Chapter 12: Back to school
The holiday was over and I was driving to school. The last four weeks I had only been around Lisa, Brian and my father. Now I had to get back into the social life of a teenager. While driving I began to formulate a strategy for my arrival at the school. In New York I had seen newcomers been treated rough, no matter who they were and how they had approach the other students. I had an interest in making a smooth transition, so I decided I would try to get on the good side of the in-crowd. My handsome look and fit body didn't automatically make an easy submission into the in-crowd. Often I had seen the guys in the in-crowd identify a new guy as someone who could challenge their superior status among peers. Therefore they often tried to ridicule him at every opportunity. I had every intension of preventing that this would be the case in my situation.
After parking my Hummer at the school, I took a quick overview over the crowd of students, who was standing in front of the school entrance. It was very easy to single out the in-crowd, because they were the jocks and cheerleaders and other students look in awe when they walked by the group. As if they were some kind of royalties.
I got out of my car and walked up to the popular group. When I was near them I called out, "Hey, I'm Jason and have just transferred from New York."
All of a sudden the group became silent for a moment then a short, but muscular guy said with a sneer, "Hello, Pretty Boy. What do you want?"
I stared him directly into his eyes and made my eyes turn dark and hard. After a second his eyes began to waver and I said, "The name was Jason and I thought that maybe some of you would know, where today's tryout for the football team took place."
A tall, blond guy said, "Are you going to try out for the team?"
"Yes, I thought I would give it a try."
The blond guy said, "I'm Peter and I'm the team's quarterback," He continued pointing around to the other guys in the group, "And all those guys are in the starting lineup. So do you think you can come and take our spots?"
I knew that this was the crucial moment. If I presented them with a challenge to their positions at the football team, they quickly would make my life a living hell. So I said, "Heck no. I'm just interested in being part of a team and as far as I see it, football is the only team sport, where you have permission to hurt somebody. Therefore I'm going to the tryout. I don't care if I'll get the spot as holder to the kicker – if I'm in the team, then maybe someday I can get a chance to play some defense and tackle someone."
"Well as long as you don't want our spots, you are welcome to the tryouts. It starts at 3 pm and it's located at the football field. Then we will see if you're any good," Peter said and pointed toward the field. After that he pointed at each person in the group and said their name. The short guy was named Alex.
"Excellent," I said and continued, "Now you'll have me excused; I'll have to find my classroom."
I turned toward the entrance and moved away from the group. I thought to myself, that it had gone quite well.
---
The rest of the day was all right; I laid low and didn't make much of an impression on anybody. I knew that if I nailed the tryout I would be accepted by the in-crowd and then could make a move to become one of them.
After class I found the locker-room and got change into my football outfit. I could see that Peter – the quarterback – was on the field and was talking to a middle aged man, who I guessed must be the coach.
I walked over and shuck the man's hand while saying, "Hello coach, I'm Jason. I have just moved to San Diego from New York and I would like to try out for the team."
"Welcome to tryouts Jason. I'm the coach and my name is Bill. What position do you play Jason?"
"Well I have to admit, that I only have played football for a couple of years. And my main position was on the bench. But I have a dream about playing defense, coach."
"It's alright Jason. I always say: If your make the team you're the team, no matter which position you'll be assigned. But defense is an interesting choice – most young guys want to play offense."
"You know couch as the old adage goes, the offense sells tickets, but the defense wins championships. I want to be on the part of the team that makes the difference. Not saying the offense isn't a valuable part of the team," I grinned at Peter.
"You are so right Jason," The couch said and continued, "Last year we had a team, which could have gone all the way. Peter, didn't only manage the offense last year, he also made things happen. But it didn't do us any good because at the first playoff game our defense was just terrible. Isn't that so Peter?"
"Yeah, I had my best season ever but it didn't matter as we lost our first game in the playoff," Peter replied.
A short time later the tryouts started. It didn't take me long to see, that I could bring something to this team. I was faster than anyone on the team and was also one of the most muscular guys.
At the end of the try out the coach let all the rookies play different positions. I started at the offense and had to play tight end. My direct opponent was Alex, the short guy who was the first one to talk to me this morning. The first couple of plays he tackled me hard, but I gave as good as I got, and he began to look at me with some respect in his eyes.
Later the couch made a switch and I should defend. The coach pulled me aside and said, "Jason, I can see you're fast. I'll let you play safety, and you'll have to help the cornerbacks against the pass."
"Right coach," I said.
He made some adjustments on the teams, and I saw that the offense now was the starting line. The couch said something to Peter and then whistled.
The next ten minutes secured me a position on the team. After 20 plays I had had 3 interceptions and 6 tackles.
Afterwards in the locker-room Peter came up to me and said, "You're a mean machine. It's great to have you on the team. I think it will make a difference in the defense for this season."
"Glad you think so. But I have to say, you're pretty good yourself. You fooled me with your pump fake a couple of times."
"Well, I think practicing with you as a safety; will make my game even better. So friends?" Peter asked and held out his hand.
"Definitely friends," I said while shaking his hand.
As I drove home I congratulated myself. Not only had I become a part of the team, but also become friend with one of the most popular guys at school.
---
The rest of the week I gradually became friends with the close-knitted group of guys affiliated with Peter. Besides of Alex, there were three other guys all playing on the football team. Cole, a 6 feet tall African-American, who always joked around. Robbie, a kind of goofy looking guy but with a quick tongue and Gary, a strong but silent guy.
When we were in the showers after practice Friday afternoon Cole said, "You'll have to get a nickname Jason. It's a tradition in this group."