The Life of Levi Rupp: Part 3

Levi began making his way to a fresh week at school, walking with his practice bag slung over his shoulder and his book bag hanging in front of him as he began walking the few blocks to get to campus. Levi left before his alarm ever went off, he wanted to get to the locker room early to drop off his gear and get a morning workout in as well. The gym doors were locked, and it appeared that Levi had arrived before Coach Peters did, when he saw headlights beaming from behind him. “Levi?” Coach asked from his car door, “Coach!” Levi waved at Coach Peters who was amazed and probably confused to see him there so early. “What are you doing here so early?” “Well, I wanted to drop off my gear to my locker and get a morning workout in.” “A morning workout?” “Yeah, if that’s okay?” “You know we have practice everyday after school right?” “Yes?” Coach shrugged and opened the gym, flicking the lights on. “Don’t be late to your first period. I will not vouch for you.” “You got it, Coach.”

Levi was the only one in the gym and was able to get a solid workout in before classes began. After cleaning up, Levi grabbed his book bag and began to class when he ran into Malcolm, “Levi! Where have you been?!” “I was working out, why?” “You were what?” “I went to the gym this morning. Why were you looking for me?” “I just worried, ever since the whole Silas thing…” “Malcolm, listen, thank you but I’m a big boy okay.” “I know, but you’re a brother, I’m just looking out for you is all.” “Well, thank you Malcolm, now we got to get to class, Coach will hunt me down if I’m late.” Laughing, we headed into the classroom. As the bell rang, I was surprised to see Silas never showed up, maybe he was absent today? While Ms. Grey was instructing and writing on the whiteboard, I noticed a girl from the corner of my eye. She sat in the row ahead of me all the way to my right, against the wall. She had beautiful brunette hair, wavy curls styled to frame her face naturally. Catching her eyes, like that of an innocent doe, they were caramel colored like a candy apple, I smiled as she glanced away and then back to me. Malcolm, couldn’t help but notice and punched my arm, “Ow!” I breathed quietly to not disturb Ms. Grey’s lecture and draw attention to myself. Malcolm grinned and winked at me, with a nod of approval. I just laughed and shook my head, glancing back to the girl, who was trying to cover a laugh and was now focused on taking notes. The bell rang, and I chased after her ignoring everyone else. “Hey!” Thankfully she turned around and smiled, “Mila. I’m Mila.” “Levi…” She turned back to walk away with a beaming smile and I was just in awe watching her, until I realized she was in fact walking away and I wanted to keep talking to her. “Hey! Wait up!” She giggled as I ran to catch up, “Levi, your next class is across campus.” “Yeah, wait…how do you know that?” “You mentioned it before, well indirectly you were talking to your friend.” “Oh…yeah, well, I can walk you to your class.” “Thanks Levi, but Coach will have your head.” She laughed and left me standing there in awe, as she giggled and glanced back once more and waved at me. How does she know that? She’s right…but how? Snapping out of her spell with the sound of the warning bell, I realized I still had to cross the whole campus! Sprinting I barely made it to class on time sitting as the final bell rang. “My my, running a little behind schedule are we?” My Trigonometry teacher started jokingly as I came in breathless. “Sorry sir…” “No need to explain Levi, take your seat.” Getting my books and spiral out, I heard the door open to the classroom, interrupting Mr. Baxter from his introduction of the lesson. “Sorry I’m late, I had a bit of a schedule change.” It was Silas! Why is he suddenly in my trigonometry class? “Silas…you’re a little behind the curve for this course as we are already a week into this lesson, think you’ll manage?” “Of course Mr. Baxter, I always come out on top.” Silas noted as he stared directly at me. My body boiling with sudden anger, it was a threat, I just wasn’t sure where he was coming from with it. “Good, good! Levi has an empty seat next to him, take that spot, and with you both being on the football team, I’m sure you’ll be caught up in no time. “Don’t worry Mr. Baxter, I’ll make sure he’s squared away.” I said trying to be as convincingly nice as possible to avoid the tension between Silas and I. “Perfect.” Silas whispered, and annoyingly smiled as he plopped into the seat next to me. The hour couldn’t pass soon enough, and I bolted the moment the bell rang. “What’s the rush?!” Silas called after me, running to match my stride. “Since when do you want to be in trigonometry?” “Since now.” “Oh, so annoying me had nothing to do with it?” Silas couldn’t help but laugh and smile, grabbing my broad shoulder and spinning me to face him. “You are my project now. I am going to make sure Coach sees you for what you are, nothing but a sob story about who almost made it.” My teeth grinding against one another, my fists clenched and my eyes never leaving his, “Remember that.” Silas whispered with a smug look on his face as he released my shoulder and made his way to his next class. This is going to be an interesting season, Levi thought to himself.

