Chapter 12 - Welcome to Foot, Ball!

Tuesday morning was dreary and gloomy. Dark clouds covered up the sun and threatened to sends sheets of rain down on Michael as he rode his bike to school. When he got there, he quickly locked up his bike. His mind was so pre-occupied with last night’s gang war that he didn’t even notice anything strange until he was suddenly surrounded. The scent of a heady perfume wafting through his nostrils was his first sign that he wasn’t alone. He looked up and before he could react, he was suddenly enfolded in a crushing bear hug from a soft warm body.

“Tracy? What’re you – “stammered Michael.

Tracy hushed him with a quick not quite chaste kiss on his lips. She looked in his eyes and said softly “Look, I really need a big favor ok? George dumped me last night for that bimbo standing beside him over there. Just play along and I’ll give you a nice reward later, ok?”

Michael looked out of the corner of his eye and sure enough, the captain of the football team and apparent ex-boyfriend of the sweet smelling girl currently hugging him was standing with his arm around a blonde with a vacant expression on her face. He sent his senses out and could feel George give him and Tracy a dark look. George's response to Tracy's actions was to pull the blonde into a deep kiss. However, the girl was apparently surprised by the sudden movement and didn't respond in time. The result was that she flopped around like a fish in George's arms.

Tracy gave him one last hug and stepped back. She took his hand possessively and smiled. Linna, Catherine and May were standing off to the side, grinning. Michael looked at each one and turn. Linna and Catherine looked like they were sharing a secret. When Michael looked at May, she gave him an almost imperceptible nod of encouragement. She tip toed up and give him a quick peck on his cheek.

“I just wanted to thank you for saving my life last Friday.” she said. “Tracy told me all about how you picked me up and brought me outside.”

She tip toed again and kissed him on his other cheek. “That’s for standing up for me to that jerk Dan. You’re becoming a regular knight in shining armour!”

Michael did his best to suppress his blush. Ride the wave, gotta ride the wave!

“May, I’m just glad that you weren’t hurt.” said Michael. He looked into her eyes and for once, he didn’t feel nervous at all.

Tracy interrupted by announcing “Come on, you guys, let’s get to class before we’re late!”

In English class, Michael found himself sitting between May and Tracy. Tracy was finding every excuse to reach up and touch his arm possessively, as if announcing to the world that she and Michael were an item. He didn’t really mind because every time she touched him, a shiver would flow down his spine. He couldn't help but to remember his conversation with Tracy yesterday, when she had come over to give him his 'reward'. When she had held his hand, the thrill of contact had shot through his body like electricity. The kiss she had given him as she left had turned his legs to jelly. Last night, he had resolved to overcome his shyness and ask May out on a date; however, every time he had pictured it thoughts of Tracy kept intruding. Michael found his current situation to be perplexing beyond his wildest dreams. On his left was the quiet and mysterious May, with whom he had been infatuated with since the beginning of high school. On his right was the life loving Tracy, one of the social elite of high school. There was a brief moment yesterday, so brief in fact that Michael was not even sure of it himself, but for an instant when Tracy had held his hand, Michael thought that there might have been a connection between them. Emotions surged in his chest, fueling wild thoughts that he had never allowed himself to entertain. Before his fantasies could get out of hand, Mr. Anderson cleared his throat and called the class to order. Michael pushed his wild imaginings out of his mind as the lesson began.

Mr. Anderson’s lesson consisted of a lecture on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. He started off by asking the class a question. “Class, Macbeth is a tragic hero, can anyone tell me why?”

Michael’s hand went up, but Mr. Anderson picked May. “Sir, it’s because Macbeth is in fact a hero. He recently won a mighty battle and was rewarded by his king. However, like all of Shakespeare’s other tragic heroes, he had a fatal flaw that led him down the road to tragedy.”

