Cam didn't say anything as he took a large bite of his taco. Heather looked at me with skepticism. She had been there when I told Jasper off, and again when I told the guys. Even after two days, she still had her doubts. Cam, apparently, couldn't care less. My nerves have been in overdrive all day. Now, one of my best friends couldn't look at me. Heather nudged him and when he looked up at her, she gestured to me. With a shake of his head, he took another bite of his lunch.

"Say something," I urged.

"You're going to try to be the first string quarterback. What do you need me to say?"

"I want you to tell me something supportive."

"You have my support," he shrugged.

"Useless," I muttered.

"To be completely fair," Heather put a hand on Cam's shoulder to stop him from saying anything. "You were spitting fire when you found out. One run in with Jasper and the Westing team and suddenly you're on board. Who's to say you don't back out before the end of this year?"

"Why all the sad faces," Finn asked as he sat beside me. His arm slung across my shoulders as he planted a kiss on my cheek.

"I've got to finish a paper," Cam grumbled as he dropped the last of his taco on the tray. He left the table and Heather tagged along after him.

"I don't think Cam likes me."

"Cam doesn't like anyone."

"So, Saturday," I nodded, "Ocean's Eleven followed by Breakfast Club?"

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off," I pointed at him.

"Ferris it is. I'll grab the junk food, if you get the pizza." I kissed his lips softly.

"Deal."

"Shane mentioned having people over after the dance."

"Do you want to go?"

"If we are still awake after the movies, I thought it could be fun."

"Just show up in our sweats on a sugar high?"

"If that's what you want," he smiled, resting his forehead against mine. "I want to make sure you don't miss out on anything."

"I told you I'm okay missing the dance."

"Missing the dance, I believe you." He leaned back as tilted his head. "But you mentioned shopping for dresses with Heather. If there is any part of you that wants to go out then we should go out."

"Okay," I smiled, "But then we're skipping your movie so I have time to get ready."

"When did you become the sort who cared about appearances?"

"Since I plan on making a statement."

"Not that little dress from before," his brows jumped. It was cute how territorial he had gotten since we had started dating. Owen would get within three feet of me, and Finn was ready to throw a punch. I could see the flicker in his eyes as he remembered the dress.

"Nothing like that. Even if it was, I doubt you would let me leave your side."

"Probably not." He kissed my cheek. "Did you bring stuff for practice?"

"I'm not actually practicing, remember. It's a simple try out."

"So, you're going to wear your gym clothes?" I nodded as a smile grew on my face. Finn laughed as the bell rang. Taking my hand, we walked to our lockers, then to class.

Skipping out of class early, I went to the locker room and swapped my street clothes for the cheap nylon shorts and unflattering grey shirt that I had cut into a tank. Shoving my clothes in the bag, I slipped out the door leading to the field. The football team was filtering out of their own locker room as I let the warm sun kiss my skin. A heavy body bumped into mine.

"Little Lester," Keegan cheered when I looked up at him. "Finally joining in the fun?"

"If Coach agrees with those idiots," I pointed to my brother and his pose as they stared back at us. I wiggled my fingers dramatically at them. They all turned to follow their teammates to the field except for Finn, who hung back. He took my hand in his when we caught up. Keegan chuckled as he held his hands up in surrender.

"With careful consideration," Coach Gilly boomed after the team gathered. He glanced at me on the sideline bench then back to his team. "Blaine Lester has been allowed the chance to try out. You will show her the same respect as your other teammates. I better not hear of any problems. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Coach," the team bellowed.

"Alright," Coach Gilly looked to his assistant coaches. "Warm-up, drills, routes then the try out."

I watched as the team went to the endzone to start their sprints. Coach Gilly looked at me before mumbling something to his offensive coach. The younger man sauntered over to me and stood beside me with his arms crossed.

"You should warm up, too."

"Give me a ball."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm not waiting till the end of practice. Gilly certainly doesn't want me hanging around. I'll be surprised if he even actually lets me on the team," I mumbled before taking a breath. "Lester's don't do sympathy."

"Coach," the man shouted. All eyes fell to us and heat raced up my neck. "Lester says she wants to get it over with."

I could see my brother put his hands on his hips from the corner of my eye. Coach Gilly nodded and waved at the boys. The assistant grabbed a ball from the bag and tossed it to me. Coach walked everyone through how things would go. They would only run basic plays, no hits and I was supposed to throw to the intended targets.

Lucas grinned at me from the other side of Joseph. The feeling of the grooved leather grazing my fingertips brought a sense of peace and confidence in my mind. It was just a pick up game, but with more people. Even if I didn't make the cut, at least I could say I got to play with the team once. The center took the ball from me with a knowing grin.

He got into position as Shane shouted out the play from somewhere over my shoulder. The ball was snapped, and I caught it. Seeking Finn, I watched him slip past one of the defenders only to be blocked by two more. Glancing to my left, I switch the ball in my hands and threw with my right to the open receiver. The ball swirled and met his hands with ease. He slowed his pace as the whistle blew and trotted back to the line.

"Again," Coach shouted. Shane nodded to me, and I called out a different play. Joseph's body shook as he held in a chuckle. The ball was snapped and this time I took a few steps back, deeper into the pocket. Prepared for Finn's coverage, the ball was cradled in my right hand. A flash of copper from the corner of my eye and I rolled the ball to my left and threw it without hesitation. Finn jumped to catch the ball and landed gracefully on his feet.

