”
I grab my backpack and water bottle, then head out the door. Ava seems sweet. I only met her a few days ago, so I’m not ready to make the call on our friendship, but so far so good. It will be nice to have someone I know in one of my classes.
Campus is huge, and I don’t really know my way around yet, so it’s a good thing I left with plenty of time to spare. I finally make it to my eight o’clock class and the room is basically full. I find a spot in the back, and my stomach turns when I see Grayson sitting a few rows down.
He’s between some guys that look like total meat heads, and his phone is in his hand while he is typing away. Probably messaging my ex-best friend that decided to throw away girl code and go to prom with him. So much for our ten year friendship.
Bitch.
I find a seat just as the professor starts his lesson, going over the syllabus and rambling on and on about successful study habits. I take notes on my computer and my heart sinks when an iMessage from Grayson comes through.
Grayson
