"Let's go dragons, let's go!" A single guy chanted, cheering on the Dartwell football team. "Let's go dragons, let's-"

"Shut up!" Someone exclaimed. "You're embarrassing yourself!"

His cheeks flushed and ended up saying nothing else the rest of the game.

Poor guy, I thought.

Everyone gave him pitiful looks, shaking their heads in sympathy for him. Some glared at the guy who yelled at him who ignored them because he knew he's right, we knew he's right. It was pointless, he shouldn't have gone so far to embarrass himself, cheering on Dartwell because... we're... let me just say it bluntly.

We're losing.

And no, I don't mean the other team- Straughtlan High, home of the sharks-is ahead by one measly point. I wish that was the case.

The scores right now is 0-18. I wish I can say we're the one's winning, but just look opposite of the double digit number and that's what we are. Straughtlan got their 18 points with two touchdowns (six points each) and two field goals (three points) while we got- oh wait, we got nothing. It was pathetic, depressing as we watched them score those points. Just before the game we were all riled up, excited for the game we were sure to win. Then you could just watch as the chants stopped, the bleachers going quiet, no one saying a word compared to the other side yelling and shouting.

I sighed before taking another bite out of my chili cheese hot dog. It's the only thing that's making up for the terrible game. On the Straughtlan side everyone was loud and happy, with a cheery atmosphere that should be rubbing off on us but we're so depressed it's canceling it out. They were even starting out a chant that was so catchy a few people from the Dartwell side were humming to it, getting glares from their neighbors. While on the Dartwell side, the atmosphere is depressing, already giving up, seeing everyone's bored, embarrassed looks for even sitting here. I looked around, seeing people so depressed they're not even eating their food. Yeah, they're that depressed. You know someone is depressed if they can't even finish their nachos with extra cheese and jalapeños.

"Let's go Dartwell! Let's go Dartwell! Let's give those losers a farewell!"

I snorted. "So we'll be telling ourselves goodbye then?"

But the cheerleading squad was just trying to do their thing. And no, I don't mean actually cheering, they're just showing off how short their skirts are and how low their blouses are. I guess they've given up on lifting up the school's spirit and going for lowering their standards- It's easier that way. And it was working, they weren't lifting up anyone's spirit, but they were lifting up some guys' spirit from the whistles and call gestures they made. Hannah especially did the most to get Declan's attention who's eyes were only on the game. Bennett and Abby were along with him. Abby was scolding the both of them for eating such disgusting food while Bennett and Declan just ate it anyway. I didn't see Jordan and Candice anywhere though.

But at least the cheerleaders were doing something. Even the school's mascot gave up in trying to cheer everyone up, and that's his job. The school's mascot, some poor kid getting paid to wear a ridiculous green and gold dragon that's the school mascot, with green scales and gold trim, is roasting in there while everyone is at least enjoying the cool crisp October air.

Everyone knew that's the game is hopeless now. We weren't in the same league to begin with. Dartwell High has always been rivals with Straughtlan, given the coach of the football team, Coach Cristiani, used to be in Dartwell. Straughtlan bribed him into coaching there with better pay and funding. We thought that he wouldn't betray us, but he did. So we got Coach Douglass, a brainless weight-lifting guy who coaches like a military sergeant.

It's all because of him that we're losing the game. I don't even know how far we got into the season with his coaching. He's always been looking up common plays, not taking any chances, always letting his star quarterback- Go ahead, guess who it is. Yes, Raymond, he's the star quarterback and team captain to always get the ball to get the glory. But of course, Coach Cristiani already knows how Coach Douglass makes his plays, always aiming to go for Raymond. Sure, I should be happy every time they tackle him, hoping to break something, but I don't want us to cost a game. They should try to let someone else take Raymond's place, but they can't. Raymond being the star quarterback, he gets to choose what plays to do, so obviously he'll choose the plays where he can be in the spotlight. It's the typical thing for Raymond to do.

I looked down the bleachers to the field, where the football team were sitting. At the Straughtlan side, they were excited, confident and happy, knowing for a fact they're going to win. But over at our side, everyone was sitting down, their heads looking down in shame, not daring to look at anyone in the eye. Parker especially looked the saddest. I remembered just a couple of minutes ago just before the game, he was so excited for the game, confident that they'll beat Straughtlan today. He looked so happy, but now... he's so depressed, down. I looked down at my outfit, thankful for the warmth of Parker's- my jacket, the varsity jacket he gave me. I gripped the sleeves under my fists in anger.

I didn't come here just to watch Dartwell lose- again, or see my boyfriend look like he lost hope in everything when he was so lively just minutes before. I'm supposed to be his good luck charm. What is the use of a good luck charm if it doesn't give good luck? How can I face him if I didn't do my part and be his good luck? It was then I thought of the craziest, stupidest, but most brilliant plan I have ever thought of.

So far.  

I abandoned my hot dog. Wait, of course I didn't. I couldn't. You can't just abandon a hot dog.  That's like hot dog cruelty right there. No hot dog left behind, especially a chili cheese hot dog. I finished it in two quick bites then left the bleachers and went into a place that's every girl's dream but my nightmare- the boy's locker room.

-

"I don't know why they still want me to wear this stupid thing," he grumbled to himself, though it was muffled under his dragon head. "We're already losing, what's the point of still wearing this?"

