Page 7 - Top Prospect

said, “it looks more like work. Like football’s your
job now.”
I didn’t know what to say, but the buzz from those
endorphins began to wear off.
“Well, it’s not exactly easy. I’ve got something to live

up to on every snap, every game. But it’s nothing I didn’t
ask for. That’s the challenge of being quarterback. It’s all
in my hands,” I said, and then changed the subject to
how Damon was dealing with his role on the Bobcats.
I could barely listen to him, though, filling up my
end with an “I hear you” every now and then. Damon’s
question wouldn’t leave me alone. When the conversa-
tion was over, I felt a little numb. The sensation started
in the tips of my fingers, working its way down my arms

to my core. But I convinced myself it was all because of
the sit-ups.

* * *

Monday morning at school, my name seemed to have
replaced the regular hallway chatter. I couldn’t turn my

head around without hearing praise about the game I’d
played Friday night.
My haters, however many of them were left, kept
their mouths shut.
Walking between classes was like stepping through
some incredible dream, until a guy on the Bobcats came
up from behind me with his iPhone out.

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