The Hidden Ones: The Spotlight - 7. Natural Born Leader

As I walked back in from the gate, I got hoots and stares from my relatives. Something tells me they saw me looking at him one too many times. But, I mean we are just friends, and sometimes it doesn’t even feel like that! Do I have a crush on him? I guess…but there’s no way he has feelings back…and there’s no way he’ll ever get them. In his eyes, we’re just too different…in his eyes, I’ll always be predictable…I’ll always be boring.

“Teddy’s got a boyfriend! Teddy’s got a boyfriend!” one of my cousins childishly giggled. “And he’s an emo!”

“No one says emo anymore,” another cousin chastised. “But, that totally wasn’t the type of guy I expected the golden child of the family to bring home.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I dismissed in an attempt to shut it down before it could circulate. “He and I…we’re just not meant to be together.”

“Don’t be overdramatic,” a 3^rd cousin jumped in with a roll of her eyes. “There’s no such thing as ‘not meant to be together’, you either go after him or you don’t.”

“I’m trying to,” I confessed, much to my Dad’s surprise. “I just have to take it really slow, and I don’t know…I feel like he’s not getting feelings back.”

“You clearly didn’t see the way he looked at you while you were playing guitar then,” my Dad happily nodded. “There’s no timeline for love, just stick by his side…”

One of my uncles laughed and shook his head. “Don’t take love advice from Harrison. He practically had to beg your mother to ma rry him!”

“I did not,” he pouted. “I just had to ask more than once…and that was perfectly fine!”

“You wouldn’t have had to ask multiple times if you would’ve just waited for me to have Teddy first!” she argued as the focus began to shift to their love life. “The first words out of his mouth after he found out I was pregnant were ‘Will you marry me?’” she teased with a smile.

“Hey, most men panic when they hear that. I, on the other hand, was very excited.” He nodded as their eyes met. “I knew our child was going to be perfect, just like you.”

“Oh, save it!” she playfully teased. “You didn’t know what else to say! Hell! I’m pretty sure you almost fainted!”

“Okay! Okay!” I cut off, beginning to learn too much for comfort.

Most of my family laughed, thankful I put a stop to the uncomfortable topic. Like I’ve said, I have no problem knowing I was…unexpected; but other people, well, they don’t love to hear about it! “The point is…” my Dad began shifting towards me, “you never know what’s going to happen. But if you listen to your gut and you stay true to yourself….well, even the most earthshattering surprises turn into amazing things.”

I softly nodded my head and let the rest of the night play out without drawing any more attention to myself. They did give me good advice…but I think I’ve had enough of talking about it all for a few days! I guess I’ll just stick by Ryder and see what happens.

“Teddy,” my Uncle waived over as everyone began to leave. “If Friday night doesn’t go as planned…if your friend can’t bring what he did by the fire to the stage…he’s going to need you to lean on.”

“I’m not worried,” I shook my head with confidence. “What he did by the fire was nothing compared to what he’s like on stage. I’m actually more worried you’ll be too old to handle it,” I teased with a growing grin.

“And to think I was going to get you Drake tickets for your birthday.” He shrugged, pretending to be upset.

“I take it back! I take it back!” I yelped.

My uncle laughed and shook his head. “I’ll tell you what, if this kid is as good as he looks to be, I’ll owe you a lot more than Drake tickets.” He nodded giving me a light pat on the back. “By the way, never date an entertainer, they do nothing but break hearts.”

“Just focus on the Drake tickets.” I laughed, doing my best to fight off his last comment. Ryder’s not like a rapper or anything; it’s not like he’ll become this huge douchebag that treats men like shit. Then again, I’ve heard some bad stories about rock stars, and he does really like Motley Crue, being famous won’t change him…will it?

Once more I found myself spending another night where all I could think about was Ryder. What the hell is wrong with me lately? I haven’t paid any attention to this kid for the 12 years we’ve gone to school together, and suddenly I’m obsessing over him? Get it together Teddy! This needs to stay on the down low. Just until I can convince everyone he’s not as weird as they make him out to be.

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Wednesday couldn’t come fast enough. When it did, well it was exactly what I needed to clear my head. “Move the ball! Keep it moving!” I commanded from the sidelines. I’m really not that great at lacrosse; but, being a captain…being a leader…I can do that. Throughout the first half, I stood near the bench screaming orders at my team, making sure they were pushing themselves. But, as the second half began, I couldn’t help but be distracted by taunts and whistles coming from the bench behind me.

