I lope toward the gym, my head filled with Julian. I thought last night that he might be coming around. He at least didn’t seem like he was mad at me anymore. And this morning on the way to school, he was friendly. Smiling. Not ignoring me or making angry faces in my direction.

I wish I knew where his head was.

I wish I had the courage to just flat out ask him.

I get dressed for practice and try to put it all out of my head. I’ve been studying the o-line plays, and I’m feeling pretty confident that I can do this job. It’s just tackling, just like being on defense, only now I’m creating a pocket to protect the quarterback rather than trying to mow him down.

Julian is already on the field, tossing a few passes to Nate and Darien when I make it out of the locker room. What did he do, sprint all the way to the gym after history? Or do I just walk that slowly?

The breeze has picked up since this morning, and wide bands of clouds float across the field during afternoon practice. It feels less humid than it did earlier in the week, but there’s another kind of heaviness in the air. Those wide clouds are thick with rain, and you can feel the electricity that comes before a big thunderstorm hanging above the football field.

“Let’s get in a short scrimmage this afternoon, boys. I don’t know how long this weather is going to cooperate,” Coach Marcus says after warm-ups. “And I know I’ve got to get you out of here in time to get ready for the dinner tonight.”

Coach puts the backup QB, Corey, in for the first few plays. Martinez sits and I get the start. I make a few tackles, and I’m starting to learn how to anticipate the defense. Corey manages to get off a few good passes without being tackled, so I’ll consider that a win.

“Julian! You’re in for Corey! Elijah, you stay right there,” Coach Marcus shouts after a few plays. “Let’s work on those running plays.”

Julian calls the play, and the center hikes the ball right away. I plow right into the defense and take down the first guy I come into contact with. I look up from where I land and see that Julian has handed the ball off to the running back, who is making his way downfield quick. The defense is just chasing. There’s a tiny ache in my chest. I know I could have caught him.

I guess there was a little bit more glory on defense. On offense, the quarterback gets all the credit.

“Nice play, 87!” Coach calls to me. “More blocks like that and Alabama will be knocking on your door!”