Page 31

CHAPTER 31

THE ALCHEMY BY TAYLOR SWIFT

Brianne Archer:

I clap my hands at Parker, keeping him in rhythm. Though he still looks wobbly like a baby deer during most of the moves, the goal of all of these lessons wasn’t so he would be an incredible ballet dancer. It was so he would be a better football player. I know him. I know that for the past few weeks, he’s been itching to be the center of attention on that field. Part of me wonders what kind of person I’m going to see under those bright lights the second he’s back in the game tonight.

Coach Corbin’s allotted time for Parker to do lessons with me is up. He should be ready to be back on the field by the coach’s standards. So that’s why we’re shoving in one last rehearsal today before the game. I hate the thought of not having these little lessons with Parker, but I love knowing he’ll be doing what he loves now. I smirk at him, sweat glistening on his arms and his skin.

“Stop smirking at me like that, it’s not funny,” he mumbles, stopping the movements even though we aren’t supposed to be done.

“I’m not laughing.” I approach. “Hey, talk to me,” I urge, crossing my arms over my chest, standing against him so I touch his chest.

He keeps his arms criss crossed over his own chest so I release mine, wrapping them around his broad back. I rest my chin on his crossed arms and stare up at him.

“The pressure is on tonight. I’ve been working with you for weeks now and if it doesn’t show on the field then Coach is going to… Well, I don’t know what he’s going to do but I know he’s not going to be happy. This could be it for me,” he explains and I shake my head.

“I doubt a lot of things, but I’ve never doubted you or your ability on the field, Parker. Coach Corbin didn’t pull you from games because you weren’t good at your sport. He did it because he knows you can be better and there’s no fixing what wasn’t working if you’re still trying to use it while you fix it. That’s why you were out for a few weeks. I didn’t put this much work and effort into you and this because I thought you were a lost cause. It’s obvious how much you want this and that alone is why you’re going to kick ass tonight, P… And your doubt is also an insult to my abilities. I whipped you into shape,” I tell him.

“I need this,” he explains.

“Sit down,” I nod to the ground.

“We’re supposed to be going over everything to make sure—”

“We didn’t need this extra rehearsal. You just wanted it. Sit down. Now,” I urge him.

“Bossy,” he grumbles.

“Stubborn,” I fight back.

He sits down, his back against the mirror. I sit diagonally from him, my legs crossed and my hands in my lap.

“What do you need? You said you need this. What is this?” I ask. “Is it Coach Corbin’s approval? To show everyone that you did it? Do you need to win or—”

“I need football,” he tells me and I nod.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because it’s the only thing I’ve always had. Because I wouldn’t be who I am without the sport and the discipline. My strength, my agility, my tiny bit of people skills, and my drive, all come from football. I can’t let that go. I won’t,” he explains and I smile with a nod.

“That alone is why none of this pressure matters. You know what this sport means to you. You know who you are and that’s someone that’s more dedicated to this sport than anyone I’ve ever met and I’ve met a lot. I believe in you…” I tell him.

A slight smile hit his lips, but it seems like he’s fighting it. Then, he leans forward and pulls me to him by the back of my neck.

“Thank you.” His words are soft and then so are his lips as he kisses me.

I smile against him, still not fully used to the feeling of him kissing me this way, freely and whenever he wants to. I would say whenever I want him to, but I always want him to kiss me. I haven’t fully dove into the feelings I know I have for Parker, mostly because they scare me. Last weekend I agreed to officially be his girlfriend, with a title and everything. That’s not a word I take lightly. I told myself I wasn’t going to be in any actual relationships until I was a thousand percent sure. I was positive that feeling wouldn’t come until far later in my college career. This hit me like a truck. Parker hit me like a fucking truck, metaphorically and literally.

This entire week we’ve spent, we’ve done so enjoying each other’s company. The thing that’s different with this is the sweetness—the care and compassion in everything Parker does. I didn’t expect him to be so… delicate. I didn’t really expect him to be anything but especially not this. He’s soft, sweet, and kind in every way. I’ve never had anything as simple as this, slow-paced to an extent I’ve never felt but also never been so okay with. We haven’t had sex. He wants to wait and I want him to be comfortable. We’ve been exploring each other in other ways that aren’t physical mostly and that’s also new for me.

