A Silent Soul- Chapter 15
#16 of A Silent Soul
Chapter 15! :O
Well hello there my furs! We are back for the next chapter of A Silent Soul and guess what! Let's get ready to RUUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE- oops wrong sport! XD Anyways it's time for the season opener of the football season and let me tell you, it's a good one! Hope you all enjoy and I'll see you at the bottom of the page! :D
Stepping off the bus full of people we made our way through the crowded pavilion towards the main gate. Being students at the college meant free admission which was definitely a plus.
"Should we hit one of the merchandise stores?" I nudged Jasper as we found a place to stop and get our bearings. He glanced around over the crowds of people before pointing across the pavilion.
"Over there, looks like a merch store." He shouted to me over the roar of the many students surrounding us. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the amount of people in the area, I hugged close to Jasper as we waded through to the other side.
The air conditioned store was a nice addition along with the decrease in population. I browsed around for a moment before an employee approached me.
"Anything in specific I can help you find?" A brown spotted hyena asked as I poked through the jerseys. "Who's the most popular player on the team?" I responded to his question with a question of my own.
"That would be Austin Sykes the quarterback, he's a junior now and was the one who led us to the big upset over Stanford last year!" He replied giddily. I nodded, satisfied with the answer.
"Awesome, thanks for the help." I told him.
"No problem, just let me know if you have any more questions or when you're ready to check out!" He replied before walking away. I searched the rack of jerseys for the name Sykes before I found one in a medium, my size. Just as I plucked it off the rack the hyena from before approached me once again.
"Anything in specific I can help you find?" He mimicked from before.
I gave him a funny look, "Didn't you already help me? I asked you who the most popular player on the team was." I responded, head cocked confusedly to the side. A voice from across the store shouted over the various racks.
"Already helped him Zan!" The voice of the hyena called from the other side of the store rather than from the one right in front of me.
"Ah okay, thanks Dan!" He called back.
"Hehe, yeah, Dan and I are twins! We work here and it confuses a lot of the customers. Sorry about that!" He rubbed his head sheepishly with a hyena-like laugh as he walked away. Still more than just a little confused I grabbed the jersey once again before going to find Jasper.
I found him browsing the hats, each one fitted for different species of person. He picked one up from the canine rack and tried it on, striking a pose in front of me.
"Looks good wolfie. I found myself a jersey." I said holding up the mainly white jersey with blue shoulders, numbers, and letters.
"Sweet, let's get out of here so we can try to get some good seats." He replied. We made our way to the counter where both of the hyena brothers were standing.
"Did you find what you were looking for today?" They both rattled off at the same time, and I watched amusedly as they both busted out laughing at their stunt. Once they recovered they rang up our items and we were already adorning our respective apparel as we left the store.
"I'm pretty sure the student section is this way." Jasper informed me turning to the right out of the store.
"Lead the way." I said as I wrapped my arms around his stomach so I wouldn't lose him in the crowd. We shuffled along with the other students who'd come to see the game before I pulled Jasper out of the stream of people.
"I need to text Rachel and Sebastian and find out where they're at." I told him. I texted Rachel and Sebastian respectively as we watched the river of students walk by us. It wasn't soon after that my phone started ringing, Rachel was calling. Bringing the phone to my ear I answered.
"Hello?" I shouted into the receiver.
"Hey! We already got seats, we're holding two for you but hurry I don't know how long we'll be able to hold them." The sharp feminine voice shouted out the other end, obviously it was just as loud in the stands as well.
"Alright we're almost there, where are you guys sitting?" I asked.
"We're watching the entrance to the student section, just look to your right and I'll be standing and waving." She replied.
"Alright be there in a few, see ya." I told her before hanging up.
"They already have seats, we gotta hurry though." I nudged Jasper. He nodded and he grabbed my hand, leading me through the crowd once again. We all filed into the student section and I saw the bright red fox being Rachel waving her hands madly at us.
I pointed her out to Jasper and we made our way up to the seats. They were actually pretty good seats, we were sitting a little to the left of the middle on the south parallel of the stadium facing the opposing side and we had a clear view of the field.
"Nice seats! How long have you two been here?" Jasper asked as he sat down. I sat down next to him and Sebastian responded.
"Not too long, but these were about the best we could get, sorry." He said in a slightly raised voice.
"No problem, best seats I've had to a game in a long time!" Jasper replied as he turned his attention to the field. The game didn't start for about 20 minutes and just as Jasper had gotten comfortable he stood up again.
"I'm gonna go grab a hotdog, you guys want anything? I'm buying." He addressed us all.
