Johnny Kavanagh 3

On the last Friday in February, Tommen College was playing rival Kilbeg Prep on the school grounds for the School Boys' Shield. As it was one of the few home games left in the season and a prestigious championship was at stake, all classes were invited to attend and support their team.

According to Claire, the School Boys Shield being played today wasn't as important or lucrative as the League Cup the team would be playing in next month in Donegal, but it was still a nice trophy. You wrapped your coat and wool cap around you and sat between Lizzie and Claire, who was dressed in your school colors, grateful for a seat in the stands. Hundreds of other students had to stand on either side of the field. None of them seemed to mind getting wet in the pouring rain.

They were too busy shouting and cheering on the seniors of your school rugby team. Ten minutes into the match, you saw firsthand what all the fuss around Johnny Kavanagh was about. He had insane speed, and the way he could run was breathtaking. He was incredible to watch. You could see the wheels of his brain turning as he scanned every play, pass, and attack with expert precision. He was an intelligent player with a keen eye for intercepting play and self-discipline that was akin to a saint. It didn't seem to matter how much he was hit or how he was targeted, he continued to remain calm. One of his eyes was bleeding and swelling rapidly, and there was a steady trickle of blood running down his eyebrow, but he didn't seem to mind in the slightest. Johnny's attention wasn't on the doctor or the referee barking orders at him; he was looking AT YOU.