The thing about Kale Daley was that he had worked hard for his position at Founder's High. He had never been naturally athleticβon the contrary, he was quite clumsy when he was a boy. But who would guess that now? His childhood was full of mistakes that he'd worked hard to correct, and his reputation was fire-forged under his sharp eye and the sweat of his brow.
It was all because Kale had a vision for who he was supposed to be. In that way, maybe he was lucky. He knew that there were many people who struggled with their identities. He could only pity them. It took him but one look in the mirror each morning for him to see the person he was supposed to be: someone whom everyone adored and admired, someone who took from life whatever there was to take.
Today, he could say with confidence that he had become that person. Outside, lined up in the summer heat, Coach Burtley eyed down a group of exhausted guys trying out for the football team. Today, Kale knew that after another year of high school football under his belt and a shining performance in this week of tryouts, he was going to be the starting quarterback for the Founder's Lions. Not a single shred of doubt remained in his mind now. Kale could barely hold back the grin that was creeping onto his face even as he struggled to catch his breath.
Coach Burtley's assistant, a smaller man who always had a harried look on his face, leaned in to whisper something before the big announcements. They turned their backs for a moment, talking in whispers between themselves while Kale, with a sidelong glance, looked down the line at his fellow Founderians. His eyes fell on Frank, his main competition for quarterback, who was doubled over, hands on his knees, breathing heavily.
Kale could almost laugh. The guy was exhausted. He guessed it was understandable since Burtley had made them run a 40-yard dash after a full day of drills. But Kale had done it just like everyone else and he wasn't
that
tired. No one there was quite on Kale's level. What other explanation could there be when all of them were wiped out and red in the face from exhaustion while Kale was standing tall, even after running the fastest time in the 40-yard dash? Either they were pathetic, or he was light-years ahead of the competition. He smirked when he considered that it could be both.
"Okay fellas," Coach Burtley said in his commanding tenor. "Listen up, cuz I'm not one to repeat myself. Y'all worked hard. I saw that. And we got a good group here. I won't lie to you though; not all of ya made the cut this year. With that said..."
This was it, Kale thought. This was the moment all his training, hard work, and determination had been for. He was about to reach the highest point a high school guy could hope for. He had to cross his arms over his chest because they were fidgeting with excitement.
"For the starting line-up, I want Fitz as my tight-end, Ben you'll be starting as running back..."
Kale was already getting impatient. Why wasn't Burtley starting with the quarterback? He always had in the past. He calmed down when he realized that Burtley was saving the best for last.
"...and for quarterback? I'd like Kale Daley and Parker Price to step aside and have a talk with me for a moment. Chip, would you mind announcing the rest of the roster?"
"Yes sir," his assistant said.
"What the fuck??" Kale started. He ran a hand through his sweaty brown hair, a habit of his when he was irritated. "
Parker?
What do you want to talk with him for? He wasn't even trying out for quarterback!"
"Shut your yap Daley, did I ask for your opinion? Get your ass over here or you won't be playing at all!" Burtley bellowed.
Livid, Kale followed Burtley to the side of the field, feeling the eyes of everyone on him but refusing to look their way. Parker joined Kale and Burtley by the stands, laughing from Kale's outburst. Kale stared daggers at him. Giving him the once over, trying to figure out why Burtley would even be considering him. Parker met Kale's gaze, laughing openly. He didn't look nearly as tired as the other guys did but he was sweating more than Kale.
He had his white t-shirt off, flung over his shoulder and Kale had to admit that the guy was ripped. The sweat glistening on his body didn't help to hide the hard muscle that the guy had built up. He had a nice defined chest and a rock hard six-pack and impressive mounds of biceps on his thick arms. It pissed Kale of beyond belief that he was actually impressed with the work this guy had put into his body. He
hated
Parker.
"Listen up boys. I'm real impressed with you two. Either way, I want both of you on the team. But only one of you can start as QB, huh? Parker what do you think?"
"I think it's great coach. Didn't even consider QB, honestly... didn't think I had it in me." Parker said.
"Yeah well, you were right. You definitely don't have it in you. I'll do whatever you ask, coach. I'll show you both that Parker should be on the bench." Kale said. He cracked his knuckles as he watched Parker who wasn't concerned about him in the least. Kale wanted to wipe that smug look off his face.
"Settle down, Daley. Anything you wanna say, you can say it on the field."
Another round of drills. Another. Full. Round. Of drills. Those that had made the team decided to stay behind to watch Kale and Parker out on the field. Burtley was as merciless as ever and he never stopped yelling at them as they ran through 90 Degree Breaks, Back Pedals, Pushups, Sit ups, and finally to the 40 yard dash. Kale was flustered by now. Parker had somehow kept up with him in everything and even owned him during pushups. But enough was enough. He hadn't trained this hard to be outdone by Parker. The guy had never even been on the team before now. So he would leave the bastard to eat his dust.
Burtley decided to have them go side by side in this last test. Both guys were stripped down to their shorts and tennis shoes and their muscles were on full display under a thick sheen of sweat. They were both breathing heavily as they set up for their dash. Parker's eyes were intent on the finish line and Kale's eyes kept darting between the goal and Parker, the unexpected obstacle that lay between him and his rightful position as the Lion's quarterback.