ENC 1101-B3 & B4: Writing for Discovery

The cool breeze rushes by me, and the chilliness numbs my fingers. Autumn has arrived full force, and our high school is surrounded by fallen leaves of various shades. The bright lights currently flood the stadium, and the crowd is illuminated by the radiant glow. I look around me only to discover the wild enthusiasm of the fans, the intense concentration on each football player’s face, and the peppiness unleashed in every cheerleader.

“He’s running…he’s going…TOUCHDOWN!!!” exclaims the boisterous announcer.

“WOO HOO, go Travis! Yeah, Cougars! C’mon boys!” I shout, cheering on our team to victory. My pleated skirt floats in the gentle wind as I bounce around enthusiastically and quickly shake my pom-poms.

I stare at Travis as he does cartwheels off the field. He is so crazy and spontaneous! Not to mention; romantic, loving, honest, gorgeous, talented…. Okay, that’s enough. He is quite possibly the best boyfriend in the world, and every time I am by his side I have butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. We are so madly in love. I never thought, in my whole entire life, that I could be so devoted to someone.

Next year, we are both attending Florida State University where Travis will be playing college football. I am certain, along with the confidence of everyone in my hometown, that one day he will make it to the NFL. He has mastered the many skills required to become running back including unbelievable speed, flexibility, intelligence, and extremely good eye-hand coordination.

However, we still have one more year of high school lying ahead of us. We have quickly grown from inexperienced freshman to mature seniors. Therefore, this must be the best year yet!

I abruptly returned from my daydreaming state, only to observe Travis sprinting towards me. He lifts me up with his strong hands and tightly embraces me in his muscular arms. We give each other a long passionate kiss. Oh, how I love the way his lips touch mine. So sweet and luscious.

“I won this game for you, baby. I love you so much,” Travis professes.

“And I froze my ass off for you,” I tease. “Just because I love you though.”

We give each other another little peck before he lightly places me back on the ground. We then hold hands as we walk to the center of the field where the cheerleaders and football players gather. His warm touch sends chills up and down my spine.

The coach positions himself in the middle of the circle, and then gives a brief discussion. “Well boys, we did it! We are going to the championships. I have nothing more to say. You guys have made me proud. Practice makes perfect though so see ya’ll after school Monday!” he yells.

Our group is now pumped up, and more than ready to party hard! We all skip to the locker room, anticipating the fun lying ahead.

I quickly enjoy the hot, steamy shower as it warms my numb body. I throw on a brand new and adorable outfit from GUESS, apply some fresh make-up, and hastily blow dry my long blond hair. As I gather my belongings and walk from the locker room, Travis is awaiting me outside. I see his beautiful green eyes staring me down.

“You look beautiful, Kimmy. I just can’t tell you enough."

We begin excitedly talking about the winning game and the awaiting party. As we walk from the building our conversation is rudely interrupted.

HONK! HONK! “Hurry up you two damn lovebirds. Does it look like I have all day? Dude, we have a partaaaaay to go to!” screamed Joey, at the top of his lungs.

We start to pick up the pace in order to satisfy him. Ugh, he is always so antsy! How can Travis and Joey possibly be best friends? Travis is always so calm and understanding while Joey is so loud and obnoxious. I guess opposites attract! Travis swings open the door of Joey’s fire engine red Ford F-150 only to observe him jamming and bobbing around to his favorite punk mix CD. He hoists me up into the passenger seat, and then hops up next to me. Oh how lovely it is to be squished between two massive football players!

As we pull up to the party; everyone is bundled up in bulky jackets, and wearing scarves, gloves, and hats. It is quite obvious that everyone is celebrating the party with large amounts of alcohol. Six kegs occupy the garage, and almost everyone graps a red plastic cup.

“Guys, I promise that I will be the designated driver just because you two are my best friends. Have fun tonight! We’re going to the championships baby!” Joey hollers.

“Aww, that’s so sweet of you. Thanks buddy!” I lightly punch him in the arm, and in return, he gives me a noogie. “Okay, okay. That’s enough! You’re messing up the do,” I screech as I brush my fingers through my ruffled hair.

“Yeah, thanks man!” Travis says as he slaps Joey five.

Travis then grabs my hand, and we walk over to the keg. Our friend Bryan, the tight end on our football team, hands us each a cup.

“Drink up!!!” he yells. Everyone lifts their cup up quickly and wholeheartedly cheers for Travis, the star player of the game. Once our cups fill up with cold, foaming beer; we raise them; and now everyone is chugging.

It is so true that time flies when you’re having fun! I sure am having a blast, and it’s already one o’clock. As I look around, I am well aware that my vision is blurry.

I'm conversing with a few of my best girlfriends when we all see flashing red and blue lights. I look around frantically for Travis, and I spot his black spiky hair in the crowd.

I then clumsily run to him. I accidentally trip over a thick tree branch, but somehow, I recover my balance. Travis snatches my hand, and together, we scramble to Joey’s truck. When we finally reach the car, it is packed. Travis boosted me into the front seat, and I realize that there is absolutely no room.

“Sweetie, I’m gonna get a ride from Bryan so we’ll follow you to your house,” he explains. “I love you,” he whispers in my ear. He then gives me a heart-felt kiss.

“I love you too. Be careful baby,” I warn. Something deep inside of me tells me that something just isn’t right…

Joey then rips out of the driveway and begins to lead the way to the safety of my house. I notice that he keeps glancing at his rearview mirror.

“Kimberly, turn around and watch Bryan's car while I call Trav’s cell phone,” he advises.

I quickly whip my head around to see Bryan’s car swerving violently down the road. I notice him drift into the opposite lane, over the double-sided yellow lines, then jerk back into his own lane once again. He performs this task several times. Ugh, the car’s movement is making me dizzy. A slight wave of nausea runs through my body so I close my eyes for a few seconds. I hope my baby is okay, please let this ride be over, just get drunk idiot Bryan off the damn road. When I open my eyes once again, I adjust my vision to the road. Everything appears insanely blurry. I search frantically for the car. It is gone!

CRASH!

CRUNCH!

BOOM!

A burst of flames shoots into the air instantaneously from a ditch by the right side of the road. I hear piercing screams, and I am able to discern Travis’ out of them all. Tears well up in my eyes and begin to flow uncontrollably down my face. We all simply sit in silence. My body is numb. I try to speak, but no words come out. Nobody is moving either.

After about a minute, I begin to scream hysterically as I slam the truck door open. I sprint to the scene. I am able to find it because of the thick cloud of smoke hovering in the sky. It leads me to an extremely steep ditch, covered in brush. I spot the over-turned car. Oh no, it’s completely crushed. My crying is louder than ever now. I can’t control it. I attempt to run down the hill, but I tumble to the ground. Who cares about a few scratches and bruises! I just want to see my baby!

When I get to the car, it’s roof is caved in and there is glass shattered everywhere. It is leaking the blood of all its passengers. I lay on the moist ground and peer inside the vehicle. Everyone is completely mangled and lifeless, and I begin to vomit profusely. I can’t even tell who is who.

“No…No…No!...TRAVIS!...TRAVIS!...He’s not dead! I love him! He’s still alive! He’s gonna be okay!...I know I should have trusted my instincts!...He’s the love of my life. How am I ever going to live without him?” I scream desperately.

Through my tears, I see Joey slide down the hill. He slowly approaches me and then hugs me close to him. Finally, I experience a sense of comfort. All I can do is cry.