[Flashback] High School Cliche is Still Romantic [Elle]

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Fort Worth, TX, Temple Christian High School

The hot sun bared down on him, evident in the sweat that dripped down his forehead along his cheek and down his neck. His helmet only made the heat worse, but he had one more play and he promised his father that he would make certain they won their first game on Friday. He had to practice hard because if there was one man he never wanted to disappoint, it was his father.

Joey McCarthy, Quarterback, started stating the numbers. Tiff eyes turned to his competition. He had already determined their strengths and weaknesses after practicing with them for weeks. Ted Turner was by far the slowest, but also the biggest. Tucker Holding had the most agility, but his flexible moves underneath players, distracted his focus from the ball, making him a terrible catch. Hunter Jacobs could be the strongest player on the field, comparable to Superman catching airplanes. His eyes took each player in noting how best to get around them, his mind replaying the play in his head until he heard:

“Hike!”

His body ducked and ran through the opening two of his opponents had created when they stood to move forward, slipping right behind their defenses. His legs stretched into a full out run as his head turned back for the ball. He saw it slide out of the quarterbacks hand and into the air. He estimated the place it was projected to fall and ran with the ball until it was within distance. The ball landed in his grip as if god had destined the ball to belong there all the time. He tucked it in and ran, his breath panting, his legs screaming of soreness, and the sound of his opponents running on his heel.

His foot came across the line, and he slammed the ball down. His hands sticking up in the air in pure glory and he gave a full grin into the sun. He heard his team cheering in the distance

“Tiff man, I swear, you could be on track instead of this,” he felt a pat on his shoulder, “They actually go to State.” He turned and saw Hunter, the boy was much taller and muscle than him, but his smile and face always had such an innocent sweet expression. Tiffany was certainly part of the popular crowd of his high school, not that they thought themselves that…at least Tiffany didn’t, but even though his spent his lunches, sports, and parties with the same group of friends, he truly only considered Hunter a real friend. A friend he could actually rely on.

“Because I want to bring this team to State,” he stated seriously, and Hunter couldn’t help, but laugh, which strangely caused a rare smile to cross Tiffany’s face.

“Tiff. Joey. Team. Good Practice!” the coach shouted from the sidelines, “Now go shower up, and I’ll see ya’ll tomorrow!”

Tiffany pulled off his helmet, his hair standing in disarray as he followed Hunter to the edge of the sidelines. The cheerleaders had just finished practice as well. They stood in a group next to the water jugs in their white and green outfits, appropriate dress for a Christian School. He knew quite a few of them because many sat with them at lunch, but he only had said few words to some. Most were quite shallow and he saw vices written in each underhanded comment they made, but there was particular one that kept catching his eye. He often caught himself staring at her in the lunch room or their Social Studies Class that they have together. He had only spoken to her twice total, once about the weather and the second at Joey’s party and how the boy lacked any food substance.

She was petite with natural blond hair either let down or in a ponytail. She walked with a bounce in her step and a constant smile on her face. There was something in her smile that always made him feel a bit light hearted, like the world isn’t as hard as he constantly perceived it. There is good out there.

He walked over to the water jug and filled up a cup, downing it in a single gulp. Quite a few of the players were talking about plans with the cheerleader, but the one pair that caught his eye was her and Joey.

Joey had his helmet under his arm. He was one of the tallest and fittest boys on the team. He had blond hair and blue eyes, and he constantly claimed that the German’s goal was to make a specimen like him when they started World War 2.

“Come on, Elle,” he said, grabbing her shoulder tightly and pulling her close to him, “You’re the hottest girl on the squad; you’re supposed to date me.”

Joey always disgusted him, constantly dancing between girls like toys to be thrown in the trash once used. He bragged often that he had managed to take almost every girl on the squads’ virginity. Tiffany put up with his nonsense because he had to admit he was a good football player, but something about this was rubbing him the wrong way. He found his body moving towards them.

“Tiff?” Hunter asked, but he wasn’t focused on him. No, he saw someone in trouble, and he didn’t like it.

