Gladiators of the Gridiron

‘Excited? Nervous?’ Tommy asked. He and Jackson were sitting in the doctor’s office, waiting for Jackson’s name to be called.

Jackson inhaled deeply. ‘Isn’t it always both? I’m more nervous than excited though.’ His feet tapped against the floor as he waited.

‘No matter what happens, you’ll be okay, remember that.’

‘Thanks, Tommy.’

‘No worries, little bro.’

Dr Saha soon approached the brothers. ‘It’s good seeing you again, Jackson. Hopefully it’s the last time for a while.’

Jackson chuckled a bit as he stood up. He’d left his crutches at home today, hoping he wouldn’t need them ever again. ‘That’s true, but you’ve been a great help through all of this. I can’t thank you enough.’

She smiled. ‘Right this way, please.’ She lead them back to her room to begin the examination.

Fifteen minutes of poking and prodding—physically and mentally—later, Dr Saha left the room, leaving the brothers on their own.

‘How are you feeling now?’ Tommy asked.

‘I feel… good. … I think.’

‘Confident?’

‘Y-Yeah.’

Tommy chuckled and scooted over, gently grabbing Jackson’s bad leg. He lifted it up slightly and pressed a hand against the sole of Jackson’s foot, wanting to perform his own test. ‘Push against me.’

The two pushed against one another and Jackson slowly overpowered his brother.

‘How’s that feel? Doesn’t hurt?’

Jackson shook his head. ‘No.’

‘Does it feel strong?’

Jackson paused. ‘…No? I’m not sure. But, I don’t think … I’m still not as strong as I used to be. At least, that’s what it feels like.’

‘Hmm…’ Tommy lowered the leg and moved back beside Jackson. ‘That’s fair. It makes sense, right? You haven’t been able to do any of the stuff you took for granted before, like play football, ride your bike, or even just running and jumping around, plus, this would be the longest you’ve gone without training since you were what, five? So of course you’re not at the same strength you used to be, but you’ll get back to that and even better in no time.’

‘Yeah, yeah, you’re right. I just, I need time.’ Jackson lowered his head. Time felt like the one thing he didn’t have at the moment.

Dr Saha returned, a piece of paper in her hand. Both brothers looked up when she re-entered. ‘I have some good news for you, Jackson.’

‘S-Seriously?’

She nodded, taking a seat in front of him. ‘I noticed you didn’t bring your crutches today. That was a good call. You don’t need to worry about those anymore. You’re perfectly fine to walk on your own. In fact, you can do all the things you used to.’

Jackson soared. He was back on the field, running free. He was gliding along the grass, then through the sky, bathing in a warm glow.

‘But,’ Dr Saha’s voice brought him crashing down, ‘you should ease back into it. Take things slow, ESPECIALLY in regards to playing football again. You need to regain your strength or else you’ll hurt yourself if you push too far too quickly, and we wouldn’t want you to end up here again anytime soon, would we?’

Jackson shook his head. He couldn’t speak for fear of screaming. His heart was trying to break free from its cage.

‘Good. Then there’s this, though I’m sure your parents’ insurance can handle it, yes?’ Dr Saha held out the paper.

Tommy took it and skimmed through it. ‘I’m sure it will, I’ll make sure it goes right to them.’

‘Wonderful. Then we’re all done here.’ Dr Saha stood and held her hand out to the brothers.

Tommy stood and shook her hand. ‘Thanks for everything, doc.’

‘It’s what I’m here for.’

Jackson copied his brother. ‘Th-Thank you so, so so so much.’

Dr Saha giggled. ‘Just remember what I told you about taking things slow.’

‘Y-Yes, I promise.’ Jackson was eager to leave and go home. He was eager for tomorrow. He was eager to get back on the field and finally join his team.

During the drive back home, Tommy couldn’t help but notice Jackson’s excitement. ‘Hey, don’t forget what the doc said. I know you’re excited now, but you can’t push yourself too hard.’

‘I-I know. And I won’t.’ Jackson brought his now-healed leg onto the seat, cradling it. ‘I’m not gonna get hurt again.’

‘I believe you, little bro, you’re smarter than that. I’d say I can’t wait to see you play again, but that’s not true, I CAN wait, so there’s no rush okay?’

‘Yeah.’ Jackson nodded. The two bumped fists.

* * *

The final bell couldn’t ring soon enough. Jackson’s adrenaline had been surging throughout the day, peaking when he told his friends the good news and that he was finally fully healed.

He’d approached them before the first class.

‘Hey guys,’ Jackson said breathlessly. He would’ve been lying if he said he hadn’t run to see them, add that onto the fact he could finally ride his bike to school again.

‘Yo Jackson,’ Sachin said.

‘Sup, man?’ Marcus dapped him up. ‘Wait…’

‘Where are your crutches?’ Eddie asked.

‘Oh shit, you’re right! Is your leg healed?’ Sachin asked.

Jackson’s grin almost split his face. ‘Yep.’ He nodded enthusiastically.

‘When did that happen?’ Eddie asked.

‘My doctor said I was all good yesterday.’

‘Ayyy good shit, man. This mean you coming back to the track team?’ Marcus asked.

Jackson shook his head. ‘Nah, I’m sticking with football. And, she did say I could start training again.’