Michael was pleasantly surprised. He thought that he was the only one who had finished Macbeth ahead of the class. Mr. Anderson asked another question, “Very good May, now, can anyone tell me what was Macbeth's fatal tragic flaw?”

This time, Mr. Anderson picked a most unlikely individual. “Macbeth's tragic flaw was that he was too ambitious. He allowed his wife to talk him into murdering the king to take his place.” said Tracy with a smile to Michael.

Michael’s face showed his surprise. Tracy was not just a pretty face! There appeared to be depths to Tracy that he wasn’t aware of!

For May, getting through English was an exercise of will and concentration. Sitting beside Michael, May could feel his emotions emanate from his body like waves. Mixed within the waves were feelings of infatuation, confusion, and maybe even something that felt like guilt. Some of these emotions were directed at her, however, May suspected that the bulk of them were directed at her best friend. Some of the emotions were so strong that May almost wondered why no one else could feel them. May resisted the urge to touch Michael's hand. Physical contact was not always necessary for her to read someone else's emotions, but it did help with focus and clarity. Physical contact was absolutely necessary if she wanted to project emotions into someone. Her plan originally was to help nudge Michael's feelings to favor Tracy. It would have been easy for her, considering her own feelings for her friend. However, after sampling the strength of the emotions that Michael was feeling, May doubted the wisdom of her original plan. When Mr. Anderson had started the lesson, however, Michael's emotions had shut off, as if with a valve. May had almost jerked upright in shock, but her training had kept her from betraying herself. What had happened? Before the lesson, Michael's emotions had raged unchecked. If May didn't know better, she would have thought that Michael was an empath as well. She had to find out! She sent a mental apology to Tracy, who obviously could not hear it. In order for May to find out more about Michael, she would have to spend more time with him. She could not turn him over to her friend just yet!

After English, Michael told his two companions to head to Math without him, stating that he had an errand to do and would catch up to them later. He hurried to the principal’s office and asked the secretary to see Mrs. Hoover. Seeing as it was the school’s hero, the secretary let him in. Mrs. Hoover was sitting behind her desk, looking through some papers. She looked up as Michael came in.

“Mr. Wellington! To what do I owe this visit?” asked Mrs. Hoover.

“Well, ma’am, I came to ask you for a favor.” asked Michael hesitantly.

“For the hero of the hour, anything that’s within my power!” stated Mrs. Hoover.

Michael thought about his next words carefully. Memories of the young gang leader flashed through his mind. The gang leader was barely out of his teens and already was leading a life of crime in the dark streets and alleys of Toronto. “Ma’am, I would like you to rescind your decision to expel Mark Tuscki.”

“Whatever for? He deserved what he got! When did you become good friends of Mark?” asked Mrs. Hoover, clearly confused.

“He’s not my friend. In fact, I believe it’s his desire to pound my face in the next time he sees me.” said Michael.

“So this is about your little tussle last week? You have unfinished business? Hero or no hero, young man, if you start a fight in school, you will be suspended!”

“I know that, ma’am. This is about something else. I think Mark has paid the price of his stupidity. I saw some of the burns on his face and they’re pretty nasty. I believe that if he gets expelled now, then he will never fully learn his lesson. School provides him with some amount of discipline, and there are many teachers and councilors here that can help him. If you expel him, he’ll have no alternative other than the streets.”

Mrs. Hoover stared at Michael intently for several minutes. She never expected anything like this! In fact, the paperwork to expel Mark was on her desk right now, and she was reviewing them. “Are you saying that Mark deserves a second chance?”

“Yes ma’am. I believe that with the proper help, Mark can be turned around. He’ll be suffering from his scars for the rest of his life. That’s a steep enough price already.”

“You’re a very unusual young man,” said Mrs. Hoover as she picked up the papers on her desk. “But, I think you may have a point.” She held the papers up and tore them in half before throwing them in her recycle bin. “Favor granted.”

Michael raced through the halls to get to his next class. His heart was pounding in his chest. It had worked!

