Jackson stood staring into his open locker, lost in thought. It was one of those days were his overactive mind was getting in the way of his autopilot. Another momentous occasion was on the horizon; a turning point of some kind. He couldn't tell you how he knew, he just felt it. This birthday was going to be different.
"Because it lines up with the National Championship?"
He still had to invite everyone to his party, wanting to do so in person. Not a problem, just another thing to keep track off. Maybe he was just tired … was there something he was missing, forgetting?
He finally slammed his locker shut, and joined the flow of students through the hall, heading to various classes. Maybe his balance was out of whack. Huh. Maybe it really was.
Thinking about it, his training had only been getting more intense over the days and weeks, especially when it came to his studying; he spent way more time watching and breaking down football games compared to reading through textbooks and worksheets.
So while he'd had balance between football and the rest of his life, bit by bit, the scales had tipped towards football in increments unnoticeable, until he was no better than a frog boiling in a pot.
But he couldn't just stop focusing on his training. How could he even slow down? He'd never catch Ty or Kentavious that way, he wouldn't even catch someone like Adonis Varly or Richaun Howard, or even crack top three.
So instead of taking weight off the football side of the scale, he'd just have to add more counterweight. His party would be a good first step, but that was only temporary; he had to make real change.
"Petey."
Right. He had to form deeper connections with the boys on the team. Not JUST because of football either. He had to remind himself of that fact. It wasn't about football. Any benefits to their chemistry as teammates was secondary, a happy little side effect.
He slid into his seat beside Eddie at the back of the classroom moments before the bell rang. Sachin and Marcus scurried in a second later, Marcus taking the seat on Eddie's other side, Sachin beside Jackson.
'Aye, what we all doing after school today?' Sachin asked, leaning over so much he was almost falling out of his seat. He kept his voice low so as not to draw the attention of the teacher, who was going through the roll call.
'You mean after practice?' Marcus said. 'Man, I don't know. Depends how much Coach runs our asses into the ground, don't it?'
'I didn't know you were a little bitch who couldn't handle some running, bro,' Eddie said.
'Hey, I ain't a bitch, alright. And you can't talk; ain't like you ever run faster than a jog.'
'Uhh, I don't think I can do anything tonight,' Jackson said. 'Sorry.'
'Bruh. You ditching us for your girl again?'
'What?' No that's not… no. Besides, are you guys even gonna be free after practice?'
Marcus groaned. 'Can we stop talkin' about that? I'm already not looking forward to it.'
'You are such a bitch, bruh.'
'Sachin! Do you have something you'd like to share with the class?'
'No! Mr Abercrombie, sorry sir.'
The other boys snickered behind their hands, though Mr Abercombie's hawkish glare quietened them all. Sachin sent his own glare across the row. Of course HE was somehow the one called out and no-one else was.
Thankfully, the early classes passed without issue after that. The boys already knew of Jackson's party, and were already locked in as they had been every year since he could remember.
When lunch came, Jackson sought out Jasmine in the cafeteria, steeling himself before approaching her table; her friends noticed him first, as if they had sensors to detect when a guy passed within ten feet of them.
He ignored their wary gazes—like snakes poised to strike—and slid in beside Jasmine, who welcomed him with a grin. 'Hey, Jackie.'
'Hey,' he said, eyes darting across the table for a second. 'I was just coming over to say, well, it's my birthday this Sunday.'
'Oh, thanks for the heads up. I'll have to go shopping.'
'Ah, I wouldn't worry about that too much, haha. I don't even know if I want anything. But um, I'm having a party on the day, nothing big, or fancy, or anything, just a simple barbeque at my house, but … you know.'
'Do your parents know you're throwing a party?' she asked, a distracting, coy smile on her lips.
He nodded quickly. 'Of course, they'll be there. It's not a party like THAT.'
'What kind of party is it?' another girl at the table asked.
'A birthday party. A NORMAL birthday party.' He sighed. 'Can you make it, Jasmine? It'll be around lunch time.'
'Sure!' Her eyes sparkled, as they always did whenever she smiled. 'It'd be nice to meet your parents finally.'
'Oh, huh, true. Um, would you, I mean, you could bring your parents around if you want.'
She chuckled, but the brightness left her eyes. 'Yeah, maybe. I'll bring it up with them. Might be good to let them see you're a nice, sweet guy instead of whatever monster they conjure up when they hear your brother's car pulling up in the driveway.'
Her friends looked at her strangely at that, but their scowls quickly returned to Jackson when he laughed. He'd wanted to ask if they knew she was dating him, or what she'd told them about him, yet it sounded like she hadn't mentioned him at all. Pushing the thought from his head, he stood, smiling down at her.
'Great! I'll see you then, yeah?'
'Aww, you gonna avoid me for the rest of the week? Harsh.'
He blushed, shaking his head. 'No! No no, I didn't mean, I just meant—'
'I'm just teasing.' She giggled more before standing, planting a kiss on his warm, red cheek. 'Enjoy the rest of your day, Jackie.'
When he turned to leave, she grabbed his arm, stopping him.
'I just remembered,' she said. 'Maybe I could invite the band? Some live music would make the party pretty special, don't ya think?'
'Oh!' His gaze turned to the snakes still staring at him from the table, Steph made them look like paper tigers. 'Uhh, sure, that should be … fine.'
'If its a problem I don't have to. Though I'm sure I could convince them to play some more … safe … songs.'
'No, no, it'll be fine. Invite them. I can't think of a better present than hearing you play.'
Her grin returned with strength, and she gave him another peck on the cheek before letting him go. He hurried off, cheeks burning bright.