The dragon shook his head and walked right past me. It was then I grabbed it by the tail and yanked it. The guy nearly fell backwards, but was able to catch his balance. I dragged him behind the lockers as he yelled at me as he clawed at the floor to get away. When I let go, he abruptly stood up and looked at me. He took off the mascot head off him making me have to do a double take when he did because of the smell, before glaring at me.

I blinked at the familiar face. "Harvey?"

His blonde hair had a sweat band wrapped around his head. His whole face was glistening with sweat as if he came from a major workout or from a steam room of a spa. But I doubt it's the latter because he does not look relax or (sniff) smell clean at all.

"Well if it isn't Nerdy Naomi," the Starbucks barista spat. "Thanks to you, I was put back on toilet duty."

I scoffed. "It's not my fault you-"

"Don't even," he warned me. "And what's wrong with you? Don't just scare a guy out of nowhere!"

"Harvey..."

"You don't just grab a dragon by the tail unless you wanted to be served roasted on a silver platter!"

"Harvey..."

"And what are you doing in the boy's locker room anyway? Are you like one of those weird stalker girls who-"

"Harvey!"

He stopped. "What?"

"Let me wear your costume."

"What? No!"

"Why not?" I demanded.

"It's because..." Harvey paused then crossed his arms and said, "You're not a privilege mascot. To become one you must go through two years of intense training with-"

"Really?" I asked. "Is that really the best you can come up with?"

"What gave me away?"

"The fact that I know they offered you ten bucks and volunteer credit required to graduate," I told him before holding up a poster. "There are posters all over the school with this offer."

"Well whatever," he huffed. "I'm still not letting you wear this. They won't give me my other half of the ten bucks or the credit if they find out I'm not wearing it."

"Why wouldn't you jump at the chance to get out of that costume?"

He opened his mouth to say something but closed it. "Well- I... Well like I said, you have to go through two years of mascot camp-"

I gave him the look.

"-that and I'm not wearing any pants," he admitted, sagging his shoulders.

I made a face. "Ugh, why aren't you wearing any pants?"

"I came to the game already wearing the costume from home. The stench comes with the costume. I tried washing it, but it's permanent. And do you know how hot it is in here?"

I sighed. "Just go to the lost and found and borrow something, the whole school is at the game. The spare key is under the fire extinguisher beside the door," I told him, finally making some use with my knowledge of having service as an elective.

"But-"

"I'll give you twenty-"

"Deal!" Harvey said immediately, making me jump back in surprise.

He began to walk towards the showers as he struggled to take off the costume. I followed him, stifling a giggle as he did it.

"Was the whole 'not wearing pants thing' really the reason why you wouldn't let me wear the costume?"

He paused from getting desperate enough to try to rip the costume but was too weak to do it.

"Well, it's not the only reason."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why else then?"

"The costume is all smelly and-" Harvey caught himself. "If I say anything else, you might change your mind. Anyway, if people were to find out that you wore it in my place, they'd probably think I forced you to wear it for me. Then I would hear the end of it, now that you're not Nerdy Naomi and all."

"Oh, I'm touched," I told him, touching my heart for emphasis. "You wouldn't let me wear the smelly costume to save yourself. I know it's for selfish reasons, but I'm still touched."

He rolled his eyes. "Shut up, now help me out of this stupid dragon," he grumbled.

The both of us were finally able to pry the mascot costume off him. When we did, he took off running when he got out of the costume, yelling at me to shut my eyes since he was wearing nothing but an undershirt and boxers, and went to another shower stall. So while Harvey hid in one of the showers, I began to put on the dragon, already smelling the stench Harvey was talking about.

I heard him clear his throat. "It's best if you take off your clothes."

I paused and looked at the wall that separated our stalls. "Excuse me?" I asked in disbelief.

There was a long silence before he exclaimed. "No! I didn't mean it like that!"

"Then what did you mean?"

"You'll be roasting in there the first few minutes out in the field. I suggest the less clothes, the better."

I snorted before muttering, "That's probably the same motto some people live by." Already I was thinking of a few people.

"Really?" Harvey's voice asked, getting noticeably perky. "People like who? I'd love to meet-"

He was cut off when I tossed my shirt over the stall, probably landing on his head.

"But can't you just give me one name at-"

I tossed my jeans at him too.

Harvey quickly left the boy's locker room to find some pants from the lost and found as I went to change into the costume. It was a good thing I wore an undershirt because of the cold day. Though I could see why Harvey didn't want to get out of the costume, not wearing any pants and all. I tied up my hair up into a ponytail with a rubberband I found on the counter. I stepped into the onesie and pulled the costume up, slipping my arms into the costume's arms. The whole costume itself was huge and bulky. I bet this is one of those one-size-fits-all costumes, when in the end it doesn't really fit anyone. The other trouble besides the fact that the costume is hot, dark, and has this strange smell of sweat, gym clothes and... nachos for some reason, is the stupid zipper at the back of the costume.

Harvey poked his head over the wall into my shower stall, he must have come back and gotten some pants.

"Having trouble there Lorraine?"

"Just help zip me up, will you?"

He did so before handing me my clothes and Parker's jacket- my jacket I mean (why do I keep on doing that?)- when I left the stall and I folded them before hiding them on top of one of the lockers. I went into Coach Douglass's office and grabbed some spare papers and a pencil. Harvey looked over my shoulder and watched as I began to make new game plans.

"You're crazy, you know that?"

I shrugged. "On occasion."

"I don't know anyone who would go as far as to change the plans from his clipboard right under Douglass's nose."

"Now you do."

"But you do know he never leaves that clipboard out of his sight, right?"

"I know."