<<Are you sure about the wisdom of your actions, young one?>>

I’m not sure. I just don’t want to see Mark end up like that gang leader from last night! I think Mark’s got issues, that’s why he acts the way he does.

<<And if he decides to come after you?>>

Let him try! I’m not afraid of him anymore. But I don’t believe he will. Call it a gut feeling.

When Michael got to Math class, he could see that Tracy had saved him a seat right next to the fantastic four. Gingerly, he walked over and sat down. Tracy gave him a warm smile and a questioning look. May just winked. Mr. Cameron started the class by announcing that his briefcase was lost in the fire, and all their tests had burned up. There were cheers to this announcement. However the cheers turned to groans when Mr. Cameron further announced that instead of a retest, the next test would be worth much more.

At lunch, Michael found himself sitting in the cafeteria with Tracy and May. Linna and Catherine had decided to sit with the rest of the cheerleader squad. “So, are you gonna tell me what’s going on?” asked Michael.

“Well, after practice yesterday, George decided that he’d rather date that 17 year old Barbie doll over there,” said Tracy pointedly.

“Debbie Dallas? So this is a ploy to make him jealous?” asked Michael.

“Not at all,” said May. “We just want to show that jerk that Tracy has already moved on to bigger and better things.”

“Is that what I am?” joked Michael, with a smile on his face. "Bigger and better?"

“Well, word got around about what happened just before the fire," said Tracy with a nod in May's direction. "Remember I was telling you about the date rate system? Well, you're off the charts now!"

"Really?" Michael grinned impishly. "Then why isn't the female population of the school pounding on my door?"

Tracy grinned back with a gleam in her eyes. "Because someone started a rumor that you're already in love with someone!" She glanced at May who seemed to find her food extremely interesting.

Michael blushed and looked around for a way to change the topic. He noticed that May’s knapsack seemed rather heavy. “May, I don’t mean to pry, but it looks like you’ve got a hefty load in there.”

May flushed slightly and opened her bag. The book she pulled out was titled Lord of the Rings The Return of the King. “I’m about halfway through, and I just can’t put it down!” said May sheepishly.

Michael was surprised. But he was even more surprised when Tracy pulled out a similar book from her bag. “Yeah, May wouldn’t stop talking about it, so I picked up the first book in the trilogy to try it out. I’ve already read The Hobbit and loved it. We don’t want too many people to know though, they’ll think we’re geeks or something.”

Michael said, “Cool! If you guys like those books, there’s tons of other stuff out there that you would love.”

“Really?” said May, with an interested gleam in her eyes.

“Yeah, since you two are girls, I think you’ll enjoy this.” Michael reached into his bag and pulled out an equally thick book. It was titled, The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. “The main character is a girl who runs away from home to become a mercenary. This is actually a trilogy, and this book I’ve got in an all in one edition.”

May took the book from Michael. On the cover was a woman dressed in scale amour sitting astride a red horse. Her sword was raised in preparation to fight two white wolf-like creatures. “Wow, this looks interesting. Can I borrow it from you when you’re done?”

“Of course! If you like that book, I’ve got a bunch at home you would like too!” said Michael, feeling more at ease with each passing moment. Why was he so scared to talk to May before? She was actually really easy to talk to!

Tracy watched the exchange with interest. It looked as if she wouldn't need to do much prodding to get them together after all! They already had a lot in common. Michael was really a very sweet person, and she just knew that he would be good for her friend. She felt a tugging on her heart as she thought about how happy Michael and May would be together. Last night, she couldn't stop thinking about Michael. She didn't even taste her dinner. Her dreams had been filled with vaguely erotic images that disappeared as soon as she tried to remember them. Michael and May were chatting like old friends now. Tracy took a bite of her sandwich, but the food seemed to get stuck in her throat. She took a large gulp of her juice, but it didn't banish the dryness she felt. What was wrong with her? She gave herself a mental shake and watched the exchange with growing interest. It was going to be soon, she thought. An old pro at the game of dating, Tracy could feel that the time was near. There was a lull in the conversation, and Tracy could tell that Michael was gathering up his courage to take that first crucial step. She was prepared for it. She expected it. She also knew what May's answer was going to be. However, what she didn't expect was that Michael turned to look in her direction. Their eyes met, and, suddenly, Tracy knew. Even before Michael opened his mouth, she knew. As those piercing blue eyes held her own, she knew, deep down, what Michael was going to say next. Deep down, she knew what her answer would be and her soul rejoiced. Her lips opened as she prepared to say yes.

