Its The Way You Look At Me Ch 01

This will be a long story, over 500 pages on a Word document. It takes time to build so please read, be patient and enjoy.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror as I painted some black stripes under my eyes. My blue, greyish eyes watched my finger as it touched my skin and left a black streak. I looked at them again before I ran my hand through my shaggy, dirty blonde hair to fold it out of the way. It was getting kind of long and I did need a haircut. It hung over my ears and down my neck before it curled up. The girls teased me and told me I looked like some Abercrombie surfer model. I was far from that. I had never been on a surfboard in my life. We didn't have the waves on this side of Florida for surfing.

I glanced down at the number eight and the mean looking bulldog logo on my chest. The jersey was well worn and had been sewn a few times to repair some tears in it. It had done me well though. I had filled it out a little more over the years of wearing it. I stood about six foot two and weighed in around one eighty five. Four years ago I was maybe one sixty five. I was still lean but twenty extra pounds of muscle made me look bigger than I really was.

I wasn't into how I looked though. I was a down to earth, easy going and a laid back kind of guy. I tried to be nice to everyone and had a lot of friends because of that. Playing football and being the star quarterback at the high school did help, but I didn't let it go to my head.

"You ready yet Goldie locks?" Jordan teased. "If you wait any longer the game is going to be over."

"Yeah, yeah," I sighed. "Fuck off."

"Come on pretty boy," he continued teasing me. "You have plenty of time after the game to get all primped up for the ladies."

"It takes a lot to look this good," I joked back as I grabbed my helmet off the bench.

He just laughed with me as we headed into the tunnel and stood behind the coaches at the end of the line. Jordan was my best friend and my go to receiver on the team. We met when we were five years old and in our first year of football at the peewee league. We were nothing special back then, but over the years we spent together in the youth leagues and the backyard games we became a pretty good duo.

Now that we were seniors in high school, we were pretty much unstoppable. He and I could almost read what the other one was thinking and it made it very challenging for the other teams to stop us. Our freshman year was the only year that Jordan and I didn't play together. I made varsity as the second string quarterback. Jordan was probably good enough to play varsity that year but he was left on JV in favor of the two seniors and the three juniors ahead of him.

Shane's voice carried down the hallway as he pumped the team up before we were to run out of the tunnel and break through the banner. Most of the guys got fired up and jumped around before they tore out of the tunnel and raced towards the banner. I could hear the home crowd cheer as they broke through and took the field.

I was a slow paced and mellow player that saved most of my excitement for the game. I walked calmly out of the tunnel after the hype was gone and started out towards the field. I took in the crowd as they cheered when they saw me. I didn't acknowledge them as I took in my surroundings. The smell of the grass hit my nose as my cleats clicked on the track that surrounded the field. As I continued out a little further the smell of the concession stand floated my way. A hot dog sounded good right about now but I had to focus on the game first.

Courtney caught my eye as my feet now found the grass as I left the track. I turned and smiled at her as she looked back up at me. She was five foot six with long brown hair that matched her eyes. She had a long narrow nose with high cheek bones and a small mouth. I wrapped my arm around her body and felt her perky B cups press into my padding on my ribs. They fit her tanned and toned body perfectly. I pulled my helmet off quickly and gave her a quick kiss.

"Good luck," she smiled. "Score one for me."

"And if I do?" I questioned. "Do I get to score one with you later?"

"Always," she giggled.

"Maybe I will score two then," I teased.

"Just make sure we win," she ordered.

"That's my plan," I sighed.

"See you after the game Owen," she smiled and gave me one more quick kiss.

She took off towards the concession stand to grab a drink. I watched her hot little ass flash in and out of view from under her little cheer skirt. I finally continued my slow march towards the field. I glanced towards the row of cheerleaders and noticed my cousin, Jamie, squatted down at her bag searching through it. She was five foot five with the same dirty blonde hair that I had. Hers had a light curl to it though. She had these blue eyes that were so pure and clear you could get lost in them. Her nose was this perfect little pert thing that sat above her big mouth and full lips. Her smile could light up a room when you got her laughing.

