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Ah Friday. Game day. And everyone is wound up. No one is paying attention in class. The football team has their eyes on the game, the color guard and band are focusing on their performance, the cheerleaders are hanging around the football team, the popular kids are wondering who they're going to see at the game, and the rest are trying to figure out how to find a quiet space to concentrate on their homework and get out as early as possible.

I didn't see Aden or Bruce in English this morning, not that it surprised me. There was something about a pre-game meeting the coach had. He was caught up on homework and would only have to make up the in-class assignment. It was a whole five points. Hardly anything.

The rest of my classes went smooth. I had track practice today_before_ the game. Huh. That will work out well. I had asked mom about going to the game after practice. She had agreed. Her. Yes. Mom agreed. Dad had looked like he was going to protest, but that didn't last long. We all know who wears the pleated skirt and hands out the blueberry muffins to guests in our family.

I thought about that for a minute. I had only been to the camp this last summer. Right after I got out, dad had transferred to this voting precinct to support the local senator. It was on the other side of town. The main reason I'd been on lockdown was everything that happened after the issue with JROC. Then I went to the summer camp.

I realized for the first time since JROTC I felt fine. I really did. I had a good school, a good life, and some good friends.

I had to admit some of the Herd were beginning to be good friends. Especially Melissa once I got her hooks sigted on the young bull in her math class.

So now its time for lunch.

The cafeteria is packed. It's going to empty pretty quickly. Most people will be going back outside on a day like today, or sneaking out early. I took my pack, my bag, and sat down near Jake.

The equine gave me a nervous grin. I smiled at him. Remembering my 'equine' I sighed and began eating.

He scooted closer.

I glanced around. Melissa was sitting over with the bull. Her arm around his waist. Andrew and Tracy were no where to be found.

"Um....hi."

Hrm...interesting.

"Hey Jake."

I noticed he ducked his head deeply before looking me in the eye.

Uh oh....not good. Something has him worked up

"Dex....can....can I ask you something?"

I kept my face impassive. I hated doing that to some of these guys, but well, the leader is strong right? A stallion. I may be human but I think I can do this.

"Whats on your mind co...Jake?"

Fuck....this is not Aden....remember that

"Well....you know Tracy and Andrew....."

I looked him in the eye. I nodded.

He sighed.

Where the hell is Aden? Right. Game day. Another lecture or practice. It is the first one of the year right?

I was on my own.

I smiled a little. Very lightly, with my lips only.

His almost whispered.

"what do I do?"

I stared at him. He was very uncomfortable.

I was a little confused. I didn't get what he was talking about.

"What do you mean?"

He reached out with his thick four fingered hand and just barely touched my arm....

"What do I do about Andrew?"

The full force of his meaning hit me. I let my face go blank as I thought furiously.

Fuck! I assumed Aden had talked to him yesterday....maybe he did....this....I didn't expect this from the huge bay!

**

Ok Dex. Deep slow breaths. Aden isn't here. You can do this. You have to be strong. Don't panic. It's ok...he needs your help.

**

I sighed and looked at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Did you talk to Andrew about this?"

Jake shook his head an emphatic no, his blond mane whipping around sharply.

"Then whats the problem? It seems to me the problem is between you and Andrew. I have nothing to do with it. You need to talk to him. If he responds kindly, well you have your answer. If not....well..."

Jake looked panicky.

"Why aren't you with the team?"

He sighed.

"Not on the first string team right now. New guy in class. He bested me during practice. I'm just a third string player now."

Great....another broken colt.

I leaned in and patted him on the shoulder.

"Listen Jake, you are no slouch. You need to step up ok? Equines stick together right? Maybe you should bring this up with Aden?"

Jake got a faraway look then. "Hrm.....right....second in command...."

I couldn't have stopped myself for a million dollars. The whisper left my lips with no warning or filter.

"What do you mean..."

He was still staring off thinking...

"Well I mean obviously you're the stallion-leader so....yes....I'll talk to Aden."

He got up still very introspective and muttering to himself.