"Will you go out with me on Saturday?" May's sudden question broke Tracy out of her trance. Tracy shot May an incredulous look. May was asking Michael out? Judging from Michael's reaction, he was just as surprised as Tracy.

Michael managed to sputter, "Um, sure, May. What did you have in mind?"

"Oh nothing major. There's just this movie that I want to see," said May nonchalantly.

Tracy felt as if a knife had been stabbed into her heart. What was May doing? Michael was just about to ask her out! And what was Michael doing, agreeing so easily. For a moment, jealousy flared throughout her being, but a look at May's face quelled it. What was she thinking? This was exactly what she wanted! Never before had May ever taken the initiative and asked a guy out, and now here she was! She smiled encouragingly at May and gave her an almost imperceptible nod of approval. She wanted May to be happy and would do anything in her power to ensure it.

In Science, Jeff knew right away that something was up. “Hey, dude, better turn down that glow before I pull out my shades! What’s up, man, you look like you just won the lottery or something!”

“May just asked me out on a date!” said Michael.

“You mean May Li? The one that makes you go goo goo ga ga?” laughed Jeff.

"Yeah, that's the one. Surprised the heck out of me too. We're going to catch a flick this Friday."

"Which one?"

“I don’t know, and right now, I don’t care.”

“Good attitude! Keep it up, Romeo!”

After Science was over, Michael headed to the gym. On the way, the fantastic four caught up with him. Tracy once more latched onto his arm. Michael was now a little uncomfortable with the situation. Something unspoken had passed between him and Tracy at lunch. This time, he was sure of it. However, before he could do anything about it, May had surprised him by asking him out. Stunned, he did the first thing that came into his mind. He agreed. Looking back, he wasn't even sure what happened. Was he about the ask Tracy out? Did they make a connection yesterday? Did they make another one today? He resolved to have a quiet talk with Tracy as the soonest opportunity. He also wondered whom he could turn to for advice.

<<Unfortunately, I do not have any advice for you on this, young one.>>

Yeah, I figured as much. Don't worry; I'll just muddle through this one on my own.

<<Perhaps you do not need to, young one. Remember, you do have another sibling.>>

You mean Serena? Yeah, I guess I could. But I'd feel a little weird about it, you know? I don't think we've completely settled into the whole big sister, younger brother thing yet.

<<As you wish, young one. Just always remember that you are never completely alone anymore.>>

I will. Thanks!

Mr. Clark was back from whatever took him away from school yesterday, so gym class was on. In fact, there was an unpleasant surprise for the students as they emerged from the change rooms of the secondary gym. On a bench were a row of jerseys and football helmets. He grinned evilly as he directed his class to select one of each. "Alright, class, today we're going to play a little two-hand touch football. Dan and Jim, you two are the captains. Pick your teams."

Dan Harper and Jim Santos smiled like cats that just ate canaries. The first person that Dan picked was Michael. Feeling some trepidation, Michael joined Dan on his side of the gym. Jim picked a boy from the football team. Next, Dan picked May. She glared at him as she walked over. She smiled reassuringly at Michael as she joined his side. In response, Jim picked a girl who was not on the cheerleading squad. Next, Dan picked a boy who was prominent on the chess club. Jim picked another member of the football team. When Tracy walked over to his side, Michael finally clued in on what was happening. Shit, they must have something planned! Look, Jim's team is packed with jocks. In fact, the only person on the football that is not there is Dan!