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The sun had been beating down on the girls for some time now. Even as they had worked at scrawling out different rhymes, none had worked quite as well as they liked. Soon enough the cheerleading team had gotten their pom-poms and had started using their old chants; practising different routines as the boys' football team went about their routine practice. With each goal, or point scored, they'd chant, jump, and call out the name, or number of the player, along with a little bit of a ditty. It was to help morale. That is what she always thought.

Petite, blonde, and bubbly, Noelle Martin was one of the co-captains. It had been argued by many of her teammates, but she was a good fit. Her unrelenting bubbliness, her dedication to finding the perfect routine and committing it to memory, and of course; helping the other girls with everything; from perfecting their makeup, getting their hair right, and of course, nailing the routines and chants.

Even now she smiled, helping a taller brunette with a certain pose; splits. They had to jump, clap their hands, essentially, then go into a set of splits. Not the easiest move, but one that Noelle could emulate, and teach quite well. Smiling, to her once she finally got it, the petite blonde clapped her hands happily, catching another green and white clad teammate signalling them that boys were done with their practise. As well as cheering them on, the girls also provided them with cool water after their drills. It was a practise that the school wanted them to learn of helping their men down the road, both with encouragement in action, and dedication in servant leadership with supplying them with water, afterwards.

Several girls brought out the large containers of water and electrolytes, others bringing out the cups and filling many of them. It was when Elle had her back turned, her own coach having a few cordial words with her before the guy's team started to meander in. Smiling, and answering honestly, Elle tugged at the hem of her skirt, hoping she wouldn't miss all of them entering from the field.

Their cheer uniforms were rather tasteful; a longer pleated green, white and silver skirt a mere inch above their knee, and green bicycle shorts beneath that. A longish tunic, or even turtleneck was worn covering them from neck to elbow, and then their emblem blazoned vest atop that ringed in silver, green and white as well with a magnificent eagle across the chest.

Each girl would wear their hair backed, tied with a green and silver ribbon, white tennis shoes, and white and green knee high socks. Even for a cheer team, it was tasteful, yet still embodying the spirit of encouragement. Noelle thought they all looked quite glorious, and often frowned upon the more...skimpy looks the other girls wore at other games. Wrinkling her nose at the thought, Elle felt a tug at her elbow, one of her closest friends trying to get her. "Please excuse us, Mrs. Johnson, but we want to get the water ready, if you'd excuse me and Elle, please..." Jemma said, politely, her southern Texas drawl coming off like honey.


The duo was able to get to the water table, drink a cup themselves before the boys started pouring in. Most of them were their friends, a dedicated, dilligent group that hung out at school, lunch, and after class most of the time together. Elle was hoping that one of them would at least say hi to her today, but he seemed to be busy talking to another of the taller members of the Eagles. Jemma elbowed her, pantomiming to hand out the water. But she was soon sequestered by one of the most handsome on the team; Joey McCarthy. Blonde and blue-eyed, he was the talk of, well, everything. Some of the girls that weren't able to resist tempation as well had caved to his big eyes, and strong hands in small steps; first it was him carrying their books, then going to study after class, then a date, then...their first times.

Shuddering at the thought, Elle patted the back of her hair non-chalantly. She didn't want to date Joey McCarthy. And he of all people seemed to not get it. Pursing her lips as he tried, yet again to get her on a date, she shook her head, not adoring the sweaty grossness of his clammy jersey. "Joey, you've dated most of the other girls. And you haven't asked my father yet," she started, her wide eyes searching. He was acting like this in public. Someone...had to see his actions. How dishonorable they were. "And you know, there is only one that take any sort of commands from, and it's not you!" She retorted, wedging an arm between his chest and her, trying to pry her shoulder from his grasp. "And I do hope you're speaking of my passion for Christ, because it's awfully vain of you to focus just on my looks, and not my actions, dedication, or-" She pushed at him again in vain, unable to wrench her arm free. "My faith!" She choked out the last words, tears springing to her eyes as his grip tightened, spinning her so her face was nearly pressed against his chest.

"Just let me go, Joey! This isn't honorable at all!" She cried out, in stunned horror that no one was going to go against Joey McCarthy at all.

