| Hosted by: Live Above the Influence
Chapter one: Remorse
Cold. So cold. I opened my eyes. Everything around me was blurry and spinning faster then normal. My face was plastered to the white linoleum floor. The aroma of vomit filled the air all around me. It felt like a heard of elephants trampled on my head over and over again. Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz. My vibrating pants scared the living daylights out of me. It took me a minute to realize that it was just my phone. I received a text message from Stark:
Hope u can make it 2 practice or
Ur off da team."
I leaned most of my body weight on the wall and, with one hand, washed my face. Cold water always seemed to just wash away my headache away. Even if only for a brief moment. I then brushed my teeth long and hard. The acid, from puking, burned the back of my throat and nose. I hate that so much. I grabbed a piece of gum from my pocket. It was Big Red. I let the wrapper fall through my fingers onto the floor. My mother would pick it up later. Then I rummaged through the medicine cabinet. There was nothing good in it. None of it would take the edge off my headache. I hastily closed the cabinet door. I stared into the mirror. It’s like I didn’t know the dude starring back at me. His jet black hair was array. His once bright green eyes are now weary, lifeless, and blood shot. I quickly dropped my gaze. I'm still the same Kriss just a little…hung over that’s all. I stumbled into my room and grabbed my wrestling bag and sunglasses. My truck keys were pressed hard into my thigh from the way I was laying. That will leave an interesting black and blue mark, I thought to myself. Next time I'll remember to take them out before I pass out on the floor. I made it all the way downstairs without falling. That was a first. My eyes burned when I opened the front door, snow made everything so much more brighter. Note to self get better sun glasses before next party.
“BURKLEY!” Coach hollered across the gym.
“I QUIT!” I screamed, panicking. I was never good under pressure. My headache started to pick up again, I felt like I was going to faint or puke or both. My world as I knew it is crashing down around me. Everyone was staring at me with their beady little eyes.
Coach yelled at them to get back to practice. He swiftly moved toward me. For being such a big man with muscles on his muscles, he sure did move with a lot of grace. His long, ice cold fingers wrapped around my shoulders. I backed up into the door and into the hall. My legs felt as if toddlers were holding onto them. If coach had not pushed me, I would not have been able to move. My throat got real dry and started closing up. The look he was giving me made me want to die. I hated disappointing the coach. He was more of a father to me than my real father is.
“What is it my son,” he spoke softly. “Is it a girl? Your family? You know you can tell me anything.”
It felt like someone pimp slapped me across the face. Coach wasn’t mad but concerned. Hadn’t he noticed I was hung over?
I must have looked like a deer in head lights because again he said, “You can tell me anything.”
My mind left the building. My heart was beating a mile a minute. I coughed again. Coach narrowed his eyes. He must have smelt the alcohol on my breath. I fumbled with my bag grabbing my uniform.
“I quit.” My voice cracked. Girls behind me giggled.
I went to hand coach my uniform but he would not take it, so I let it drop to the floor. I started to walk away when one of the girls caught my eye. She wasn’t laughing with the rest. I have never seen her before, either. She was new and in my grade because she was hanging out with Sara, Stark’s girlfriend. Sara was a bouncy blonde. She is average height with big brown eyes and pin straight hair. But she looked like just another star in the night sky compared to this new girl.
She is tall like a basketball player but has muscles. Not “OMG that chick looks like a man!!” muscles but “OMG that’s hot!!” muscles. Her eyes are a brilliant blue that expressed remorse for me. Like she could see right through me. Chills ran down my spine. She had a volleyball tan. I wondered of it was real or not. Her nails weren’t done and she wasn’t wearing any make up so she didn’t seem all that preppy. She was wearing sweat pants and a sweat shirt, she has to be an athlete. Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun. It was blonde like Sara’s. I snapped my head away quickly. It felt like I was in a trance. Once I hit a hallway when I knew that they couldn’t see me I full out sprinted to my truck. When I finally got there I puked and went into another coughing fit. I didn’t know there was anything left in me to puke. I really regret doing that pot last night, too. Worst idea EVER! I crawled into my truck and passed out.
Chapter 2: Shiloh
News spreads like wild fire in high school. Everyone knew I quit wrestling before the end of first block, but no one knew the reason why. I sometimes even wondered why I did it but it is all behind me now. I walked into science bio just before the bell rang, taking my normal seat in the back corner of the room. Bio was so easy for me that I was the only student without a partner. It was nice having an entire lab table to myself. Then she walked in. Her blonde hair flowing in the wind, well the wind from the fan. It was curly. My heart started to race. My mind went numb. I thought football made my heart tick but nooo. There was something truly special about this girl. Mr. Berkley pointed at me. I wish my heart would not be hammering so hard that I could not hear. Oh my god she is walking toward me. Then my brain clicked. She was MY new lab partner. I scooted more toward the left to give her room. She smiled at and sat down. Her teeth are so white and perfectly straight.
“I’m Shiloh,” she said.
My heart melted. I didn’t know if I could speak. My voice might crack again. That would be so embarrassing. Thankful the teacher went on with his lesson. I acted like a “good” student and remained quiet even though I never heard a word he said.
