Page 94 of Hate You, Maybe
We even respond to scouting requests from some college-level coaches and inform the athletes they’re interested in of any potential meetings. This kind of coordination can be crucial to a student’s future. Scholarships and admissions are on the line. So I’m kind of glad this role change won’t last too long, because I’m not sure I could keep up.
But beyond all these administrative responsibilities, our most important goal is preparing our students for the performances and activities during the SACSS evaluation.
The first order of business is rallying the theater for a football scrimmage. We plan to use flags. Not tackle. To keep things gentle for liability purposes. And a few of these kids are even less sporty than I am, which is saying a lot. So I show up in my coaching clothes and wearing a whistle, but I have to rely on Dex and the actual football team for help.
They’re super cool about it. And I have to admit, I’m impressed. For all the complaints people heap on teenagers, when you give them a task in a subject they’re passionate about, they rise to the occasion. Or maybe Dex is just good at inspiring sportsmanship.
Either way, the football team helps them with drills andexercises. And we teach them plays for what will hopefully be easy-to-score touchdowns. No cutthroat competition. No injuries.
Just good old-fashioned game play.
At the same time, we’re also prepping the football players to perform a scene fromRomeo and Juliet. Directing them proves easier after they start working with the theater kids. Apparently, collaborating is a talent that improves with practice.
Go figure.
As a group, we decide on a part in Act I where Romeo and Juliet meet at the Capulets’ masquerade ball. This way, most of the team can be milling about and dancing around the stage in costumes. A couple of guys volunteer to take on the leads. It’s all good, silly fun. But still Shakespeare. A classic.
When the team asks if they can finish the scene by lip-syncing to a modern song, Dex suggests reenacting the video from One Direction’s “Steal My Girl” as an homage to Romeo stealing Juliet out from under Count Paris. Dex claims the video was a favorite of his sisters back in the day, but I catch him singing along more than once during rehearsal, so I’m not sure he wasn’t a secret fan himself.
But the video is chaotic and circus-like, full of energy and characters, so performing it is a great excuse to include all kinds of students in the grand finale. Advanced orchestra plays the music. The choir sings the lyrics. Members of the marching band participate. So does the dance team. Sign language class. Gymnastics. Basketball. Cheerleaders. Mathletes.
One of our art classes is in charge of painting the backdrop. Kids in wood shop build the stage. And since the set will be assembled on the football field for the final performance, we’ll have to break everything down within twenty-four hours before the game the following night. But nobody minds.
The spirit of teamwork is in the air.
Even Mr. Wilford takes part, offering to dress up like a ringmaster when we present our Stony Peak circus to the SACSS. We rehearse and practice every day. Some of us even put in hours over the weekend. And no matter what we’re doing—football or Shakespeare or set construction or lip-syncing—I find myself watching Dex.
Seeing him in action is … hot.
I already knew the man was attractive in his workout gear, strolling around campus in thigh-hugging joggers and unzipped hoodies. But Dexter Michaels looks equally good in tailored khakis and a white button-down with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. I’m pretty sure there’s nothing sexier than knowing underneath his shirt are a bunch of tattoos no one else at Stony Peak is aware of. And I continually catch myself chewing my lip, checking out the muscles in his forearms, roped veins, and?—
Well.
I’m just grateful he doesn’t catch me drooling.
And through it all, thrumming in the background, is the fact that he gave up the FRIG for me. On second thought, this is hardly a background thrum. It’s more like a full-on fall festival parade in my chest. The man I’d decided was my enemy—for years—says he sees me. And as it turns out, I like being seen.
So things have been going well between us ever since the retreat. Except for the part where I still wake up waiting for the other shoe to drop. After so many years of being uprooted without warning, yanked away from any attachments I’d started to form, I’m not programmed to expect smooth sailing. I’m also starting to think some of my early hostilitytoward Dexter stemmed from my inability to trust being happy.
From the beginning, I loved teaching at Stony Peak High. I found a roommate and best friend in Loren. I had students who needed me. Colleagues I respected. And, above all else, a super solid routine. So much of what I’d always wanted in my life was finally mine, but my brain—or my heart, or both—wasn’t comfortable relaxing into the goodness of it all. My subconscious stayed vigilant. Ever-prepared for the worst-case scenario.
I think a part of me believed that if my real nemesis was right in front of me, I wouldn’t have to worry about all the other uncertainties in the future. I could consolidate my discomfort and control everything in one place. Dex became the focus of my fears.
Being angry with him was so much easier than being afraid.
But I’m trying to look at reality differently now. I keep thinking about that sign Dex told me about in their family’s home: Happiness is a choice. Maybe it’s time I surrender to the uncertainty of the future and just decide to be happy. It’s risky, sure. But when I look at Dexter now, I thinkworth the risk.
And after he transfers to Harvest High, things will hopefully be even better between us. I’ll still be the same old Sayla Kroft here, and he can be the extraordinary leader he is over there, and we won’t have to compete anymore.
Win-win.
But I can’t focus on that now. The SACSS visit is next week. And until then, I’m determined to keep my head in the game.
Speaking of games, I’ve been coordinating a trade so the theater kids can borrow uniforms from the football team for the scrimmage. I had to consider both the size and conditionof the jerseys and pants, and I’ve come up with a list of pairings I think will work. I need to give Dexter his own copy, though, so he can confirm the matches. He’ll probably attach it to his clipboard.
A smile tugs at my lips.
The man takes his temporary role seriously.