I had taken a drink of before he responded. When he said "Stallion." I about choked. It was all I could do to swallow the milk

I groaned under my breath.

"Oh fuck me...."

**

I finally found Aden in PE. He was already out sitting by the practice field. The rest of us did our warm ups, our run, and then joined him. I made certain I drifted near him. I muttered to him as quietly as I could.

"We need to talk. Somewhere private. Not the spot. Bleachers for the game right?"

He nodded.

"I know..west field, we'll just wander over there."

I hadn't played football in years. This wasn't tackle football, no we get to do flag football. There was a box of flag belts next to the coach. I was not surprised when Mr. Wilke stepped up. "Mr. O'Brien here will be our stand in quarterback. Cory, you're the other team's quarter back. Ok the folowing people on each team. Yellow....."

I choked. It was actually the first time I realized Aden's last name as O'Brien. I nodded to myself. It had a nice ring to it.

I got picked Blue. Aden's team. Cory looked hurt. I just shrugged. Our team gathered around Aden.

"Ok, so who has played football before?"

Half the team raised their hands including me.

"Ok...Taylor, Jeffries, take center......"

Aden droned on. I could only think about what happened at lunch. Finally I realized he was talking to me.

"Dex.....wide receiver ok?"

I just nodded. This was his game after all.

We were up as offense first. The other team kicked the ball. We were way inside our lines near the 20.

That's when the play started. I listened for the calls.

There!

I heard the code word and shot around the other line, instead of through it. I sprinted deep into the other team's lines. I turned. For a second nothing, then I spied the ball coming near me......

_Fuck!_I bolted to where I thought it would land. I found the spot and it landed in my arms almost gently.

For a second I slowed down, then I saw the mob heading for me.

FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT......

I was not sticking around. I sprinted for the goal.

My first touchdown.

**

I admit I thought he might be a good reciever. I didn't expect him to be cunning too. I should have thought of him better than that. He bolted around the players? Then he put himself right where no one was.

No one else open I hurled the ball with all my might. I know I'm not the best when it comes to accuracy, but I have a great arm. I watched it spiral for him as someone snagged both flags off of my belt. I just grinned.

He compensated for my clumsiness and caught the ball. I saw the group from the other team run for him. He only paused for a second. Right after that he just flew down the field.

Yes.....

ITold you I'm good at sports....

**

I stood there panting for a minute not really realizing what had just happened. Not only did I get around the players, not only did I catch the ball, I made a touch down? Me? I stared dumbly at the ball.

Mr. Wilke pounded up.....

"Kingsburry!!!"

I looked over trying to make my mouth work...

"What the hell?"

"I - I'm sorry Mr. Wilke, I'll be faster next time."

His eyes went wide before he dismissed my statement.

"No you idiot, why didn't you try out for the team!?"

**

It had taken a while to talk it out with the coach. Unfortunately for this year there was only a slight chance of me getting on the team. They had just about locked down the sport, and it was already a couple of weeks into the year. I didn't really know if that was what I wanted either. I liked to run, I didn't like to get hit. The flattery was nice though. I nodded when he said he would see if there was anything he could do to get me into tryouts as a transfer.

I still had practice this afternoon.

All in all I found it fun. I made a few more touch downs. We won 21-7. I didn't care, it was just fun. Soon we were all jogging to the showers. I was not surprised to see a bunch of the class run off. Eager to go. They'd be stinky and sweaty when they got home, but then they had their own showers there. I had an hour or two to kill and I planned on spending that time as clean as possible talking to Aden about Jake.

I found Aden in the shower already as usual. He was soaping himself up. I wrinkled my nose at the smell.

"Dude...."

He looked confused. I handed him the bottle I brought.

He looked at the bottle for a second.

"For shiny coats?"

I nodded. I'd picked it up on my way to school this morning at a corner store that catered to furs. If I had to spend a lot of time near him, he did not have to smell like a rose garden.

As he washed I found the smell pleasant. It was a spicy scent. He seemed to enjoy it too. I caught the sight of his nostrils flaring once in a while as he inhaled. He lowered to half mast.

