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Chapter 3

FAST FORWARD TO THE JUNIOR COLLEGE YEARS...

Caoilainn

When the Warriors get into formation, I feel my pulse increase. Everyone around me is full of energy today. They love this game. Fans are showing support for their players by wearing their school colors, myself included. Some girls have even painted temporary tattoos of the team mascot on their cheeks.

Most girls in my school love the athletes. They're huge with large chest muscles, lean legs and well-cut abs. I'm used to girls fawning all over the players, even Tadhg, much to my own chagrin. Ever since he read my intention at the Yule log back in high school he's turned into a ladies' man.

Lately, though, I'm getting more and more uncomfortable at the attention the fans pay Tadhg. When we were kids it was less painful. I'd go to the games and laugh and eat snacks and have a good time or at least try to. Tadhg would always hang out with me and the guys between the halves. With us getting older, though, more and more of his time is divided and I'm not included in it. His female fans like to grab his arm on the break and drag him away for a soda. Other times he runs over strategy with another player for the upcoming half and I'm left out.

I understand, of course. It's just that lately, I've been feeling like I'm waiting for something that is never going to happen. It was bad enough in high school but now that we're in junior college it's getting impossible.

"What's happening, Caoi?" Siofra asks, breaking my train of thought with her laughter as she comes up beside me from the rear.

"Did we miss anything good?" Jenny follows up on my left smiling. "This one's for you; cherry cola. They were all out of Cracker Jacks so we got you a soft pretzel instead. Here," Jenny says handing them to me. I thank her nodding my head in response to her question while taking a sip of my drink.

"How's Fionn doing?" Siofra asks.

"A little bit," I reply to Jenny between mouthfuls. Then turning to Siofra to include her in my response, I say, "Fionn's doing really well. He even scored a few minutes ago."

As the boys on the field have at it we stand on the sidelines and watch. When Fionn has the ball his sister yells his name beside me cupping her hands around her mouth to make her voice travel further. After he passes the ball to a teammate he takes a second to throw a smile Siofra's way, and I grin at their sibling affection for one another.

From down the field, we hear another female voice cheer our team on. I look around the grass and see Pearl yelling from the sidelines on their behalf. Our friend Courtney is with Pearl. Siofra notices and calls to them to join us.

As Courtney and Pearl approach, I offer a warm smile and hug. "Hey, guys."

"Tadhg's looking good out there tonight, Caoilainn," Pearl teases me when she hugs me close. Then she leans in to whisper, "Don't worry, though, even if he gives me hot flashes I know he's all yours. Mmm. Just look at that ass."

I make a hitch in my breath and clam up. But then I relax, realizing she's just teasing me and crack up.

"Hey, listen, no worries from me. My eyes are on Fionn," she comments as Siofra whips a glance her way.

"Oh, don't get upset, Siofra," she continues catching Siofra's unguarded glare. "Fionn doesn't know that I'm drooling over him here on the sidelines. Now, Brody, however," she teases, winking at me while throwing her hand towards him, "Well, just look at him."

We all turn to see where Brody's standing and watch as he shamelessly blows Pearl a kiss before taking a sip of his Gatorade.

"Man, that boy is the devil himself," Pearl says closing her eyes in mock bliss.

Siofra squints at Pearl and then looks between Jenny and I.

Interesting.

Siofra and Pearl have been friends for a while but the two of them are nothing alike. Pearl is a good person. She's even involved in our school's pet therapy program with Jenny and Nick. There are times, though, when I question how Siofra feels about her. For some reason there seems to be a lot of unspoken tension between the two of them lately.

Pearl has a big heart but she's a bit of a player. She hasn't had a serious relationship yet. She likes to flirt and party with the gang, but I've never known her to settle down long with any one guy. Even now she's sending Brody some pretty saucy looks but just two seconds ago she was commenting about Fionn. I wonder what that's all about.

