Signing Day Page 5

  I wish Branford would have shown some interest in Calvin. Everything would be perfect then. I know I could convince him to go if he was given an offer, but I don’t even know if I’ll even get one.

  This time, our plane leaves on time, and we are back in Oahu at dawn.

  Chapter 21

  Mrs. Gibson doesn’t let us skip another day of school. She gives us time to take a shower and get dressed, but then we have to go.

  Calvin puts on his new UCC T-shirt. “Wear yours,” he says.

  “We’ll look dumb wearing the same shirt,” I respond.

  “Nah,” he says. “We’ll look like twins.”

  I laugh at this.

  “Seriously,” he says. “Wear yours too. We made it!”

  But I don’t want to wear the shirt, not until I hear back from Branford. There’s still a chance I could get an offer. So I put on the UCC shirt and then purposely spill a glass of milk all over it so that I have to change.

  At school, our teammates come up to us and slap us on the back. Louie wants to hear all about our trip. “You guys are in!” he says. “You put Regent High on the map.”

  Ty tells us he’s heard that Rain Bok might not get signed anywhere because his grades are so bad.

  “Do you know if Branford was looking at him?” I ask.

  “They were, but now they aren’t,” Ty says.

  That explains the assistant coach’s comment about a top prospect who’d turned out to be a disappointment.

  I don’t mention Branford to anyone. I didn’t even get a verbal offer, so I don’t see the point.

  At lunch Coach Kainoa comes and finds us. “Wow,” he says, approaching our table. He’s grinning. “I knew you could do it.”

  He sits down with us and asks us all about the last-chance camp and the offer they made.

  “Quarterback?” he says to me. “Really?”

  “Backup,” I say. “But if I’m not good, they’d move me back to running back, wouldn’t they?”

  “I don’t know,” he says. “Maybe.” He looks a little concerned.

  “What are you thinking?” I ask

  “It just seems so strange that he thinks you should be a quarterback when you’re a runner through and through. It’s what you do.”

  “Iggy’s also got a great arm,” Calvin says. “And he has good instincts.”

  “Yes, that’s true,” Coach says, still hesitant. “And Washington is an incredible coach. He knows what he’s doing . . . but you’ve got to want this too, Iggy,” he says to me.

  “I want to play college football,” I say.

  “But do you want to play backup quarterback?”

  “We’d be out there together,” Calvin says.

  Coach doesn’t look at Calvin—he looks at me. “This is a great offer,” he says. “But don’t burn any bridges yet. Other doors may still open for you.”

  “But he already told UCC he’d go there,” Calvin says, sounding confused and maybe a little hurt that Coach is reacting this way.

  “You boys haven’t signed anything yet,” Coach reminds us. “And that goes both ways. Keep your grades up and stay out of trouble. Nothing is in ink.”

  Chapter 22

  On Saturday we drive to the restaurant to meet Coach. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have been invited too but are driving separately. Calvin and I figure we’ll hang out on the beach for a little bit after the meal. I’m looking forward to getting back in the water after such a stressful week.

  As we get out of our car, my phone rings. At first I think it’s my mom, since she always calls on Saturdays, but then I see the area code. The call is coming from California.

  “Hello,” I answer the phone.

  “Iggy,” I hear Coach Lewis’ voice. “How have things been?”

  “Not bad, thanks . . .” I peel away from Calvin and head to the edge of the parking lot, out of his earshot.

  “I enjoyed our visit,” Coach Lewis says.

  “Me too,” I say. “It was great to be there again.”

  “I’m impressed with your transcript, and I’ve watched your game tape over and over.”

  I wait. I don’t know what he’s going to say next.

  “We’d like you to come to Branford and I’d like you to be a part of our team. We’ve been looking for a strong running back.”

  “Really?” I say. A wave of excitement surges through me, but then I see Calvin walking toward me.

  “I would love to play for you,” I say.

  “Wonderful. Does that mean you accept this verbal offer?” Coach Lewis asks.

  “I accepted a verbal offer at UCC,” I say, still watching Calvin come closer.

  “It isn’t in writing,” Coach Lewis says. “You make your final decision on signing day.”

  “Who is it?” Calvin says to me. “Coach wants to head in. We have a reservation.”

  “Give me a minute,” I say to Calvin, but Coach Lewis thinks I’m talking to him.

  “I’ll give you some time,” Coach Lewis says, sounding disappointed.