"So how will you-"

I placed a dragon finger in front of his lips, silencing him.

"With luck," I told him. "Lots and lots of luck."

He shook his head. "You're so getting caught."

I slipped the finished plans into the costume's collar and tucked it into a torn seam of the costume for safekeeping.

"Well good luck out there, you're going to need it," he said as he handed me the dragon costume's head and I exchanged it for the twenty bucks I promised him. But before I was about to put it on, he said, "Oh, and that smell? It wasn't me, I swear."

I laughed and put on the head. Of course, I did a double take from the stench before really putting it on.

"You'll get used to it," he said with a shrug.

"Hopefully," my voice said, coming out of the dragon head.

"Knock them dead," Harvey said before quickly adding, "but not with the smell though, if it hasn't knocked you out already."

I gave him a thumbs-up with my dragon costume hands, which is weird how the dragon has opposable thumbs. With a final nod to him, I left the locker room. I came into it a nerdy girl and came out a nerdy girl wearing smelly dragon costume. This is what happens to you girls, the locker room changes you.

You have been warned.

"Harvey!" Someone yelled.

I continued walked towards the benches.

"Harvey!" The voice yelled again.

I asked myself, if I were Coach Douglass's clipboard, where will I be?

Suddenly, I was yanked backwards by the tail. I was held up by the collar, and I was met face-to-face with Coach Douglass. I looked down at his hand to see he was holding the clipboard.

There it is.

"Harvey!" He exclaimed. I expect that you speak when spoken to!"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Harvey?"

"Are you deaf boy?" He demanded.

"Boy?" I repeated.

But then I remembered, Harvey is supposed to be in this costume, not me. I guess I was so caught up with my plan to change the game plans that I forgot about the whole mascot thing entirely.

"Um no-" I cleared my throat and made it lower and gruff "-no sir."

"Then you speak when spoken to. Are we clear?"

"Yes sir."

"I said, are we clear?" He demanded louder.

"Yes sir!"

He let go of my collar. "Then go out there and do your job by showing some school spirit!"

I exclaimed. "Yes si-" my eyes widened when I realized "-wait what?"

But he pushed me forward towards the field. I jogged towards it, looking back at the clipboard that was going farther and farther away.

I sighed and muttered to myself, "This is going to be a long day."

And it was.

I plopped down on the bench, breathing heavily. I see mascots in a whole new view now. I always saw them as kids jumping up and down, and pretty much making a fool out of themselves to represent a team in a hot, stinky costume. I mean, I still do. But it's different know that I'm in their place. I don't know how these people do it. These people are hard to cheer up. Actually, I think I just made them even sadder with my pathetic attempt. And I tried really hard, doing some disco moves, twerking, shuffling, even Gangnam style, but they just kept throwing things at me. They should give me some credit, it's hard enough just walking around the costume, much less to dance in it. I once tripped on the tail and knocked over the pyramid of cheerleaders. A few of them who were limping or massaging their sore arms glared at me and give me some rude gestures, but all I could do was pathetically wave a clawed dragon hand back.

The team was coming back to the benches. They looked tired, defeated already, their heads hung low, shoulders sagging. I saw Parker in the crowd as number 42, and he looked the most defeated one of all of them. My fists clenched in the dragon costume hands. I hate seeing him like this.

"Move it Fisher," a football player growled before pushing me off the bench and landing flat on my butt with the grunt on the hard ground.             

His friends chuckled at that as they went to sit on the bench next to him.

"All you have to do is say please," I grumbled.

He snorted. "Why do I have to say something like to someone like you?"

I glared at him. "Because-"

"Hey, no fighting here," Parker said, coming up to us.

I instantly stiffened.  

"Aw we're only just messing around," the guy said with a grin. "It's not our fault Fisher can't take a joke."

"Just leave him alone Ian," Parker said before holding out his hand to me. "Here, let me help you up."

Our hands- well his hand and my dragon hand -clasped together and he helped me off the ground.

"Tha-" I fixed my voice again "-Thanks, man."

"No problem."

"What's with your voice Harvey?" One of Ian's friends asked. "It's lower than usual. Finally reached puberty, or pretending you have it?" His friends laughed at that.

I glared at them, and I wish I wasn't wearing the dragon head so I can show them I was glaring at them. Even though I'm not Harvey, the joke still hurts. Does Harvey actually get bullied like this? Like me?

"Knock it off," Parker told them.

"Don't be such a bummer O'Neil," Raymond said, sitting on a bench and wiping a towel over his forehead. "It was only a little joke."

"To you," Parker and I said in unison, before sharing a look with each other.

"Listen," Parker said. "We're all just tense because-"

"Our asses are getting kicked?" Ian offered.

"Yeah, pretty much," he said with a pathetic shrug. "But you shouldn't take it out on Harvey here. He's only trying to do his job and cheer everyone up."

"Whatever," Raymond said, waving him off. "That still doesn't change the fact we're losing."

"You're right," Parker said sitting down on the bench. "Our plays are too predictable. Coach uses them again and again."

The papers filled with my plays felt heavy. This could be our only chance to win this game.

"And Raymond, if only you'd give someone a chance, maybe we can fool them-"

Raymond narrowed his eyes at Parker. "If you think I'm actually going to hand you the spotlight, you got another thing coming."

Parker glared at Raymond. "No, I never said that. I don't care if you give it to me. I just want you to give it to anyone else. Everyone knows you always get the ball-" maybe because he doesn't have any for himself "-but the other team won't expect it if you'd let someone else do it, they'd aim for you, but not for them. That might give us a chance to just-"

"Not a chance," Raymond growled. "I won't give the ball to anyone."

