Page 3 of Tag

“Not bad. Let’s run it again in a few and make it perfect. We’ll freeze our asses off out here if we have to.”

She meant that wholeheartedly.

We had a rivalry game in two weeks, leaving only a few practices between now and then. Our routine needed to beflawless, our moves in perfect sync. We had to nail this. And we would, thanks to Roxxanne. Mrs. Gale, our head coach, might as well have been one of the many leaves covering the ground outside The Pit, our affectionately named playing field, for all her presence was worth.

She was more than content to let Roxxi run the show. She'd sit back, arms crossed, watching her direct us through stunts and transitions. That’s what made Roxxi the heart and soul of our team, the one who handled everything from choreography to lineup changes, keeping us focused and pushing for us to be our best. It was when competition season rolled around that Mrs. Gale transformed herself into someone else entirely. Suddenly, she was front and center, taking no one’s shit. She became our biggest advocate, fighting for every resource, every inch of practice space, and every opportunity to get us an edge over the competition. It was that duality that made her vital.

Mr. Kruger, the assistant coach, was good for us, too, whenever he actually came to work. I didn't know how that man was still employed. I swear I’d seen random strangers on the streets more than I ever had him.

“That was so good!” Layla panted once she was at my side, her grin wide. “We’re going tocrushit next week.”

“After we do this at least a dozen more times,” I muttered.

Roxxi circled around us, her long, red ponytail swishing as she high-fived one of the other girls. She thrived on this intensity, the need for perfection seeping into every practice. She didn’t accept anything less, even from me. I couldn’t pull the,I’m yourbest friend-practically sistercard and skate by doing the bare minimum. Not that I would, anyways. As one of the main flyers, my position was too coveted, and I had busted my ass to earn it.

We split apart, and I grabbed my water bottle from the sidelines, savoring the cool, refreshing liquid as I sank onto thegrass for a breather. Arianna joined me moments later; her dark hair twisted into a messy bun. A soft smile was on her lips as she pushed her glasses up and tugged her Crowsfellhoodie down, settling beside me. She wasn’t on the squad, but she came for a good number of our practices, her quiet moral support a constant, just like Cloe’s, who was perched on the bleachers with her camera, snapping candid shots. She loved freezing these fleeting moments, little pieces of us in motion, unguarded and real. She was good too. Her photos were always chosen for the Inkwell, Crowsfell’s media journal.

The three of us, along with Roxxi, had been inseparable for as long as I could remember. We’d navigated our first crushes, whispered secrets late into the night, and spent endless hours dreaming together. It was in those moments of just being girls, laughing until we cried, daring each other into the wildest ideas, and always having each other’s backs that we built a bond that was now woven deep into the fabric of who we were.

“You looked amazing out there, as usual,” Ari gushed, adjusting her glasses. Her accent curved around the words, an even mix of her Filipino and Aussie background.

“Thanks. We still have some kinks to work out.”

Cloe caught my eye and lifted the camera as if to say, “I’m getting this one.”

I gave her a small wave before turning my attention toward the football team. Their practice uniforms were modeled after the official team jerseys and our cheer get-ups, black and silver, giving an intimidating, battle-ready look. The emblem on the helmet stood out even from a distance, a fierce crow in flight, its wings spread wide.

At Crowsfell University, sports were practically their own religion. The athletic complex was like a cathedral and the pride of our campus. It had been remodeled a few years ago into something state-of-the-art both inside and out. Generationsof athletes were discovered here. From hockey to baseball, basketball, and polo. Even snowboarding, and of course, football. The university had it all. So many people I’d come to care about were part of those teams.

It was a little bittersweet when I realized that in a few short years, we would go our separate ways. College was the final act before the inevitable curtain call. Everyone would scatter across different cities, chasing dreams that didn’t quite align with this small town we all loved to call home. Everyone but me, that is. I couldn’t think about it too much without getting teary-eyed. We had been together for over two decades, more family than friends. I knew distance wouldn’t sever our ties, but it was still going to leave a gaping empty space where they were meant to be.

I wondered if this was how mothers felt knowing their babies would soon fly from the nest. Not that I would ever voice that thought out loud. I could imagine the looks I would get for calling myself their mom when they all saw me as the baby sister. Never mind the fact that we were all the same age, give or take a few months.

The team was deep into warm-ups now, the rhythmic thud of cleats hitting the turf filling the air. It didn’t take long for me to spot Ryder Voss among them. He was always easy to find, the number 12 on his jersey marking him as the quarterback and offense captain of the Crows. His dark hair was hidden under his helmet, and I knew he was sporting the cocky grin he always wore when he was in his element.

Cade Voss, number 88 and our defense captain, was across the field, his stance relaxed but coiled with energy. His eyes stayed locked on his brother, already strategizing their next play. He had this wild unpredictability, always willing to take risks that most players would avoid. That recklessness madehim dangerous, and the reason the Crows’ defense was nearly impossible to crack.

Xander Aether, number 15, stood nearby as well, his sharp gaze scanning the field. His agility as a wide receiver was unmatched, always finding just the right opening to make the catch. My boyfriend, Ashton Hayes, was next to him, stretching lazily but fully focused. Ari and I shared a laugh when our attention was snagged by Douglas, affectionately dubbed ‘Dougie’, Turner. The guy was a massive wall of muscle with a booming voice you could hear from miles away.

At well over six feet and built like a tank, his size alone could intimidate anyone, but it was his playful nature that made him a favorite on and off the field. That, and the fact that he danced the ‘Dougie’ after every touchdown. A few girls and guys from the university had ventured into the bleachers to watch the practice. I couldn’t blame them. Our football team was nice to look at and beloved by the entire town.

“You’re in a better mood today,” Arianna commented softly.

I shook my head, tearing my eyes away from the field. “I was fine yesterday, Ari, I promise. I just had a lot on my mind, thinking about the game coming up and that math test you know is going to kick my ass,” I lied, not wanting to admit what was really bothering me.

She studied me with the calm, thoughtful look she always had when her brain was connecting dots. She knew me well enough not to push, and I loved her all the more for it. We both knew it wasn’t my coursework or cheer that had distracted me, no matter how much I wished it were. Those were things I could manage, though I truly loathed mathematics with every fiber of my being. Outside of that torturous subject, school was easy, and cheer was my passion.

It was the never-ending mess of thoughts I shouldn’t be having that never stopped, compounding with feelings I refusedto name. I was deep in unfamiliar territory, trying to sort myself out. It wasn’t like me to be this unsteady, and I hated it, but going to my usual sound board wasn’t an option.

“All right, break’s over!” Roxxi’s voice cut through the chatter surrounding me.

“See you in a few,” I said to Ari, pushing myself up from the grass. I moved to join my team, the music kicked back on, and I fell into formation.

We dispersed into the locker room, Kellan and Noah going to the men’s. The smell of different lotions and body wash hit me full force, a familiar, oddly comforting mix. Roxxi tossed her bag onto the long center bench and opened her locker. “We’re close,” she said, glancing over at me, “But we need to be flawless.”

“I know,” I replied. “That last lift felt off for some reason, and I’m really not trying to be launched into the crowd during the game.”

“We’ll figure it out,” she reassured me, then turned her attention to Brooke.

---