Chapter 6 Friday Night Lights
-Annie-
The first few weeks of the school year fly by before I know it.
I have more little moments with Daniel around the hallways and outside our houses, but our paths don’t cross all that often.
I have a few classes with Drew as we are both juniors.
I’ve learned that Drew is a baseball player and is passionate about all things baseball.
He has made friends with a few of my best guy friends, Craig Mitchell and Luke Harrison, who are also fellow baseball players.
Craig has been starting varsity for the last two years as the first baseman.
He’s like an additional brother to me, and I’m fairly sure that he has told the baseball team to leave me alone, just like my actual brother has done with the football team.
We’d become friends after we’d both been a little aggressive during a game of dodgeball in elementary school.
We both got benched, I'd looked into his hazel eyes, and he’d looked into mine, and we’d agreed to always be on the same team from then on.
Over the years, Craig has dubbed himself my bodyguard.
It helps that he also looks like a bodyguard with his large muscles from hours at the gym, though he isn’t even seventeen yet.
The only thing not matching his tough guy persona is his reddish-blond curls.
They go in different directions, and at least once a year, he buzzes them off in his frustration in trying to tame them.
Luke, on the other hand, was a middle school boyfriend.
I’d found his jet-black hair, tan skin, and brown eyes interesting.
If you asked him why he’d been interested in me, his go-to answer all these years later is always my sassy attitude and my ass-sets.
It quickly fizzled out as most middle school relationships do after we realized that kissing each other felt gross.
Luke was the joker of our little group and said he thought up his best material in the outfield, waiting for someone to hit the ball in his direction.
Drew has already found his footing at school.
True to my prediction after meeting him, he is popular with the girls.
I’ve already had a few of them trying to hit me up for any details I have on him since we are neighbors.
He has publicly sought me out to chat on several occasions, which only makes my female classmates think I know him better than I do.
I have never been a gossip, and it feels weird to talk about him behind his back, not to mention I just met him, too.
How am I going to know if he has a girlfriend or if he is interested in anyone?
Meg loves it all; she keeps reminding me that I’m “rebranding” and that being friends with the hottest boy in our grade isn’t a bad thing, not a bad thing at all.
I think Meg is also a little too interested in Drew, as she regularly checks in with me to see if I’ve learned anything new about him.
I keep telling her that relationship statuses aren't a topic we’ve discussed in any detail.
When he does stop me in the halls, it’s to chat about an upcoming assignment or to quiz me on my baseball facts.
He learned from Craig that I’m a major baseball fan, and he has started to test my knowledge.
I have enjoyed our rounds of ‘who is better at each position on the field.’ Yesterday at lunch, we got into a great debate on who we think is taking the pennant home in October.
He was all about the Arches, but I’m in for the Griffons.
They have that underdog thing going for them.
Eventually, I think Meg has had enough, and she just asked him outright, “Drew, anyone you left behind at that old school?” Drew flashed her a smile and said, “Nope, I’m very, very single.
” It’s been the ongoing gossip for the last few weeks amongst the female population.
***
I had my audition for the Visual News last week, with the “screen test” being the first game of the season.
It was exciting being on the sidelines in the thick of the action.
Nothing is like a Friday in Oklahoma under those lights.
The whole town shows up to support the Rams. I can feel the excitement the whole game.
The season opener is against an easy opponent, and the Rams run the score up easily, going into the fourth with a score of 31-3.
My brother and Daniel are on the cover of the Saturday Reporter, getting a lot of hype for what they could do this season and the possibilities of taking it to the state championships.
Daniel had three of the four touchdowns, and Miles had run the last one into the end zone at the end of the third quarter.
Coach had pulled them both for the fourth quarter, there being no need to keep the starters in with a lead that big.
I got to interview my brother and Daniel on the sidelines before the end of the game.
Daniel threw his arm over my shoulder during the interview, and it took all my focus not to react to this touch.
I focused on my questions and got them both to answer before they headed to the locker room with the victory.
My newspaper teacher told me I did a great job and that I had secured the job alongside one of the seniors to cover the athletic teams.
***
Junior year is going to be my year to shine: I just feel it in my bones.
When my interview played on the morning news during first period this week, I felt the rush of being on screen and sharing my love for football.
I wasn’t just Miles's baby sister in the halls anymore—I was Annie Campbell, sideline reporter. I was getting a little more attention around the school. Meg was taking full advantage of my new “fame,” and she told me she had inquiries about my “status” from at least a few of our classmates. The attention was new, and it felt a little weird, but it was also nice to be noticed for myself and not my brother. It’s nice to have guys not get scared off by my senior QB brother or my baseball-playing best friends.
***
Tonight is the Rams' first test against one of our biggest rivals, the Trojans. They are one of the top contenders in the state, and they know it. So far, the other home games have been easy wins. After my soccer practices, I have been studying film with Miles, Daniel, Max, and any of the other receivers who show up at our house. They have been spending more time together getting “synced” so they are ready for game day. It’s interesting the different things that they notice about the defensive patterns.
I am focused during these sessions until Wednesday night, when Daniel brushes his hand against mine.
It was an accident, I tell myself, until it happens a second time.
I give a side glance to him, and he winks at me, confirming that it was in no way an accident.
I give him a return smile, and he brushes his fingers along my arm, sending goosebumps along my skin.
He turns his attention back to the film for the rest of the review like nothing happened.
