Gladiators of the Gridiron

Tyrese POV

How pitiful. I don't know why this pathetic excuse for a receiver had even tried. With skills as poor as his, he had no business being on my field.

I felt ready to vomit when I saw the tears welling up in his amber eyes.

'Are you crying? You disgust me,' I spat.

I stepped over the husk of shattered hopes and dreams that I had just broken, and then I turned around and sauntered over to Darius.

I handed the ball back to him with a grin.

'It was a pleasure getting the chance to defend against passes of your calibre, thank you.'

'No worries. What was your name, kid?' he asked as he took the ball and tussled my hair.

'Tyrese Samuels, but you can just call me Ty.'

'Hah, I'm sure I'll be hearing that name in the news a lot when you grow up.'

I just continued to smile before I turned away. I walked back over to the crowd of hopeful kids and my smile dropped.

Don't condescend to me, asshole. You think you're better just cause I'm young? I could pick you off in my sleep.

As I took my place back in the crowd and watched the rest of the one-on-ones take place, a thought came to me.

Maybe I'm the one in the wrong place.

All these people surrounding me, none of them were special. The other cornerbacks were sloppy, slow, and reactionary. They didn't, no, couldn't see what the receiver would do next.

And the receivers were horrible as well. Their footwork was all over the place, they were so obvious with their routes, and there was so much unnecessary movement.

It was clear (to me at least), that I was the best player here. My only competition would've been those three collegiate players running this farce of a camp.

The day dragged on and they ran us through many other drills and exercises to show off more of our skills and attributes.

They tested our hand-eye coordination, our reflexes, our jumping abilities, our speed, agility, and catching skills.

It felt like a mini draft combine, and I relished in it whenever it was my turn to blitz the drills and exercises. Watching others partake in them was another story.

It was like torture. None could compare to my excellence. I was even better than the receivers at their drills. Everyone had to have seen it.

By the end of the day, when things were all wrapped up and the sun was fading below the horizon, the college players sent us off with some kind words.

'Congratulations on a great day, guys. You were all incredible and we're all seriously impressed with your skills. I can't wait to see what you guys can do at the college level one day, and I'm sure we might even see some of you in the big league too,' Darius lied.

I knew it was a lie, how could it not be? At least to all but one of us who was listening. I was making it to the NFL no matter what. Anyone else around me? I wasn't so sure.

As the rest of the kids reconvened with their parents or waited for cars to pick them up, I made my way over to Harry as he and his teammates spoke with some of the people that had helped set things up for today.

'Excuse me, I just wanted to thank you all for the wonderful day.'

'Oh, no worries li'l dude, I'm glad you had fun. It was… Tyrone wasn't it?' TJ spoke up first.

I ground my teeth together, trying to hide my annoyance as I looked at him and said, 'Actually, it's Tyrese. Was nice meeting you too, CJ.'

The others laughed a bit and Darius placed a hand on my shoulder gently.

'Of course, don't mind him. He's a bit of an airhead, especially when it comes to names. What did you need, Ty?'

'Well, actually, I wanted to ask if we could do a one-on-one. Me and Harry,' I said as I turned my gaze to him.

'Training camps over, kid. Aren't your parents waiting for you?' Harry said.

'It's fine. They're not here yet. Besides, it'll be quick, just three tries, right? I promise you won't be able to complete a single pass.'

They laughed more; I ground my teeth harder, still trying to keep a straight face.

'Okay, buddy. That's a good joke, but come on, it's been a long day, run home now,' Harry dismissed me.

'Scared you'll get shown up by a middle schooler?'

They all shared a look with each other before Harry sighed and shook his head.

'Just one time. Then that's it, you quit bugging us and go home after this,' he offered.

It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do.

'Fine. It's a deal. You still won't catch it.'

Harry rolled his eyes and walked back over to the field.

'Oh, I think I like this kid. Hah! Can definitely tell he's a DB with this kinda trash talk,' TJ laughed.

'You sure you wanna do this?' Darius asked me as I marched over to line up opposite Harry.

'There's nothing I'd rather do.'

'Ball,' Darius demanded as he stood at the centre of the field.

One of the helpers quickly fulfilled his request.

I stared up at Harry as he limbered up in front of me. It put a smile on my face to see he was taking things seriously.

He needs to. This would be too easy if he took me lightly.

'Don't need to go over the route with each other?' I asked.

'Nah. When you get to the level of chemistry Dee and I have, you don't need to talk about that kind of stuff.'

My eyes narrowed as I got in my stance, pressing up close to him.

Electricity was in the air and I was filled with a sense of anticipation for the duel to come. It was greater than any feeling there was earlier in the day, even when TJ and Harry were lined up against one another.

'Hut!'

I jumped back, giving Harry a bit of space as I watched his hips.

He hopped forward and stutter-stepped before going to his left.

I reached a hand out and placed it against his hip, keeping track of him with my body as I followed by his side.

I was on him, right where I needed to be, I had him right where I wanted.

He lowered his shoulder into me to get more separation.

I stood firm and wouldn't let him push me around.

He cut inside! My feet hurried to keep up with him.

No! It's a curl! I stopped and jumped to cut off the route.

My heart dropped. It was a Stop 'N' Go. I desperately turned to sprint upfield so as to not fall behind, but that's when I noticed…

I had lost him. Or more correctly, he had lost me. I didn't have even a finger on him, and he wasn't ahead of me.

I looked back, it had been a curl route all along.

A triple move?

I fell flat on my face and skidded along the grass as he caught the ball at his chest.

I lay there, panting into the dirt as I tried to understand what had just happened.

I swear, it was a go route… how?!

'You alright?' Harry said.

I turned over onto my back and looked up at the hand he offered me. I ignored it and got up on my own, dusting myself up.

'Hey, it was a nice try. But I hope you understand the gap between you and the next level better now. Keep practising, buddy.' He patted me on the head.

I stormed off and left the school grounds completely, stomping down the pavement until I came to the bus stop.

The gap between me and the next level? But… I couldn't even keep track of him when I tried. How is that possible?

I was still breathing erratically as I looked down at myself.

It looked so simple when TJ was guarding him. Just like anyone else. Why couldn't I do that?

On the bus ride home, I realised something. The stars of college who were destined for the NFL were monsters. But I would just have to become a monster myself.

***

It was dark by the time I got home in Compton.

But no one seemed to notice as I stepped into that shitty, yellow, leaky, overcrowded, three-bedroom house.

My dad was passed out in front of the TV, reeking of alcohol. Mom was nowhere to be found, probably out with her other man.

My older brother and sister weren't home either, out partying with friends like usual. The two youngest boys were running amuck and playfighting, tiny kids with loads of energy and no supervision.

Then there was the middle sister, she was in the girls' room, studying diligently. She wanted to follow in the footsteps of our eldest sibling and get into a respectable college off the back of her brain.

At least someone else was aware enough to actually have a plan to get out of this shithole.

I checked the fridge.

How old is that spaghetti? Fuck it.

After a couple of minutes in the microwave, I had a bowl ready to eat. I took it straight to my room and shut the door.

There were usually four of us in this cramped room, so it was rare to have it to myself as I did now.

As I ate, my attention was focused on the flier I pulled from underneath my pillow, reading the same line over and over.

"School football tryouts, July 10th, 1 PM"

Tomorrow, my high school career would begin.