The Life of Levi Rupp: Part 4

Levi and Malcolm got into the locker room after school, changed out and were the first on the field, and soon after the rest of the team was also changed out and with them on the field. They still had some time before practice started, but the team was ready to go behind Malcolm and Levi. “Everyone’s early, you guys have time before Coach starts.” “You’re our QB Levi, if you’re on the field then we are too. We want a winning season, we all agreed to follow your lead.” Levi seemed impressed and also flattered that the team thought so highly of him. “Alright, who feels comfortable leading the warm up drills?” One teammate raised his hand and stepped forward. “I got it.” “Then let’s get started.” Levi and the team began setting up the drills and starting their warm-ups as Coach Peters walked out blowing the whistle to gain our attention. “Huddle up!” Coach Peters yelled, and shortly we were all on a knee before Coach. “Y’all ready to work?” “YES COACH!” We yelled in unison. “Good. We have a season to win.” “I need the JV team on the visitor side, and my varsity team on the home side. JV you’ll take your calls from the defensive coach, Varsity you get me.” “YES COACH!” With a short huddle break, we all split as directed. “Levi a word please.” Coach Peters called after me as I was headed to the sideline, “Coach.” Turning to stand before him. “Look I don’t know what you’re telling these boys, but keep it up.” “Yes coach.” “Also, you’re not repping today. Take a seat.” “Wait, what?” “You heard me. The bench, go.” “Yes coach.” Levi was in shock, after all his hard work, after battling for QB he was being benched in practice. Why would Coach do this? “Levi, what’re you doing on the bench?” Malcolm asked, sweat dripping from his chin, “Coach’s orders.” Levi said a little defeated. “Hey, chin up. You’re still QB 1!” Malcolm said as encouragingly as possible. “Thanks man.” Giving Malcolm a handshake, he left to get back in rotation for the JV and Varsity scrimmage game. A game Levi was looking forward to playing in. “Silas!” Coach was calling for Silas, who Levi hadn’t seen at practice today, “Anyone see Silas?” Coach began asking, “No coach, he hasn’t shown.” Levi began scanning the stands and sidelines for Silas himself curious as to why Silas wouldn’t show. “Levi!” Coach hollered, and Levi excited to get reps bolted to Coach Peters, helmet thrown on. “Levi, take your helmet off.” Defeated, Levi took his helmet off and looked boldly at Coach Peters, “Go look for Silas please. I need him to get reps in at WR, his routes need work.” “Sure thing Coach” Levi couldn’t help but hang his head a bit. “Levi.” Coach said with his hand on Levi’s shoulder. Levi glanced up, a small amount of hurt in his eyes, “We’ll talk after practice.” “Coach, can we talk in the morning?” “Sure Levi. Bright and early. Now go find Silas.” As Coach’s hand slipped off Levi’s shoulder, Levi carried his helmet low in his hand by the facemask and began hunting for Silas. There was only one place Silas might be, the locker room.

Levi, furious at Silas' behavior bursted into the gym doors and then the locker room, “Silas!” Levi shouted, waiting for a response. “Silas! Coach is looking for you.” Levi is hesitant to pursue further into the locker room from what Silas did last week, however as a leader Levi couldn’t show weakness, he couldn’t show fear. “Come on Silas, let’s go.” As Levi made his way further into the locker room he heard hushed whispers. And a conversation that he couldn’t quite make out, “Silas?” As Levi continued calling out, he rounded the corner of the lockers to the back corner hidden from view of the doors. “Silas…Mila?” Silas had his hands groping all of Mila who seemed to be struggling or maybe returning the favor, it was unclear. “Oh look, your boyfriend came to watch!” Silas snickered, grabbing Mila by the chin, rough and clearly making Mila uncomfortable as he forced his face against her lips, tears running from her eyes. “Silas!” Pure rage took over as Levi ripped Silas from Mila and pushed him violently against the lockers. “Touch her again, and you’ll be sorry.” “Sorry…ha!” Silas snorted back, “She liked it, she just didn’t have the heart to break you.” “Shut