"That sure is selfish of you. Not even once for the game, for the school?" Parker demanded.

He crossed his arms. "Even if I did, it's not like coach's plays will be much help. It's not like Coach Cristiani's plays, compared to his plays it's like he's putting random X's, O's and arrows on the field." And honestly, I think he is. "To put it simply, they suck."

"What sucks?" Coach Douglass demanded as he suddenly come up next to them.

Raymond blinked. "Uh..."

"-The other coach's plays," Parker said immediately.

He just burst out laughing. "You got that right son. But I hate to break it to you that his plays are winning him the game right now."

Everyone nodded in agreement, not liking the fact, but knowing it's true.

"But I got some plays that'll knock their socks off. I've been saving these plays for a last resort, and right now, we sure are going to need it."

They all perked up at the sound of that.

"Really?"

"You're not joking right?"

"Will we really win the game with them?"

"We sure will," the coach said with absolute confidence. "I haven't used this play since the last game we had-" which we won by luck "-or this play I used from the same game which I tweaked a bit from that same play "-which we also won by luck "-or even this play I got from the internet just for this game-" which we will not win with just luck.

They may have held back groans, eyerolls, and face palms. But I can tell by the sagged shoulders and the looks on their faces that they wanted to tear their hair out that we'll be losing big time.

"And Raymond," Parker said with a cold glare. "What play do you think we'll be-"

"The one with me doing the touchdown obviously," Raymond said.

"That is, if you can even score a touchdown without getting tackled by everyone since they know you'll have the ball."

Raymond frowned. "I'm only letting them do that."

Parker snorted. "Yeah sure, tell that to the last play where you were eating dirt."

While the two of them bickered back and forth, and Coach Douglass was cooing over his "brilliant" plays, I eyed the clipboard Coach Douglass had in his hand. If only I can get the chance to have that clipboard alone, I'll be able to quickly change the plays around. But that clipboard goes everywhere with him. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes it on dates or has a special hook for it in his shower.

And then there's the problem with Raymond. I mean, there are a lot of problems with him, but just this one specifically. As the quarterback, he's able to choose what plays to do in the field. Sometimes coach will tell him to do a play, and sometimes Raymond will take it or find a better play to do as long as the play will get him all the glory which is exactly what the opposing team will expect. I don't know how I'll deal with Raymond, but I'll think of something later. Right now, my main priority is getting Douglass's clipboard away from him long enough for me to change it. What I need is a distraction.

And I know the best person to do it.

I looked around to check to see if it would be safe to get away for the moment. The football team is too busy being depressed, the fans in the bleachers are too busy being depressed, and the cheerleading squad is too busy pathetically making everyone not depressed. Yup, the coast is clear. I spotted him in the bleachers and frantically waved at him until he saw a dragon making a fool out of herself (to others, himself) and motioning him to come down. He did so, carrying some nachos and a drink down the stairs and meeting up with me. We went behind the bleachers for some privacy and I took off my dragon head, welcoming the cool air that greeted me.

"Whaddya want?" Harvey demanded before taking a big bite of some nachos.

I frowned. "Why are you in such a foul mood?"

"Oh, besides the fact you're making a total fool out of me, not you, me at the field? How can you twerk, fail at Gangnam style, and ruin my chances of ever scoring one of the cheerleaders in under ten minutes? Ten minutes!" He took a long sip of his drink, but glared at me as he did.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I told him. "But being a mascot-"

"-is harder than it look, am I right? I told you, you have to go through two years of-"

"Enough of that," I told him. "Now I need another favor."

He groaned. "I swear you'll be the cause of my early death."

"This costume will be the cause of my early death," I snapped back. "Now will you help me out or not?"

Harvey took another bite of some nachos giving me a look. The thing is I don't know what look that is.

"What look is that?"

He redid the look for emphasis.

It was then I finally read it, and I rolled my eyes. "I'll give you another twenty."

With another nacho into his mouth, he smiled. "That's what I like to hear."

That's when I told him my plan.

His smile instantly vanished, replacing it with a frown. "That's what I don't like to hear."

"Oh c'mon Harvey, just do it."

"You're crazy, you know that?"

"Yes, you've already implied that."

Harvey looked torn with himself, muttering this incoherently to himself as he took a sip of his drink. Then he finally gave in, letting out a sigh. "The things I do for money."

I smiled before placing the dragon head back on my head. "Great! Let's do it at the halftime."

"Which is exactly how you're cutting my life at. Half. You're cutting my life in half."

"So is the costume."

He couldn't help but smile. "You've got a point there too."

-

Soon it was the halftime of the game with the score of still 0-18. The team trudge maybe wallowed or even crawled to the locker room in defeat, hoping for a pep talk to lift their spirits. Or well, lower them farther than humanly possible. I followed the team, well, more of the clipboard actually. And Harvey followed close behind, hiding behind the depressed football players who didn't seem to notice there were two Harveys at the moment.

As everyone went to sit down to the benches, gathering around the team captain and the coach for some big speech you see in some football movies that lifts everyone spirits. Harvey hid behind the counter. It would be bad if the both of us were seen at once.

Two guys were tossing a football back and forth, but I could see they weren't really into it. One of them gave a bad pass and it hit me right at the groin. It didn't hurt as badly as you'd think. They were close to each other so it was a light pass. And it wasn't like I had anything down there for it to feel like I'm dying. I jumped in surprise at it, but I took the hit like a man, well, what I thought I was supposed to take it. Because the moment it hit me right there, all the guys winced and groaned at that. I stood there wondering what was going on with them.

