He scrubs a hand through his hair. “I am, but there’s nothing I can do about it, except go out and play my hardest. Plus, I’ll have my good luck charm standing on the fifty-yard line cheering me on.”
I shove the rest of my granola bar in my mouth so I don’t giggle.
“Not even food can hide that giggle.” Ford laughs.
I finish chewing and then say, “I want you to know that in my seventeen years of life, you are the only guy who has ever made me giggle. It’s like it bubbles up out of nowhere.” I open my fruit bowl and pull out a strawberry. “Want one?” Ford nods, opening his mouth. I roll my eyes, but then put the piece of fruit in his mouth.
“Thank you, Baby.”
“Anytime, Stud. Did you study for the pop quiz in English today?”
“Pop quiz?” Ford looks at me wide-eyed.
“Seriously, Cross. This is the third year we’ve had Mrs. Hammond, granted the other times were for Honors English, but every year she’s given us a quiz at the end of the first full week of school.”
He plucks a blueberry out of the fruit container, pops it in his mouth, and then gives me a cocky smile. “Yeah, I studied. I heard Mr. Metcalf does the same thing. Did you read the assigned chapters?”
“Yes, I heard he lets us use our notes on quizzes.”
“Did you copy the book?”
I smile. “Only the important parts.”
Ford pulls into the school parking lot and parks toward the back next to Jack, who’s standing with Tyler, waiting for us. I hurriedly take the last few bites of my yogurt and open my door, but Ford leans over, pulling it shut. I look over, giving him a bewildered look. “I’ve got you.”
“Okay,” I blush. I shove my trash into the little garbage bag Ford has next to the shifter.
He gets out and takes our backpacks out of the back seat, then comes around, opening my door. I try to take my backpack, but he holds it away from me. “Are you sure it’s heavy?”
“I’ve got it.” He slings it over his shoulder, then takes my hand.
“Hey, Clark.” Tyler nods.
“What’s up, T. man? You want some fruit?” I hold out my other bowl for him.
“Yeah, thanks. Did your mom do this?” Ty asks.
I nod. “She did.”
We stop at our lockers to drop books off. I took all mine home last night. When I open my locker, Mickey’s little kissy face is hanging from a string. “What the heck!” I exclaim. “This is a new lock. I’m the only one who knows the combination.” I grab the toy and pull him down. Ford is laughing as he closes his locker and leans against it. “So what? Instead of playing keep away, we’re sneaking it into the other person’s belongings.”
“Gotta keepit interesting,” he laughs, winking at me.
I place the little oblong toy on the shelf and close my locker. I pick up my backpack, but Ford grabs it from me, slinging it over his shoulder and holding his hand out for me.
18. Are You Just Going to Stand There?
There’s a tension radiating off Hannah today, and I’m not sure why. I’ve seen her stressed over school, but this is something different. I’ve never seen her stress eat before. Ever. It could be dance. She’s been struggling with some of the required elements, but she always talks positively about it. Maybe it’s how public our relationship is now. It’s not like it was over the summer, just the two of us doing our thing. Sowhatever it is, it’s got me worried.
We have pop quizzes in both English and history, just as we predicted. During economics, I get a note that Coach Anderson wants to see me. It can only mean one thing; another college recruiter is in town to watch the game. I glance at Hannah and wink, then nod at Jack, who cocks a questioning eyebrow. “Scout,” I whisper.
“Good luck,” he mouths.
I take my time after I leave class. I use the bathroom and walk to my locker, exchanging books and dropping a note in Hannah’s locker. When I get to Coach Anderson’s office, two men are waiting for me, along with my dad. I take a breath and put my game face on. “Hey Coach, I got your note.”
“Crawford, there you are. Come in.” Coach Anderson motions for me to come into his office.
The two men I haven’t met stand. One is wearing a green ballcap with a green and yellow O in the center, and his colleague has on a green polo shirt with the same O embroidered on the pocket. “This is Alan Burtenshaw and Ralph Gains from the University of Oregon.”