  “I’m sorry,” I say. “I was talking to my friend, Calvin. We’re supposed to be somewhere.”

  “Then I’ll let you go. But do feel free to take a few days. Think about it. Just know we want you here.”

  “Thank you,” I say and hang up.

  “Who was that?” Calvin asks.

  “My mom,” I say.

  He gives me a weird look, but I don’t want to talk about it, not yet. I know what I want to do, but I also know that I don’t want to lose my best friend.

  Chapter 23

  We’re seated on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. It’s a perfect day. Mr. Gibson sits next to Coach Kainoa, and they immediately start talking about college football. Mrs. Gibson sits next to her husband and looks at Calvin and me.

  “I’m so proud of you two,” she says. “I can’t wait to watch you both take the field at UCC. It will be a great day.”

  When she says it, it hits me: if I were to go to UCC I might not ever actually take the field for the Titans. I would only be trained as a backup quarterback, and if I don’t do a good job as a quarterback, I’d probably ride the bench for four years.

  I know in my heart I’m not a quarterback.

  I look at Coach, and I know what I need to do, but I don’t know how to tell Calvin.

  The waiter takes our orders and Mr. and Mrs. Gibson keep talking about UCC with Coach Kainoa. I turn to look at Calvin.

  He smiles at me, still excited about the UCC conversation.

  “Listen,” I say quietly. “That wasn’t my mom on the phone. It was Coach Lewis from Branford.”

  His smile falters. “They made you an offer.”

  “Yeah, and I really want to go there,” I say.

  Calvin just looks at me. He doesn’t say a thing.

  Then he gets up and leaves the restaurant.

  Chapter 24

  Calvin’s parents and Coach Kainoa go quiet and look at me, worried. They didn’t hear what had just happened between Calvin and me.

  I can’t look any of them in the eye, so I stare at my shoes as I explain about my call with Coach Lewis and that I want to go to Branford.

  There’s a long pause. I keep looking down, afraid of the angry faces I might see staring back at me.

  Then I feel a pair of arms wrap around me. Mrs. Gibson is hugging me.

  “Congratulations!” she says. “That’s absolutely amazing! Your father would be so proud.”

  “It’s a great school,” Mr. Gibson adds. “They are lucky to have you.” He claps me on the back.

  “I don’t want to disappoint you,” I tell them. “Or Calvin. I really appreciate all that you’ve done for me, but this is something that I’ve always wanted.”

  “You need to do what’s best for you,” Coach tells me. I can see he’s happy for me—proud that I’ve been able to find a place where I feel like I belong.

  “But what about Calvin?” I ask, looking around at the three of them.

  “H
e just needs to process everything,” Mr. Gibson says. “Give him time. He’ll understand.”

  ***

  We eat dinner without Calvin. After I’ve thanked Coach and Mr. and Mrs. Gibson one more time, I head out to find Calvin. His car is still in the parking lot, so he can’t have gone far.

  As I walk up the beach, I listen to the sound of the ocean. Giant waves come crashing to shore. They slam against the sand with a roar just in time for the next swell to rise up. The water sounds angry as it rips down on the sand.

  After a little while I can see someone standing in the shallow water along the shore. Even in the twilight, I don’t need to get much closer to be sure that it’s Calvin. I could recognize his lanky frame anywhere.

  I walk up behind him, and as I get closer he looks back at me. His face is still hard.

  “Hey,” I say. “Look, I know you’re upset, but—”

  Before I can finish, Calvin turns away from me and dives deeper into the water. He pops up farther away from me.

  I yell out, “I don’t want this to change anything between us!”

  The waves crash around Calvin and he dives down deep to avoid the worst of the impact.

  When he pops back up he yells back “You made a commitment to UCC! To me! Why would you go somewhere else?”

  Another big swell crashes, and Calvin bobs down low again.

  I kick off my shoes and start walking into the water. The tide pulls at me with every step. I can barely see Calvin in the dark water when he resurfaces. I yell back at him, “It’s not about that! Look—”

  But before I can finish the sentence, a huge wage smashes down on Calvin.

  I wait for him to come out of the water again, but it’s taking too long.

  “Calvin!” I yell. He doesn’t respond. I don’t know if I don’t see him and he isn’t responding because he’s angry with me . . . or if he’s still under water. I start running farther into the water.