"What? What's wrong?"

That's when I noticed Harvey motioning me to do something. It was then I realized that I'm a guy, I'm supposed to be a guy. For a moment, I was frozen, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, with my mind on the movie, She's the Man, I knew what I had to do. Instantly, I fell on the ground with a yell, clutching my wounded area and pride.

"I'm dying, I'm dying!" I moaned, crying out in pain as I rolled around the floor. "The pain is excruciating. I'm in agony! Agony! Why is life so cruel?!"

Is it just right or too dramatic? I can only imagine what it really feels like to a guy. But now that I think of it, maybe I did made it a tad too dramatic from Harvey actually facepalming himself. The guys gathered around me.

"Hey man, are you okay?"

"Dude, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, I swear."

"You need ice for that?"

Instantly, I got up, brushing off imaginary dust off my pants. "Nah, I'm good, but thanks for asking."

They slowly nodded and went back to what they were doing- sitting down, tossing footballs, being depressed. Same old, same old.

Coach Douglass came into the boy's locker room. As he did, I sneaked away from them, glad that they didn't notice. Everyone's eyes were on the coach who wore a big, confident smile on his face instead of the down, depressed look he should be wearing like everyone else.

"Enough with those down faces of yours," he scolded them. "You guys should be excited!"

"Excited about losing?" One asked which earned and elbow to the stomach by the guy next to him.

"No," Coach Douglass said, glaring at him. "I mean excited about winning!"

"Oh," the same guy said, as if he got it. "You mean dreaming about winning?"

"Heaton, give me 50!" The coach barked at him.

He held back a groan and dropped onto the floor for fifty push-ups. Ignoring his chants as he began to count all the way to 50, Coach Douglass continued.

"I know all of you guys practically lost all hope-"

They all nodded.

"-and that you pretty much gave up of ever winning-"

They all nodded again.

"-and that we might as well forfeit right now while we still have our dignity-"

 They nodded once more.

"-so," he paused and frowned, looking at his team for help. "What was I saying again?"

He did it. He actually lowered their spirits farther than humanly possible.

"You were saying something about killing our spirits of winning?" Parker offered.

Coach Douglass snapped his fingers. "Right! Just because we're losing really badly doesn't mean we should just give up hope. We still have a chance-"

"-to make the difference of our scores bigger?" Someone offered.

"No!" He exclaimed, slamming the clipboard, the clipboard, on the counter for emphasis.

Harvey who was behind the counter jumped at the sound, but I was glad no one noticed it because they were too busy having their eyes locked on Coach Douglass. He walked towards them, narrowing his eyes at them. He began to give them the speech that's meant to rile them up, lift their spirits. Probably something he got off the internet. I tuned out the speech and watched as Harvey slowly stood up and began to switch the clipboards of coach's plans with an extra clipboard that looks like his with my plays.

"And just because-"

Harvey suddenly stopped short just as Coach Douglass trailed off from his speech. I watched in pure horror as Harvey and Coach Douglass stared at each other for what felt like a long time.

"What are you doing, boy?"

"I uh-" Harvey stammered as he slipped the clipboard of my plays behind the counter "-I'm just giving you your clipboard, that's all." He said with a fake grin plastered on as he held out the coach's clipboard to him.

I facepalmed myself, that was a perfect chance to switch them and hide the real clipboard.

"You've got to be kidding," I muttered.

"Thanks..." Coach said unsurely as he took the clipboard back, and then stared at Harvey. "What are you doing out of your costume?"

"My costume?" Harvey asked. "That ratty, old, smelling dragon costume? Oh I took it off for the moment. Do you know how hot and smelly it is in there? Here- smell me," he offered as he held out his arm "-you can see- smell- what I'm talking-."

He moved Harvey's arm away from his with the clipboard. "I think I'm good."

"Oh, okay."

"Hey Fisher," someone called out which Harvey snapped his head toward the voice to their attention. "Why don't you do us all a favor and put your costume back on?" He offered.

"Yeah," Raymond agreed with a smirk. "We all have to agree that the costume looks better than you."

Everyone burst out laughing at that. For some reason, my fists clench together as I watched Harvey's face wore a pained expression, letting out a forced laugh and fake smile. I know that look. I've done that look, more times than I can count. That was during the first few years of my bullying, letting the insults slide, laughing it off when actually you're getting killed in the inside, hiding how hard that attack really  hit you. Harvey's eyes met my- well the dragon ones and I gave him the signal.

"You're right," he said, making me cringe at him agreeing to that insult.

"So you've finally agreeing to me, huh Harvey?"

Harvey shrugged as he went around the counter towards the lockers.

"Guys, just quit messing with him," Parker told them.

"Oh c'mon," Raymond said, rolling his eyes. "You used to be the one with all the jokes for Harvey here."

Dammit. That's all I can say, dammit. I shouldn't be surprised by this. Parker used to be a bully, my bully. But I just can't help it.

Parker narrowed his eyes at him, frowning. "That was before."

Everyone's attention went back to Harvey when he snorted. "When was that? A couple weeks ago? A month?" He asked him as he walked behind one locker row after another.

"Harvey..."

"Then all of a sudden you became nice?" Harvey growled the last word. "Why? Is it because of your girlfriend of yours?"

He's getting off-script. He's getting too personal now. 

