Free Lessons Learned by Sydney Logan

squeals each time he completed a pass or even turned his head in their direction. Aubrey spent the first half of the game pointing out the players and their positions. The crowd was deafening, and by halftime, we were leading by three touchdowns while my body was trembling from the cold.
    “You’re freezing,” Lucas whispered in my ear.
    I somehow resisted the urge to lean against the warmth of his body. We were surrounded by our students and their snooping parents, not to mention my infuriating, and less-than-subtle, best friend who was practically shoving me into his lap.
    “Football games are great for cuddling under blankets,” Aubrey offered helpfully. Lucas chuckled, and I shot her a glare. I had just returned my attention to the field and the cheerleaders’ halftime dance when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
    “Sarah Bray?”
    I turned to find myself staring into the eyes of a middle-aged woman. She was wearing a Sycamore jersey with number sixteen printed in big white letters on the front.
    “Yes?”
    “I thought so. I’m Debbie Stuart. I went to high school with your mother.”
    I tried to force a smile. I wasn’t opposed to talking about my mom. I was just proud I’d held it together through this first week of school. I’d hate to lose my composure during a high school football game while surrounded by hundreds of screaming fans.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Stuart.”
    “My son is in your class.  Matthew has never really enjoyed anything but football, but now he loves English.”
    “Oh, you’re Matt’s mother?” I asked, and she nodded proudly. “He’s a wonderful young man and very hard-working.”
    “Thank you. His father and I are hoping all of his hard work leads to a football scholarship.” Her grin faded slightly as her eyes raked across my face. “You have your mother’s eyes. They were such a pretty shade. We always joked she was a true Sycamore Panther because her eyes were as green as our basketball uniforms. Did you know your mother played basketball?”
    “Yes, she played point guard.”
    So had I. I’d been too short to play anything else.
    She smiled fondly. “That’s right.  Lord, she loved your father. And you. I know she’d be proud of you, especially after everything that happened at your last school.
    I could feel Lucas’s eyes on me as I tried to hold it together.
    “The entire community prayed for you,” Debbie continued, oblivious to my anxiety. “The world is such a scary place, isn’t it? To believe someone would bring a gun into a school.”
    Suddenly, the stands erupted with cheers and everyone rose to their feet, clapping wildly.
    “They fumbled the kickoff!” Aubrey screeched excitedly.
    I nodded slightly and tried to control my breathing, but it was all too much—the memories, the noise, and the lights.
    Tension spiked, causing my body to shake uncontrollably.
    Before I even knew what was happening, Lucas was pulling me by the hand and leading me down the bleachers. People passed me in a blur as he led me behind the concession stand. Despite the cold, I pressed my back against the concrete of the building, struggling to catch my breath. Lucas leaned close, wrapping his arms around me. I was freezing and far too emotional to resist, and I melted against him as I began to weep.
    “It’s okay,” he whispered against my hair. “You’re okay, sweetheart.”
    Having his arms around me while I cried was the strangest feeling. Ryan, my ex, had never been able to handle my unexpected emotional outbursts. I’d grown accustomed to hearing the door slam and crying myself to sleep once the anxiety finally diminished.
    Ryan had never held me during a panic attack.
    Not once.
    My tears subsiding, I lifted my head until I found his eyes in the darkness. Lucas was gazing down at me, his eyes filled with worry.
    “I don’t know why you’re my friend,” I muttered shakily. “I’m a complete and utter mess.”
    Smiling softly, Lucas gently stroked my