Despite how okay I am with the pace of everything, I’m also desperate to have him in the way we had each other the night of my birthday party. I want Parker Thompson in ways that I can’t even speak out loud without blushing. I’m not ashamed of that, but I don’t know what his plan is or what his intention is in waiting, but I’m excited for the moment. I want it so damn bad. He breaks the kiss from me because his phone is ringing. He groans.

“What?” he asks, his demeanor and voice changing drastically. “I’m with Brianne and even if I wasn’t, I have my truck here. No, Xander. No,” he groans again.

“Does he want to talk to me?” I ask and Parker nods.

“Hi, Xander!” I take the phone.

“Is Leah going to be at the game?” he asks me and I smirk.

“Leah is the cheer captain so she has to be at the game unless she’s sick or dying,” I tell him.

“Is that a yes?” he asks and I laugh.

“Yes, Xander. Leah is going to be there,” I tell him.

“Cool, where should I sit so I can have the best view of her?” he asks and I roll my eyes.

“You’re weird. Just talk to her, Xander,” I tell him.

“Are you crazy? Leah would kill me if I talked to her again. I was at the bar she works at and… Well, never mind,” he tells me and sighs. “Tell Parker I’ll see him at the game and to play the shit out of that damn field. Bye!” He hangs up before I can say anything.

“What’s going on with Xander and Leah?” I ask.

“No fucking clue. They talked at the Halloween party. He told me that, then he said he went into the bar she works at. Honestly, whatever it is, I have a bad feeling. Xander is like… like a tattooed teddy bear,” he tells me.

“Leah is all work, no play, especially since she and my brother ended last year,” I explain.

“Is that weird? Being friends with her?” Parker asks and I shake my head.

“No. She’s completely moved on. Though I don’t understand what it feels like to be bitter over a breakup, I can try to. If she has no bad blood with them, I don’t either. I respect Leah, honestly. She’s scary but she’s also so fucking cool. Did you know she’s staying another four years here so she can go to graduate school?” I ask him and he raises his eyebrows.

“What for?” he asks and I shrug.

“Fuck if I know but she’s really determined. She also keeps everyone in line in such a special way. Like, yes, we fear her but if I ever needed anything, I know I could go to her. She would kill someone for me or kill me if I deserved it honestly. She’s like… like an older sister.”

I smile at him and he shrugs.

“She scares me,” he admits and I roll my eyes.

“All women scare you,” I joke.

“I’m not replying to that statement. Let’s go. Warmups are starting soon and I don’t want to be late and give Coach Corbin a reason to bench me.”

He stands up and holds his hands out for me to hold. He gets me off of the ground and we head out with all of our things in hand.

* * *

Parker Thompson:

“You ready?” Bellamy snaps me out of my own head as I stand in the tunnel, waiting for the music to start.

I don’t feel normal right now. I don’t feel like I usually do before a game. My focus is there, my nerves are mild but present. I’m opening my senses up for the first time since I really started playing the sport. Normally at this point, I’m doing everything in my power to tune out my teammates' hype and the crowd’s chants. The cheerleaders are nothing but background noise and the band is just vibrations. But I feel it all. I hear it all. I accept and welcome it and feel the buzz of energy they all give inside of my chest, like a hornet.

“I’m ready,” I tell him with the most confidence I think I’ve ever spoken with.

Coach did what he did because he really believed in me. He wanted me to succeed. I’ll be damned if I don’t do just that. Our entrance song starts to play and the energy inside the tunnel starts to brighten and burst at the seams. I start bouncing and shaking my hands out, ready for this entrance, feeling like it’s my first ever. Bellamy chants and hypes us all, and then we’re off, running out of the tunnel and onto our field, our home.

I look up for once. I look out toward the lights and the crowd and the students screaming and cheering. I do what every single other person has always indulged in and I start waving and pumping my hands signaling for the crowd to be louder which honestly, I don’t think is possible but I can try. I focus in front of me, seeing Bellamy meet up with his sister for their infamous handshake that’s gone viral on just about every social media platform at this point. The brother and sister duo that everyone looks up to. Little does everyone know how tense it’s been between both of them. As I approach, I hear the tail end of their convo.