“Yo, check it out,” one of the kids on the bench remarked. “The school shooter’s here.”

I turned around to see Ryder doing his best to keep anonymous. He came…he actually came! “Shut the fuck up, Todd.” I turned around, making sure to get in his face. “You’re the first to bitch about not getting any playing time and yet you’re more focused on the crowd than the game. Get your head in the fucking game.”

“Sorry Teddy, I…”

“Don’t apologize to me,” I shrugged off, turning back around. “Apologize to Ryder for being a dick, and to yourself for letting your potential go to waste.” I nodded, taking a stand for once. “Keep focusing on everyone else as you ride bench.” I remarked, as the coach motioned for me to get to the substitution box. “I’ve got a team to lead.” I hate having to be hard on my team, but I will if I have to, and making fun of Ryder…that no longer flies around me.

As usual, my play was nothing special. I got roughed up, harassed, talked shit to. You name any brutal lacrosse action and, well, it happened to me. But I never minded. That’s the price of being a leader. I lead by example, if I didn’t take hits, why would they? I’ll sacrifice for this team whenever I need to; as a result, I expect them to sacrifice back.

I couldn’t help but get aggravated as the last second ticked away with us still down by one. “Pathetic!” Coach shouted as we headed back to the bench. “Pathetic, and uninspired! That’s how I’d describe you boys tonight!” he angrily shouted. “That’s right boys! Because men do not play like that!” I could tell his words were falling on deaf ears.

“Guys,” I spoke up as Coach began to angrily pace. “Players only meeting, center field now!”

I led the pack onto the big field. Players only meetings weren’t meant as a knock to the coach or anything; sometimes, they’re just needed to wake everyone up. “What the hell was that?!” I began as a huge circle crowded around me. “You guys were running around like a chicken without a head. Benny, how many times you gonna get slashing called on you before you learn? Tyler, why the hell don’t you pass? And the whole defense really needs to get their shit together,” I shouted, letting my frustration bleed into my words. “I was lazy today. I missed open shots, I quit on plays, I hesitated on hits, and I let them get in my head,” I confessed looking around at my team. Lead by example Teddy, lead by example. “I’m not perfect by any means, so I’ll work on that. What about you boys?”

“I kept slashing people,” Benny confessed in agreement with my words. “I let my frustration show, I shied away from my man. I didn’t hustle towards lose balls.”

“I was selfish,” Tyler stepped forward, seeing the trend starting to occur. “I thought I could be the game changer. I forgot I need to rely on the boys.”

One by one, the underclassmen followed the rising senior’s example. Each and every one confessed their screw ups, and said how’d they work on it. One by one, I saw them accept the fact that they needed to change, that they could change. If they can do this with lacrosse, why can’t they do this with Ryder?

That question began to haunt me as I grew closer to him in the crowd. Every now and again, remarks would rain down on him; but he sat there, accepting the attack. Why? To see me barely play? I shook my head and looked up at the remaining students waiting to see their friends or boyfriends on the team.

“Yo,” I called out, taking a step up on the first row of the bleachers. “If I hear a gay slur one more time, I will personally come up there and beat the shit out of you myself.” I shook my head in disgust as the crowd grew quiet. “You know how hard it is to focus on the game when all we can hear is you guys making fun of someone for coming to the game?” I asked, but was met with silence. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. It’s easy to talk when no one calls you on your shit isn’t it?” I looked around. “Well, that’s over. If he’s a ‘cocksucking faggot’ then so am I.” I exhaled, climbed down, and pulled Ryder up. “Think about you say before you say it,” I reprimanded one last time. “Let’s get out of here man.”

“Sorry Teddy,” someone forced out, as I pulled Ryder from the bleachers and towards the parking lot.

“Yeah, we didn’t mean it towards you,” another supported. “We were just mad at the game is all.”

“Sorry!” a few more voices called out, but I ignored them all. They should be apologizing to him, not me!

“You don’t have to come to games anymore.” I sighed as our eyes finally connected. “I have no idea why you even stayed. Blake didn’t even try to stop by.”