She glanced over her shoulder and noticed I was watching her. She smiled that big smile as I walked her way. She stood up but remained bent at the waist as she tried to zip her bag closed. My eyes focused on her ass as it peeked out from under her cheer skirt. It was covered by some little shorts but there was no denying she had a perfect ass. It stuck off her body perfectly and made you drool just watching her move. She dropped her bag and turned my direction. I noticed her C cup breasts as she moved my direction to meet me halfway. They bounced lightly with each step she took. Her body was slender but athletic, with curves in all the right places.

Jamie was the perfect example of the all American girl. She was naturally beautiful without wearing any makeup. She was always kind to whomever she was around even if she didn't know them. I don't think she had a mean bone in her body. Jamie knew she was good looking but she wasn't stuck up about it. She always made you feel important even if you were the school nerd and not that popular. That's what set her apart from the other popular girls at the school. She saw you for what you were and not for what you weren't.

Jamie and I were very close. We were born just three weeks apart and had lived about a quarter mile away from each other all our lives. We were inseparable all throughout our childhood. She wasn't a tomboy but she wasn't afraid to be one of the guys and get into mischief with us. She had a girly side to her though. She was into cheerleading and dance and fashion. She had a pretty good fashion sense and created a lot of her own outfits.

I started to notice her in a different way once we both started to change into young adults. It was nothing I acted on but I couldn't help but notice how much of a sexual creature she was. She must have noticed me too since there was always a playful flirtiness between us. Maybe it was just us being so close and open with each other. I always dismissed it as just that.

She met me with a hug and that big smile I had always been so fond of.

"Good luck tonight Owen," she smiled.

"Thanks Jamie," I smiled back. "I don't need any luck though. I have you cheering me on."

"I'll do my best," she smiled again.

"Go get 'em Owen," a voice cried from the stands.

Jamie and I both glanced towards the stands and saw Charlie standing there giving me the thumbs up. Charlie was a little loose in the head but he was harmless and always friendly to us. I couldn't help but laugh a little as I looked at Jamie rolling her eyes the way she did. We talked about how crazy Charlie was so it was an inside joke. A few more hoots and hollers came my direction as I smiled.

"The home town hero has a lot riding on his shoulders tonight," Jamie teased.

"It ain't riding on my shoulders," I teased back. "It's riding on my arm."

"You'll do just fine," she said boosting my confidence.

"I don't know," I sighed in my calm manner. "They aren't going to go down without a fight."

"You have a new face watching you tonight too," she said and pointed softly his way.

"I thought he looked out of place," I replied.

I glanced up into the stands a few rows behind my dad and grandpa to see the man with a clipboard wearing a Texas Longhorns hat. The recruiters had been showing up to all the games this season to scout me. I had done interviews already with the two in state colleges that I was interested in going to. I skipped out on Miami since I was never a big fan of them anyway. I was invited to do some summer workouts and camps they offered over the summer and I was told I looked very well developed for an eighteen year old kid. They were both interested in offering me a scholarship when the time was right. All I had to do was continue to develop and show I was ready for the college level and they would let me sign.

Texas was an interesting prospect but my heart was already set on going to State at this point. If it was there I would take it. I saw the State guy at the last game and spoke to him briefly before we headed back into the locker room. He was impressed once again with my command of the game and said he would be in touch with me in a few days.

"I'm not worried about him," I finally said to Jamie. "I'd rather stay somewhat close to home if I can."

"The more offers the better," she smiled.

"Hey Owen," I heard coaches voice come my direction. "Quit fraternizing with the girls and get ready for the game."

"I got to go," I chuckled.

"Good luck," she said again.

I turned towards coach now as he stood with his hands on his hips but had a smile on his face. Coach was a great guy and genuinely cared for all his players. He joked with me and gave me shit about the way I always took my time getting out onto the field. That's the way I was though. Calm and cool and didn't let too much bother me.

He pointed to the field so I turned and headed out there. I picked up a ball and waited for Jordan to come my way so we could warm up.

"Are you done now?" he asked.

