Chapter 4
4
Brennon
I t’s become my routine these last three weeks: school, football practice, homework, then gaming with Will into the late hours of the night. He’s seriously cool as shit. Reminds me of my friends from school, laid-back and funny. We have so much in common it’s fucking weird. We’re both only children. Both born and raised on Southern soil. Both grew up on football and queso.
It’s easy to talk to him about shit since he gets it. And it’s fun to rag on his ass too. His fantasy football team is crushing mine, but I’ll never show defeat. And don’t even get me started on his gaming skills. He seriously could bypass a degree and compete professionally if he wanted to. He’d make millions in competitions. But he wants to keep it as a hobby, and I can appreciate that. Gaming is my way of unwinding too.
Me: How’d the game go last night?
I already know his team beat Bryerson 32-7, but I don’t want him to think I’m stalking him or some shit. I was just curious how they faired, and maybe a bit curious as to what Will looks like. But when I scrolled through the team roster, I didn’t see a William listed as a player. It said their tight end was Max Fletcher. But Max could be his middle name. I know a lot of guys who share a name with their dads so they go by their middle names instead. He could be a William Jr. or a William III.
Will2025TE: We won. Our team beat them by a lot. Wonder if the Keginator will have anything to say about it. I haven’t logged on yet to check.
I doubt it. After his team lost to us, he tried to start some shit in the chat, claiming the winning touchdown should’ve been flagged. So in response, I posted the clip of our final play, asking him where the foul was, and that seemed to shut him up. Others started chiming in, Will included, telling the Keginator that he needed to get his ego in check. Carson tucked his tongue after that and hasn’t been back online since. He’s case in point of why I don’t want to be matched with someone in the dorms next year. What if he’s the one they place me with? He and I would butt heads hard-core.
Me: Congrats! Never asked. What number are you?
Will2025TE: What do you mean? Number?
Thought the question was straightforward, but I guess not.
Me: Your football jersey?
Will2025TE: I have my dad’s old jersey from when he played, which is number 12. And then I have a Cowboys jersey with the number 31, which is my birthday.
I’m a little confused by the whole dad’s old jersey thing, but I think he just means he kept the number. A lot of the guys on my team have done that.
Me: 12 is a good number. That’s solid that you kept your dad’s number. I’m 22 for my birthday.
Will2025TE: What month were you born in?
Me: July. You?
Will2025TE: Mine is October 31. I’m a Halloween baby.
Dang. That’s a fun way to celebrate your eighteenth. Getting dressed up, going out with friends, partying the night away.
Me: That’s cool. Do you always have a big Halloween bash?
Will2025TE: No. I’m not much of a partier. I usually just stay home and watch horror movies.
That’s another win. Means he won’t be throwing keggers every weekend. Though, I still haven’t asked if he wants to live together next year. I need to do that.
Me: I’m not a huge partier either. But I’ll be ready to party after the Devils win!!! Bet the team throws one heck of a bash after a game.
Will2025TE: Don’t you have to be invited to those?
You may need an invitation if one of the guys is throwing a private party at his place, but I’m sure that after the games, the team celebrates together.
Me: I don’t think so. Besides, once we get to know everyone, I’m sure we’ll be invited.
Will2025TE: You can count me out. Crowds are not my jam. Neither is hanging out with a bunch of football players.
The fuck? How does that translate? He plays for the team but doesn’t like to hang out with any of the guys after? I know some of them can be douchebags—Keginator is the prime example—but it’s part of showing your team spirit.
Me: If crowds are not your thing, how do you handle the fans swarming you after a game?
Or even being tackled on the field? Or traveling on busses to the away games? I’m sure his school is like ours. We’re all crammed in like sardines. And next year, at the college level, I imagine it’s going to be even worse. We’ll be swarmed by fans and reporters.
Will2025TE: I don’t go to the games. I just watch them from home.
What the hell? Does he not play football? This entire time I’d assumed he played for his team. I’m so fucking confused. We talk ball all the time. Analyzing plays online and discussing errors that were made during the games, strategizing what the team should’ve done differently. With how knowledgeable he is, I’d just assumed he played. But his comment is throwing me.
Me: Don’t you play for the team?
Will2025TE: Are you talking about the football team? Sorry, can’t tell if that’s a joke or not. I’m only five-two, so I’m pretty sure I’d be crushed by all those huge guys. Besides, last I checked, they weren’t taking female players. No, I don’t play any sports. What about you?
I stare at the screen. Reading the message over and over. Making sure I’m not seeing things wrong. Five-two . She’s a five-two female. A girl. All this time I thought I was talking to a dude. Picturing him being a six-foot, muscular jock in a football jersey, tearing down the field, slamming the ball down into the end zone. But Will’s a girl. Even her name had me fooled. Who names their daughter Will?
I lift my heavy fingers, feeling them slowly slide over the keys. The clamminess making them stick to the send key as the shock settles in.
Me: Yes, I play sports. I’ll be the new running back for Arizona next year. I’m sorry. I just assumed TE meant tight end. And I was thrown by your name. This whole time I thought you were a guy.
Never in a million years would I have thought someone as cool as him—I mean her —would be a girl. For starters, I don’t know too many girls who love Kanturia. It’s rare even to find them in the game. Then there’s the fact that he—I mean she —loves football. She knows the lingo, the plays, even her damn fantasy football team is better than mine. And she’s funny as shit and can dish it out like all my buddies can. I feel like I’m being punked right now. Maybe he’s pranking me.
Me: What’s your name, Will?
He never corrected me on it, which leads me to believe this is a joke. Although, Will could be short for her last name Williams.
The silence ticks on. That’s two messages now that have gone unanswered, and my stomach is starting to knot up. I can see that she hasn’t logged off. The icon is still glowing green in the corner of my screen.