He shrugged his shoulders, but kept his eyes on mine. “You come to my shows.”

“That’s different.” I forced a smile. “That’s…it’s…there’s….”

“There’s not people making fun of you there?” he asked as the setting sun reflected back off the green in his hair.

“Yeah.” I softly nodded as we reached my car. “You don’t have to…”

“I’m used to it,” he interrupted as his eyes drifted away. “I don’t even hear it anymore.…besides, I wanted to see you play.”

“Well, what’d you think?” I exhaled, discreetly trying to fix my hair after catching a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the car window.

He swayed his head from side to side. “You got hit a bunch,” he decided, “You almost scored but you missed by a mile…You uh…you need more practice.” He playfully teased, trying his best to get cute with me.

“Oh yeah?” I giggled, reaching out and giving him a push. “One day of shooting around in my backyard and you’re suddenly an expert?”

“I probably would’ve made the shot.” He laughed, growing more comfortable.

“Want to come over and prove that?” I smiled, seeing how far I could push him.

“I don’t need to prove it.” He nodded. “I just know I can, but uhm…can I come and talk to your dad, you know if it’s not…” he nervously began, worried he was annoying me.

“Of course,” I quickly nodded. “And I get it; you only hang out with me for my dad.”

“I just want to run my set list for Friday by him,” Ryder quickly explained. “Besides, I hang out with you for the popularity.” He softly smiled. “Can’t you tell how much everyone loves me?”

“So much.” I rolled my eyes as I climbed into my car “You need a lift?”

“No,” he shook his head. “I uhm, got my grandma to let me use the car.”

“Alright then, keep up. I don’t like to brag but this car,” I let out, slapping the door, “is pretty badass.”

“I can tell.” Ryder giggled walking to his own car. “Especially since the mirror almost fell off when you smacked the door.”

“It’s a safety feature!” I yelped as I pulled out of the spot. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Every now and then as I made the short drive home, I would glance in my rearview mirror and take a good look at Ryder. I know I’ve said it before, but he really is cute. He’s kind of like if boy band met metal. It’s weird, but it works!

“Dad!” I called out, leading Ryder upstairs and into the living room. “I’m home, and I brought you a friend.”

“How’d the game go?” he called out before we turned the corner.

“Pathetic.” I shook my head. “We lost by one, and no one really seemed to care.”

“You chew them out?” He asked, smiling towards Ryder as he finally saw who the guest was.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Ryder wants to talk to you about the retro night set list or whatever.”

“Yeah I uh…”

“That’s great!” My Dad exclaimed, excitedly sitting up. “What are you playing? Some Iron Maiden? Some Judas Priests? Some Stones? No!” My dad began to lose himself in thought. “You’re a big 4 man aren’t you?”

“I…” Ryder shook his head, overwhelmed by it all.

“Have fun.” I giggled as I patted Ryder on the back. “I’m going to go take a quick shower.”

“No Teddy, wait I um…”

“What?” I shrugged, not slowing down. “You uncomfortable if I leave you with my dad?”

“No,” he lied, looking from me to him.

“I’ll be 5 minutes.” I waved off, beginning to climb the stairs. “He doesn’t bite, I promise.”

I took one last look as Ryder nervously took a seat next to my dad and pulled the small notebook out of his pocket. “Okay uh,” he shakily began. “I think we um want to open with Welcome to The Jungle and uh…” His voice trailed off as I finally made it far enough onto the second floor.

I took a good long look at myself in the mirror as the water began to warm up. What a terrible time for Ryder to see me! I looked like, like, well like I had just been wearing a helmet for 3 hours! The eye black I had painted on was smeared and dried sweat painted across my face. I rarely look out of order; but, I can’t help it with lacrosse! I mean, my hair’s not long by any means; but, it’s not really short either. I keep it the perfect length; letting it gently sweep across my forehead, careful not to ever let it cover my eyes. Everyone says they’re my best feature, so why would I ever cover them?

When I finally finished up and step out of the bathroom, I couldn’t help but hear the familiar sound of my dad’s laughter. I cautiously made my way back towards the stairs and couldn’t help but smile as Ryder had finally loosened up enough to joke around with my dad. The way they were talking you would almost think they’re father and son!

“So, that last one’s perfect,” my dad supported. “You really want to play him a…”

“Yup!” Ryder cut him off, silencing my dad as he saw me appear on the stairway. “I’m positive.”