After the team selection was over, Mr. Clark directed everyone outside to the football field. "Listen up, everyone!" he bellowed. "The rules are simple. This is a game of two-hand touch. Guys, in honor of the girls in the class, be careful of where you touch!" There were chuckles from the boys on Jim's team.

Dan's team had the ball first. In the huddle, he directed Michael to head straight up the middle and Tracy and May to the sides. He pretty much ignored the rest of the players. The got into their positions and Dan cried, "Hut, hut, hike!"

On the last word, Michael shot forward like a bullet. Whatever Dan was planning, he wanted to make sure he had some distance first! When he realized that no one was chasing him, he slowed and looked around. Tracy was running to the right of him. He watched as she turned to look back at Dan. Dan threw a long lazy pass right at her. She had no choice but to stop and wait for the ball to drop. Her attention was on the ball so she didn't notice when Jim stealthily moved up behind her. Michael saw all of this, but before he could cry out a warning, Tracy caught the ball. What happened next was obvious to everyone who saw it. Jim grabbed Tracy from behind. With her hands full of leather, she could only scream in indignation as Jim wrapped his arms around her torso, picked her up and threw her on the ground. He landed halfway on top of Tracy. From Tracy's continued screams of rage, Michael could tell that Jim was taking a few liberties for himself.

Michael's world turned red. He shot across the field intent on punishing Jim for his indiscretions. About ten feet away however, a small diminutive figure stood in his way. He was about to turn his fury on the figure in front of him when a cool hand touched his arm and soft brown eyes looked into his own.

"Relax, Michael," said May softly so that only he could hear. "She can take care of herself!"

Tracy finally managed to dislodge herself from Jim's hundred-handed grasp. Her mouth was spewing curses as she got up. "You fucking ape! Don't you dare touch me again!"

Jim was laughing as he disengaged. "What're you so uptight for? Half the team already has! Besides, this is football!"

Tracy whipped off her helmet. Her face was red with humiliation and anger. "In that case, welcome to my FOOT, BALL!" She lashed out with her right foot. Her toes were pointing straight up as she connected with a kick between Jim open legs.

Jim fell like a tree, screaming all the way down. He hit the ground with an audible thump and kept right on screaming. His body was curled up in a fetal position and tears were openly coursing down his face.

Although Michael knew that Jim deserved what he got, he couldn't help but to mutter a sympathetic "Ouch!" A cool hand touched his own and he looked down at May.

May smiled up at him and said, "Oh, don't worry. She missed his testicles by about two inches. She's not THAT mean! Besides, this way Jim's lesson will last longer."

"What do you mean?" asked Michael.

Before May could answer, Mr. Clark ran up to survey the scene. Many of the students had also come up to witness the drama. "Ms. Adams, you will remain after school for detention!" he yelled.

"Why!" cried Tracy, her face was still flushed.

"For assaulting one of my players, that's why!" Mr. Clark's face was turning as red as the bruise on his face. He was unused to having students yell back!

"Assault?" Tracy pushed a groaning Jim onto his back with her foot and kept her foot on his chest like a triumphant victor. "If you give me to detention, then I'm marching right down to Mrs. Hoover's office to get this sack of shit suspended for sexual harassment and you fired!"

Mr. Clark looked as if he were hit by a freight train. Tracy had said the two magic words that would guarantee exactly what she had threatened. Sexual harassment was not tolerated by any degree, anywhere, and was severely punished whenever it occurred. To his credit however, he tried to rally. "What're you talking about? All he did was tackle you gently. We all saw that!"

"Tackle!" laughed Tracy sarcastically. "He grabbed my boobs!" She punctuated this by thrusting her chest in Mr. Clark's direction. Mr. Clark did what most guys would have done in this situation. He looked. "See!" cried Tracy. "You're staring at my boobs! That's sexual harassment!"