If I didn't know any better I'd say Siofra's sister radar is on notice. Pearl may be good enough to be ours friend and hang out; to have fun and laugh with. When it comes to Fionn, however, I think Siofra aims to protect his virtue. It makes me smile and I turn to hug Siofra.

"What was that for, Caoi?" she says surprised at my sudden show of affection. I plant a kiss on her forehead and step back to my place to watch the game. "Nothing. Just a little comradery between us...for our guys out on the field."

"Oh, ok," Siofra replies a little confusion evident in her response.

Damn, was that weird of me to do?

When Siofra smiles, though, I know it's ok. "They do look handsome, don't then, Caoilainn?" She laughs, grabbing my hand in hers.

I shake my head yes and turn to Jenny. "Where's Walker, Jenny? And Cian? How come they're not here?"

"I don't know, Caoi," Jenny replies wrinkling her brow at my question. "I thought they'd be here by now. I hope everything's- AH!!! Walker, put me down!"

"Oh my Gosh, Jenny," Courtney laughs. "Hey, Walker. What's up, Cian?" she asks them. We didn't even hear them come up behind us.

"Evening, Ladies," Walker replies, gently planting Jenny back on her feet. If sunshine and magic could shoot out of someone, Walker would be covered in rainbows and pixie dust right about now. Jenny's gushing radiance all over him. I suck in my lips to keep from smiling. Not to be outdone I watch Cian creep up to Siofra's side and whisper a hello in greeting.

Siofra takes a sip of her soda and smiles shyly back at him. "Hi, Cian. We were just wondering where you guys were."

"Oh, yeah?" I hear him say with a grin.

"Yeah, we thought maybe you weren't coming," she answers, looking back and forth between me and the field. "Wouldn't have been the same without you."

The corner of my mouth goes up and I shake my head. I wonder which couple will get together first; Jenny and Walker, or Siofra and Cian. I watch Tadhg toss the ball to his teammate and think; or perhaps it'll be Tadhg and I.

Don't I wish?

I look around as if the people nearby can hear my unspoken thoughts.

Then I sigh at my own ridiculousness.

Shaking my head I bring my pretzel up to my mouth and take a bite, licking my finger where some errant mustard has dripped.

Tadhg would never look at me that way. After all this time I know I'm the last person on Tadhg's mind especially with all the rugby groupies there are in this school. Why on earth would he want me?

I wish he did, though.

Then again he is my best friend. At least there's that.

When I hear a whistle blow I focus on the field, coming out of my self-imposed trance. Some minor infraction was just called and it looks like a scrum is forming. Damn. I hate these things.

Tadhg's in the front in second position. Shit. As if I've brought my worries to life they become reality. The scrum collapses and when the players get up Tadhg is still laying on the grass.

I'm running onto the field before I realize that I've taken any steps.

"Tadhg! Tadhg!" I call out. "Tadhg, are you alright?"

Fionn appears at my side. "Caoilainn, what are you doing? Come on, move back."

He pulls me to the sidelines and then runs back out. What was I thinking running onto the field like that?

I look towards them when I hear Tadhg moan, "I'm alright. I'm alright. It's all good." I watch him attempt to sit up but his eyes close and he wobbles in his position. He doesn't fall back but he looks a little green around the gills. "Shit! My head."

The coach, Brody and a sports medicine team doctor are out there and they help get Tadhg off the field.

"Caoliann, is Tadhg alright?" Jenny asks, panting as she reaches me.

"I can't believe you just ran on the field like that, Caoi," Siofra comments bending over and out of breath as I turn crimson with embarrassment.

"He'll be on the other side, come on," Courtney takes my hand. "Let's go to the locker room area and see if we can find out anything." Pearl comes up to join us and we all run off towards the field house locker area together. I don't know where Walker and Cian went but I'm too distracted to ask or care. Right now I just want to know that Tadhg is alright.

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Source for above video:
Forde, A. (2018) Rugby's greatest dominant scrums. Web Search 18 April 2020. Website: https://youtu.be/VIfD0nuocVo

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