"Harvey stop," I tried to whisper to him for only he could hear, but he just ignored me.

"Harvey stop-"

"Did you stop?" Harvey asked, "Did you stop when-"

When he was close enough, I grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him forward. We only had a few seconds for me glaring at me and me glaring back at him (though I can't be seen through the dragon mascot head). Then I let go of him and walked away from behind the locker row.

"-you suddenly began to defend me?" I finished in a gruff voice. "No, of course not, because you're a really nice guy."

They all blinked in confusion, wondering how it was possible for Harvey to change back into his costume in mere seconds. Well, let's keep them wondering.

"As much as we can talk about how nice of a guy Parker is," a football player said which made Parker smile, "maybe we should be talk how not nice we're losing the game."

"Yes, let me finish my speech that Harvey here interrupted," Coach Douglass growled as he narrowed his eyes at me.

He set his clipboard back on the counter. "All I'm saying is that I want you to do is do your best, follow my plays, and listen to Raymond."

So much for that inspiring speech.

"I like that last part," Raymond said with a grin.

"But that's all we've been doing coach," someone said. "We've been training non-stop as Raymond barks orders and you make plays."

"Yeah, but my plays are winning us."

"Until now," another argued. "We're only this far because of luck."

"We won the last game because the flu went around the opposing team and they had to forfeit the game."

"And we won the game before that because they suck just as much as we did, only we were lucky enough for the star quarterback to break his glasses and accidentally passed the ball to our team which we won with a touchdown."

"We're in a whole different league here coach. The coach has great plays, they have a good defense, a better offense."

"We're not going to win this game," the guy said, shaking his head.

"We might as well forfeit the game and-"

"No."

But it wasn't Coach Douglass who said that, it was Parker.

"We can't just quit now."

"Yeah we can."

"Well I'm not letting you," Parker snapped. "I didn't just go through all those hours of training with you guys, surviving those games with mere luck just to quit now. Tom Robbins said, 'We're our own dragons as well as our own heroes, and we have to rescue ourselves from ourselves'." Parker told them. "That means it's only up to us now. No more luck, luck isn't on our side anymore, it never was."

He looked at them, all of them. "We are the Dartwell football team," he told them, his eyes fierce and determined. "We are Dartwell, we are dragons. We won't run away with our tails between our legs, waving a white flag for everyone to even if we're losing, we're not going down without a fight. If we're going down, we're going down fighting, giving them fourth degree burns if we have to, scars to remember who they messed with." I watched as fire lightened in their eyes, hope actually made its way back to them. "And once we come face to face with them on the battlefield, we will win that time, we will show them how much stronger we got, how much smarter we got, how much better we got. Because who are we?"

"Dragons!"

"I said who are we?"

Everyone got up from their seats and exclaimed, "DRAGONS!"

"We're the dragons of Dartwell High!" Parker began.

"Flying and gliding through the sky!" they chanted back.

"We play the game with all our might!"

"And we'll never go down without a fight!"

"Hear the dragons, fear the dragons as we roar," all of them said together. "Dream the dragons, imagine dragons as we soar!"

All pumped and riled up, they ran out of the locker room. And just when Harvey was about to change the clipboards once more, Coach Douglass grabbed it off the counter and ran out the locker room too. I walked beside Harvey, crossing my arms at him.

Harvey glared at me. "What are you looking at?" He demanded.

I shook my head. "Nothing."

"Hey, I'm sorry. I got carried away over there and just ruined your chances to-"

He was cut off when I patted him on the back. "It's alright."

There was a slight pause between us before he shook his head.

"C'mon, let's go see how bad the game is going."

"I'm right behind you," I told him.

The both of us left the locker room. Harvey went back to the bleachers and I went out to the field. Now all we could do is watch what happens.

After the halftime show was over from the cheerleaders, the teams went to their positions on the field. Then we watched as Straughtlan made another touchdown, making the score 0-24. The quarterback with 27 Matthews on his shirt, was making a huge show of making the last touchdown. He's the one who's been scoring the previous touchdowns for the team and sure was happy about it. I saw Raymond as number 31 looking at the quarterback riling up the crowd, probably wishing that was him. If I didn't hate him so much, I would feel bad for the guy. Well until he shoved the guy.

I gasped then gritted my teeth. "Raymond you idiot. Why would you-"

The guy suddenly shoved Raymond back. That was when he swung a punch at 27, which was stupid because he was wearing a helmet. As Raymond massaged his hand that must be broken, the guys shoved him to the ground. Then the both of them started to fight, a full on fight with cussing, rolling around the grass, that stuff. People stood up to get a better look, some cheering or just taking a video. Even I couldn't help but move closer to get a better look. Finally their teammates and coaches were able to pry them off of each other.

During the time, 27's helmet was knocked off during the fight. Usually it's a penalty when a helmet is taken off which is called the Emmitt Smith rule, to stop taunting and too much showing off. But it was on accident, so he didn't get it. Raymond on the other hand though...

"What are you doing giving me a red card?" Raymond demanded at the referee.

All the referee was doing was blowing his whistle while making wild hand gestures that no one can possibly understand as he waved the red card. I always hated that referee. He turns everyone around his deaf.

"Just because I shoved the guy? Oh c'mon, it's was just a playful shove."

"That's a load of bull," the guy shouted at him, about to come at him when three other guys came to hold him back. He calmed down enough for them to let him go. "It's not my fault you guys are losing, badly I might add. You're just jealous because-"

A girl came out of nowhere and grabbed his shoulder to stop him. "Wyatt, stop that, please."