“Fly high, baby sis,” he tells her and she salutes him.

“Throw lots of balls, big bro,” she jokes and I smirk. “And you.”

She’s talking to me now, which shocks me. I never expect her to talk to me or interact at all when we’re in front of anyone else, especially not Bellamy.

“Yes, ma’am,” I take off my helmet and look at her directly, not letting anything distract me from her perfectly made-up face.

“Remember everything I taught you. Elongating. Core is everything. Breathing. And most importantly—”

“Confidence,” I finish.

“They grow up so fast.” She jokingly fans her tears away and I shake my head.

“Don’t forget to tuck in your tail… That’s important too and… And I need to shut up, you’ve got this,” she tells me, nodding her head.

“Thank you… For doing this, for helping,” I once again add the small thanks on even though it’s much more than something small inside my head.

“Stop thanking me, especially before the game. You could totally suck,” she tells me.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I raise my eyebrows.

“You don’t need it.”

She’s looking at me like she loves me and that alone is making this all the better. I can definitely do this.

“Baby B!” Leah Ashley calls and Brianne starts jogging backward.

She’s got her normal uniform on with the exception of the long-sleeve high-neck shirts underneath and the tights on her legs so she can stay warm. Leah Ashley gives me a look and nods her head to Brianne as if she knows something she shouldn’t. I look up above to the stands, my eyes scanning for a familiar face. I spot the hockey jersey pretty easily considering he’s in the second row. I nod my head up to him and she looks, her eyes seeming to find him just as easily. She turns back to me and I give a soft shrug. Two can play that game, Leah…

“You know nothing, Thompson!” she yells.

“Neither do you, Ashley.” I jog toward Bellamy as I yell at her.

“What was Leah going on about?” Lawson asks and I shake my head.

“She was mad at me for apparently distracting Brianne,” I tell them.

“And what did Bri have to say?” Lawson asks me expectantly, also speaking to me like he knows something when he has no clue.

“She was reminding me of everything I learned from her the past few weeks because she’s been teaching me… If you forgot.” I clap my hand on his shoulder giving him a serious look and he shrugs.

“Hey, both of you stop fucking around. This game is the deciding factor if we move on and we’re playing our biggest competitors in the Pacific. So this is huge, don’t fuck it up by messing around.”

Bellamy puts his helmet on and I take a deep breath because he’s right. Of course, Kirkland West here in Washington is a huge competitor of ours, but out of the entire West Coast, the only college team that can even compare to our turnout rate for NFL players and winning seasons would be California Sun College and State University.

When I was growing up in California, I had thought that would be where I would end up if the scholarships and football teams lined up, but I ended up getting a better offer from Seattle Pike. The thought of moving to another state far away from everything I grew up around seemed more perfect than anything else. Now, I kind of miss it, but I can’t think about that right now. What I need to think about is making not only Coach Corbin proud of my improvement but Brianne too. Because if I don’t kick absolute ass tonight, then this was all for nothing. I feel different. I feel new on this field like I was reborn to be here at this moment, but that doesn’t mean it will show.

Lawson, Bellamy, and I walk to the center of the field with Coach Corbin on my right and we meet the captains of the CSCSU team at the center. Their uniforms are orange and black, bright and in your face. I stare down our opponents, not feeling intimidated in the slightest.

“Home team, heads or tails?” The ref asks and Bellamy starts to speak but Lawson puts his hand on his chest.

“Parks, heads or tails?” Lawson asks me and I smirk.

“Tails,” I say, my eyes still locked on the opponents in front of us. The ref flips the coin and holds it out between us.

“Tails. Ball goes to Seattle Pike,” The ref tells us and we break.

Bellamy claps and pulls me in by helmet.

“You’ve got this, Parky. Let’s fucking go.”

He slaps the side of my helmet and I return the gesture. Adrenaline is reigning free inside of my chest, my mind, and my entire body. Confidence is pouring out of me on every end. I have never felt this on top of the world while on this field and I can’t believe I’ve allowed myself to miss out on this…

* * *

It’s the other team's ball right now meaning offense is on the sidelines watching, looking at the close score biting our fucking nails. I watch the game in front of me, keeping my energy up, the adrenaline still not ceasing but my fear creeping in slowly.

