Sam Moussavi - Austin

Y O, WHERE THESE GIRLS AT? JERON ASKED.

I dont know, Stevie responded, a little annoyed at his rock-headed friend. Youre the one who set it up.

Stevie McCrae and Jeron Peters were teammates on the Stephen F. Austin High School varsity football team. They were both seniors. They had each been an important part of the team as juniors the season before. On the field, there was one major difference between the friends: size. Jeron looked like a football player at six foot three and two hundred pounds. He was the Austin Maroons starting middle linebacker and had two athletic scholarship offers from Texas schools, Texas A&M and the University of TexasAustin. Stevie did not look like a football player at first glance. Sure, he was squat and muscular, but his heightbarely five-foot-sixdidnt convey the image of gridiron greatness in anyones mind.

The two friends size disparity rendered the sight of them standing next to each other downright comical. Stevie looked more the part of little brother rather than football equal. But size difference aside, the two were best friends. As they waited outside the movie theater for their double dates to arrive, Stevie couldnt keep himself from asking Jeron an important question.

You taking the offer from UT?

Jeron smiled because he knew it would burn Stevie. No malice intended, just a little fun.

I dont know yet, Jeron said. Its down to UT and A&M.

Stevie shook his head.

You dont need to be worrying about all that right now, Jeron said, moving on to more important business. Just worry about these two girls showing up. You know the rule: dont believe when a white girl says that she is going to come out with you. You got to see it.

I dont care about these girls, Stevie said with a dismissive hand wave. Im only doing this for you. As a favor.

Im the one doing you a favor. You might get some ass out of this.

Whatever, man.

Besides, Jeron said with another smile, you shouldnt be worried about me going to UT.

Why?

Cause you aint gonna be joining me there with your midget ass.

Jeron started laughing, and Stevies ferocity kicked in. He got low, clamped Jerons legs, and lifted him into the air. Jeron couldnt stop laughing. Stevie dumped his friend onto the sidewalk and stood over him with a balled up right fist in the air.

Im just playin, man, Jeron said, still laughing. Just playin!

Hi there, boys, a throaty voice said from behind them.

Jeron looked up and Stevie turned around. The two girls had arrived.

What are you studs doing? the same voice asked. Playing grab ass?

Jeron picked himself up off the sidewalk, dusted off his hands, and eyed the two girls like candy.

Nah, he said. Just waiting on you.

The one who spoke first was Natasha Diamante, and her friend was Madison Wilks. Natasha was blonde, with a bubble butt and an infatuation for football players, especially if they were talented and black. She had a defined reputation inside the halls of Stephen F. Austin High. The other one, Madison, was plainer looking, but cute in her own right. Stevie noticed right away that Madison did not want to be there. He couldnt say what it was that told him this. It was a feeling he had. Stevie thought that, like him, Madison was simply doing a favor for a friend.

Natasha put a hand on her hip and waited for Jeron to come overas he was the one she wanted, the big, strapping one. She and Madison hadnt discussed beforehand who would go with whom. Natasha just took what she wanted.

Ever the equal opportunist, Jeron didnt really care which one he got. As long as the girl was down, he wasnt picky.

Should we get tickets to the show? Jeron asked.

Yeah, Natasha said, coming forward and taking Jeron by the arm. They walked into the theater, leaving Madison and Stevie behind.

The movie was one of those action duds that lost everyones interest fifteen minutes in. The premise of this one had to do with an action hero relegated to the use of a wheel chair. Jeron and Natasha began sucking face during the coming attractions, so the plot of the film couldnt have mattered to them any less. Stevie, on the other hand, gave the movie a shot, and the same could be said for Madison. They both chuckled at the ridiculousness toward the beginning where the bi-wheeled protagonist dispatched two heavily bearded, vaguely olive-skinned men, with only a handsaw. The interest was short lived, however. Stevie and Madison yawned when the blonde, supermodel clone of a love interest was wedged into the story shortly after the testosterone-filled opening.

When all hope was lost with regard to the film, Stevie looked over and saw Jeron and Natasha still engaged. He then looked at Madison.

Is she always like that? he asked.

Is he? Madison replied.

I guess theyre perfect for each other.

I know.

You dont have to go along with whats happening over there, Stevie said with a nod down the aisle. I didnt come out tonight to get laid.

Whats the matter? You dont like me? Madison asked, feigning insecurity.

No I didnt say that, he said. Its just that I dont know you.

Who said that I wanted to make out with you?

Okay, okay, he said. Youre right. I jumped the gun. But it is kind of weird to just start making out with someone without saying a word, right?

Ive never heard a football player talk like this before.

Now it was Stevies turn to lay it on thick. He backed away from Madison and gave her the crook eye.

How many football players have you been around in a situation like this?

Madison smiled. She jabbed a thumb in the direction of Jeron and Natasha.

Well Natasha loves football players. And shes my friend. So...

Stevie waited for the rest of it because he was engaged now.

Seeing his intent on listening, Madison couldnt help but toy with his assumptions. But you want to know if Ive ever been the one with my tongue down one of your teammates throats, dont you?