Finally, the day was over, Levi and the team were dressed out and already in the middle of warm-ups as Coach blew his whistle to signal the drills, a few moments later, Coach gave the whistle blast for a water break and Levi pulled Malcolm to the side to mention his encounter with Silas, who was oddly quiet at the benches. “Malcolm, Silas is going to try to sabotage everything. We need to bring this up to Coach.” “Levi, Silas is just trying to get underneath your skin, he’s just jealous you took the QB spot from him.” “I’m not so sure.” “Trust me man, it’s simple jealousy, just ignore him and play the best call.” Unable to get through to Malcolm, I nodded, took in some water as Coaches separated us by position to get independent work and play calling. The practice was long and tiring, and Levi wasn’t sure if he knew he had some of the muscles he had been feeling. Gathering his gear and book bag, he met up with Malcolm outside of the gym who was with some of the other players in a huddle as they were talking to some of the girls from the cheer squad. “Malcolm, you ready?” I asked with a playful smile, “Ah, Levi, your girl’s been waiting on you!” My girl? “Mila right?” Mila was laughing at Malcolm but her eyes were glued to mine as I approached the boys “Mila…” “Levi.” “What are you doing here?” “I was just finishing practice, and thought we’d come to wish you and the team a great start to the season. “Well, thank you. You too, I mean, you’ll know you’ll be cheering us on to greatness!” I laughed with a bit of anxiety in my voice. Mila couldn’t help but laugh at me, “Yes, we’ll be at every game!” “Great! See you then.” “I’ll see ya around Levi, and don’t be late to trigonometry tomorrow.” She said with a wave as she turned to leave with her teammates. “I won’t!” Wait, she’s not in my trigonometry class? How did she know I was almost late? “Wow.” My train of thought was broken as Malcolm and the boys started ragging on me, “Shut up!” I said laughing along with them, “Come on Levi, let’s get some food and get you home before you fall victim to the love bug!” “I think he already has Mal!” One of the boys shouted after us as we loaded up the car.

“She’s a ten bro!” Malcolm began as we started driving home. “Yeah, she’s pretty.” “Bro, ask her out!” “Ask her out?” “Yeah! Like on a date!” “Mal…” “She likes you dude! Why not?” “I don’t even know where to take her?” “A park, a movie, a coffee?” “And how am I going to do that? I don’t have a car, I can’t afford one.” “You have a car.” “What? No…” Malcolm glanced over at me, smirking and looking between me and the hood of his car. “Bro, no I can’t use your car?” “Why not?” “For starters I don’t have a license! It’s illegal!” “Bro, I can drive!” “That’s romantic.” “Bro, I mean we could do a double date! Her friend is HOT!” “Her friend?” “Yeah, while you were drooling over Mila, I was getting to know Brook.” “Oh, well…yeah…Brook.” “So?” “So what?” “Are you down for a double date?!” “Oh, um…yeah, I mean if Mila or if they’re both down. Sure.” Malcolm began laughing uncontrollably, “Wow bro, you are sick in love with her!” I couldn’t respond, I could only smile, “Maybe…” I never really knew what love felt like or should feel like, so I wasn’t sure if this was normal, but I did know that Malcolm was right about me wanting to ask Mila out.

That night, I couldn’t focus on any of my homework, I was only focused on one thing. Mila. I already planned out my outfit for tomorrow, my nicest pair of jeans and a polo, my cleanest pair of sneakers to match. And then dazed in fantasies as my head rested on my pillow lulling myself to sleep with the sound of Mila’s voice reminding me to not be late to class. Levi woke up before his alarm again, eager to style his hair and get ready for today. It was a big day for both him and Malcolm as they were going to plan to ask out the girls tonight after practice, since Levi didn’t have to work until tomorrow night. Levi heard the honking horn of Malcolm out front, and he quickly loaded up the car and they headed off to school. “Trying to dress to impress Levi?” Malcolm chuckled as we parked at the school. “Let’s go find our girls!” Malcolm and I began walking up the steps from the student parking lot and we saw Mila and Brook sitting on a bench with some of the other girls from the squad across the commons. Malcolm gently pressed his hand to my chest, “We need a plan.” “A plan?” “Yes, Levi, a plan. We are asking the two hottest girls on campus out. Where are we taking them?” “I don’t know, you’re the one with the car.” “Right…” As we stood trying to quietly banter about how and where, we were interrupted by the sound of Mila and Brook, and of course the other cheer girls. “Morning boys!” Brook started, “Mila… you look beautiful.” I said fighting for air as I spoke. “Thanks, you look sharp today, any reason why?” “Yeah, Malcolm, you look good too!” Brook piped in with Mila, “Well, actually…” “What are you two doing after practice tonight?” Malcolm jumped in, probably seizing the moment. “Oh, Mila and I don’t have anything planned, do we Mila?” “Nope, completely free.” They were both smiling broadly and swaying back and forth awaiting our next move. “Well, then you’d both like to come hang out with us tonight at the bowling alley?” I blurted out, never once asking Malcolm if he even bowls, I couldn’t even remember the last time I went bowling! “Bowling? Hmm… I’m open Brook, what about you?” “It’s a date then?” Brook asked, looking between Malcolm and I, “Yeah, a double date.” Malcolm said calmly, “I’ll drive!” “See ya after practice Malcolm, Levi.” Brook said, as Mila waved at me and the girls walked away giggling and whispering excitedly back and forth to one another. “Bro!” Malcolm raised his hand for a high-five! With a slap of our hands, I met him with a smile. “We have to get done with practice on time!” I stated. “Say less!” Malcolm replied in agreement.

Stay tuned for Part 4!