"I want a hotdog too, but I'm not letting you pay for me, here." Rachel said shoving a 10 dollar bill into his hand.
"No it's really okay I want to buy." He replied glancing down at the money.
"I just don't like people buying for me, thanks for the offer though wolf boy." She winked at him jokingly causing Sebastian and I to chuckle at them.
"I'm alright, thanks for the offer though." Sebastian told Jasper.
"How about you cutie?" He directed the question at me causing me to blush slightly.
"I'll take a hotdog too, and could you get me a water while you're there?" I gave him my order and he nodded.
"Sure thing, I'll be back in a bit. Hopefully the lines aren't too long." He replied as he shuffled down the row past the other people who had filed in. Once he was out of ear shot Rachel turned to me with a mischievous grin.
"Alright spill it, it's only been like two days since I've seen you and you two are acting completely different!" Rachel pestered me. My blush returned slightly at her accusation before answering.
"Well, we've... kissed a couple times... but other than that nothing really." I replied truthfully.
"As much as I don't want to believe that I trust you Elijah, I can't even get over how cute you two are though!" She teased. My blush only reddened as I stared out onto the field, letting my mind wander to the events of the past few days.
Our relationship had moved along nicely; we started sleeping together, kissed on a couple different occasions, and had yet another awkward shower incident. A small smile formed across my muzzle as I daydreamed about the wolf. A few moments later my thoughts were interrupted by the same person creating the thoughts.
"Alright I have three hotdogs! One for me, one for Rachel, and one for my dear 'Lijah. I grabbed everyone a water too since soda's were so expensive." He said handing us our food and drinks.
We all ate quickly, not wanting to be distracted with food when the game started. Just as we finished, a voice boomed over the loudspeakers catching the attention of the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and remove your hats for a moment of silence as the color guard presents our nation's colors." Everyone in the stands respectfully rose at the command and Jasper removed his hat holding it behind his back.
"Now, please remain standing as your very own Saint Leo chorus group leads in the singing of the national anthem." The voice continued. We all stood respectfully as the group performed, breaking only to clap once they'd finish.
The pregame ceremonies continued as both teams sent representatives for the coin toss, which we unfortunately lost meaning that we would be kicking off to them. I watched amusedly as Jasper wriggled in his seat next to me, obviously excited for the game.
"Man I hope we win this game! Always a good morale booster to win the first game of the season." He said to me before turning his attention back to the game where the ball was set to go. The kicker reared back and you could hear the crowd's cheers come to a peak as he booted the ball across the field, bringing the game underway.
Once the initial adrenaline of the game had worn off, I had to say it was quite boring. Jasper could barely contain himself next to me though, getting upset at bad calls and cheering madly when we scored.
By the end of the first half, our team was down 14-28, meaning we had quite a bit of work to do if we wanted to have a comeback.
"We can so do this, I believe in the team! Just had a lot of calls go the other team's way, but the luck's gotta come back our way, I just know it." Jasper commented as the teams exited the field back to the locker rooms. Rachel and Sebastian looked bored as well, but they decided to stay just in case we made a miraculous comeback.
Much of the crowd felt the same way as only a few people had left. College kids love their football I guess, win or lose. We all made small talk about different things during halftime, only partially paying attention to the halftime show they were putting on for us.
It was some band I'd never heard of, but the tune was somewhat catchy and I couldn't help but thump my tail to the beat as I talked.
"I didn't know you listened to country?" Jasper commented curiously.
I frowned slightly as his remark, "Well I mean, I won't go out of my way to listen to it, but it's not bad I guess. I just like how it tells a story." I replied. He nodded at my statement.
"Yeah my dad and I grew up on it. My mom hates it but I think it makes for really good dancing music." He explained.
"I guess so, I could see that." I replied before turning to Rachel and Sebastian.
"Enjoying the game?" I asked.
"We better make like the biggest comeback ever or I'm gonna be mad! Didn't come to see our team lose that's for sure." Rachel shouted with her arms crossed.
"I've never been a huge fan of sports, I just came because you invited me. I do hope we win this game though." Sebastian commented as well. After what seemed like forever the show ended and the teams took over the field once again.
Much to our pleasure our team scored on the opening drive, but our hopes slowly began dying again as the other team scored as well. We miraculously pulled to within a field goal of the lead after a touchdown and two point conversion as well as a field goal.
The game had us biting our claws on the edge of our seats and I was direly hoping that we could pull out the win. With less than four minutes to play our hopes were slowly slipping away once again as we turned the ball over on downs.