"I have to make my rounds and let the fans know I care about them," I joked.

He chuckled at me before he lined up and waited for me to snap the ball to myself. We did just simple up and in routes as I loosened up but still glanced around the stadium and took in the sights. Our side was packed more than usual tonight and so was the visiting side. This was a very important game against our cross town rivals. We needed this win to keep our perfect season intact and secure the district title. They had dominated us in the past but we had been on a pretty good tear the last couple of years. I wasn't solely responsible for us winning. We had a good group of kids come through the school the past couple of years on both sides of the ball.

Bobby made his way over to me now since he was finished warming up with the offensive line. I handed him the ball as Jordan lined up next to me and got ready to run another route. I stood in shotgun and lifted my foot to set the imaginary line. My hands clapped once as Bobby sent the snap back my direction.

I spun the ball in my hands to find the laces. My fingers curled around them like I had done a thousand or more times before without looking. I looked left and pretended to watch the imaginary receiver in that direction before I turned back towards Jordan. He ran seven or eight yards before he turned in and made his cut in front of me. I stepped into my throw and sent it towards a spot where the ball and Jordan would meet. He caught it with his hands just like he had done thousands of times before and secured it tightly. He continued across then stopped to make his way back to me and Bobby.

"What do you think?" he asked as we looked over at their team.

"My dad scouted them a couple of times this season when we were on the road," I said. "The tapes show they bite on the pump fake pretty hard."

He smiled. "Only one way to find out isn't there?"

"Sure is," I smiled. "Run a hitch and go then I'm done for now."

Jordan tossed the ball to Bobby then went out wide and got set. I stood behind Bobby with my hands between his legs and got ready to get the snap. I began my count and took the ball on a one count to make things simple for now. Bobby snapped it to me then got his hands up to block as I took a step back. I gave a hard pump as Jordan turned towards me. He took off once I reloaded and raced down the sideline. I threw it up and got some air under it as he chased it down. It fell right into his arms before he secured it and dodged between the rest of the team on his way to the end zone. Shane caught him right at the end as he tried to dodge him and score. They joked around in the corner as I turned away.

I turned and walked towards the big bulldog logo painted at midfield. I knelt down at the 45 yard line and pulled my helmet off my head. I looked down and closed my eyes to say a few words to my mom. Just about a year ago she lost her battle with cancer and she was taken to a better place. It happened so suddenly so I guess in the grand scheme of things it was a blessing.

She was always energetic and had a great zest for life. Over the course of a couple of months she started feeling fatigued and had unexplained joint pain and night sweats. She thought it was just that time in a woman's life when their bodies start to change so she didn't think anything of it. It wasn't until she got really sick and went to the hospital that we found it was something much worse.

They ran a battery of tests on her since the white and red count was off. They diagnosed her with lymphoma and ran more tests on her to see how bad it really was. It was like getting kicked in the stomach when they delivered the devastating news. Cancer had riddled her body and spread to almost every part.

Her chances were slim since it was so bad. If they would have caught it sooner her odds would have been better but since it was so advanced and so aggressive there wasn't much they could do. They tried treating it but she didn't respond. It was about six weeks after we found out that she was taken from us.

As bad as it sounds, that was the only good part about it, that she was taken quickly. My dad and I didn't have to watch her suffer for a prolonged period of time. It was bad enough watching her for the short time that we did. True to her character she remained positive and happy until the very end.

I knelt there for a few moments with my eyes closed and spoke to her. The crowd faded away as I told her how much I loved her and how much I missed her right now. I told her I needed her strength and her will to win this game tonight. I went silent again and let my mind clear before I lifted my head and pointed towards the sky.

I stood now and wiped my tears away from my eyes before I put my helmet back on my head and started my slow walk back to the bench. Some days were better than others but tonight was harder than most. It was this team, this time last year that I played for the first time without her in the stands. It was the hardest thing I had ever done in my short life up to this point.

