AllFreeNovel
Share Us
15
Wayward High
Seventeen years ago - Birdie
It was a nippy Friday night.Birdie staved off the cold by blowing into her cupped hands and rubbing her palms against her bare arms.
Standing incognito beneath the bleachers wearing only a secondhand concert T-shirt and jeans, freezing her ass off, she watched the Wayward Warriors win their fifth game of the season.
Lucas, the star player.
She didn’t know much about the game. What she did know was Lucas was making a name for himself in the sport, despite only being a junior.
The local paper referred to him as an explosive athlete, and one of the most agile and quickest running backs in the conference.
It was early in the year, and a lot could change over the course of the season, but with each game he only bumped it up another level, exceeding everyone’s expectations and earning the approval of the entire town, not to mention the attention of some scouts.
Birdie smiled as she watched Chief Walker through the slats of the bleachers, yelling and screaming and pointing at Lucas on the field, hugging his wife Lorraine beside him, as well those sitting on his other side in victorious reverie, as Lucas ran another touchdown with only minutes to spare on the clock.
They were having so much fun.
How nice it would be to join them.
The one time she tried, earlier in the season, her presence had brought about sneers and side-eyed glances.
As she made her way up the bleachers, people whispered to one another, watching her ascend each row. They would spread out, setting their coats beside them and making it appear as if there was no additional room for one more person.
Once she reached the top row, she stood there, with no place to sit, unsure of what to do and feeling like a stooge.
Eventually, with a red face full of shame, she turned and made her way back down the bleachers. She had learned the hard way that staying below the stands and watching the game was a far more pleasurable experience.
She spotted Maisie sitting in front of the cheerleaders.
Yet another reason to remain hidden. Her sister was in rare form tonight, wearing expensive clothes Shelby had picked up for her at the local mall and sporting a new hairstyle.
It would be wise for her to remain alert. When Maisie was at her all-time worst was when she was looking and feeling her best.
“Hey, Birdie.”
She turned toward four boys in her class approaching the entrance to the underside of the bleachers, who made a habit of coming to the games only to leave early to party and drink beer.
“We’re heading over to the bonfire. Wanna come along?”
Like all they wanted was her company.
Many of the kids, full of pent-up energy from watching the game would end up at the bonfire. Eventually, things would get out of hand and some of the smarter, less drunk kids would leave to get something to eat or find quieter places to party. Those who stayed were looking for trouble and more ways to make bad decisions.
She wasn’t stupid. Four juniors, already deep in their Solo cups just wanting to hang out with her?
No thanks.
She waved them off with a smile. “You guys go on.”
“Come on, Birdie.” The blond cajoled, wearing a Carhartt jacket and who she’d known since kindergarten. “The game’s over in two minutes. We’ve got a bottle of Jack in the truck.”
She knew they wouldn’t give in. The chance of having a good time with Birdie Wellborn too enticing to pass up. You may not want to be seen with her at a family function, but it was a badge of honor to be seen partying with her afterward.
“I’ve got something I have to do for my mom. Can we stop by my house first?”
