All American Senior Year: Volume One

Things are Looking Up (Part One)

The last day had felt like a blur. A whirlwind of emotions as his mother cried in his arms of excitement. It still hadn't felt real, as if he'd been dreaming and any moment he was going to wake up. From being shot last year to not knowing if he was ever going to play football again, to losing his last offer from UCLA, to this very moment. Sitting on the bench after practice soaking every minute in. A surreal moment for him and one he never wanted to take for granted. He worked hard to get here, and now that it's here, he couldn't believe it. That everything he'd been working towards since the age of eight was finally paying off. All Spencer had thought was that he was one step closer to the NFL. A dream just last week he thought was just that. Never knowing how fast life can change in front of his eyes. The only person other than his mom and Dillon he wanted to tell was Olivia. She'd been there with him through everything in the last year, and he knew she'd be the first person he wanted to call. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't keep this secret from her as it showed on his face.

Grinning from ear to ear he looked back to his home away from home where he could still remember his first time stepping onto the field as a freshman. His earliest memories with his father throwing the ball, as he dreamt of playing for Crenshaw one day. His father would laugh knowing whatever Spencer put his mind to, he would achieve. He looked up to the clear blue sky, hoping his father was looking back down at him, proud that he never gave up. His phone buzzed on the seat beside him, bringing him back when he answered it. Her voice always gave him butterflies as a smile appeared on his face. "Is this your one phone call from jail? Should I get my tools to break you out?" Spencer joked. Olivia sounded out of breath when Spencer scrunched his eyebrows. "From the sound of it, you may already be breaking yourself out. Want me to drive the getaway car?". Olivia slowed to a stop as she let out a laugh. "Very funny. I just finished my morning run. I would hold off on breaking me out of prison. That's why I was actually calling you. Kind of wanted to give you the good news,".

Spencer grinned as he wanted to share his own. "I've got some good news of my own. I was actually about to call you. But I'm more interested in yours,". Olivia sat on the nearby bench as she took a deep breath. "Well...do you remember how I told you last night the cops wanted to indight me for releasing the bodycam footage?". Spencer gently nodded. "Yeah...". Olivia took another deep breath in, as her nerves were getting the best of her. "You might not have to bail me out anytime soon. My grandma kind of found a loophole in my case and I'm not going to prison after all,". As if he was holding his breath, he let out a deep exhale. Clenching his chest in happiness. "Liv...I'm so glad we are a few cities apart because I would've broken all bets right about now,". Olivia giggled. "Kind of why I thought it was safer to tell you over the phone,". Spencer grinned. "All bets would've been called off,". Olivia agreed. "So...what's the good news? Spence I can't wait any longer," Olivia asked excitedly. "Liv I got offered a full ride to Toledo state," Spencer said as a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Spencer held his phone away from his ear as Olivia screamed.

"Wait! Did I just hear that right?" You got offered a full ride to Toledo state?" Olivia's jaw dropped as Spencer grinned from ear to ear. "Full ride, Liv. Can you believe that? Which means if I do accept I'm headed to Ohio next fall," Spencer let out a deep sigh. Thinking of how far he and Liv would be if she didn't get accepted to a school near him. Olivia's heart hadn't felt this full in a while. She and Spencer were finally in a good place, Spencer's hard work had been paying off, and she and her mom were on great terms again. "I can't believe it, Spence. You got a full ride! Well, look at us. You got accepted to a university and I'm not going to prison. I don't know about you but that's a win in our books. A power couple people might call us,". Olivia joked. "We definitely need to go out to dinner and celebrate. My treat,". Spencer let out a gentle laugh. Nothing made him laugh more than Olivia finding humor in what could've ended badly.

"I'm glad we could laugh now. Because last night I swear it was a different story. My question is when can I come over and thank your grandmother for saving my girl?" Spencer asked. Olivia smiled warmly, as she let out a sigh. "She is leaving in a couple of days and wanted to meet you. Since she really couldn't the other night. She didn't want to leave without saying goodbye,". Spencer smiled. "I would love to, and about that date. I'll definitely take you up on that offer. Maybe after we can go to our favorite dessert spot downtown?". Olivia's stomach rumbled just thinking about the dessert. "Don't remind me. That brownie with the ice cream on top melts in your mouth and even though it's only eleven in the morning I'm kind of hungry for some dessert,". Spencer sighed wishing he could take Olivia to their favorite dessert place.

"You free tonight?" Olivia asked. Spencer shook his head. "I wish but your pops got me and Frausto on a boy's night. Says we need more team bonding since Frausto's been on my case since I got back to Crenshaw. Your pops is right, we can't have none of that during state if we want a chance at winning,". Olivia agreed. "Your right. Tonight's not a good night anyway. Layla and I...are having a girl's night. I know it's weird to tell you these things...given the circumstances. But...I thought you should know that Layla and I are sort of...," Olivia trailed. Still confused herself on if they were back to being friends. "Figuring things out?" Spencer answered for Olivia when she nodded. "Still figuring things out," Olivia's lips creased into a smile. "Is this too weird to talk about? Because if it is, we don't have to talk about it. It's weird Spence I know. It's really weird for me too,". Spencer called out Olivia's name as he could tell she'd been spiraling. She rambled for a few more sentences stumbling over her words.

Spencer smiled, just imagining Olivia in this exact moment. "Liv. I promise it's okay that you hang out with Layla and that you bring her up. It's time we both move on and rekindle our friendships. You guys were best friends, you deserve to at least have a do-over. Heck, I should be thanking you. Because of our pinky promise we did a couple of nights ago. I did something for Coop that I think she'll love,".

"So what your saying is that you didn't have the talk with her yet as we promised?" Olivia asked. Spencer rocked his head from side to side. "Not exactly...I'm working on it. Baby steps remember? Coop's birthday is in a couple of days and I'm surprising her with Patience. She's coming home early to be here for Coop's birthday and I think she may appreciate that more than me right now," Spencer smiled. Olivia pouted her lips as she thought of how happy Coop will be to have her girlfriend home again. "That's amazing Spencer. Although that wasn't technically the deal. I guess it'll pass. How could it not? That's the best surprise ever. She's going to be so happy. It's been months,". Spencer nodded. "It really has Liv, but maybe this will still show her that even though we are apart I still care and have love for her. Maybe friends are not in the future for us, but just to squash the beef would be enough for me,".

Olivia agreed. Taking a deep sigh she twiddled with her thumbs. "So...you really don't mind that me and Layla are going to hang out tonight? Or are even talking?" Olivia asked again. Spencer shook his head slightly. "Not at all Liv. As long as your happy then I'm happy too. I'm sure you both miss each other. Why should I stand in the way of that? You ain't gotta tell me Liv. I promise I'm good. You go have fun with your girl's night and I'll go have a guy's night. You could call me after to debrief. I may need it after hanging with Frausto," Spencer Joked as Olivia laughed. "No kidding. I will. A debrief may be just what the both of us need. Have fun tonight. Don't miss me too much," Olivia now joked when Spencer grinned.

"I promise I won't miss our spa night,". Olivia rolled her eyes knowing he secretly loved them. "You sure you don't want me to save you some cucumbers and a face mask?" Olivia joked. Spencer grinned grabbing a wrapper as he crinkled it by the phone. "Liv I might have to call you back later...the connections rough...can't really hear what you said,". Olivia smiled knowing he didn't want to admit it. "It's fine Spence. Have fun tonight. Talk to you later,". Olivia said hanging up the phone.