The rest of the day blew by rapidly. Even practice was a breeze—still intense, but … somewhat directionless. They were just going through the motions, focusing on their fundamentals, keeping themselves sharp. It couldn't be much longer until the offseason took full effect.
Though that wasn't the only reason it passed with greater ease—the weighted vest was less of a burden each week. Every time the weight felt lighter upon his shoulders was a reminder of the progress he was constantly making, and a reason to smile; to strive for further growth.
During the limited breaks they got throughout the day, he went around, telling more of the boys about his upcoming birthday and attached party. He didn't shout it for all to hear, and made sure they knew it was just a lowkey, simple affair. Mostly he invited those who had been at the sleepover, though there were a few others he extended the invitation too as well.
Isaac and Lonnie were given invites, Owen and Vincent, along with the rest of the JV O-Line, too. Then, Jackson felt something—a string of fate, perchance—tugging him across the field. He looked towards the pull, and his eyes settled on Dion, the gentle Titan. His curly hair had grown out a bit more, now being held back from his eyes with a simple black headband.
Dion was the obstacle Jackson wished to forget. Whilst he looked forward to any of the JV boys taking Grant and his goons' spots on the varsity team, he knew that wouldn't happen until Dion was sent down first.
When the next break came, Jackson sat next to Dion. A look of surprise passed Dion's face only for as long as the blink of an eye. He made no comment.
'Dion, right? I'm Jackson.' He offered a hand.
Dion shook it, nodding. 'I know. Is your leg feeling better?'
'Definitely. Sucks I missed out last year, but this year is gonna be amazing.'
'I hope so.' Dion's smile was surprisingly genuine.
'Yeah, thanks. Uh, but for now, its my birthday this Sunday, and I was just wondering if you'd wanna come to the barbeque I'm having.'
The smile faded, and Dion glanced around before focusing back on Jackson, tilting his head. 'Me? Why?'
'Well …' It wasn't just pity, not that Jackson could tell him that … no, it wasn't pity at all. 'Seeing as I was injured for so long, I didn't get to spend as much time with everyone, and I guess I'm just trying to make up for some of that. You don't have to come, of course.'
'…I'll think about it. Could you send me the details later?'
'Sure! Alright, thanks.'
Jackson left quickly so they'd be no awkwardness, or at least so it was kept to a minimum. He left so quick, however, he forgot to get Dion's number or SnapChat or anything, and by the time he remembered it would've been way too awkward to go back and ask for them. Hopefully someone else had Dion's info.
When practice was over, he approached Petey, catching up with him after they'd both dumped their vests, calling out to him, asking if they could talk for a moment.
'Is this about your party?' Petey asked, stepping aside with him.
Jackson laughed nervously as they walked away from the field. 'God. I told them to keep quiet about it. Though, that was more about not letting Grant and that know.'
'Yeah, don't worry, they've kept it between the JV team at least.'
'Right, that's good. But, uh, actually there was something else I wanted to ask you about.'
'Oh? Sure man, anything for mi amigos.'
'I was just wondering what you were doing now?'
'Now? Eh, nothing really. I was just gonna go home and study for a while before getting some sleep. Feels like I haven't had a proper night of rest in ages. Don't know if I will tonight either.'
'What? Why?'
'¡Dios mio! My parents are talking about getting me a uhh, what you call it … a tutor!'
Jackson's eyes widened with surprise. 'A tutor? That's crazy. No offence to everyone else, but you seem like the smartest guy on the team.'
Petey laughed. 'I don't know if being the smartest in a locker room of meatheads is good enough for my parents. Though its not like I'm failing or nothing, but to my parents, if I'm not pulling straight A's, I may as well be. Mierda, I even overheard them talking about some summer school.'
Jackson's eyes widened further. Could there be a worse fate a teenage boy could be subjected to than being forced to attend a summer school? At least a shitty fast food or retail job paid you.
A sad smile came across Petey's face. 'Yeaaah… I guess that's what happens when your mom's a doctor, and dad's a lawyer. Plus, I gotta follow in my big sister's footsteps, too. So if I'm not valedictorian, then going off to law school…' He sighed.
'I mean … at least they're giving you a backup plan? You know, in case worst comes to worst and football doesn't work out for you?'
'True, but like, I could pick my own backup plan, couldn't I?'
'What would that be?'
He looked off in thought as they continued walking. 'Making video games and stuff like that would be pretty cool. What's your backup plan?'
'Uhhh…'
Petey laughed. 'Sorry, amigo, I didn't mean to put you on the spot.'
'Hah, no, you're fine. It's just … not something I've thought about. For as long as I can remember it's been football or bust.'
'A guy as determined as you? I know you'll reach that goal.'
'Thanks. And I'm sure you'll reach whatever goal you set your mind to as well, Petey. And uh, if you wanna avoid this tutor situation, well, I don't know how much I could help, but if you need a study partner or something, I could do that.'
'Heh, I'll remember that, Jackson, and I'll have to take you up on it one day.'
'Alright, cool.'
They dapped each other up, then parted ways, Petey promising he'd be there for Jackson's birthday.
Jackson sighed. He felt lighter than usual after practice. The vest wasn't the only weight lifted from him. Petey the lawyer? Or surgeon? It was surprising, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense to him. What was a QB if not the one whose hands a Receiver put their life in on the gridiron? Though, the same could be said the other way around.
Jackson left the field. If his balance hadn't been fully restored, it was heading in the right direction. What else could he ask for in a day's work? His party wasn't something to dread, but to look forward to. Nothing could get in the way of that.