There was a whistle followed by mumbled voices. First from the players who were able to witness the pass. Next were the coaches. Shane tugged on my ponytail as he stepped in place beside me.

"You had to show off right away, didn't you?"

"I had to make the play happen right away," I bumped my hip against his and earned myself a chuckle.

"One more time," Coach announced. When no one moved his voice boomed with the command again. This time the boys stopped gawking and whispering to get back in formation. I called the third play, waited for the groves to meet my fingers and looked for the pass. Instead, I found Lucas breaking past the offensive line and barreling straight for me. Taking a few steps back, I sought out a gap. Spinning past my brother, I weaved past another defender and saw what I had been waiting for. In a second, the gap was closing off. I dropped and slid across the grass between the two giants who were ready to wrap me up.

A roar of cheers as the whistle blew. Finn trotted over to me and extended his hand to me. Pulling me to my feet, his lopsided smile grew. Coach Gilly waved to the team as the other coaches swarmed him with their own comments. Coach nodded every few minutes then held up a hand.

"We will need to discuss what we've seen." Coach Gilly nodded, dismissing me from his field. I grabbed my bag from the bench and wandered to the gate to leave the field behind. Heather came over, despite the angry voices calling her back. She wrapped me in a hug while bouncing on her toes. I pushed her off of me and shooed her back to the squad sending furious looks our way.

I was torn between taking a shower and sitting to watch the rest of practice unfold. A familiar outline of a figure lying across one of the benches in the stands. Holding tight to the strap of my bag, I trudged up the steps and smacked Cam's stomach. He flinched and stuck out his arm to catch himself from rolling off the bench.

"You came," I teased as I sat beside him. He looked up at me and groaned.

"Friends support each other."

"Thank you," I kissed my fingertips then tapped his forehead. His face screwed up as he rubbed his forehead.

"Can you not," he whined.

"Well I would have actually kissed you, but Finn is watching. Might not end well for you."

"Still being sensitive?"

"If you were nicer, he might trust you." Cam growled then let out a bark. My hand covered my mouth to muffle the laughter. "Stop it."

"Has he properly marked his territory yet?"

I shook my head, fighting the smile as I squinted at the field. Cam continued to mock my relationship before slipping into rambles of all kinds. I watched the whole practice, only answering when I needed to. I watched the warm-ups then the drills. It was a solid hour and a half before Coach called them together. Cam's voice surprisingly overpowered Coach's.

The team dispersed and I got to my feet. I nodded to Cam and he waved me off. Shrugging, I went to the fence and followed the chain link curve. I waited outside the locker room and nodded at each comment the guys made as they filtered out.

"Lester," I slowly looked up, unsure of which Lester the voice was calling for. Coach Gilly stood with arms crossed over his white polo.

"Yes, Coach?"

"Is it safe to assume that your brother and Russel are behind your skills?"

"I would like to think I'm responsible, since it was my arm throwing the ball." The corner of his mouth turned up.

"Keep that tough attitude, Lester. You're going to need it when you're suited up. Not too many people are going to like seeing a lady on the field. Even more are going to make sure you get your ass handed to you."

"You're willing to put me on the team?"

"Don't sound so grateful."

"Why?" The man rubbed his jaw as his eyes narrowed on me.

"I've heard of switch hitters, and even pitchers. Never have I seen anyone adjust to throwing the ball with both of their hands in football."

"Let's say I hadn't shown off," I started but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.

"You keep asking me questions, and I'll reconsider. Is that understood." I nodded and he mirrored my motion before retreating back to the gym doors. Finn stepped out from the next wave and rushed to me. His arms were around my waist as he hoisted me in the air to spin us. Joseph clapped his hands as Finn set me back down.

"Three plays," Joseph boomed. "It only took three plays for you to woo the coaches. Even Shane couldn't manage that."

"Yeah, yeah," Shane shoved as Joseph's shoulder as he passed by. "I thought for sure you were a pancake when Joe let your brother get by."

"You let him through?" My eyes widened at Joseph.

"Had to get your feet moving somehow." His wild grin made me shake my head.

"I wouldn't have flattened her," Lucas wrapped his arm around my neck from behind. "I was really aiming for Shane."

"Don't you mean you took out Shane," Joseph laughed again as he shoved my brother's arm.

"He barely touched me," Shane coughed then waved his hands in the air, as if he didn't already have our attention. "Burgers at Dillion's in honor of the triple threat. Luke is buying."

Shane's hand smacked my brother's chest. Finn's arm wrapped around my waist as he leaned down to kiss my cheek. We walked to the cars and I rode with my brother. I was so anxious as I sat in the passenger seat. I rolled down the window, fiddled with the radio and shifted in my seat.

"Dad's not going to sign off on this." The words tumbled out softly as a sharp tug from gravity brought me barreling back to reality. Lucas shoved my arm when he noticed me staring out the window.

"Let me worry about Dad. You worry about," he trailed off as he tried to think of something. "Anything else."

"That's the problem. I have nothing to worry about."

"Then enjoy it," he looked at me, the grin still screwed into place. It was the happiest I had seen him sober in a while. I could tell him some crazy lie and I don't think he would crash back to Earth. He would brush it off and stay put on that cloud.