Alisa
I entered the science building looking for the one person who could answer my questions. Brad. Looking around, all I could see were kids going about their business, but no Brad. I wondered what classroom he was in.
"Damn it!" Where did he go? I saw him go into the science building.
RING, RING!
Shit, there goes first bell. I'll have to look for him later. I wonder if he has the same lunch as me. If I don't see him today maybe I should call his house. I'd better get to class.
Brad
As I exit the bathroom something in the crowd catches my attention. Someone with strawberry-blond hair is leaving the building. That girl ... from behind she looked just like Alisa. I just let it go, wondering why Alisa would be in here.
'I have to get to a phone.' I think as I walk out the other end of the building. They are next to the soda machines. A cold soda can would do the trick. I drop my coins in, then hold the cold can against my split lip. This will have to do. I need to call home, knowing no one will be there. I feel around my chest and ribs. "Ouch! Shit!" Don't do that again!
"Hey, whoever gets this message I 'm going to the library after school and I'll be home late. Bye. Ahmm ... Mom, Dad ... I love you. " As I hung up the phone I heard the last bell and quickly walked across the court to the Math building and my class.
Michael Shore
RING, RING!
"Okay, Class. Remember your paper on the comparison and contrast of DNA and RNA is due tomorrow. Remember boys and girls, 500 words." As I finished, Alex approached my desk.
"Mr. Nelson, for someone who has for the second time this year received a week suspension, I am amazed to see your grades have not slipped."
"Thank you sir," then suddenly he is looking at me curiously. "Mr. Shore, ahmm...do I know you?"
Finally...I think to myself as I start to smile. "I don't know, do you?"
"It's... you look familiar."
"Do I? I'm just a new teacher."
"Yeah, I know you're new here," he says with a puzzled look
"Can I tell you a secret?" Still smiling
"You have a secret?"
"Yep. Would you like to know what it is?"
"Sure, Mr. Shore." He starts to laugh.
"You know? That's the first time I've seen you smile and laugh in a long, long time."
Still smiling, but with a confused look he says, "Mr. Shore, we've only been in school for about four months, you're new here."
"I'm only new to teaching, Alex I'm not new to this state or new to this city, hell I'm not even new to this school," I say with a smile. Alex was giving me inquisitive look.
Do I know you?"
"I am shocked that you don't remember who I am, Alex," I said with a smile
"I'm sorry, but I don't know who you are," he says, now starting to look a little annoyed.
"T.P.," I said with the biggest smile on my face, "How could you forgot about me?" His eyes widen. "Mike?"
Alex
"Magic..." I was still stunned.
"That's what they used to called me," he said, still smiling.
"You ... you're ... Magic!" I said still stunned.
"Yep. The best damned soccer player to ever come out of this state and to ever play for United," he said with a grin.
After I looked at him my eyes widened again. I was astounded and numb when I realized it was him, Michel Shore. Here was not only one of the greatest soccer players to ever come out of our state, but he and his dad were my first coaches and he became a good friend. I still could not believe it.
When I was seven I started playing soccer. I fell in love with it when we played at school. One day I begged my mom to let me play. When she said yes, I called Justin, Brad, and Alisa and told them I was signing up and they had to sign up too. They asked their parents, and of course they said yes. At first the league wanted to separate us, but we begged and begged and then our parents explained to the league about us. Because this was a recreation league they could allow it. The first team we played on was coached by Mike's dad. Mike was 15 and was already playing for one of the top soccer clubs in the state. He had the cool nickname of Magic.
He got that for two reasons. First, he was so fast it sometimes seemed like he appeared out of nowhere. Second, he had the skill to make a soccer ball do anything he wanted it to do. It seemed almost magical. I used to drag my mother to all of his games and sit and watch in awe. I told him I wanted to be as good as he was. He said if I wanted to I could, but I had to work real hard. I told him I would, and he just started showing up and working with the team and me.
I would stay after practice and work with him and his dad sometimes. We had the best team and the best time. Justin and I played forward and midfield, while Brad and Alisa played defense. That year was so much fun. We learned so much and got so good that Justin and I ended up being the leading scorers on our team.
During the following season we ended up as the leading scorers in the county. We played for Mike's father's team for one more year, until we were nine. One day that year, Mike said his dad needed to speak with my mom and me alone, away from the rest of the team. Mike met me with his dad just before practice was over after I went to get my mom. What he told my mom shocked her and me. He told my mom that he wanted to put me on an under 11 team. We looked at each other, I asked why? Did he ask Justin to play too, and what did Justin say? Coach Shore said he wasn't going to ask Justin, I was the only player he was asking. He said that I had surpassed the others and needed to be challenged against bigger and better players. If I became good enough, he wanted me to play for a friend of his. I turned to Coach Shore and said I didn't know. I was going to play football with Justin this year. It would be our last year before tackle started.
"Honey, I don't know if I want you playing such a rough sport."
"But Mom, Justin and Brad are going to play."
"I know Helen, and I don't think Brad is going to play football."
Mike looked at me and said, "Alex football can wait. I got good doing just what my dad wants you to do."
"Really?" I said.
"Coach Shore," my mother asked, "Just how good is my son?"
He stopped, looking at me and then at his son. "He's better than Magic was at his age."
I thought I was going to pass out when I heard that. Mike was smiling at me.
"T.P, for a nine year old you have better skill, speed, and heart than some 12, 13 and 14 year olds."
"What did you just call me?" I asked.
"I called you T.P. I think you need a nickname so you're now the Total Package because you've got it all, bubba."
"So when do I start?" I asked
Then a voice out of nowhere said "Start what?" I turned with a smile on my face to see Justin behind me. Justin looked at us and asked, "What are we starting now?" I looked at him as my smile disappeared.
"Ahmm, Justin ..." He knew what was going on before I could finish and walked away.