Mr. Clark's face turned an even brighter shade of red. "I wasn't staring! I was merely checking your claim, and yes I do see some mud on your jersey. Very well, Jim Santos, you have detention, and Ms. Adams, please take a seat on the bench."

Tracy ground her heel into Jim's chest one last time, eliciting a groan from the boys who were watching and a cheer from the girls as she stalked off the field.

Jim had to be helped up by two of his teammates. Together, they helped a limping Jim over to the sidelines, well away from where Tracy was sitting. They left Jim lying on ground with his face scrunched up in pain.

May led Michael back to their side of the field. The drama was over for now. "May, what did you mean back there?"

May nodded in Jim's direction. "Tracy purposely kicked Jim in his groin muscle. If you kick a guy in the family jewels, the pain will start to subside soon afterwards. I hear it's still pretty intense though!" Michael could only nod in agreement. May laughed at his expression. "If you kick a guy in the groin muscle, it may not hurt as much right off the bat, but he'll be limping for several days."

Michael nodded his understanding. "And with a game this Thursday, he might have to sit it out! But how would Tracy know where to kick?"

"Easy, I taught her!" said May brightly,

Michael was about to ask more questions but Dan called the team together. Dan gave May a dark look as he sent her to the left side again. When Dan sent Michael down the center once more, Michael could swear he saw a gleam in Dan's eyes.

They all assumed their positions once more. Dan called out, "Hut, hut, hike!"

Michael raced down the center and immediately saw what the plan was. His senses picked up another long pass from Dan. Running towards him were four members from the opposing team. Looks like a pile up!

<<Indeed, young one. What do you intend to do?>>

Nothing. If I do something too dramatic, I'll risk using my powers too openly.

<<They do not appear like they will simply 'two hand touch' you.>>

I know, but when I get up unfazed, that will throw their game off!

<<I see.>>

Michael caught the ball, and then paused as the first player hit him. There was a grunt of pain, but it didn't come from Michael. With his shields up, it must have felt like hitting a brick wall for the other player. Michael allowed himself to fall over with the other player on top of him. There were three more muffled grunts as the other three players piled on. Under his shields, Michael felt nothing, but the poor guy immediately on top of him took the full force of the pile up. When Mr. Clark rushed over and blew the whistle, he was perplexed when Michael got up without a mark and another one of his football players was helped off the field.

Back in the huddle, Dan once again sent Michael up the center and May off to the left. As May turned away to head off to her position, Michael caught Dan nodding to a player on the other side. Looks like it's May's turn now.

Michael jogged over to May and touched her shoulder. "Look out, May, I think you're next!"

"I know," said May with a tight grin. "Don't worry, I can take care of myself too!"

Despite her words, Michael swore to keep close to May. Because of his decision, he had the proverbial 'best seat in the house' for what happened next. Dan let loose with yet another long lazy pass. Michael watched as it arched towards May. He was sorely tempted to knock it down before it reached May but couldn't think of a way without openly using his powers. He didn't need his senses to tell him that a very large figure was making his way towards May like a locomotive. This figure was running full tilt with his head and shoulders hunched over for a body check.

For Michael, with his senses, he was able to watch May's movements as if in slow motion. Like a cat, May jumped up and snatched the ball in mid air. She landed with the ball in her hands several feet from where she would have been had she not jumped for the ball. Her expression was one of cool detachment as she watched the large figure bear down on her. May bent her left knee slightly and launched herself up into the air again. As graceful as a dancer, she spun her body as she leapt. Her would be tackler sped past her. His face had a shocked expression, as his intended target was suddenly not there. May's body kept spinning, and just before she completed a full 360 in the air, her right foot lashed out and connected with the back of her assailant's helmet. Her assailant's helmet flew off as he plowed head first into the ground. May landed lightly on her feet, the look of cool detachment still on her face.