I could only chuckle.

**

Soon I was dressed and lounging outside of the locker room. He had a break for a bit before he would have to join up with the team. I had to go meet the track team anyway on the secondary course near the East Field..

I heard his welcoming nicker as I stood browsing the web on my phone.

"I thought so."

For once he had me at the verbal disadvantage.

I looked at him and cocked my head.

"I picked you for a receiver." He elbowed me.

"Funny joke." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm serious....you're fast, smart, and agile as fuck. We need that on the team."

We began walking around the school grounds heading to the edge of West Field.

"About that..."

**

Dex didn't look too happy. I don't think it had anything to do with me, but I wasn't sure. I dropped my voice as low and as quietly as I could.

"What?'

"Jake...did you know? I mean....Andrew?"

I sighed.

"Fuck....I forgot. We had all that other crap to deal with. Yesterday he basically almost outed himself to me about Andrew, and I told him he'd find someone someday."

Dex sighed. He looked a little pained.

"Well....lets just say he outed himself to me today....."

I worked my mouth for a second or two.

This is getting to be a habit. This is sure a year for surprises!

"Are you sure?"

Dex shot me a look. "Well if you mean outing by Jake, you know, the big hulking bay, admitting that he was upset that Andrew was hooking up with Tracy, another bay by the way, and begging for advice as to what to do? I would say yes he outed himself to me."

I shook my mane at that. "Hoo boy......that puts a nail in the shoe doesn't it."

I felt the slap to my shoulder.

"This is serious!" Dex looked very nervous.

"Why?" I hissed back. He was looking very nervous, and what is it, embarrassed?

I think so....

Dex's voice was all but a whisper. "After he did that I told him it was out of my hands and he should go seek you out for advice.....then he got this faraway thoughtful look. I've seen him do it before when he's really thinking hard but not listening to himself or anyone else....."

Aden took a big breath. His eyes widened.

I repeated the words as best as I could.

"He said 'right the second in command'...and then....I asked him what he meant."

I stopped short.

"Aden?"

I had stopped walking. I glanced around we were in the middle of the far corner of West Field. There was nothing here, just grass. The road was a good hundred yards away.

"Uhhh....he said that?"

Dex looked mad.

**

"Fucking hell Aden, YES he said it!"

I was almost shouting. I was in a bit of shock really.

"Then he said something like that was right since I was the stallion-leader."

"Oh....."

Aden looked far away.

"Fuck Aden!"

Suddenly Aden was near me gripping my shoulders.

"You know he got booted from the team right?"

He looked concerned.

"Yes....he told me." I scowled. God I have really stepped into it. I should have realized this might happen. Fuck!

"Look Dex. You've been training me, you've been strong. I appreciate that. I know I have a lot more to learn. I've read that book about twenty times. Listen. Don't back down. For Gods sake just keep strong. Don't let the name embarrass you. Fuck....you are a fucking leader damnit!"

He looked at me square in the eye.

"Dex. You took it on yourself to help me. Own the position. I'm not the only equine in your herd. I may be second in command...."

He dropped his voice a little.

"You're mare....."

He picked his voice back up

"but you....You are the leader. Fuck. You may have had good intentions to just get things fixed and move on but dammit this is serious. I think he really needs us. You do realize he was bottom of the rung right? The lowest rank?"

He stared into my eyes.

I nodded. It all clicked into place in that one second.

Of course Aden would know what that was like...I put him there for his training to build him back up.

I let my breath out. I rubbed my face.

Aden gripped my shoulders tightly. I realized for the first time he was rising to the challenge as a leader of the group. A real leader, not someone who just dominated because he could.

"Oh shit." I breathed.

Aden's eyes shone with deep emotion at that.

"Yes.....and......he got booted from the team. He feels threatened about being possibly kicked from the herd. Who do you think he's going to go after?"

The answer hit me.

"Oh fucking hell.....Andrew....."

I sighed.

The only hope I had was that the colt was going to come to talk to Aden like he said he would.