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“Your dad is obviously a really good coach, Zara.” Mollie’s eyes are glued to the game. “These players are talented but you can also tell they’re well trained.” It’s a moment of pride for me. My dad’s dedication to the team is unwavering and it shows. He’s put so much work into this team. Pouring his heart and soul into it after my mother died was the only thing that kept him going.
Lauren is observant. “You okay, Zara?”
“Just thinking about how much effort my dad has put into preparing for this season. I hope they go all the way, for his sake.”
“If they play like this all season, they’ll have a damn good shot at it,” Mollie offers.
We’re on the edges of our seats for the next few quarters, along with the rest of the stadium. Some of our less experienced players are making too many handling errors. It’s the first game of the season so maybe that’s to be expected, but it must be worrying my dad. And the other team gets lucky. A small but fast running back juggles a badly-thrown pass, scoring a touchdown at the end of the third quarter.
“Damn it,” Mollie groans.
The other team is leading by one point.
75,000 people are on edge, pinning all their hopes on the star player. I can almost feel the weight of his burden. The pressure is so intense. But Elias is level-headed and cool. This is what he’s worked his entire life to do and you get that feeling. His innate confidence calms us.
Elias’s pass is perfection. But the wideout is one of the younger guys and he can’t hold onto it, fumbling at the crucial moment. I remember the name Mitch Logan from my dad’s conversations. He’s a sophomore and I feel sorry for they guy. It’s a crushing mistake and the crowd is unforgiving, wild with desperate hope and edgy frustration.
There are less than two minutes left in the game.
“I can’t take this!” Lauren groans. “They’re so close. They need to make this touchdown.”
My dad calls a time out and the players huddle, then break into formation.
Elias glances up at our box and I can’t breathe. His hand holds his face-mask for a second, sort of contemplatively. Then he points two fingers directly at me. I see you, that little signal says.
Isla gasps. “Zara,” she whispers.
My heart is in my throat, for ten different reasons.
Elias gets into position.
The ball is snapped. Elias is deep in the pocket. It’s a moment of sheer terror for everyone watching, and also pure beauty. Elias calculates the distance while simultaneously dodging an offender.
“Where’s the offensive line?” Mollie shrieks. We’re all on our feet.
Then, with the kind of awe-inspiring genius that can only come from an exceptional player, Elias sidesteps another attack as he makes the pass. The ball’s spiraling arc floats gracefully over Gabriel’s head, almost seeming to wait for him as he catches up to it. It lands securely in Gabriel’s arms and he dances past two defensive players almost playfully, running over the line in the last second of the game.
Touchdown.
We won the game.
The stadium erupts.
I watch on screen as the team gathers around Elias, patting him on the back with relief and pure joy. Elias pulls off his helmet. His smile so genuine and full of life I really have no choice but to fall in love with him, if I hadn’t already.
I lean back in my seat, my emotions a whirlwind. I’m proud and happy for my dad. I’m in awe of Elias. And our secret bond feels more magical but also more unlikely than ever.
How can he want me? And why?
If only I could have him.
Isla places a reassuring hand on my arm. “I hope you don’t have plans tonight, roomie.”
“Why?”
She gives me an enigmatic answer. “Whatever happens, Zara, remember that what you feel is real. And sometimes, real is messy.”
My eyes are still fixed on Elias. “Yeah,” I whisper. I shouldn’t be, but what I’m thinking is that sometimes real is worth fighting for.