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Joanna, the Head Captain of the Cheer Squad, bright red hair, Senior, gave the small petite girl a once over. Her dark brown eyes took in her legs all the way up to small features on her face. She couldn’t see at all why any guy would be interested in her. She was far too giddy. naive, and pathetic. It amazed her that this sophomore could even be a co-captian or have as many friends as she did. He knew their coach liked her and trusted her, but seriously? This girl? She rolled her eyes fully, nodding to her with her two closet friends, Brittany & Savannah. “Can you believe the type of people they make me put on this team?” she commented, and the two snickered in agreement. She had dated Joey on and off for the past year, but currently was one of their off times, and if he felt the need to carelessly flirt in front of her, she could do the same.

She noted Tiff walking in her direction and smiled at him. He was the new rising star on the football team, and he had yet to ask her on a date. It was Thursday and Date Night was tomorrow. It was about time he asked her. Her lips parted for the briefest of moments to say hello to him, but he passed her without another word.

Joey didn’t get why this girl was making such a big deal. He was a Senior, hot, popular, and asking some pointless sophomore girl to go on a date. It should be easy. His other hand moved to her lower back and pulled her body against her as she shouted nonsense about faith and religion. Yeah, they all went to a Christian School, but no need to latch onto it so dramatically. “Why are you acting like that? It’s a date. Cheeseburgers and movie. And ever thought I dated most of the other girls because I was too afraid to ask you out?” he smirked. Girls like stupid shit like that.

Tiffany could hear and see Elle struggling to get away. Why was no one else helping her? A girl as innocent and pure as her had no right to be ignored as the wolves came after her. His eyes only caught the few sneers and judgmental looks, and a sickening feeling filled his gut. Elle was popular, and these ‘supposed’ friends wouldn’t even list a word of encouragement for her. God certainly did not expect this when he made man in his image. He would be so disappointed.

He had to stop this. He walked behind Joey, grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back and away from the small blonde. “She said let go, Joey,” he bit out in distaste as if his name were a poison apple.

He watched as the boy gave him a look of shock before it turned to rage. He felt his much larger hand push him away. He gave way a step, but tried to stay firmly planted in his place. “Tiff, back off! This has nothing to do with ‘Temple’s Pet Prince’,” Joey hissed, his hand moving to keep hold of Elle, his fingers digging into her arm.

Tiffany stood his ground, his eyes narrowing. He had never been one to say too much. His mother taught him that talking too much was a sign you wanted to hear your own voice and if you loved your own voice so much you never have a chance to hear god. It is always better to listen. “Joey, I’ll give you one more chance to let Elle go,” he stated coldly.

Joey gave him a bewildered look before he laughed still holding Elle. “What are you going to do Tiff? Pray?”

Before Joey even had a chance to suck in another breath of air, Tiffany’s fist connected hard with his jaw, knocking the boy straight to the ground. He could hear the boy whining in pain as he turned to Elle, looking down on her as he rubbed his fist slightly to get rid of the pain that just shoot through his arms.

As his eyes fell upon hers, he felt some strange draw to her, like she was his to protect. She needed him.

“Are you okay?” he said softly to her as if there were the only ones on the field, even though the rest of the team was reacting to the action.

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Struggling against the football player, Elle tried to keep her wits about her. Recalling what her Daddy had taught her wasn't coming to much help at the moment, because, well, they weren't hunting. But as the brute's hands tugged her closer, she was now breathing in dank mouthfuls of sweaty, nasty boy, she cried out again, her hands reaching for something to pinch. But all she was coming into contact with was his padded armor, and his jersey, which was damp.

"Just let me go, ok? I don't want to date you! You were just with Joanna last week, did she bore you?" She cried out, her hands balling into fists, and releasing, her squirming finally giving a a slight opening, in which she could feel her palm finally connect with his cheek. "I asked you nicely even, Joey. Let. Me.GO!" This time her words were firm, despite the frustrated tears streaming down her eyes. It was an outrage that no one was helping her. A shame to their parents, for raising them so poorly, as well. She'd be going to the chaplain, and interceding on their behalves for such ill behavior.