At the end of class Mr. Berkley gave us five minutes to ourselves because we were so well behaved. Any other day that would have been awesome. I would now have to speak to her, Shiloh. Shiloh, that was a civil war battle that General Grant won. I’m pretty sure it was the bloodiest one day battle of the war. I always found that funny because Shiloh means place of peace.
“So, Mr. Berkley seems like a pretty chill teacher.” She was trying to make small talk.
I replied, “yea.”
A few minutes went by before she spoke again. “You’re Kriss, right? The wrestler?”
I laughed. “What happened to your small talk. Shouldn’t have you asked ’bout the weather or something?”
Her laughter was sweet like honey suckles on a warm summer night. She even smelled like flowers.
“Yeah I suppose,” she paused. “You’re the guy everyone is talking about. Why did you really quit wrestling. Sara said that you were hung over yesterday and you were going loco. Or that it is effecting your parting. I heard you were the best athlete before you started doing drugs….that’s a shame.”
Anger heated up my face and turned it red. I just starred at her. How can someone be so prude?!
She looked away as she said, “I’m sorry.”
The bell rang. I flew up out of my seat and out of the room. People pushed themselves up against lockers to stay out of my way as I stomped through the hall. I went into our café. Sitting in the second row of tables was Stark. He had his arm around Sara. Seeing them together made me sick. Stark has big brown puppy dog eyes. He is muscular like me. His brown hair is long but still looked nice. His family is loaded with money. He always wears designer clothes and he even owns a Porch. He is not stuck up or snobby like you would think. Sara is the snobby one. Stark and I have been close friends since we were little kids. My anger dissipated. He looked up at me. Sara did the same. I sat down across from them. Stark asked, “What’s up?”
I gave Sara a dirty look. “It seems like she has a problem keeping her month shut.”
“Awww. I’m sorry the whole school knows you’re a druggy.” She hissed.
“Sara!” Stark exclaimed. “Sara be nice to Kriss he’s my best friend and always will be. But Kriss you gotta stop your partying, please.” Still talking to Sara I said, “Shiloh.”
“Always about the girls, huh? I already told her to stay away from you. Your not her type. Leave her alone!”
“No.” I got up and want to look for Shiloh.
There was something about Shiloh that made her so different from any other girl. She was special. She is love at first sight. I had to talk to her at least one more time.
She was sitting under the old oak tree on the grass. All the other girls wanted to throw out or something because they weren’t there. I took this as my chance to talk to her alone. She looked up at me. Her eyes held remorse for me like the first day we met.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” I started. “I shouldn’t have taken out my frustration out on you.”
“I know who you are and what you do, but I still want to be friends. There is something unique about you. Plus my mom always said never base you opinion on other people’s opinions.”
“What ‘bout your father?”
“He’s in Colorado. In the army. There is a base out there. When he was a teenager he somehow got into meth till he met my mom. But it was too late.” She looked down at the apple in her hand. She was turning it around with her fingers. “His parents found out and sent him to a military school.” I was intrigued. “What happened with your parents?”
She looked up at me. “They love each other so much that somehow they made it work. Maybe that’s why I hang out with the “wrong crowd”. I always see the good in people. I help them change for the better.”
“Your like an angel,” I whispered not meaning for it to be said out loud. “Ahem.” Elizabeth glared down at me. “Go away you mutt.”
I knew that meant my time was up with Shiloh, but her words stuck themselves into my brain. I used to be the best football, wrestler, and baseball player this school has seen in years. My football coach said I could make the NFL if I set my heart to it. But now? Well, I’m nothing. I party too hard. I gained weight from drinking beer and pot killed my lungs. And for what? Just to have some fun? Maybe it was time for a change.
Chapter3: NO!
I have been sober for an entire month now. Shiloh promised to date me if I changed for the better. She is so special to me, I can’t even begin to think of my life without her. We talk so much. Every weekend I would go to her house. She would make me do my homework and study before we went somewhere to hang out. Her mom is just as sweet as Shiloh. She would even help me with my homework if I got stuck.” “Today report cards are going home and you MUST get them signed,” Mrs. Billig was saying. “Kriss, can I speak to you?” Oh god. I brought my grades up, I know I did. In even started doing my homework. My hand got clammy as I got up and walked to her desk. The bell rang. “Class is dismissed.” Mrs. Billig announced as if we didn’t hear it or know. After everyone left she shut the door and sat down. “What do you want?” It came out more harsh than I intended it, too.
Mrs. Billig just smiled. “I have noticed your grades have been improving, with the help of a certain young lady. I just wanted to let you know that you are no longer on probation in math class. I heard baseball tryouts are right around the corner.” She winked at me. “Really?” I’ve always been on probation for my awful grades.
She replied, “Yes, now you should go. I don’t want you to miss too much science.” As I walked into science, I was still in shock. The rest of the day flew by till the last half an hour of my last class. I was dieing to tell Shiloh my good news. She would be so happy for me. Also, I could get papers to try out for baseball. Baseball. Stark would be so happy to hear his best pitcher was back. I’m so out of shape. I hadn’t done a good workout since last year. When my last class was over, I met up with Shiloh outside. The way the sunlight shone on her made her look even more like an angel with her golden hair. Any day now she might just grow wings.