He gritted his teeth and angrily ran his fingers through his black hair. "It's his fault, Autumn, not mine. He started it."

"Well end it," she said firmly, narrowing his eyes at him.

"But-"

She gave him a look which made him let out a sigh.

"Fine."

He just glared at Raymond and without another word, walked away with the guys and the girl. They rejoined his other teammates as Raymond and Coach Douglass dealt with the ref.

"The boy just got a little mad, that's all."

Fweet.

"You know the saying, boys will be boys."

Fweet.

"Can't you give him another chance?"

Fweet.

Coach sighed. "I'm sorry Raymond, but you're going to have to sit out the rest of the game."

Raymond looked like he wanted to his someone. But he only went up with taking the red card from the ref's hand. He tried to rip it only to find it was plastic. So he just threw it on the ground and walked away.

"Parker," the coach said.

Parker straightened himself at his name. "Yes sir?"

"It's up to you now."

He nodded. "Yes sir."

Parker looked at his fellow football teammates. "Let's huddle you guys."

I walked back to the bleachers as Parker, now taking over from Raymond's tyranny rule, begins a new start for the Dartwell football team.

The game is close now, with the score of 21-24. It was as if we have switched sides. The Straughtlan side was quiet, with confused looks and some cursing there. While on our side, we were yelling, chanting, singing, just celebrating. With Parker now, he's free to choose other plays, its coach's plays, but they're still good. Only instead of just running the ball, he lets the running backs to their jobs and score the touchdowns, three in facts, and a field goal. It's only a two more minutes until the game ends. We have to score one more touchdown to win the game.

The teams went to their positions. The crowds were cheering on their teams. Then they went dead silent. I could feel my heart, beating against my chest, the smelly mascot costume. The whistle was then blown. The center snap (gave) the ball to Parker, the defenders crashed into each other, and the wide receivers took off running. Everything was up to Parker now. What will he do? Give it to a halfback, throw it to a wide receiver, or just run with it? We only have ten seconds until the game ends now.

Ten.

Everyone was yelling at Parker to do something.

Nine.

Parker was hesitating, not knowing what to do.

Eight.

His teammates must have been yelling at him too.

Seven.

Suddenly our defenders were pushed to the ground, the opposing team broke through our defenses.

Six.

They were coming straight at him.

Five.

Parker backed up, fumbling with the ball.

Four.

Then he threw it just as he was tackled to the ground.

Three.

The football soared through the air.

Two.

All eyes were on the ball, everyone was holding their breath.

One.

The ball was slowly falling back to the ground.

Zero.

And it was caught by the wide receiver.

The clock has ended, but the receiver was still running. Here's the thing with football, the game doesn't end until the play is over, even if there's no more seconds left. So we watched as the wide receiver ran to the end zone and threw the football to the ground.

Our side erupted into applause, yelling, and even some crying. I can't believe it, Parker pulled off a Hail Mary. And we won. The game is over, with the score of 27-24. Everyone ran down the bleachers and towards the field. They lifted up the wide receiver and Parker as well. I grinned under the dragon head, but it faded away as I watched as Parker's head looked towards the bleachers. He must be looking for me, but I wasn't there because I'm too busy being here. As the school celebrated, I sneaked off into the boy's locker room.

Standing on my tippy toes, I blindly searched for my clothes with my dragon hand at the top of the lockers. Then I touched something that must be my clothes and grabbed onto it. I looked at it before chucking it to the other side of the lockers.

"Ew, ew, ew," I said in disgust, as I wiped my hand on the costume even though it was only the costume hand that touched it. "Underwear, very, very nasty underwear."

I went back to the search for my clothes and found them this time. I set them on a bench and began my struggle to take off the costume. Why would people put the zippers at the back when they know it's a two person job? Do they expect me to grow a third arm or something?

I let out a groan in frustration. "How do people do this?" I demanded.

"Need a little help?"

Does Harvey really have to ask? "Yeah, I do."

Suddenly, the zipper went down for me.

"Here you go."

I began to remove the sleeves of the costume off my arms.

"Tha-"

I suddenly froze in place. Harvey doesn't have that voice. And he would usually come up with some snarky remark. I didn't want to, but I slowly turned around.

To see Parker.

He was in his full football uniform, with dirt and grass stains all over the place, mostly covering the 42 in front of his jersey. He looked bigger with his shoulder pads on. His helmet was taken off, held under his right arm. It had him show his ruffled short hair which was wet with sweat.

I fumbled with my costume and abruptly pulled the costume up my chest. He didn't see anything, did he? I'm wearing an undershirt, so he couldn't see anything from behind me. He can't know it was me in this costume all along. I wouldn't hear the end of it with his lecture. Sadly of not how awesome I am, but how stupid of a plan I made and did.

"What does a girl-" I coughed "-guy have to do to get a little privacy around here?"

He snorted. "This is the boy's locker room. The only thing private around here is-"

"No need to finish that."

Parker smiled then looked down at the bench and picked up my skinny jeans with two fingers. "Dude, what size are you?" He asked in disbelief.

"I snatched it back. "My other jeans are in the wash. This is my sister's who are... bigger than average."

Parker raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were an only child."

"I am? I mean, yeah I am."

"Then..." Parker pressed.

"Fine I lied-"

But if you think I was actually going to tell him that it was me all along, you had another thing coming.

"-those jeans were on sale. They got this nice design and they were in my size. How was I supposed to know they were for girls?"

