Chapter 11
Callyn
At least the rest of the week at school was mostly uneventful. I had a couple of girls be jerks, which I have come to realize is because the guys are my friends. I have not seen any of them talk to other girls, or mention going on any dates. And if you believe the rumors now being spreading about me be, I’m screwing all of them. For the most part, I ignore them, but it’s progressively getting worse. I want to tell the guys, but I don’t. Besides, this is a cakewalk compared to what happens at home.
A couple of weekends ago, my father punched me in my arm, because I was trying to help him after he came home drunk as a skunk. I was shoved to the floor and kicked in ribs after one of the times I tried to wake him up after I realized he would be late for work. There is a particularly nasty bruise on my back, from when he pushed me into the door handle because I didn’t get out of the bathroom fast enough.
I’ve been lucky though, I haven’t had him hit me with the belt for a while. Lucian saw a bruise on my back earlier in week. I lied about what happened and I was afraid he would say something to others. As far as I know, he hasn’t and it wasn’t mentioned, for that I am grateful. I know I will have to tell the guys what is going on eventually, but I don’t want to right now. I don’t want the pity they would give me. Knowing them, they would try to help me, but there is nothing they can do. I don’t have anywhere else to go. My mom has a sister, but I haven’t seen or heard from her since my mom passed. That’s probably my father’s doing because they never got along.
I didn’t have a phone then, and we have moved a couple of times since then as well. Enough of that, it just depresses me more than my already sad life does. Also, I’m slightly freaking out because I gave the guys my address. Lucian, Max, and Graydon are going to be on their way over to pick me up, so we can go to Zeke’s football game. I am excited to go and cheer on Zeke. It will be my first football game and the boys couldn’t be more excited to take me. Lucian messages me that they are on their way. I agreed to let them pick me up, despite my better judgment. So, I grab a hoodie, because it’s starting to get chilly at night and wait for the boys outside. One, I can’t let them in the house. Two, it will be faster to get away from the house, if I’m ready and waiting. Three, I have no clue when my father might come home. I’m hoping that he’s still gone when I get back. If not, I’ll have to sneak in, and I’m nervous about that.
In all actuality, I shouldn’t be doing this, but I can’t seem to help myself. I find comfort and safety when I’m around them. Almost like I know they would do anything to protect me. Insane, I know, but I have felt like we are connected deeper than we know. I don’t know, I could just be thinking all of this because I have friends for what seems like the first time in my life. In what seems like no time at all, Lucian pulls up to the front of my house. I hop down the stairs and rush to the car. Graydon gets out of the passenger side and gestures for me to get in.
“I can sit in the back, I don’t mind.”
“Yeah, I don’t mind either,” Max says as he pokes his head up to the front.
“No, Callyn gets front seat.”
I slide into the front seat not wanting to argue. The longer we stay out here, the faster we could be discovered. Graydon shuts my door and then gets in the back. Once everyone is buckled, Lucian starts to head to the school.
“I figured I should warn you, I have no clue about anything related to football. So, be prepared for lots of questions.”
The guys chuckle. “We pretty much were expecting that,” Lucian says.
“It’s not too hard to follow. If you come to more games, the faster you will pick it up,” states Graydon.
“If you say so.”
∞∞∞
I was not expecting this, there are so many people. There are adults and kids with face paint and a whole themed cheer section, which Max tells me is the student spirit section. I can totally see him in the stands as one of the kids with his shirt off and a letter painted on his chest. All the seniors have a banner hanging up. I tug on Graydon's sleeve.
“I want to find Zeke’s,” I say as I move to the banners. “I don’t want to lose you guys. Will you go with me?
“Sure.” He grabs my hand and threads our fingers together.
It’s an intimate gesture. I’m surprised that not only did he do that, but also because I don’t want to let him go.
“Hey, guys Callie bear wants to find Zeke’s banner.”
The boys nod and Lucian starts to cut through the crowd. Graydon and me follow while Max brings up the rear. We’re about halfway down the stadium when we spot Zeke’s banner. It’s a giant photo of him in his football jersey, senior written across the top, and his last name across the bottom. With my free hand, I take my phone out of the front pocket of my hoodie.
“I want to take a picture of it.”
Graydon lets my hand go and I’m oddly sad about it. I quickly take the picture, hoping that maybe he will grab my hand again. Well, if I’m being honest, I kind of want to hold all of their hands. Ugh. I just don’t want to leave anyone out. I’m about to put my phone away when Max grabs it.
“Go stand in front the banner.” I do. “Smile.” Max takes the picture.
I’m about to go back over to them, but Max stops me.
“Wait, I want to do a funny one and then one with all of us together. Look up at his picture Callie and fan yourself like your hot.”
I do as he asks, and he takes the picture. He starts to chuckle, then faces my phone to Lucian and Graydon. They start to laugh, now I want to see. I go over and wedge myself between Lucian and Graydon. I look at the picture and start to laugh. It’s comical and looks so outrageous. Max stops a nearby student and asks if he wouldn’t mind taking our picture. We go back in front of Zeke's banner, Lucian on my right, Max on my left, both with an arm around my waist. Graydon is standing behind me with his hands on my shoulders. In this moment, I have never felt so safe and cared for. I know I have the stupidest grin on my face, but I couldn’t help it. I never want this moment or feeling to end.