She'd been so focused on her thoughts, and struggling against him, she'd barely heard the quite audible tear in her uniform, nor Tiffany's quiet words. Joey then turned away from her slightly, looking at another football player. She knew who it was, and was surprised, her teary eyes going wide. She'd not even had a chance to choke a word out before there was another muffled exchange of words between the men, and then she was breathing in cool, fresh air.

Her fingers ran along her arm where she could see the red marks indented from his massive hand, and then wiped the dampness from her eyes. It was only when she took a weak step toward Matthew, and noticed him rubbing his hand did she realize her uniform was torn. That could be mended later. She had to keep in mind she was a grateful near-woman.

Reaching out her hand, she almost touched his knuckles, instead turning in place, and grabbing one of the cups of water, dumping it into her hand to gather the ice. Headed back to the football player that saved her, she sniffed a bit before facing him, a tentative smile on her lips. She had to be calm. He was not only one of the more handsome men in her school, but devoted. He didn't speak much, but that only spoke of his humility. Something that caught her eye more than the muscles in his arm, or the glorious way he played football.

Offering the ice, and cupping her own small hand over his knuckles, Elle smiled up at him, feeling his warm gaze over her. "Let me. Please," she murmured first, her eyes on his knuckles. "I...thank you, Matthew. No one else..." her voice was so quiet, and even then it broke slightly. "Thank you...for rescuing me. No one else was." It was then, she raised her eyes to his warm brown ones. She forgot entirely what else she was going to say when those eyes locked to hers, her hands gently holding the ice over his own. He's been the only one to come to her rescue. What a chivalrous, noble thing to do. Selfless, even. A faint, shy smile crept to her face as she nodded slightly, her now-mussed hair falling to frame her face. "I...I think I'm okay now. How is your hand?" She asked just as softly, unaware that Joey was struggling to stand, and of the small throng of people starting to gather around the trio.

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He watched as she turned away from him. An unfamiliar spark of worry filled his heart, uncertain if she was alright. She seemed almost numb to the whole affair, and all he could find himself wanting to do was wrap his arms around her to protect her from this world.

He relaxed slightly when she came back with ice, touching his hand gently. She was far too kind to be surrounded by such evil. He shifted his weight to other leg, slightly leaning towards her. His other hand twitched by his side wanting to brush that stray piece of hair from her face. He didn’t see anyone else, but her. Not the girls that were glaring or the other players that seemed confused by the whole incident. No, he only saw her.

“It’s not a problem. Any respectable person would prevent wrong doing if it was right in front of them,” he stated softly to her thanks. His hand stretched and flexed as he nodded, “It’s fine.”

A sharp pain connected with his face, throwing him back altogether. He fell a few steps barely catching his balance. His hand went up to his face to protect himself from the pain before his eyes shot back up to Joey, who was seething at him, blood running down his jaw.

“Where do you fucking get off Tiff!” he shouted at him and moved forward. His hand reeled back to throw another, but he was prepared for this one, and easily ducked it, coming back with a hard punch to his gut, causing Joey to curl over.

“Treat others as you would want to be treated,” Tiffany spat at him, “She said she wasn’t interested, now stop acting like a dog licking his wounds.”

Joey growled and ran and tackled Tiffany to the ground. He started pounding his fist into his face.

“What is going on here?!” the coach shouted as he started running to the scene, but Tiffany barely heard it. His arms attempting to move to block the attacks as his vision started to spot.

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Their moment was short lived; Elle not even able to respond to his kind, thoughtful words before he was torn from her grasp; him flying backward, and her stumbling, hands cold with ice.

It was then the boys erupted in a yelling, fist-fighting, dishonest tussle. She couldn't believe it, a hand raising to her mouth. Could Joey just not understand, not comprehend that she wasn't interested? Maybe if he had actually came to one of the student-led bible studies more than twice, and had actually paid attention, instead of flirting with Cassandra, she maybe, just maybe, would have said yes to one, just one date.