“It might be your last song as a part of that band, you sure you want it to be for…”

“Yes!” Ryder insisted, as my Dad clearly began to poke his buttons. “I’m positive!”

“For who?” I asked, shooting them a weirded-out look.

“No one,” Ryder waived off. “He’s just joking.”

A mischievous grin crossed my Dad’s face, but he refused to speak. “Alrighty then.” I exhaled and kept my eyes on the both of them. “Did you warn your band that you might be moving on yet?”

“Yeah,” Ryder nodded, growing serious. “I told them Sunday during band practice.”

“How’d they take it?” My dad inquired, redirecting his goofy look to Ryder.

“In stride.” Ryder shrugged. “They weren’t happy, but they understood. …we knew Society wasn’t going to last forever…just listen to that stupid name.”

“It’s not stupid,” I corrected with a supportive smile. “Call yourself whatever you want, as long as you’re a good band no one will complain.”

“If you say so,” Ryder disagreed, clearly not sharing the same opinion. “Speaking of them, I better get going, band practice starts at 9.”

“Where the hell do you have band practice at 9 pm?” I wondered, shooting him another weird look.

“Cemetery,” he quickly explained, moving towards the door.

“Ooooo spooky,” my dad remarked through a giggle. “But don’t you have ‘a constant fear that something’s always near?’” he teased, forcing Iron Maiden lyrics into the conversation.

I let out a deep breath at the clear Dad move. “Come on Ryder, I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Finish the lyric!” my dad shouted as Ryder stood in the doorway, his back to the both of us. “You know you want to!”

“Fear of the Daaaark,” Ryder unleashed in a voice that was nothing but raw power and emotion.

“Holy crap!” I couldn’t’ help but exclaim. I mean, I’ve heard Ryder sing a bunch of times now, but I had no idea he could do that! That was like…like right out of the song! “I…how…you can do that?”

“I’ve been practicing it for a while.” Ryder bashfully turned back around with a blush. “It’s um…it’s taken a while to get it like that. I still can’t get it high….but yeah…it’s…yeah.” He smiled proudly.

“Who cares about getting it high?!” my Dad exclaimed in nothing but support. “Pitch doesn’t matter when you have that type of power! Add a Maiden song to that line up right this second!”

“My guitarists can’t play their songs.” Ryder giggled, trying to worm his way out of it as he back pedaled out the door. “Maybe another day.”

“No!” my dad cried out like a toddler throwing a tantrum. “Then at least sing me a quick song before you leave!”

Ryder let out a deep sigh as he turned back around, facing the darkness outside. “If there is a god why has he let me gooooo?,” he let out once more showing off a voice I’m not sure anyone could imitate.

“This kids going places!” Dad shouted, as I pushed Ryder out the door and shut it behind us. “He’s going places!” We heard him yelp one more time.

“They say you’re not supposed to reward tantrums like that,” I teased, slowly walking with him to his car.

Ryder embarrassingly shrugged his shoulders. “It’s nice to see someone appreciate that type of singing…it felt like I was wasting my time when I was practicing it.”

“Trust me.” I shook my head. “You weren’t! I don’t even like rock and even I can see that!”

“Good.” He exhaled, taking a long look at me. “Tell your Dad I say thank you…he’s uh…really cool,” Ryder sheepishly let out.

“That’s going to go right to his head.” I let out in laughter.

Ryder nodded his head and lightly tapped my arm. “Be thankful for him.” He exhaled, as I watched pain slowly creep back into him. “He reminds me of my dad.”

“Think they’ll be friends?” I asked, eager to learn more about his family. I mean I know he said it’s just him and his Grandma, but maybe his Dad just can’t afford to live with them. Hell maybe he’s a musician himself!

“They would’ve been.” He painfully exhaled. “It’s…forget it.” He waived off, climbing into the driver’s seat. “You’ll be there Friday right?”

“I should be,” I quickly nodded, dropping talk of fathers.

“Just…” he exhaled, throwing it into drive, “make sure you are.” He let out as he began to pull away.

I shook my head as a big smile began to crept over my face. Ryder you’re one hell of a mystery…but you’ve become my mystery. I’ll be there Friday night…and I’ll be the loudest damn one in the building!