She weaved her fingers with mine. We walked without talking toward that old oak tree. Today we are going to do our homework then I’m going to take her out to eat at Subway. She hates fast food but Subway was her exception.
“Hey Krisssss!” Brandi, my ex-girlfriend, said. “Come take a hit of this.” She weaved the cigar in her hand. A part of me wanted to try it so bad but the other half knew it was wrong. Like I said before I’m awful under pressure. But Shiloh just squeezed my hand encouraging me to do the right thing. I took a deep breath. “Those days are over, babe. Go get a new boyfriend.” Brandi gave Shiloh the worst look ever. “Oh, come on! Jusssst dump that hoe. You and Iiii both you know you wannnnna try thissss.” “I said, NO BRANDI! You can’t even talk straight.” “Come onnn!” She kept prodding.
“No.” I just walked away. “That’s my past. No need to relive the past.”
Shiloh smiled and like always my heart melted. “I’m so proud of you. You now live above the influence.” She kissed me on my cheek. I blushed.
Chapter 4: Tears
Shiloh and I have been dating for two years now. It’s the start of our senior year of high school. I am the best athlete again. My grades are excellent. Yale even gave me a scholarship, a full ride through school, if I play football for them. Shiloh wants to go to Harvard and major in writing but she is still not sure. She only wants to be with me.
My heart skipped a beat when I seen her sitting under our favorite tree. The one I carved our names into. She was in tears. MY chest tighten I couldn’t breath.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Sit down,” she choked. “I have really really bad news.”
I sat down next to her, draping my arm over her shoulders.
She continued, “My mom has cancer. She wants to move closer to dad.”
“But your dad is in Colorado.” I started to panic. I love Shiloh. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. She changed my entire life. If she leaves, she will be taking a huge piece of me with her.
“We are leaving in one week.” Tears were streaming down her face.
I started to cry. “What ‘bout us?”
“I don’t know. I think we’ll have to break up,” She said.
I grabbed her tight in my arms and we just cried. I kissed her on her forehead. “I never want to leave you. I love you. I will love you forever.” She replied, “I know but this is fate. You can’t change fate.”
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Kriss goes through Yale and gets signed with the NFL. He plays for the Steelers. Shiloh moved out to Colorado. Two years later her mom dies from cancer. She went to community college and got a degree in writing. She is now a famous writer at twenty six. Neither Kriss nor Shiloh feel in love with anyone else. They still stay in touch but they are both very busy.
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Chapter 5: My Angel Has Come Home
Dear Kriss,
I’m going to be in Detroit, Michigan on a writing convention. It is the same week as the super bowl . I have tickets to watch you play. I’m rooting for you. I’m hoping afterward we can catch up. If your not busy, of coarse.
xoxo,
Shiloh
I folded her letter neatly and tucked it back into my favorite pair of old faded blue jeans. I put those in my locker. My heart was pounding but not like that first day I met Shiloh. I jammed on my helmet and jogged out onto the football field with the rest of my team. Fans in black and yellow were everywhere. Everything was so loud, you couldn’t even hear yourself think. Bright stadium lights blinded you. Then the Colts jogged onto the field. Game on!
* * * * * * * * *
We won! We won the super bowl! I was so happy. I couldn’t stop smiling. All these years of hard work and training paid off. Everyone was hugging one another. Then our coach started to speak. He was the same wrestling coach I had in high school. “I would like to make out quarter back….Kriss Berkley our MVP!” He said.
A trophy and a microphone were thrust into my hands. I had to make a speech. Oh god.
“When I was a teenager,” I started. “I was a good athlete then I started partying and using drugs. But then I met an angel. Her name was Shiloh. It means place of peace and she was exactly that. She changed my entire world. She taught me how to live above the influence. To just say no. I never knew one little word had so much power. Then our senior year she had to move. We kept in tough but got really busy to ever really get back together,” I paused. “I’m hoping she’s here tonight because I have a question to ask her. I have always been awful under pressure but this will be easy. Plus, she has always helped me keep my cool. Shiloh, will you marry me?” I got down on one knee. “I’m sorry but I didn’t have time to get you a ring.” She popped out of the crown and sprinted across the field. She was wearing my hoodie I gave her our senior year. It was black and white with our school name on it. She was wearing a pair of jeans and skater shoes. Tears of joy filled her beautiful blue eyes.
“Yes!” She exclaimed.
“I love you!” I said.
“I never stopped.” She replied before I kissed her.
I pulled away and continued, “This is fate. Remember you can’t change fate.”
“I know.” She smiled. I kissed her again.
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Shiloh and Kriss later that year got married. They have four wonderful children. Two of which are adopted. They had so much money between them that they didn’t know what to do with it. They ending up opening an organization that supports sports over drugs. They not only influenced but changed the lives of thousands of kids’ lives. Everyone gets their happy ending. But always remember drugs are bad, live above the influence and always follow your heart you never know, you might just become a famous athlete one day. What will your sports story be?