"Both of you! Just stop! Have you no respect for your brothers on the team?!" She chastised them, and turned around, glaring at the rest of the boys on the team as well. Thankfully their coach soon came, him grabbing Joey's arm and hauling him away from where he was pummeling Tiff, Elle dropping to her knees beside him to help him to a seating position.

She could hear the snickering of her own fellow cheerleaders, the noise chafing in her ears, tears springing to her eyes and stinging as she tried to hold them in. They were just horrible. Standing and watching, judging, not even helping like the good Samaritan had on that road.

"I'm so sorry...I just..you didn't have to do that, Matthew.." She whispered to the football player, oblivious to the fact her own cheer-leading coach was joining the fracas as well.

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His face burned with each heavy blow that hit him. It took him by surprise that he didn’t even have time to block the attack. It wasn’t until the coach yanked him off did a moment of recognition come to his mind. His nose was bleeding, his lip was busted, and he felt his sight blurring. He leaned in the support that was given to him as Elle gave him.

“He started it!” Joey shouted, fighting against the coach.

Tiff coughed, catching his breath, before turning a glare to the other boy. A man who cannot take responsibility for his action is not a man at all. “I merely intervened when I saw something immoral taking place,” he stated calmly and then went to push himself up off the ground, wiping his sleeve against his bloodied face.

The coach pushed Joey away from the group and glared at both of them. “I can’t lose my two best players to expulsion. You are both are going to walk away and get some air. Tomorrow at practice everyone is doing an extra two miles for your mess,” the coach shouted.

All the kids around the coach stared at him in shock, unaware on how to respond.

“Now! All of you! Get out of here!” he shouted and the people started to disperse.

Tiff stood there, getting a hold of his balance before glancing at the small blond. “I’m sorry,” he said to her, feeling guilty that she had even been involved with any of this to begin with.

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"Don't you dare be sorry, Matthew Tiffany!" She said hotly, her lips pursing at him as she continued to offer her own strength in steadying him. Joey was such an....she didn't even want to continue the thought, she was so mad. Two miles was nothing but a character building exercise. And even she knew that. As several of the other cheerleaders groaned, she only shook her head, thinking that a few of them could use the extra running.

As the extra people dispersed, and it was merely her, Matthew, and the coaches talking heatedly, Noelle cleared her throat, before stating nearly the same of what her....accidental savior had said. "Matthew did nothing wrong. Unless you are going to say that Joey forcing himself on me, bullying me into going out on a date that I would rather not soil myself with, is not honorable." She was vehemently dedicated to her defending of Matthew. He had done nothing wrong, but pry Joey off her. She could still feel the warmth on her arms where the brute of a bully had pulled her to him, the mere thought of being that close to someone who possessed such a flagrant disrespect for his sisters in faith...she shuddered.

"So if we are going to be punished for such behavior that is going to be tolerated here at Temple, I don't know if I want to stand and cheer on a team that is so....has such disregard for the fostering of interactions that should be good for us, not like this!" She was rambling, her words coming out in a rush, tears starting to form in those big, blue eyes of hers. Turning her back on the two coaches, who's mouths were hanging open, she walked back to the injured footballer. "Don't be sorry. You did the right thing, even if they're not going to acknowledge that. Matthew Tiffany, you've done right before me, and before God. Don't ever forget that. The least I can do is help you get cleaned up, then maybe treat you to a milkshake...or whatever you really like."

She was highly traditional in her dating views, but this was different. He'd stood up for her, in front of the entire school, and the least she could do was offer her own gratitude in return. And later, of course, she'd recount the entire story to her father, who she hoped would be impressed with the depth of integrity in this classmate of hers.

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Tiffany had never been one to share his emotions. He was not pleased with the decision, but he understood why the punishment was being ordered. He didn’t regret his actions. God sometimes took violent actions in the act of the greater good. He saw his actions done similarly, but he had gone a bit far, he supposed. He wiped his bloody nose with his sleeve, but paused when the small beautiful angel started shouting. He couldn’t deny that a small smile touched his lips.

The coaches seemed confused and shock. “Violence is not tolerated, Noelle,” one spoke up.