up!” “Levi!” Mila screamed after me, as if begging me to show mercy. “Get out of here Silas.” “Make me.” “With pleasure.” Levi balled up his fist around Silas’ tank and shoved him through the locker room doors and again through the gym doors and threw Silas to the pavement of the student parking lot. “I’ll make sure to tell Coach Silas, go home.” “Tell Coach what?” Coach Peters responded obviously confused and angry at the sight of Levi throwing Silas out of the gym doors. “You want to tell him Silas, or should I?” Levi never removed his eyes from Silas, almost predatory ready to pounce. Silas just wiped his lip, laughing to himself. “Levi…” Mila whispered a little shocked from the sight of Silas on the ground and Levi huffing in anger, it was the only voice that broke Levi’s deadly glare towards Silas. “Mila, are you okay?” “Yes…I’m sorry, I think I’m going to go home.” Mila said, unable to look at Levi. “Levi, my office now.” Coach Peters demanded “Silas, I’ll see you afterwards so don’t even think about leaving.” “Don’t worry Coach, I’ll look after Silas.” Malcolm stared blankly, towering over Silas. Levi gently lifted Mila’s head to his, “It’s not your fault Mila.” Mila’s eyes had an ounce of surprise and what Levi could only describe as love in them, but her watery eyes began to break and she forced herself away and began wiping the tears as she scurried to her cheer friends looking for her near the field. “Levi!” Coach hollered, and reluctantly, Levi followed Coach into his office. “Take a seat.” “I’d prefer to stand.” “I said take a seat.” Coach was unwavering in his stare and tone, and Levi took the seat sighing angrily and looking at the blank brick wall. “Levi, I need you to be honest with me.” “Yes, Coach.” “I don’t think I need to remind you of the zero tolerance and bullying policy, and especially the zero tolerance of fighting policy we have on this team.” “No Coach, I understand.” “Well, then the question stands, did you fight Silas?” “I wouldn’t call it a fight.” “Then what would you call it?” “He was harassing and forcing himself on Mila!” “That’s quite an accusation Levi.” “Ask her if you don’t believe me. I was protecting her.” “And why was she in the locker room at all?” Coach questioned, “I don’t know, I was looking for Silas and I came in and saw him…” Levi had to clench his fists and take a deep breath, “Levi…” “Coach if you don’t believe me…” “I never said I didn’t.” “You never said you did.” Levi retorted back, anger flashing across his eyes. “Levi, I believe you, but it’s your word against his.” “And what of Mila? Her word doesn’t matter?” “No, it does, but is she willing to step forward?” “I, I don’t know Coach…I think I messed up.” “Messed up?” “Yeah, we were supposed to go out tonight, and now…she probably sees me like a monster. I was so enraged by Silas’ actions, that I couldn’t control my temper.” “Levi. I think you’re telling the truth, but it will need to be investigated. Try talking to Mila.” “Why?” “Well…” “No, why did you bench me today?” Levi, still angered, was piercing the eyes of his coach, “Levi, I benched you to show the team their worth.” “Their worth?” “Yes, right now they’re relying on you. They believe in you. I need them to believe in themselves first.” Levi, slightly ashamed, looked down, fighting back tears, tears he hadn’t shed since finding out he was alone, no parents, no family. “I got to go…” Levi stood abruptly and left Coach Peters, who was calling after Levi to send Silas in. Without another word, Levi grabbed his gear from the locker and left the gym, the doors slamming shut. “Coach is ready for him.” Levi muttered, passing Malcolm, who hadn't seen Levi this angry. “At least let me drive you home Levi.” “Nope, I need the walk.” Levi responded never looking back, and thankfully, Malcolm appeared to drop the matter and pushed Silas into the gym doors.

It wasn’t long before Levi found himself at his front door. Taking in a breath as he unlocked the door and pushed it open he couldn’t help but question if he was right about slamming Silas around for what he did. He was scared that he messed things up with Mila. After taking a cold shower to try and calm down, Levi went to bed early swirling around his thoughts.