We’re in the last quarter and only up by seven meaning the turnaround could be quick and end this entire thing with one play. I turn over my shoulder, looking at the girls on the sidelines right next to me. I search for Brianne, just like I’ve done all game, a confidence booster if you will. She’s my reason to beat the hell out of our opponents. She’s up in a stunt with Dakota. He’s the only one supporting her and despite the training I have, I still have no idea how someone can do what he does. It’s impressive and intense. I watch as she shows her personality, doing the cheer from all the way up there. She prepares for her landing and I watch it happen in slow motion. I watch her push before she’s supposed to and I see his hand slip.

Brianne starts to fall and Dakota does everything in his power to make sure she’s fine. Though he definitely breaks the fall, she still ends up on the ground. She rolls over on her back and Bellamy and I are already on the way over to her. The short distance is made and I’m crouched down to the ground.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“B, talk to me.”

Bellamy is across from me, near her head. I’m by her knees. She leans up on her elbows, Dakota standing between both Bellamy and I. Brianne looks at me, then at her brother, and sighs.

“You guys are dramatic,” she mumbles.

“I’m not being dramatic, falling from over ten feet in the air isn’t something to just ignore, B,” Bellamy chimes.

“Every time one of you gets tackled, do you see Bri running out to the field to ask if you’re okay? No, because it’s your job to be out there, just like it’s our job to be here,” Dakota chimes from above as he stays standing. I stand now and shake my head.

“No, your job is specifically to catch her and support her,” I tell him, a glare breaking my face.

“Oh, really? Are we going to play this game right now, big shot?” Dakota asks and Brianne is up now, standing between us with Bellamy behind her.

“Stop it. I’m fine. Dakota, thank you for breaking my fall. Bell, Parker, thank you for checking on me. I’m okay,” she tells me and I see the rip in her tights, the small red patch on her knees from the fall.

“You’re hurt,” I mention and Bellamy looks.

I hear whistles behind me. We all turn to look at the field and see the intense play, the fact that California Sun is about to touchdown and I shake my head, anxiety settling in my chest.

“Parker, go,” Brianne tells me and I shake my head.

“And what?” I ask, knowing this is it.

“Play defense. Cornerback is similar to Wide Receiver. I know you can because we’ve all seen you play that position too on occasion, you’ve flipped your entire football career. Tell the coach. Now,” she tells me.

“I’m not going to go and tell my coach to—”

“Coach!” Brianne yells and I swear my face is the brightest red it’s been.

“B, what are you doing?” Bellamy follows her and so do I, knowing there’s nothing I can do to stop it but maybe I can somewhat detonate the situation.

“Coach Corbin.” Brianne approaches him and he turns slowly, looking at Bellamy, then me, and now Brianne.

“Is there a reason you’re interrupting me while I speak to the other coaches, little lady?” he asks.

“Put Parker, I mean, Thompson in. Now. On defense. Pull your corner and put him there, I’m telling you,” she instructs the professional football coach like it’s her damn job.

“And why the hell would I do that? Better yet, why should I be taking that advice from you?” he asks.

“Because you have trained Parker in a lot of things, but I am the one who has been drilling and instilling dignity and grace in his everyday technique on this field. If anyone can turn the game around right now and get the ball back in your possession or stop this from being a tied game, it’s him. You’ve had him play defense before so put him in, Coach. Call the timeout before it’s too late.” He just stares at her and then he looks at Bellamy.

“I’m sorry, Coach. Bri maybe—”

“Call the damn timeout!” She raises her voice and I raise my eyebrows at her.

“Thompson?” he asks me.

I’ll be damned if I don’t have the same confidence in myself that she has in me.

“I want to go in. Let me…” I tell him. “She’s right,” I agree.

Coach blows his whistle and signals for a timeout.

“You’ve got more balls than half my team. Now get back over there with your team, Archer,” he tells Brianne and she smiles.

“Thank you, Coach,” she chirps and heads off to her cheer team who are all staring at her in disbelief right now.

