Evan

A loud whistle blew, and I looked up just in time to eat dirt, a bunch of other guys falling with me. I wasn’t even sure if I tripped or if someone dropped me because my head wasn’t in the game.

All of my attention was on Anita.

I hadn't told her I had practice today because I didn’t have time to, but she should have known, right?

The other thing on my mind, though to a lesser degree, was my parents. Was it just me, or did the fights seem to get much worse recently? I wasn’t sure, and it wasn’t like I could ask, so I kept out of it, but then it had me thinking of spending a night at Anita’s place. I knew I couldn’t, there was no way her mom would allow it, but the thought was nice.

It was that moment of distraction that landed me where I was, on the ground with a lot of weight on top of me that was a little slow to get off.

“What are you guys doing!” Coach practically screamed at us. “Get up and start the play again! Everybody focus, or we’re leaving here after dark!”

There were groan