‘Your doctor’s a girl?’ Sachin had said.

Eddie and Marcus turned to him. The former spoke up and said only: ‘Bro.’ He turned back to Jackson. ‘I’m happy for you. Though you still gotta take it easy man, don’t rush into shit and hurt it again.’

‘You sound like my family. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna do anything stupid. I’ve already let everyone down enough.’

Marcus put a hand on Jackson’s shoulder. ‘You ain’t let anyone down, man, don’t let anyone say different.’

‘Right, I guess I could’ve said that better. I just mean that a lot … I want to help everyone and be as dependable to everyone else as you’ve all been to me. You guys especially. I’m really sorry about everything I put you guys through and how distant I was. I promise not to do that again.’

‘Bruh, you don’t have to make it up to anyone. We’re sorry for not being better friends and being there for you,’ Sachin said.

‘But you guys—’

‘Nah, he’s right … for once,’ Eddie said. ‘We’re here for you, bro. We won’t let you push us away again, we’re gonna bug you every day so you can’t shut us out.’

They laughed together. They wished Jackson luck with his training, and all promised to show up for the next game—his first game—excited to see how he’d tear up the high school competition.

No one’s excitement could match Jackson’s. When that final bell finally rang, he was the first out of the room, practically racing through the halls to get to his locker.

On his way out, he spotted Jasmine. Even amongst the rush of bodies hurrying through the halls, she stood out to him, and he to her. They stopped amongst the waves of people, and stared.

Her eyes and the areas surrounding them were darker, her hair cascaded over her shoulders in messy tangles, one of her shoulders was laid bare, the sleeve of her grey sweater having slipped off it.

She was still so beautiful. Jackson was tongue-tied, like the first time he saw her all over again.

‘Aren’t you going to say anything?’ she said.

‘Uhh… I got rid of my crutches?’ Jackson smiled and flourished his arms, showing off his healed leg.

‘Ugh.’ She rolled her eyes and shook her head, moving past him.

Jackson heard snickers, he looked around but couldn’t see the source, though he did see people looking as they went past. He cringed and watched Jasmine go, then went after her. ‘Wait, Jasmine, c-can’t we talk?’

‘It doesn’t seem like you really have anything to say.’ She didn’t look back or slow down.

‘That’s…That’s not true.’ He followed after her, keeping his head down though his eyes darted about.

Jasmine sighed and turned into a less populated corridor. She walked further in, then stopped and turned to Jackson. ‘What?’

He stopped a bit away from her. ‘Huh?’

‘What do you have to say? Start talking.’

‘I…I’m sorry for not being one hundred percent honest with you.’ He paused to let her respond, but she didn’t so he continued. ‘I … there’s no excuse. I should’ve told you what really happened to me. I was…I was scared, scared people would hate me, scared they’d see me for the…the weak, miserable … coward that I was, that I’m trying not to be.’

He pressed back against the wall, leaning his head back against it. She moved over, standing next to him.

‘That’s worse than being a liar? Being truthful with me?’ she said.

‘No. It was wrong and dumb. I was trying to…trying to protect myself, I think, and so I lied.’

She looked him over, then looked away. Footsteps from the other hall were a grumbling roar filling their quiet corridor, drowning out their hearts. ‘Maybe I overreacted.’

‘No you—’

‘I did. I shouldn’t have shut you out when you were opening up to me. That was a shitty thing for a friend to do. I’m sorry.’

Jackson didn’t know what he was expecting with this conversation. He knew what he had hoped for, but even then that wasn’t Jasmine somehow apologising to HIM. ‘Are we still friends?’

The question hung over them. Every second it went unanswered, Jackson wished he could’ve taken it back.

‘If you’ll have an inconsiderate bitch like me as a friend, sure.’ Jasmine smiled.

‘Y-You’re not a bitch… don’t say that.’

Her smile widened. ‘Hey, so no crutches. That’s exciting.’

‘O-Oh, yeah, um, my doctor even cleared me to start training again.’

‘That’s awesome. You nervous?’

Jackson chewed on the question. ‘No. I’m not actually. I’m too focused on getting back into football shape and helping my team to be nervous.’

‘Hehe, that sounds like you. Sounds like the REAL you, Jackson. You’re not a coward.’

He blushed and quickly looked down. ‘Th-Thanks. B-But um.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Speaking of the team. Regionals start this weekend and well, they might be out of town, but uh, w-would you like to come cheer the team on?’

‘Are you going to be playing?’

‘I…I’m not sure. I’ll do my best to be ready, but, in the end… that’s up to the coaches.’

She put a hand on his shoulder. Jackson’s blush darkened but he locked eyes with her. ‘I know you’ll give it your all. And I’ll be there to cheer you on for your big debut.’ She hugged him.

Jackson tensed up but eventually hugged back.

She pulled away after what felt like a lifetime. Her cheeks were tinted slightly redder. ‘I’ve gotta run, but have fun at practice.’

‘Uh, y-yeah … thanks.’ That was all Jackson could mutter before Jasmine sauntered off. He watched her go until she rounded the corner and disappeared from view. He exhaled deeply and placed a hand over his heart.

After surviving that, there wasn’t anything Coach Otsen could throw at him that he couldn’t handle.