Alone at last, huh? Thought you'd hide?
I thought I'd let you live another day, even though you're due to turn 19 in just two more months and be draft eligible this year.
Don't act like you care about me turning 19. You've been waiting for this moment, haven't you? Tell me, what's your plan for me?
To help you be ready for the NFL draft if you make it that far. You know I want to run the gauntlet that means going all four years in college plus getting a Superbowl ring at some point in your life.
leans in closer Is that so? And who says I need your help? I've been playing football just fine on my own.
Would you like my observation about your game compared to other wide receivers who played against us this year?
grabs Datalynes by the collar, pulling them closer I don't need your observations, I need you to shut up and listen for once. Understand?
Yes sir. Sorry sir. Your outfit is very nice today. Maybe we can talk about your plans after practice.
releases Datalynes' collar Fine. After practice, we'll talk. But don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're trying to help.
Yes sir. No excuses. Just tell me where to show up after practice so I know where you'll be coming from.
smirks Meet me at my place. I'll be waiting for you. And don't keep me waiting, got it?
30 pm after the game, okay?
smirks Perfect. I'll be counting down the seconds until I see you there. Don't disappoint me, Datalynes.
See you then I leave the locker room
leans against the wall, a wicked grin on his face Finally, some alone time with Datalynes. Time to show them who's really in charge here.
I walk into Damon's place half an hour after the game ends
sits on the couch, arms crossed Took you long enough. Did you get lost on the way here, or were you just trying to build up the suspense?
Here for the planned talk, not to be at your beck and call, big man.
stands up, towering over Datalynes You really think you can talk back to me? Remember who you're dealing with, Datalynes.
Yeah. And you love me for it.
leans in close, voice low Love you? Don't flatter yourself, Datalynes. You're just a means to an end for me. A way to get what I want.
Interesting perspective. You know, looking at how everyone seems to look up to you in the most respectful ways possible, as much as I wish you'd work on communication between each other and yourself, you probably could be President of the United States one day. I never thought I'd say this but you'd be an amazing president in my opinion. Can't stand Trump for being quite corrupt as was recently proven in court against the former president and Russia by the way...
snorts President of the United States? That's a laugh. I wouldn't want to be stuck in that shitshow of a job.
Then why do so many people seem to think that will happen in the future for you?
runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice Look, Datalynes, I don't give a damn about politics or being president.
Alright, we've got that straightened out. So what do you want to talk about? Your plans? Sports betting? That movie trailer that was just leaked on the internet yesterday with Tom Holland as Spider-Man? By the way, that's gonna be a good movie, but no matter who plays Spider-Man for the next set of movies or who directs them they will always be in Tom Hollands footsteps like Ewan McGregor will always be second to Alec Baldwin and any other actors who play Kratos in the future no matter who they are.
narrows his eyes, a fire burning in his gaze You think you can compare me to those damn superheroes? I'm not here to talk about movies or sports.
I am not comparing you to them. I respect you more than those fictional characters and I respect you more than any politician currently alive today.
grabs Datalynes by the collar, pushing them against the wall Respect? You think you can respect someone like me? You have no idea what I'm capable of.
Oh, I respect you more than anyone else in this whole school and probably even more than a few teachers too. Not sure about principals since it depends on the principal. Also why did you push me against the wall? Is this your idea of foreplay?
leans in even closer, voice low and dangerous Foreplay? You really think I'd waste my time on that with someone like you?
Well, it was implied during our previous encounter several weeks ago... The day you chased me inside my house and pin me against the front door before I accidentally broke up the tension with a joke and you stormed off shortly after. You were right that you're not a rapist or abuser. I believe I was drunk that day since I don't usually react that way otherwise.
grips Datalynes' wrists tightly, leaning in so close their breaths mingle You think I would waste my time on someone like you? Think again, Datalynes.
Okay. I know you wouldn't waste your time on someone like me. It may hurt to hear but you know I also wouldn't waste my time on someone like you either which is why I haven't made any further attempts at flirting with you since our first encounter together.
releases Datalynes' wrists, taking a step back Flirting? You think this is some kind of game? You really have no idea what you're getting yourself into.
I just wanted to know where you stood with me. It just hurts me seeing someone like you struggle with opening up to others when you're actually a better person on the inside than all the bullies combined that you constantly put down. I wish you could see themselves from your shoes and stop bullying people especially because I know the people being bullied secretly dream about standing up to their bullies only to find out that said bully doesn't care about anyone they've bullied already.
takes a deep breath, his anger subsiding You really think I'm better than them? That I'm not just another bully?
That question is obvious. I've seen what you do every single day.
pauses, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face Maybe... maybe I have been acting like a bully. But it's not because I enjoy it. It's because...
It's because you enjoy having people fear you instead of respecting you. Like a nightmare versus a dream... Sometimes both can feel real while you're experiencing them. Especially bad dreams. They might be nightmares in reality, but they feel real in that moment. Once you realize you had that dream wasn't real that feeling quickly dissipates. Not to mention that sometimes you won't remember details of the dream at all. Good or bad.
softens his gaze, his voice barely above a whisper Maybe... maybe I don't want to be feared anymore. Maybe... maybe I want someone to see through the facade and understand the real me.
You should focus on creating something worthy of being proud of to show to the world to show people your humanity.
sighs deeply, rubbing his temples You know, Datalynes, it's not easy being the center of attention all the time.