"Uh-huh," he said, not sound like he was buying it at all. And I was thankful for that, because only an idiot would actually believe something like that. But now is not the right time to think of Jordan right now.

Parker began to walk forward, having me walk backward in discomfort and intimidation. I could heard the clicks of his football cleats on the floor with each step.

"So congratulations on the game!" I told him, trying to buy time. Time for what? Anything.

"Yeah thanks," Parker said, his gaze still on me as he kept walking forward.

I was expecting him to be more happier now that they had won, that he made a couple of touchdowns. He shouldn't be here, he should be out still celebrating with his teammates. Not here with his girlfriend in a smelly dragon costume who he thinks is some guy.

"Didn't you find it weird how we won?" He asked me, taking another step.

"No, I mean if it weren't for Raymond-"

"Yeah, if it weren't for Raymond."

I just shrugged pathetically. "I guess it's just luck."

"Yeah... luck," he repeated.

I thought the conversation would have to end with that. But it wasn't.

"Take off the mask."

I took an unconscious step back in surprise. "What? Why?"

"You must be roasting in there. And besides, you don't need to wear it anymore now that the game ended."

I held the dragon head protectively on my head. "Um... I have dragon head hair."

"As c'mon, it'll be alright," he assured me. "Just take it off."

"No, I'm good."

"You can take it off now."

"It's alright."

"Really, I insist."

"I don't feel like-"

I yelped when I tripped backwards on my dragon tail. Parker held out his hand to help me up, but I scrambled back and got up again. With more step back I hit the wall. I closed my eyes and scolded myself silently in my head.

"What's the real reason you won't take off the mask?"

"I don't know what you're..." I trailed off when Parker grabbed the nose of the dragon head and begin to pull it up. Then I was unmasked, my brown eyes peaked from under the costume head to look up at his blue ones. I thought he would have been angry at me, or at least making a double take at the smell that I swear wasn't me. But no, instead he just smiled at me.

"I told you you're my good luck charm."

I couldn't help but smile at that, shaking my head at this.

"Also," he added. "I think it was you under there."

"What gave me away?"

"Two reasons," he told me. "Everyone calls Raymond Ray. And I only know one person who doesn't call him that, and that's you."

"I can't believe you actually caught that."

Parker shrugged. "I have my moments."

"And the other reason?"

"When you got a football to the balls, well, if you were to have-"

"-which I don't. And what? Too dramatic?"

"Nope," he said. "Not dramatic enough. Those things hurt, seriously."

He brought his hand up to my face and tucked some strands of my hair behind me ear.

"I wish you didn't do this, any of this sweetheart," he said, smiling sadly. "What would have happened if you got caught? If the plan messed up?"

"The faith you have in-"

"No Naomi, that isn't it. I just... I just didn't want you to go through so much trouble for me."

I shook my head. "It was no trouble. I put on a smelly costume, made a fool out of myself and only had to pay forty bucks for it all for nothing because it's you who won the game Parker, I didn't do anything."

"Yes you did."

"What do you mean?"

"You were there for me. You did all of that stuff just for me. Your plan didn't work, but it's the thought that counts. You're my good luck charm sweetheart, don't forget that."

"I won't."

He smiled. "Good, now-"

The sound of a door opening interrupted me. Parker and I looked at the direction of the sound which was the exit of the boy's locker room to the field. Then voices started to come closer into the room. Parker cursed under his breath and looked back at me.

"I'll go buy you some time. Hurry up and change."

"Meet you at the car?" I asked hopefully.

"If I'm not bombarded by my fans of the game we-" he stopped at my look. "I'm just kidding. Of course, sweetheart."

Man, this is one long chapter isn't it? I actually wanted to slip it in half, but I thought you guys deserved this long chapter for the long wait. I miss you guys, so much. Did you?

How was the chapter you guys? My favorite part was the mash-up of my book and my other book, "It All Started with a Jacket". I'm planning to do it with all of my books, have them in the same dimension and the characters will somehow be mentioned in the book. Talk about breaking the fourth wall, if that's an example of it, I don't know. But be sure to keep a look out for them. I'll also be mentioning characters of books I haven't posted yet as well. Oh yeah, I got a whole library of books just begging to be posted. And I also love the part of the football to Naomi, I love the movie "She's the Man" and when I remembered that scene I couldn't help but slip it into the chapter.  Actually, it's that movie and "Bend It Like Beckham" that got me to love soccer (or football). I also love the chant I made, I'm pretty proud of that as well as Parker's speech. I have a poem called Imagine Dragons (poetry/fantasy) and if any of you are bored or interested, be sure to check it out.

So I'm sorry for the wait you guys, I'll be sure I won't do that again. And I'm sorry that all of you have to put up with my naïve writing, I'm still a new writer you know, just did this for what? Almost two years now? That might sound a lot to you, but it's not enough to me. I still have a lot of work to do. But I want to promise you this, from here on out, starting with this chapter, and I'll be working harder with my chapters. I'll think the plot careful, work on Naomi's character so you might see a few changes, anything for my readers. And I'll be editing the previous chapters as I go along when I get bored, so new readers won't have to go through what you did. But in the end, I just want to say thank you for giving this book and me a chance. As well as the one million reads this book has gotten! Whoo-hoo! And have you seen the new update? I love the new profile template! It looks so awesome! Also, what do you think of the new cover? I've been waiting to share it with you guys, and now I did. I hope you enjoy the fresh new look.

Love you all and all a good night.

RubixCube89201