Tiffany put his hand on her shoulder, as if to say he could handle it. “Coach, I don’t regret what I did, but I will respect your decision.”

The coach nodded. “You’re a good boy, Tiff. I know you had the right of heart, but you should have contacted me first,” he stated.

“Understood,” he stated and then led Elle away. When they were a good distance away towards the entrance of the locker rooms, he responded to her sweet words. Even though he certainly felt pain from the incident, his heart felt light. There was something about this girl. “I’m sorry you had to see me act so brutish. No woman should see violence, but I would do the same if it were repeated,” he said to her and then smiled, a real smile, very rare for Tiffany. “I would like that. I haven’t had a milkshake in some time. I’m going to change, and then I will meet you outside in fifteen minutes.” For a moment, he stared at her, wanting to lean forward and do something, like brush her stray hair that had fallen from her ponytail or kiss the edge of that bright smile, but he just nodded and turned to the locker room.

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Two miles was nothing. She didn't care about running. But the fact the coach was clearly not getting the fact that if Matthew hadn't acted, she'd have been pawed over by that pig of a boy. Not man, but boy. Where was the coach to prevent that to happen? Hottly angry, Elle shook her head as she could hear the faint whispers behind them. It was not long before the crowd dispersed to change and head home for the evening.

Even as he gently steered her to the locker room, she was quiet, an eerie thing for the bubbly blonde cheerleader. It wasn't until he spoke, did she re-focus back on him, her internal monologue going silent. Nodding, she listened to his bold explanation, accepting his apology. Pulling herself together, she took his words to heart as she herself headed to the girls' locker room and tried to fix herself up as she changed from her uniform to her skirt and sweater, a haphazard attempt at make herself look a bit less frazzled. A bit of mascara and lip gloss, and she thought she looked a bit more pulled together, thankful her cheeks were already a bit flushed as she combed her fingers through her hair. As she went to wait outside the locker room with her books, she was curious how they were going to get to their destination. She'd ridden with a friend that day, and for the life of her, she couldn't remember if Matthew had a car, truck, or anything.

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He walked into the locker room, stripping himself from his uniform and quickly getting into the shower to wash away the blood. He never quite understood how people like Joey could be seen as part of his community with the church, but he would certainly have to explain his actions to the minister. He had used violence which he knew was frowned upon, but he did not feel like god was disappointed in him. His golden cross given to him by his grandmother hung on his chest, as he wiped the rest of the blood off of his body.

He turned off the shower and went to put on his jeans and button down shirt, slipping on his boots. His folks leaved on a hundred and twenty acres of land just outside of Fort Worth. He didn’t consider himself one of these city boys like Joey, but they all still went to the same small Baptist Church. He locked the locker and then headed outside.

His hair a bit wet, but he looked clean. The only sign of the fight was a bruise rising up around his eye. He saw Elle, standing there. She still looked a bit frazzled by the experience, but he tried to lighten her mood with a small smile. “My pickups in the parking lot,” he commented. He never was one with words. He knew the words of the bible, but preferred not to talk unless necessary. He was a quiet man, after all.

“I’m not a directions type, so you might have to lead the way,” he said as he headed to the parking lot.

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Waiting there, she tried to smooth her skirt down to ease her nerves, but it wasn't helping. It was only when Matthew showed around the corner, casual, and much cleaner than he was before the fight. "Oh, your eye!" She exclaimed, biting her lip as she saw him. A small smile on his face caused her to smile back, even a bit more shyly. He was something else. She knew the other girls had tried to throw themselves at him, but it never worked. Ever. They had called him names, and she always ignored it, or just...tried to defend his honor. Not all men of God had to speak all the time, proclaiming their worth instead of showing it.

"I can do that," she answered him, slipping her hand into his as she shifted her books under her arm. "We can ask for some ice with those milkshakes, too. I wouldn't want you to go home with it all puffy. I know my parents would be concerned, my Ma...just worrying herself into a tizzy." Even then, her parents would be asking about the new truck dropping her off, but she'd be sure to tell them how Matthew had defended her, rightfully so.