Our defense prevailed in a huge way however when we managed to pick off a throw on an interception and run it back for a touchdown. The stands exploded and Jasper wrapped me in an almost bone crushing hug as he cheered. I couldn't help but cheer with his enthusiasm and our team set up to punt the ball off.
The crowd was more alive than at the beginning of the game as the kicker booted the ball once again, only this time the other team had a chance to run it back. Their runner caught the ball and took off, breaking tackles everywhere until the kicker was the only blocker left.
My breath hitched as I watched him throw himself at the runner's legs, catching him up and tumbling with him. Everyone in the stands erupted with relief once again, until I took notice of our kicker laying sprawled out on the turf.
I could tell immediately that he was in some serious pain from the tackle and I quickly pointed him out to my friends. Concern was written all over the faces of the crowd as we watched the player have to be carted off the field, unable to walk.
"I hope the back-up kicker is worth a hoot." I commented dryly as the game resumed.
"We don't have a backup, I was reading about the team earlier and that was one of the biggest concerns for the team. They didn't have a backup and they were in some big trouble if he got hurt." He replied and I could hear the frustration in his voice as he spoke. Trying to cheer him up I remembered what he said earlier about his football career.
"Hey maybe you could go try out, maybe they'd let you play if you're still any good." I punched his shoulder with a laugh that quickly faded when I saw his expression.
"I mean, it's a possibility. I was one of the best kickers out there during high school and they'll probably have to hold tryouts for the team." He replied excitedly. Worry toned my facial features as I tried to tell if he was being serious or not.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? What if you get hurt like that guy?" I warned him.
"Yeah that's what I'm worried about, but maybe they'll try harder a little bit if they realize how valuable kickers are." He replied before turning his attention back to the game. Thankfully we were able to get the stop we needed to get the ball back allowing for an easy win, our first of the season.
Everyone was happy about the win, but there was still a feeling of dread that resided in the crowd of students that poured through the gates to leave. And as we stood in line to catch the bus back to the dorms, I couldn't help but worry for Jasper and his new found aspirations of the kicking variety.
The mood of the win was dampened even more on the way back to campus when a huge accident on the highway kept us from going anywhere for multiple hours as the accident was cleared. The accident itself looked horrific and I couldn't help but have flashbacks to a couple weeks before when my mother was taken from me in almost the same way.
Jasper had his arm around me comfortingly, but I could only stare ahead at the seat back in front of me as my mind fought against the various worries that were clouding my train of though.
By the time we got back to the dorms night had fallen and the only thing that I could think about was sleep. As everyone piled off the bus we all stopped to stretch our stiff backs and tails for sitting for such a long period of time.
Rachel and Sebastian thanked us for inviting them along to the game as we waved goodbye. The air between us was tense as we walked back to the dorm room, my concerns for Jasper's wellbeing being to overwhelm me. Once we reached the room I sat down on the bed and watched as Jasper changed into his sleeping clothes and crawled into bed.
I followed shortly after and I curled up facing away from him. It didn't take long for the gray furred wolf to wrap up behind me.
"Do you wanna talk?" He whispered in my ear which had perked at his voice. Rolling over to face him I took a deep breath.
"I know you really want to do the kicking thing but I'm really worried about you. I wouldn't know what to do if you got hurt..." I trailed off as he began speaking.
"Well you wouldn't have to do anything, the training and medical staff would be the ones taking care of that." He whispered back to me, smiling slightly.
"You know what I mean... I just... I worry is all." I said as I gazed at him.
"I'm glad you worry, it makes me happy to know that somebody is looking out for me, but this could be my one big chance and I would really like the support if you're willing to supply it." He adopted a mock set of puppy dog eyes which I couldn't help but give into slightly.
"That's cheating you know. Just please promise me you'll try to stay out of harm's way?" I whispered seriously.
"Of course I will, the chances of those kinds of things happening to kickers are really slim anyways. Plus I still haven't gone to tryouts let alone kick a ball, I don't even know if I'm any good anymore!" He chuckled slightly. Smiling I nuzzled in closer to him taking a deep breath of his scent.
"I think you'll do great." I told him as I let my eyes close. I felt his arms wrap protectively around me before our quiet snoring disturbed the silence of the room.
And we are done here! Nothing like adding a new spin onto things am I right? Let me know what you think of this new turn of events down in the comments, I'm interested to know what you guys think! Other than that I'm gonna get on out of here, but make sure to go check out my new story that I'm currently writing on my page called In My Time of Need if you haven't already! You never know, you might like it! But with that, I'm out of here! See ya! :D