I remember the game like it was yesterday. Coach almost didn't start me that night. He didn't know if I was emotionally right to be playing. It was just the morning before that my mom had taken her last breath of life. I was numb as I walked onto the field and tried not to show how deeply hurt I really was. He broke the news to me that he was going to make me sit. I told him I was starting or I was quitting and he would never see me throw a football again.

He looked stunned I was so firm. He reluctantly gave in but told me that if I didn't look good, didn't feel right, or it got to be too much, that he would pull me. I told him I would be fine, this was a good distraction from everything and it would be something she would want me to do.

I believe it was her strength that pulled me through that game that night. I stood in the pocket like a robot and completed pass after pass. I set the single game record for the most passing yards and the most completions that night. I never cracked a smile. I just went out there and did my job. I changed the plays when I needed, found the right guy, never threw a bad ball, and never made a mistake. Right after we scored I would head right back to the bench and sit there in silence trying to hold it together. I don't think anybody but Jordan and Jamie spoke to me that night. The rest of the team stayed their distance and were respectful.

We won that game in a blowout. As I walked off the field I got a standing ovation. Words of encouragement, respect, and love echoed around me as I glanced towards dad and grandpa and Uncle Buck. Grandpa's tears almost made me break right there. I just gave a soft wave and hung my head as I trotted off the field and headed into the locker room. I always looked for mom before I left the field. I loved to see that smile on her face. I sure did miss it that night.

I sat way in the back corner with my helmet still on my head as coach spoke briefly about tonight. There wasn't much to say about it really. We had played very well despite everything that was going on and he was proud of the character that the team showed. After he spoke he made his way over to me and sat down next to me. It was then that I broke down. I cried like a baby as everything about the week hit me all at once and overwhelmed me.

I tried not to think about it now. I hated showing my emotions in front of everybody. It made me feel weak somehow. I just worked my way over to the bench and sat down to gather my thoughts for the coming battle tonight. I must have sat there for five minutes before coach made his way over there and sat down next to me.

"Are you ok Owen?" coach asked.

"Yeah," I sighed. "I'm good. It's just....you know, tonight."

"I know," he said softly. He patted my shoulder before he spoke again. "You know she is proud of you right?"

"I do," I smiled softly. "That is what keeps me going."

"Make her proud tonight," he offered. "Make us all proud. I know you can do it. No pressure though, just go out there and do your thing."

"I know," I smiled. "This is just a touch harder than normal with all things considered. But I'll get the job done coach."

"Good deal Owen," he said before he stood.

"Oh hey, did you see the new face you have up in the stands?" he asked.

"I saw him when I fraternizing," I chuckled.

"Alright," he chuckled. He patted my shoulder pads one last time before he headed off to find somebody else to talk with.

I reflected for another moment about last year before I pushed it all out of my head and focused on the coming game. We had walked the walk all year long and dominated every team but one. We did manage to squeak it out in the fourth quarter to remain perfect. Now it was time to talk the talk and beat the Screamin' Eagles'. Now was not the time to lose our first game. I felt somebody lean over the bench as I sat in silence again.

"Are you ok?" Jamie asked softly by my ear.

"I'm good," I sighed. "I just miss her on nights like tonight. She always said the right things to give me confidence."

"I know she did," Jamie offered. "She's watching you though and we both know she is proud of you."

"Thanks Jamie," I smiled lightly.

"You're going to do just fine tonight," she said with confidence and that smile of hers. "You've got this."

I pulled my helmet off and smiled at Jamie. I reached down and took a shot of gator aid from the bottle to wet my mouth.

"Good luck Owen," she said. She leaned down and gave me a soft kiss on my cheek.

"Captains for the coin toss," coach called.

"Got to go," I said. I stood and gave Jamie a kiss to her forehead before I jogged out to mid field and shook hands with the opponents.

We won the toss and chose to receive the opening kickoff. They kicked it deep down the left side. Mack was normally sure handed but he bobbled the kick and let the ball slip free. He scrambled to cover the ball and was piled on top of just as he got it. The visitors' side roared as they got us down quickly. Their team jumped around all pumped up as they headed back to the sideline. We were deep in our own territory as I stood next to coach and got some instructions.