Michael was at her side in a flash. Only a residual shyness kept him from hugging May and tossing her up in the air exuberantly. Instead, he patted her back and exclaimed, "Holy crap, May! How'd you do that?"

May just shrugged and smiled mysteriously. A madly blowing whistle drew their attention to Mr. Clark who was running like mad. As he surveyed the scene and looked at May's defiant expression, he simply growled, “Hit the bench with your confederate, Ms Li! I'll thank you and your 'bosom buddy' for not assaulting anymore of my players!"

May stuck her tongue out at Mr. Clark as she walked pass, to the delight and cheers of her teammates. Although everyone had seen the action from a distance, there was no mistaking the intent of the player who was now being helped to his feet.

Back in the huddle, Michael decided that enough was enough. "Dan, how about you run up center this time and I'll throw you the ball?"

Dan looked surprised. "Do you even know how to throw a football?"

"How hard can it be?"

Dan just shrugged and tossed the ball to Michael. If the dweeb wanted to get tackled, then let him!

As Michael prepared to throw, he surveyed his team. They looked nervously back at him, but he knew that he was on his own. "Hut, hut, hike!" yelled Michael, and Dan took off down the field. As Michael expected, the other team ignored Dan. They advanced with grim smiles of anticipation. What Michael didn't expect was the help he was getting. His teammates were trying their best to keep the opposing players from reaching him. It seemed that they wanted this chance to beat the jocks at their own game!

The field in front of Michael was packed with straining bodies. In the distance, Dan was about halfway to the goal posts. Dan spared a glance behind him and then resumed his easy lope down the field.

One burly player got through the mass of bodies and headed straight for Michael. Michael braced himself and hunched low. He remembered some advice his father had given him once. "When you're about to be checked by someone larger than yourself, hunch down, get your shoulder up, and push off with your knees. If you time it right, you'll lay them on the ground." Michael had listened wide-eyed, but hadn't quite believed his father at the time. As the player from the other team bore down on him, Michael hunched down, knees bent, shoulder up. He waited until just before the other player reached him, and suddenly pushed up like an explosion. His shoulder met the solar plexus of the other player and he could hear the whoosh of air expelled by his opponent as he went flying backward. Michael had no time to celebrate as another player rushed him. Michael side stepped as the other player went into a flying tackle. A third player made it through the wall, and Michael could see that Dan was several feet away from the goal line. Michael dodged and spun and felt the passage of air as the other player shot by him. Planting his feet firmly on the ground, Michael hauled his right arm back. His left arm was pointing in Dan's direction. In a sudden explosive movement, Michael threw the ball with all his might.

Dan was almost to the goal line. When George had pulled him aside during lunch and asked him and Jim for this little favor, he had jumped at the chance to get back at Michael. With Michael's new status as a hero in the school, they had to come up with a legit way to dump on him. When approached with the idea, Mr. Clark was certainly agreeable. However, Dan's early excitement over the game had turned to concern as three of his teammates were helped off the field. One of them had been hurt in a misguided pile up, and that bitch May and her slut friend Tracy had attacked the other two. Dan scowled as he recalled how Tracy had kicked Jim. There was no call for that! It wasn't as if Jim was doing something that Tracy hadn't allowed plenty of other guys do, according to locker room talk. Dan vowed that he would get even. Thinking about getting even, Dan turned his head back to see the action. He wanted to see Michael get piled on while trying to be a quarterback! Dan wasn't concerned with Michael throwing the ball at him because even Dan himself would be hard pressed to throw the ball this far down the field. Dan saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. His body reacted automatically from hours of practice even before his brain registered the football arrowing in on his position. His body had just shifted into a ball catching stance when the ball hit him high in his chest. His world turned upside down and around as the force of the ball knocked him over. The next thing he knew, he had grass and dirt in his mouth, the ball was still clutched in his hands, and his eyes were staring at something white and green. It took a few more seconds for his astonished brain to register the white mark as the goal line. He dimly wondered where his helmet was and vaguely remembered that he hadn't strapped it on tight at the start of the game. There seemed to be a roaring in his ears and it took him several more seconds to realize that the roaring was actually screams of joy. Way down the field, Michael was being hoisted on shoulders and paraded back and forth. Still dazed and slightly confused, Dan pushed himself off the ground, retrieved his helmet and made his way slowly back.