  “Calvin!” I scream again, and I see his head break free from the surface. He’s gasping for air as another wave comes crashing down on top of him.

  Chapter 25

  “No!”

  I swim furiously. The salt water stings my eyes, but I keep them wide open, looking for Calvin.

  The water swirls so fast around me that I can’t see much of anything. Finally I get a glimpse of an arm, thrashing around in the water.

  I swim toward it as another wave comes crashing down. Even under the surface I feel it push me down. Still, I keep swimming. I grab Calvin’s arm and pull hard as I kick in the direction of the shore. My mouth burns with the taste of the water.

  Soon we reach shallow enough water that we can stand. Calvin and I stumble out of the water, salt water still stinging at our eyes.

  Calvin leans on me, coughing and choking on the water that he swallowed. Between gasps of air he looks over at me. His eyes are wide with shock and fear.

  We both lie down on the sand. “Are you okay?” I ask him between coughs.

  “I was all turned around. I couldn’t figure out where the surface was.” Calvin’s breath has calmed, but his eyes are still wide. “I just kept getting pummeled.”

  I nod and lie there next to my best friend.

  After a long pause Calvin props himself up on his elbows and says quietly, “What about UCC? We were a package deal. What if you tell them no, and then they decide not to take me.”

  “That’s not going to happen. They want you,” I say, sitting up. “You’ve completely won them over.”

  Calvin looks away and nods. I think he forgives me for the choice I’ve made—and for not being fully honest with him—but that doesn’t mean he feels any better. I know I don’t feel any better.

  The sounds of the waves crashing onto the beach echo all around us.

  “I don’t know what I’ll do at UCC without you,” Calvin says.

  I don’t know what I’ll do next year without Calvin either.

  Chapter 26

  On the first Wednesday in February, Calvin and I enter our school gym. We head to a small table surrounded by TV cameras. Calvin’s parents and Coach Kainoa stand nearby, smiling supportively.

  Calvin and I each take a seat at the table, facing the cameras. There’s a piece of a paper and pen in front of each of us.

  “Look at the cameras,” someone says. “Three, two, one . . .”

  We’re introduced by a TV anchor from the local news channel.

  “I’m here with two young men who came out of nowhere and are now in the spotlight. Let’s meet them and see where they’ll be going next year.”

  He turns to Calvin. “A star wide receiver from Regent High with 40 receptions for 476 yards and 16 touchdowns.”

  “And hands of Velcro,” I say into the microphone.

  Calvin laughs at this.

  “And who are you signing with, Calvin Gibson?” the reporter asks.

  Calvin leans forward and slips on his UCC hat. “UCC, baby!”

  He signs the papers and everyone applauds. His mother kisses him on the cheek and his dad hugs him.

  “And Ignatius Jones has 310 carries for 2,211 yards and 15 touchdowns. Regent’s finest running back in years. Who will you be signing with?”

  I look over at Calvin and his parents.

  “First, I’d like to thank the Gibson family and my best friend, Calvin. They took me in so I could finish up my time here at Regent High. They housed me and fed me and they gave me more than just a home—they gave me confidence and stability. I have so much respect for them.” With a smile I add, “But I won’t feel bad kicking Calvin’s butt in the big UCC-Branford game. I’m going to play for Branford University, just like my father.” I pull on my Branford hat.

  “Now that’s interesting,” the anchor says. “Two friends heading to rival schools? How do you think that will impact your friendship?”

  “Well,” Calvin says, “I’m sure we’ll cheer each other on when we aren’t playing against each other.”

  “And,” I say, “knowing I’ll have to play against Calvin will only make me work harder to make sure the Bears beat the Titans.”

  Calvin smiles at this. “I’m going to make sure the Titans get the Golden State Bell back.”

  “We look forward to watching you two play,” the anchor says.

  A journalist from the local paper asks us a few more questions and takes our picture. Then the gym starts to empty out, and it becomes quiet again.

  Calvin and I stand there wearing two different hats.

  “This isn’t over,” Calvin says, sticking out his hand.

  “Until the clock says zero,” I say, grabbing his hand and shaking it.

  About the Author

  K. R. Coleman is a writer, teacher, and parent of two boys. Coleman can often be found jotting down ideas in a notebook while watching a hockey or baseball game or while walking along the many trails that encircle Minneapolis. Currently, Coleman teaches at the Loft Literary Center and is working on a young adult novel entitled Air.