Date: Sun, 20 May 2001 13:11:52 -0700 From: Alex Bright <adisoc007@msn.com> Subject: Broken Facades Chapter 18 Broken Facades By Alex Bright Chapter 18 Calm Before the Storm Alex "Remember, after practice go home and change, then be at my house at 7," Justin said, looking at me then straight ahead while we walked to the locker room "Cool," I answered, looking down at my feet. "And don't be nervous, just go out and play and don't worry about the try-out. Just have fun," Justin said with a look of worry on his face. "Ok, " I told him, smiling as I looked at him. "And if you need help with anything I'll be there. If anyone give you shit just come find me." "Ok...cool." "And remember Mike, ah I mean Mr. Shore, is going to be there for you too," he said with a stern look on his face. "Ok, Dad," I said with a smile. Justin suddenly stopped and looked at me while a smile slowly appeared on his face. "God Justin, you're more worried about this try-out than I am," I said with a laugh as I put my arm around his shoulder. "I know...I know...I'm sorry, it's just that I'm..." he said as we started walking again to the locker room. "Hey, it's cool Justin. I like it that you care about me and you're worried." As we entered the locker room Justin pulled away from me at the same time as I quickly removed my arm from around his shoulder. We both stopped and looked at each other. At first Justin had a look of panic as if someone saw us walking together, then he looked like I hurt his feelings by removing my arm. Justin "What's wrong...are you ok?" He asked. "Yeah, I'm cool. We're gonna be late," I said and started walking into the locker room again. "The soccer team lockers are in the side cages, while the football team lockers are in the back cages." As we entered from the hall we could hear the idle chatter in the room, but as we rounded the corner the voices suddenly stopped and the locker room became as quiet as a graveyard. We both give a hard look to everyone around and, just as suddenly as they had stopped talking, they started up again. "I'll see you later." Just as he was about to leave, Tony, Joe and Mark headed out to the field just one step in front of him. "Well, well, well guys, look who we have here." Tony said in a sarcastic voice. "Hey Alex, don't you know it's too late to try out for football?" Mark called out. "Oh yeah, you don't play Football...well not the real kind anyways," Joe said, and he started to laugh. "Hey Justin, did you know that only pussies play soccer?" Tony asked. "Knock it off Tony," I said, stepping in front of Tony and trying to stop him before a fight started. "Justin, it's ok. Tony I'm so tired of your little games," Alex said, smiling as he walked away, then he suddenly turned around and started walking backwards. "And besides, this pussy knocked you the fuck out this morning, " he said smiling. Then he turned back around and walked away to get dressed. "He is so dead." "No, Tony he's not. If you have a problem with Alex you're gonna have a problem with me. And if you have a problem with me you're not gonna like it.!" I turned and walked away. "Justin, what the fuck's wrong with you, man?" Mark asked. "Yea, what's gotten into you lately?" Joe asked. "Let's go ladies! You've got 15 minutes to be out on that field. Let's move it!" Coach Walters shouted out, "And Justin, I need to talk to you before you get dressed. In my office please." "Sure thing, coach." As I walked to his office I wondered what he would want to talk to me about. Brad As we were walking to the parking lot I couldn't help but feel lucky to have my best friends back, and wondered why I ever let us drift apart. I'd been on such a high since lunch that I didn't remember anything that happened all afternoon. I didn't even remember meeting Alisa to walk out to our cars. As we walked hand in hand, all I could do was look at her and smile as she talked about her day. "Now remember Brad, I'm coming to your house around 6:30, then we're going straight to Justin's." "Yes dear," I said sarcastically. "I think this plan of yours may actually work." She looked at me with a surprised smile "Of course my plan is going to work, smart-ass. I've planned it out to the tee." "One question though. What are we going to do once everyone no longer thinks I'm gay? What then, oh great planner of plans?" "Like I said, I got everything worked out," she said as I got closer to her and she started backing up "Don't worry, after we prove to everyone that you're as straight as an arrow, we go to Plan B." "And what is Plan B?" I asked as I got closer and closer to her. "You'll have to catch me to find out," She said as she started to walk slowly backwards until I caught up to her and held onto her around her waist. "Ok, what part of the plan was that?" I asked her as I got nose to nose. "Why Bradley, what part are you talking about?" she said as she turned away from me in my arms. "The part where you try to seduce me." "Oh Brad....Oh god! "Oh Boy, what did I just do?" I said with a smile like a kid who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar "Not you Brad, your parents car. Look!" "Holy Shit!" Alex As I entered the cage there were about 8 guys who all stopped getting dressed and looked at me. I walked though to the back and quickly realized that I didn't have anything but my PE uniform to change into. Great, I thought as I changed. I must look like a dork. Suddenly someone walked over to me. "Hi." "Hey," I answered back as I closed my locker and started to walk out of the locker room.. "You're, Alex Nelson aren't you?" he asked with a smile. "And what are you, the welcoming committee?" I snapped at him, suddenly realizing what I'd done when I saw the shocked look on his face. "Hey I'm sorry. I'm not in the best of moods today. Yes I'm Alex, Alex Nelson." "Oh I know who you are, hell everyone who plays soccer knows who you are." "I'm a nobody, man." "Bullshit. My brothers team played against you about three years ago at states, well tried to. Anyways, you scored like four goals against them in the first half." "Dude, that was like years ago. Nobody is gonna remember that," I said to him as we reached the bench and he finished getting dressed. "Hell! I do, and trust me half this team will." "Great. Just what I need ... more enemies." "What are you talking about? When Coach told us that you were coming out, man we went crazy." "Then why the silent treatment back in the locker room?" "Everyone, including me, was a bit intimidated. I mean you never came out for any club teams or played high school, then there were the rumors." "What rumors?" I said panicking "Well we all thought that you signed pro overseas or you already had a college scholarship." As he said that I started to laugh. "What's your name?" "I'm Charles, Charles Taylor, but everyone calls me Charley," he said, smiling. "Well Charley, none of that stuff is true," I told him as I started to stretch. "Then how come you never came out? I mean you won states at 12, 13, and14, then you stopped playing. What happened?" "I don't know. I just lost myself, I guess. I lost my desire to play club ball after some stuff happened in my life. Then I started played in the adult leagues and in pick-up games around town, then even stopped that for a year. I just hope I haven't lost it." " You lose it? I doubt it, a player like you never loses it." "I just wish I had some cleats." "I think I can help with that," we heard a voice from behind us announce. I quickly turned around to see Mike holding a pair of cleats and shin guards. "I thought you said you weren't coming," he said as he tossed me the equipment.. "I just figured if I show you how bad I got you'll leave me alone," I answered back with a smile. "Fat chance ....if you suck I turn you into the waterboy." "Well let's find out if old age has slowed down your reflexes. How about 11 v 11?" I asked. "Charley, go get the guys and tell them we're gonna play 11 v 11, and since you issued the challenge, do you want the ball or first pick?" "No, no, no I was taught to respect my elders and to be kind to the aged. Age before beauty, sir. I'll let you choose first, ball or man?" "Cool TP....Ball," he said as smiles slowly came across both our faces, "Just like old times." "Cool Magic...then my fist pick is Charley," I said just as Charley walked up to me with the rest of the team. After hearing that he had a huge smile on his face. "What grade did you say you were in?" "10th. I'm in the 10th grade. My brother graduated last year," he said nervously. "Did you make the team last year?" I asked. "Yeah, I played in a few games as a freshmen. Why did you pick me? I'm not that good and I'm too small." I just looked at him and smiled. "Size doesn't matter in this game, Charley. It's all about heart." I smiled again as I started to put on my cleats.