Coach pulls our right side cornerback and places me in as the right side is my best side. I’m on the field now, not in my normal position, but no less confident than before. I breathe deep and heavy. I engage my core with the rest of my body. I tuck my tail in, just like she always reminds me. I remember to be long, take up space. I tell myself every single thing Brianne has instilled in me the past few weeks and the second the whistle blows I snap into action.

We’re 1st and 10. Instantly, there’s a collision, and I hear the smack of pads and helmets against each other. I backtrack, stepping as far into the endzone as I can, keeping my eyes scanning. I see number 16 on our opponent’s team out of the corner of my eye opening himself up and I jump into action, my legs strong as they connect to the turf. I jump directly in his line, my back connecting with his chest, the ball connecting to my open hands and into my arms. Number 16 crashes to the ground and I run, having picked the ball. I dodge and shove my way through the initial wall of guys in front of me, my heart beating loudly in my ears as I charge the field.

One of our defensemen tackles our opponent to the ground directly in front of me and I leap, jumping over the collision to avoid it. I roll off of my next teammate, taking the left instead of the right field, looking and running toward any opening until finally there’s no one surrounding me. I’m clear and I’m charging for the endzone on the opposite field. I hear the announcer screaming as I run, chanting every single yard I make. I hear the crowd around us louder than they were when we first entered the stadium tonight. I charge, not even slowing down until my feet touch the spray-painted turf that’s blue and gold. I don’t stop until I read Hornets under my feet. I look at my feet, breathing hard. 99 yards. I just ran 99 yards in one pass, no one touching me while I did it. I smile and laugh at myself, having this moment for me and only me before I look up at everyone and flex, knowing how cliche and silly it may look but also not giving a damn. I fucking did that. I spike the football onto the endzone turf.

I’m attacked as I show off and hype the crowd even more by my teammates. That play, that moment, is going to be replayed for fucking years. I imagine the faces of my coaches from high school seeing that on their TVs. I turn to the sidelines immediately, not caring about my coaches, the crowd, or anyone else. I see Coach Corbin screaming and cheering so loud his face is beat red. Normally, that color is saved for when he’s pissed at us, but by the sheer look of him, I can see nothing but happiness. I jog to him and he yanks me to him by my face mask.

“That’s my fucking boy. That’s my boy!” He smacks the side of my helmet and Bellamy and Lawson always give me taps and pulls.

Brianne is in the middle of a victory chant but I see the smirk on her face. God, I want to kiss that grin right off her damn face. I smirk to myself too and jump right back in, the ball now being ours after that play.

It’s a whirlwind. We do another pass play and Bellamy doesn’t even hesitate to pass the ball to me before anyone else the second I’m open. I score yet another touchdown in the last few minutes of the game. We went from only a 7-point lead to now a 21-point lead in a matter of a few plays. If I continue with my own confidence and view myself the way the people who care about me and support me the most do… Maybe things will continue to work out this way. Maybe just freaking maybe things could start changing for me.

The second the buzzer goes off and the game is ours for the taking, I don’t even celebrate. Bellamy starts to pull me in and I shove past him and don’t acknowledge Lawson. I push through every celebrating teammate I have and charge to the sidelines. I turn her from Dakota and instantly lift her with one arm against myself, hugging her as tightly as I can with one arm, my helmet in the other. She hesitates but hugs me back tightly, laughing as I turn us slowly. I let her go slowly and she looks at me with alarm and excitement.

“What are you doing over here?” she asks over the commotion. “You should be celebrating, you should be with them—”

“They didn’t get me here. You did, Sunshine,” I tell her and she shakes her head but then she’s swarmed by half of the football team including Coach Corbin.

I’m shoved out of the way. I watch all of them hype up my girl, this win is thanks to her in the end. Bellamy and Lawson lift her up and put her on their shoulders. I smirk, watching the entire thing go down. I’m more than thankful for her, not because of this win but because she believes in me more than anyone ever has. Because even if she doesn’t see it yet, she’s changing me… My life. I can acknowledge that. I can appreciate it. I can’t let it go either. I need Bellamy to know soon before this blows up in our face.