Jefferson breathed in for a second and then sneezed. “Sorry, Coach Caldwell. I have really bad fall allergies.”
Of course you do. “That’s okay. Don’t worry about breathing deeply. What I want you to do is go out there. And instead of focusing on kicking the ball, focus on the sound of your breath. In and out.”
“So don’t kick the ball?” he asked.
“No, kick the ball. Just don’t think about it.”
Jefferson shrugged. “It’ll try.” He jogged back out onto the field. He stared at the ball like he was concentrating on it even more than usual.
“Sorry I’m late,” Kennedy said. “My client was being excruciatingly…specific.”
I laughed and pulled her into a hug. My first thought had been to kiss her. But I didn’t want to overwhelm her. Being here was a lot. I knew that. I pulled back, but kept my arm draped over her shoulders. She didn’t move away.
We both watched as Jefferson studied the football like he had never seen one before. Seriously, what was he doing? That was the exact opposite of what I’d asked him to do.
“Breathe, Jefferson!” I shouted, my arm slipping from Kennedy’s shoulders.
He proceeded to sneeze as he kicked the ball. It went way left and into the stands.
At least he had some power behind it that time.
Jefferson ran after the ball to retrieve it.
“Wow, you found someone as bad as Prescott to be your kicker?” Kennedy whispered. “Is it like a nostalgia thing…or…”
I laughed. “No. It’s a popularity thing.” I watched as Jefferson leaned over, out of breath from running up the bleachers.
“Really? He’s part of a new group of young Untouchables, huh?” She tilted her head as she looked at him. “Times really do change.”
I lightly jabbed her with my elbow. “No, I’m trying to make him popular.”
She raised her eyebrows at me.
“I figured if I could teach him how to be an amazing kicker he’d win some points with the other guys. Maybe get a girlfriend or something. Or just a few friends in general.”
“And he usually kicks the way I just witnessed?”
“It’s a work in progress.”
Kennedy shook her head. “Wait, so let me get this straight. You think that having him on the team missing extra points and field goals…”
“I rarely let him attempt a field goal.”
“Matt. How is that supposed to help him? You’re making it worse. Can’t you see that?”
I’d had a sinking feeling that was true as the weeks had progressed.
“You wouldn’t understand because you were born popular,” she said.
“That’s not true.”
“Mason was a golden boy before you even stepped foot in the school. You were a god immediately because of association. And then you topped it all off by being a star wide receiver. Abs of steel. A perfect smile. You had it easy. Don’t pretend you didn’t.”
She thought I had a perfect smile? I couldn’t help but flash her one. “Just for the record, I’ve worked really hard on my abs of steel.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Tell me about your kicker.”
“He’s a freshman. He walked onto the field all on his own. I didn’t scout him or anything. But I heard the other kids making fun of him for being a scholarship student. And I didn’t want to turn him away.”
Kennedy’s eyes softened. “He’s a scholarship student?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I know that’s no fun.” She pressed her lips together and fidgeted with a strand of loose hair hanging from her bun. “I’ll fix this. I used to think of how I could help Prescott back in the day in case he’d ever thought I was cool enough to talk to.”
I laughed. “So what’s your grand plan?”
“Watch and learn, Coach Caldwell.” She patted my chest as Jefferson walked up to us.
“Hey,” Kennedy said. “I’m Kennedy, a friend of Coach Caldwell’s. What’s your name?” She put her hand out for him to shake.
“Henry Jefferson.” He shook her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Henry. What’s your favorite subject in school?”
“I like English.”
Kennedy nodded and seemed to think for a moment. “Anything else? Coach mentioned that you’re a scholarship student here. When I went to Empire High, I was one too.”
“You were?”
“Mhm. And as a fellow scholarship student, I know for a fact that you must be good at a lot of subjects. Better than any of these guys.” She gestured behind her at the field. “Right?”
Jefferson laughed.
“Tell me, what’s another class you’re really great in? A star student?”
“Umm…” Jefferson looked at me and then back at Kennedy. “I’m really good at geometry.”
Kennedy smiled. “Perfect. Matt, do you mind if I help Henry study some geometry?”
What? That was surprisingly unhelpful of her. But honestly what did it matter if he spent the rest of practice doing geometry instead of practicing? He wasn’t getting any better. And I was running out of ideas. Besides, I hadn’t seen Jefferson smile at practice in a while. And he was smiling now. That was a win in my book. “Sure.”
I watched Kennedy and Jefferson sit down on one of the benches. They were talking animatedly as Jefferson pulled out a textbook.
I’d planned to hang out with Kennedy during practice. Show her how normal it was to be here. How the ghosts were at bay. Except when I’d see Brooklyn’s face during a crowded game. Or if I went into the school. I wouldn’t be going back in there any time soon.
I watched Kennedy laughing with Jefferson. But she seemed okay. Actually, she seemed more than okay. She looked genuinely happy. A feeling I’d been chasing for a while. She looked up at me watching her and smiled.
My eyes flitted between her and the field throughout the rest of practice. It was hard not to watch her. She was so full of life. And watching how she made Jefferson laugh made my chest feel a little lighter. Maybe she was right. Maybe I didn’t really understand him like she could.
Right before practice ended, Jefferson ran back out onto the field. Kennedy joined me by my side.
“Hold your breath,” she said.
I looked down at her. “What?”
She grabbed my hand. “It’s good luck, Matt. Just hold your breath and watch.” She squeezed my hand tighter.
I did as I was told. I held my breath as Jefferson swung and his foot made contact with the football. The ball went up into the air, straighter than I had ever seen him hit it before. Higher, higher. A perfect arc. And straight through the uprights.
Kennedy started screaming. She pulled her hand out of mine and threw both of hers up into the air. “Go, Henry!!!”
I started cheering too.
And the whole team joined in. Jumping and cheering, and chanting Jefferson’s name. A few of his teammates hoisted him up on their shoulders.
“Jeff-er-son! Jeff-er-son! Jeff-er-son!”
I felt tears in the corners of my eyes. He did it. He fucking did it!
Kennedy was jumping up and down clapping.