He could only relive the images of Silas and Mila playing over like a record player in his dream, Levi finally woke in a puddle of sweat. Glancing over at his alarm clock, he saw he still had an hour before it went off, and he decided to get up and pack his clothes for work and try to focus on finishing his homework. What am I doing all of this for? He thought to himself. I’m supposed to be trying to get into Foxbury, and what am I doing? Am I throwing it all away? For what? Levi was left with these perplexing questions as he slung his book bag over his shoulder and began walking to school, hoping he was well ahead of Malcolm, who to Levi’s surprise, was already waiting for him out front. “Malcolm?” “Figured you couldn’t sleep and would try to leave early. Looks like I’m a mind reader.” Malcolm joked trying to crack a smile from me. “Right, now if you could tell me Mila was okay, then I’d believe it.” Levi stated, unable to meet Malcolm’s eyes. “Let’s go ask her.” Malcolm left the side of his car, and opened the driver door, “You coming?” Levi was still in shock at his loyal friend, always ready to help and with nothing in return. “Yeah.” “Then put your bag in and let’s go check on your girl.” Malcolm said with a smile. Once in the passenger seat, Malcolm began driving towards school. “What about Brook?” “Brook?” Malcolm questioned, glancing in my direction, “Yeah, is she okay?” “Oh, yeah Brook was fine, just concerned for Mila.” “Did you guys still…” “No, we called off the date, she wanted to comfort Mila and I…” Laughing, “Do not say you comforted me Mal!” We both responded in laughter at the comment, “I was going to say, made sure Silas got what was coming to him.” “How did that meeting go?” Levi asked, slightly curious if Coach kept him on the team. “Well, Silas is benched until the investigation takes place and a decision is made from the discipline team.” “So, he’s still on the team?” “Unfortunately.” Malcolm responded as he pulled his car into the parking spot, “Now, enough about Silas, let’s go find your girl.” Malcolm practically jumped out of the car and we both made our way to the commons. Scanning the benches for any signs of the cheer squad or Mila, Levi couldn’t help but quicken his pace. “Slow down Levi.” Malcolm said gently, grabbing my shoulder. “I need to find her.” “I know, but she’s probably still upset, and this…” Malcolm waved his hands in front of me, “Screams anxiety.” “Anxiety?” “Yeah, look, you want to help Mila right?” “Of course.” “Then you need to appear confident, you need to look calm. Stoic almost.” “Right, calm. You’re right.” Levi nodded, and took in a breath as they both began looking for the girls. “Mila, you need to tell an adult.” Malcolm and I both looked at each other as we rounded a corner to a hallway as we heard Brook’s voice. “Mila…” Levi whispered slowly, stepping forward towards Mila who appeared upset and hugging Brook. “Levi?” “Are you…” “I’m fine.” “Mila, be honest with him, if you won’t talk to an adult, at least talk to Levi. He clearly cares about you.” Brook said convincingly to Mila, with a small grin on her face to show Mila that she should confide in me. Mila gave Brook a look, who then nudged her in my direction. “Mila, if you…” “No, I want to talk, just not here.” She said with pleading eyes as Levi lifted his arm, “After you.” Reassuring Mila with his smile. Mila couldn’t help but let a small grin creep from the corner of lips, as she hugged her books in front of her. As Mila and Levi continued down the hall away from Brook and Malcolm who were having a conversation of their own. “Mila…” “No, please. Let me start.” Mila said, stopping in her steps and looking Levi in the eyes. “Thank you.” “Uh, you’re welcome?” Levi confused, “You stopped Silas from…well from probably…” “Shh…you don’t have to.” “No, healing starts with talking about the hard things. He almost raped me Levi, and you prevented that.” “Mila…” “I’m not done.” She said sternly but with a small smile, “You cared Levi, you cared about how I felt, and you gave me the space I needed yesterday. Not many guys would understand that.” “Well, to be fair I wanted to chase after you, but Coach was pretty insistent on a meeting.” Mila smiled and looked toward her feet and then back to me, “Well, thank you.” “Of course Mila. No one should be in that position, it isn’t right.” Levi stated boldly and confidently, “Well, if you’re still up for it, we could go on that date tonight?” Mila asked hope in her voice, “Tonight?” Levi asked, slightly shocked, and then disappointed as he remembered he had to work tonight. “Unless, you changed your mind…” Mila whispered, sensing my sadness, “No, yes, I mean…I want to, it’s just I have to work tonight.” “Oh!” Her surprise seemed to alleviate any sense of rejection she might’ve been feeling. “Yeah, I uh, have a unique upbringing so I have to work, luckily Coach is able to work with my schedule so I can be on the team.” “Well, another time then?” “Yes!” I said with probably too much enthusiasm, but I couldn’t contain it. I was overjoyed that Mila still had an interest in me. “I’ll see you at practice Levi.” “I’ll see you in class.” I said jokingly, reminding her we had our first period together. “Don’t be late.” She snickered as she left me in the hallway, both of us a little happier than before. Hands in my pockets and trying to hide the smile spread across my face from Mila, I began making my way down the long hall back towards Malcolm and Brook who seemed to be escalating their relationship as Malcolm had his arm slung casually over Brook’s shoulders, both smiling and laughing at each other. “Levi! Where’s Mila?” “Oh, she headed to class and I should be heading that way too, I still have to finish some homework from last night.” “See ya at practice Levi.” Malcolm called out, “I got work tonight, tomorrow though.” Levi responded and then turned back to the hall making his way to first period. It was a better start to the day than he was expecting, until he remembered that he was supposed to ask Mila if she’d be willing to talk to Coach or a counselor about yesterday's incident.