We Come Alive 4

Scary Encounters

At Saturday morning practice, Ricky was on edge knowing that Cameron wasn't one to make threats and not follow through on them. His dad's drug addict friends were never like that.

He walked out the athletic building and scanned the field and parking lot as he walked to the sidelines. He had already taken the $40 from Andrew and had his own $600 to spare that he could make up later when his mom asked for his share of the rent. But now he still needed $260 after he got a collective $100 from his friends.

"Hey, man."

Ricky looked up and saw Stephen sitting on the bench. Clover was running her fingers through Stephen's hair to try and ease his headache. The rest of their friends standing around him.

"Hey." Ricky breathed. "How's your head?"

Stephen nodded as he blinked his eyes a couple times. "Fine. Just a hard bump."

Ricky shot him a glare since Stephen had yet to turn in his medical papers from the hospital last night. He sat down on the bench next to Stephen and looked at his friends stretching for practice.

Jose cracked his neck than leaned his hand on Ricky's shoulder. "How you gonna get the rest of your money?"

"I'm not." Ricky shrugged. "I got enough. If he shows up, I already told Victor about it and he'll be ready to call the police."

Diego nodded his head and gently punched Ricky's shoulder as encouragement. "That's good." He said. "Did y'all ever find out who were playing for state?"

Ricky shook his head meaning he didn't know. Ethan sighed as he sat down on the ground. "Nope. Mateo said he'll tell us once practice starts."

Jacob went to say something, but Mateo's whistle interrupted him. The six teenagers went off to take a knee in front of their coaches while Ricky stood behind Mateo along side Victor, Sam, and Danny.

Stephen was the only player with no padding on since he didn't even try to gear up after being knocked out last night. He knew the coaches wouldn't let him.

Mateo clapped his hands together as he looked over the team with pure joy in his eyes. "I couldn't be more proud of y'all. Hands down, game of the season." He smiled. "You not only beat an old rival, but made amends with them at the end and that, that's what I'm truly proud of. To stand opposite of someone you view as a rival and become friends."

"Allies." Ricky corrected. "We still don't like them like that."

A few laughs broke out among the crowd as Mateo couldn't help but chuckle. "Allies. Sorry. But I'll tell you this, don't let this state game be all you work for in life. After the final touchdown, that final throw, that final catch, that final score. Win or lose. Win. Or. Lose. Life goes on. You'll wake up that Sunday morning. You will go to school that next week. Most of you will graduate this spring. Life isn't over. You'll make it. When you're young, they tell you that life is about growing up, get a job, get married, get a house, have a kid and that's the end. The honest truth is that life is so much stranger, it's much darker, it's much more crazy, and so much better. Don't let this game dictate you all. Alright?"

"Yes, sir!" The players called out.

Mateo nodded slowly. "Now that I've said that. In two weeks from today, you're playing for state, the San Antonio Vipers."

Instantly, the players erupted in protest and got riled up quickly. They all were against it, but were also saying that they were excited since they'd get the chance to have a proper rough game with their new rivals.

"Hey!" Mateo yelled, before blowing his whistle to silence them. Once they were, he once against couldn't help but chuckle. "I want y'all to keep your head in the game and to focus on the game, not your opponents. Now, start your drills. Line up."