Michael felt himself being let down as Mr. Clark came rushing over with his whistle blowing. Mr. Clark let the whistle drop and confronted Michael. "Where the hell did you learn to throw like that son?"

Michael just shrugged. So suddenly I'm 'son'?

"Why aren't you on the team? We could use someone like you!" demanded Mr. Clark.

Michael was about to reply when, suddenly, a warm soft body leapt into his arms. The force of Tracy's jump forced him to wrap his arms around her waist and spin her around. She was saying something in his ear, but Michael was lost in the hug. His heart was beating like a drum and threatened to burst from his chest. He let Tracy down but her arms were still wrapped around his chest. Michael couldn't think of anything else that could feel so right. Belatedly, he realized that he hadn't answered Mr. Clark's question. "I'm sorry, you were saying?"

"I said, why aren't on the team? You throw like a pro!" Mr. Clark's tone was still gruff, but his face had a tinge of awe.

Michael shrugged again and replied, "I don't know. I guess I'm not really a football person."

"But you will join now, right?" There was an edge of pleading in Mr. Clark's voice.

Mr. Clark was about to press the issue, but then suddenly realized that every ear was listening to their conversation. He glanced at the limping figure of Dan Harper as he slowly made his way across the field. He glanced over at the sidelines where three of his players were already out of action, and decided that continuing this game wouldn't be healthy for his team. He looked around at his class and said, "Alright everyone, hit the showers. You all get an early period today. Not you, Mr. Wellington. I want to talk to you!"

Michael was just turning to go, with Tracy under one arm. May approached, and it seemed to be the most natural thing in the world for him to put his other arm around May. He looked back at Mr. Clark and asked, "Do I have detention?"

"No, of course not!" sputtered Mr. Clark.

"Then I do believe I have an early period!" Michael turned to go, with a girl under each arm. Michael could feel both girls turn their heads to look back at Mr. Clark once more. As one, they both stuck their tongues at the crestfallen gym teacher.

After Michael had showered and changed, he found Tracy in her cheerleader uniform waiting for him outside the change room. "Hi, Tracy! So I guess you can't go home early like the rest of us, eh?"

"Nope, there's no rest for the wicked!" replied Tracy. "Besides, May's got some new moves to show us today."

"New moves? You mean like what she did today?"

Tracy laughed throatily. "No, nothing quite so acrobatic! Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for helping me out today. Even if it caused you some bruises. I just heard through the grapevine that today's little exercise was at George's request."

"Really? That's pretty immature!"

"I know!" agreed Tracy. "He totally threw me for a curve. When we first started going out, he acted so mature and stuff. May warned me about him. Now I wish I listened to her!"

"Well, you're better off without him," said Michael. All of a sudden, Michael started to feel a little awkward. Looking at Tracy's smiling face, his heart started to beat faster once more. "Umm, Tracy, about today at lunch..."

"Shhh, it's alright," said Tracy as she touched her finger to Michael's lips. "Just treat my best friend with kindness and respect, ok? She needs someone like you. Oh, and before I forget, here's the reward I promised you."

Before Michael could protest, Tracy pushed some paper into his hands. On one of the papers was May's phone number. The other paper turned out to be a movie pass for two. "May's been my best friend for like forever. She's never had a boyfriend before and she really needs someone like you, who can be gentle and patient with her."

"But..." protested Michael, but Tracy shushed him again.

"Look, just trust me on this, ok? May needs you." With that said, Tracy turned and walked back into the gym.

Michael watched her go with his heart in his throat. But what about what I need?