the downfall of the football players

Chapter 1

Beep, beep, beep. My alarm goes off, signaling the start of another school day. From downstairs, I hear my dad’s voice calling out,

“Chloe, it’s time to get up.”

I rise from my bed, gather my disheveled hair into a messy bun, and make my way to the bathroom. The shower’s soothing warmth engulfs me as I step in. After emerging, I use the blow dryer on my hair before making my way down to the kitchen. A piece of toast awaits me, prepared by my dad. With the toast in hand, I exit the house. My school is a mere half-mile walk away, so I pop in my headphones and lose myself in the melodies of “Malibu Nights” by Lany. The rhythmic beat accompanies me as I reach the school’s entrance. Instead of blending into the crowd like usual, I hesitate at the threshold. A gentle tap on my back startles me—it’s Maya.

Maya: “How have you been, Chloe?”

Chloe: “I’ve been alright. ¿Cómo has estado?”

Maya: “You know I can’t understand you when you speak Spanish.”

We open our lockers, stowing away our belongings since we don’t need them now. It’s my first day back after the incident involving my brother. As I walk through the hallways, whispers and stares follow me—inevitable, perhaps, when news spreads that the police discovered my brother’s body in an abandoned building.

Chapter 2

When I arrived home, my dad inquired about my first day back at school. I brushed off the question, as the day had been agonizing. The constant stares from classmates were unwelcome reminders. I didn’t want unfamiliar faces approaching me to offer condolences. Who could blame them? I headed straight to my room, snatching a book from my shelf. In search of comfort, I moved to my brother’s room, nestling into his bed and wrapping myself in his blanket.