After the time jump, im on the day of the banquet. I find out we lost in the first round of the playoffs, I made the first team all league team, won the leagues defense player of the year and most valuable player, i guess im dating nicole now, passed all my classes finishing the first semester with a 3.8 grade point average, and i got my first offers from Colorado, Arizona state and San Diego state. Not too bad for the first semester in this whole life redo, but I'm starting to miss Kate and Elliana, hopefully I I can find her in this life too. I finished getting ready for the banquet, I'm in a black long sleeve button up, some black jeans and some 'cap and gown' Jordan 11s. Buddy appears and speaks up
"Damn looking good kid!"
"Thanks man, got to look good for the banquet"
"I can see that, you know you're probably taking all the awards tonight right"
"Yeah I kinda figured. I know these guys are gonna be pissed when they find out imma be moving"
"Oh yeah I already see it"
"Anyways I have to get going"
"I'll be watching Jay"
I stand at the mirror for a bit before heading out to the place where the banquet is being held. We pull up to a fancy place, typical for a rich mostly white school to have a football banquet. I walk in and sit with some of my teammates as we're served food and drinks, talking about how classes are going and what we're going to be doing before spring training starts. Sean speaks up
"Hey Jay what you going to be doing until spring"
"Probably just stay in shape, chill."
"That's it? What about you and Nicole though"
He says with a wink and everyone starts laughing and nudging me
"Aye man whatever happens, happens. None of yall business"
"Come on Jay, you're damn near a superstar, why you settling for one girl that… nevermind"
"Wait, what you mean?"
"Nothing Jay"
"Naw naw tell me Sean, what were you going to say?"
Everyone is side eyeing and just eating and drinking before Sean says something
"I'll tell you after the banquet Jay. Don't want to fuck up the night for us"
"Yeah alright…"
We all finish up eating and then we hear coach will get on the mic
"Welcome everyone to the Citrus High Hawks football banquet. I just want to thank each and everyone one of our players for what they've done this past season, how hard they worked and pushed through a tough season. I also want to thank the coaches, parents and boosters for your time and dedication to this team. Before I give out these awards I just want to say all you guys played a part on this team"
Coach gives out the offense awards before turning to the defensive side.
"Alright now time for the defense awards"
He starts with the best defensive back, then best linebacker then best scout team player.
"Now time for the Defensive MVP, this shouldn't be a surprise or a shock, Jay Sanchez"
I stand up and everyone cheers for me, camera flashes go off from the yearbook people and other parents.
"Thank you coach"
"Don't go anywhere, Jay has also won the Team MVP"
People start clapping and cheering again. I raise up both awards.
"Thank you coach, I appreciate it"
He shakes my hand and i head back to my seat before he continues on the mic
"Once again I would like to thank you all for coming, enjoy the rest of your night and let's have another great season next year"
As the banquet slowly starts to quiet down I walk up to Sean and ask him to talk outside
"Hey Sean can we talk outside"
"Yeah bro let's go"
We step out and I look at him
"So what were you going to tell me Sean?"
"Man… this sucks"
"Just tell me"
"I don't know if I should, you're on a high right now and what I tell you is just going to ruin the night"
"Sean… just tell me"
"Fine… Nicole is cheating on you"
"Wait.. really?"
"Yeah, last night I caught her with one of the baseball guys at a party making out and then heading to the room. Next time I seen her she had hickeys on her neck and hair was all fucked up. I even got pics"
"Well damn… that's crazy"
"You ain't mad?"
I laugh and just put my hand on his shoulder
"Naw why would I be mad over some high school hoe"
"I don't know I just thought you would"
"Naw, but you a real one for telling me. I appreciate that"
"I had to, I didn't want to see my brother getting hurt"
"Naw I feel it… I guess I should tell you something"
"What??"
"Im moving bro.."
"Wait what?!?!"
"Yeah, we're looking for places out in Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga. I'll finish out the school year here but I'll be transferring after"
"Man… I wanted to finish high school together"
"I did too man.. but we're always going to be friends"
He gives me a quick hug
"Alright bruh let's not get too sensitive"
He laughs
"You better be great out there too"
"Always man"
"Hopefully we play each other one day"
"Man if we play each other just know I'm coming for yall ass"
"Oh I know, just take it easy on us"
"You know that ain't gonna happen… but send those pics to me for evidence"
"I got you bro"
We both laugh and head back inside until the banquet ends. On the way home I think about how I'm going to approach this with Nicole, should I be nice or should I be a complete asshole about it?