1. Aww come on! Just join the robotics club with me,” John says as we walk into school. He seemed really eager but robotics is my thing. 

2. “I don’t want to,” I say, “I want an activity that’s, you know, active, you know. Something like a sports team.” I have been into sports since I was a kid. My dad and I used to play football all the time. We’d got to games together, we bought jerseys together. 

3. Well since his death, I haven’t gone to games or played because I didn’t have anyone to go with me or play with me.  My mom wasn’t ever a fan of sports and she understood nothing. The only thing of my dad i have left is the football we used to play with all the time in our backyard. It is the only way we were able to connect. 

4. “Woah John look!” I said as we walked past the bulletin board. The announcements were always posted there. “Football tryouts at 4:00. This is my chance. This is my thing. This….. Is it.” 

5. “ You’re gonna tryout for football?” said John looking like I had just said something funny.

6. “Yeah, what wrong with me trying out for football”

7. “What’s wrong is that you’re a girl. Football isn’t for girls,” uttered one of those high school boys, who think the world runs around them. Like they own the place, like high school is their fortress. 

8. “Well, mind your own business, you, you, you, you hideous, revolting, repulsive, horrendous person!” Oh noo

9. “Wow V, that was………. A lot.”

10. “I know. Do you think I should tryout? I mean I want to but there are all these people. Do you really think that girls can’t play football?” I felt bewildered and discombobulated. 

11. “Vanessa I really don’t know,” John said taking my hand. “Is this what you really want to do?”

12. “Yes”

13. “Then do it, I will support you. Don’t be bothered by what those guys says.”

14. “But they say girls can play football.” Honestly, I really don’t know what to do. 

15. “They are just sexist. They believe girls can’t be used for anything except for looking good for them, And that’s not fair. If this is really what you want then go for it. Wel hey, you might just be as good as they are if not better.”

16. “Thanks John” I mumble as I take a pen and put my name on the football tryouts’ list.” 

17. “Ha, look a girl trying out for football,” more boys mutter as they walk past. 

18. “Well I am, so just deal with it.” They all turn and look at me disgusted. “ wow that felt good” I say directed at John. He looks back at me with a delighted smile. 

19. I think I made the right choice. My dad would be so proud. This was what he always wanted, for me to play on my school team. 

20. We walk to class together. We have the same homeroom and first period. And off we go. 

21. At 3:30, I take the extra clothes in my locker to change for football tryouts. I always keep extra clothes because this is high school. You never know what happens and you have to be prepared at all times. 

22. After changing into the extra clothes, John waits for me at the door. 

23. "Finally put your extra clothes to use. Come on let’s go. You don’t want to be late for tryouts. It 3:50."  

24. “Ok.”

25.. We walk up to the field. So I’m really doing this.

26.. John looks at me, like he can read inside my mind.  “Are you really?” 

27. I nod. 

28. “Wow, finally we get a girl trying out. That good.” Coach creed says walking up to me then going back.“Ok everyone bring it in, we are going to do this alphabetically by last names, ok. Call your name, you know what to do, run to the other side and catch the ball.” 

29.  “Look, it’s Vanessa trying out for football. Try not to break a nail

30. “Oooooooooooooooh”

31.  I roll my eyes as the boys mutter. 

32. “Alright let’s do this,” Coach said to break the awkward ‘oh’ ing. “First up, Jordan Andrew.”

33. I wait for my turn nervously. My legs are shaking and I have the hiccups. 

34.  And finally. 

35.  “Vanessa Morgan, your up next,” Coach Creed said, Looking in my direction. 

36. “Is she serious,” said one of the Jocks. “You know a girl can’t play football, right?”

37.  “And why is that so,” I was incensed. “Just because I am a girl doesn’t mean I can’t play. This is a co-ed team, and that’s sexist.” 

38.  And as I spoke, I felt provoked, I felt unwelcome, but it also felt right because it was what I wanted to do. After the ranting, I walked onto the field ready for whatever comes next. I can’t believe I’m really doing this. All eyes were on me like I had won a grammy or something. I look at John as he mouths “You got this”. 

39.  “Set, Hike,” yelled the quarterback. As as I ran across the field, racing for the ball,  it was like I was 5 again playing with my dad. Like It was just me and him and at this point no one else mattered. It was just me, my dad and the football. 

40. I catch the ball and as I tumble on the landing, I hear my name. It was  coach creed. “Very nice Ms. Morgan. I think we make do with you.”

41.  Wait what? Did I just make the team? “ I made the team,” I yell out at the top of my lungs enthusiastically. I was thrilled. I made the team. 

42. The boys looked at me like I wasn’t human. “Wha wha wha wha,” I hear them stammer. “And what did you say again? A girl can’t play football. Well I guess I proved you wrong, girls can play football” I walk away with satisfaction. 

43. “I made the team,” I say as I run toward John to give him a hug. “Congratulations, V. I told you you can do it.” 

44. “Well thanks for believing in me, John.” 

45. “Of course. Well V, there is something I need to tell you. I have been meaning to tell you for about a year now, so I’m just gonna go ahead and say it.”

46. My hearts starts racing. What is he going to say? Is it what I think it is? 

47. John proceeds, “I like you Vanessa, and I was wondering if you’d like to go on a date with me?” I can see he’s nervous: his legs are shaking and his eye is twitching. I can hear his heartbeat. 

48. “I like you too John and I would love to go on a date with you.” Yes, Yes, and so I score again.    

49. We walk home hand in hand, smiling at each other. Oh what a day it has been. 

50. “Hey V, I’m thinking wednesday for the date, what do you think?”

51. “Can’t do wednesday, we start football practice on wednesday. What about thursday?

52. “Sounds good.”