***
It’s my game to cover, and I’m in my jeans and Rams 00 jersey.
I want to show my support for the team, but I’m not a girlfriend.
Numbered jerseys are the ongoing trend for girlfriends and parents only.
Steph is a prime example, wearing her Campbell 10 jersey in the stands.
I see my parents in their usual section sporting their number 10 jersey, too.
They wave, and Mom makes her way to the railing.
“Honey, after the warmup, can you grab your brother so I can get a picture of you two on the sideline together?” “Sure, Mom, I’ll try to grab Miles, but you better be ready.
I bet he gives you just a few seconds to get it.
” She gives me the thumbs up and moves back up the few rows to sit next to my dad.
My camera guy, Steven, comes over to let me know he is ready with my opening shot.
I make my way to my mark and give the pre-game build-up.
Who the players to watch are, and why I think the Rams have it in the bag.
After I am done, I move back to the sideline areas as the team makes their way onto the field.
I spot Miles running in and start throwing warm-up passes.
I keep scanning until I find the number 88, Davis.
He is with all the wide receivers running up the field.
I’m not sure what it is about a guy in football pads, but he looks good racing across the field.
I eventually get Miles's attention to come over, and we turn and smile up at Mom. Then it’s game on under the bright lights.
The game is back and forth; for each touchdown the Rams get, the Trojans answer.
My brother is on fire—he keeps making pass after pass, even making a few breakaways when the opportunities are open.
Daniel is making the break on the defense all night.
They can’t keep up with him, and they know it.
He even gets a few flags against them because of holding.
***
There is one minute and thirteen seconds left in the game.
It’s all tied up, our defense has done their job and helped the team to a three-and-out possession, and now it all comes down to this: will our offense bring home the win?
Steven lets me know I need to give the buildup, so I stand with the game behind me and face the camera.
I deliver my lines about what the Rams are doing and what they need to finish off this game.
I recommend that they use the connections between Campbell and Davis to get into the end zone.
Steven gives me the thumbs up that he got the shot, and I turn to watch the game.
I can feel the electricity from the fans and the team next to me.
My brother takes his place behind the center and claps his hands.
The ball is hiked, and he is scrambling as he looks downfield.
I can’t see the receivers from this angle, but I can tell he can as he jerks his arm back and drills the ball downfield.
I look to the screen above the scoreboard and see the pass connect 15 yards downfield to number 88: Davis.
The ball hits him over the left shoulder, and he can speed down the sidelines without a defender insight.
“TOUCHDOWN RAMS!” is shouted by the announcers, and the fans go crazy.
I take my mark and smile into the camera, “That’s another touchdown for the Rams scored by number 88, Daniel Davis.
He was wide open in that last drive.” I’m about to ask Steven why he hasn’t turned off the camera when I finish my statement.
I turn around to find Daniel behind me. “Campbell, you ready for my sideline interview?” He has a huge smile on his face, and I can’t help but give him one in return.
“Sure am, please step into my office.” He closes the distance and wraps his arm around my waist. He answers my questions about the game, all while his hand makes little circles against my hip.
I somehow get to my final question, “How far do you think you’ll get this season?
” He looks directly into my eyes and gives me a wink before answering, “I think it’s a sure thing that we’ll be headed to that state championship game in November.
” Then he releases me from his grip and joins his teammates in their celebration.
All I can think is: what the hell just happened?
***
After the game, I drive home with my parents like normal and head up to my room to change into jean shorts.
I know there’s a party tonight, and normally I don’t go, but tonight I want to.
Maybe this “rebranding” is making me open up and try new things outside of school, too.
Meg is excited by my confession; she’s told me she’d even drive over if my brother wouldn’t give me a ride.
Since I’ve never wanted to go, I’ve never worried about asking, but I’m not sure what my parents' answer will be.
I head downstairs and hear Miles and Dad in the living room going over plays from tonight's game.
They are both animated, and it's nice to hear them firing off the play-by-play. When I enter, they don’t miss a beat—they just keep catching up on the game.
Before long, Miles's phone buzzes, and I can see Steph’s name across the screen before Miles answers.
He gives my dad a nod and starts to make his way out of the room.
I am about to miss my opportunity, so I raise my voice and ask, “Miles, can you give me a ride to the party tonight?” He pauses in his tracks and gives me a curious look, then looks over to Dad to see if it’s ok.
Dad gives him a nod and looks at me. “Your curfew is the same as your brother’s.
You two stay out of trouble.” I thank Dad and quickly follow Miles out of the door.
I hear him end the call, and then I’m the full focus of his attention.
“Why do you want to go now, Annie?” I hear the annoyance in his tone.
“Miles, give me a break, I’m a junior: can’t I finally go to the same parties as you?
I’m not some twelve-year-old girl trying to follow you and your buddies around, I just want to go hang out with my friends.
Meg is going to join us at the party, you won’t even know I’m there.
” “Fine,” he responds. “I told some of the guys I’d give them a ride, so you’ll have to squeeze in the back, ok?
” That annoyed tone is still in his voice.
I almost trip over my feet because standing at the end of the driveway are Daniel and Drew.
I guess the other guys are the Davis brothers.
I go to the front seat and my brother informs me that I can have the seat until we get Steph.
Meaning that in a few short minutes, I’ll be the one thrown in the back with the Davis brothers.