As we walk, she regales me with stories about some of the more entertaining events at past games she’s attended. I nod along in all the appropriate places, but only half listen to the anecdotes, distracted.

I blurt out “How early do the players have to arrive before the game?” as soon as she finishes telling me how a head cheerleader choreographed the squad’s halftime routine to “Before He Cheats” after she caught her wide receiver boyfriend with another girl last season.

Katie laughs as we leave the coffee shop and head in the direction of the football stadium. “That’s your response to that story?”

“I’m just curious to know more about the team than who can’t stay monogamous.”

She gives me a strange look. “They have to be at the field a few hours before the game starts, I think.”

The rush of relief startles me.

“You think?” I tease, my mood suddenly lightened. “I thought you were the football team expert.”

“Hardly,” Katie replies. “I’m practically oblivious compared to most of the girls here. I just pay attention to gossip about the guys I think are hot. I’m not memorizing all their stats, hoping I’ll run into one of the players and be able to compliment him on his number of interceptions this season.”

The football stadium appears up ahead, and I’m taken aback by the hundreds of students milling about, most of them clad in Lincoln’s signature shade of dark green.

We meet up with Katie’s group of friends underneath one of the trees that surround the stadium. I recognize a couple of them from fleeting interactions in our shared room.

They all introduce themselves to me, but I’m so preoccupied, I forget most of their names almost immediately. My attention is being drawn to the massive banner displayed at the stadium’s entrance. It displays a photo of Jace mid-throw that reaches from the very top of the stadium to the edge of the front gate, about thirty feet high. The rippling muscles of his extended forearm span several feet alone.

One of Katie’s friends follows my gaze. “Stupid hot, isn’t he?” She grins conspiratorially as we move to join the long line of students waiting to enter the stadium.

I smile back at her, but internally I’m trying to reconcile the jolt of possessiveness her words incited. Jace is the most attractive guy I’ve ever seen, so it’s completely irrational for me to be bothered another girl finds him good looking as well. I shake off the strange reaction as we move closer to the entrance and inside the cement tunnel that leads into the stadium.

After a long wait in line, we finally enter the stadium. It’s a beautiful fall day. Bright sunlight illuminates the green field spread before us. I feel as though I’ve stepped into the photo I saw on Lincoln’s website in my bedroom weeks ago. The smell of popcorn and freshly mowed grass permeates the crisp air, while the sound of thousands of chattering spectators surrounds us.