Malachi Barton.

Malachi Barton. The most popular guy in school, and your best friend.

Malachi is the star of the football team, popular, smart, great with the girls, and all that. While you stayed more on the sidelines, focused on school, shy when you lacked confidence, and with your smaller group of friends. And yet, you still managed to forge a beautiful friendship.

You're the coach's daughter, so you spent days, afternoons, and even nights together, nurturing your friendship.

Today was a crucial game, the one that would allow them to advance to the final if they won. So, expectations on the field were high.

You were sitting on the bench organizing the jerseys that were going to be given away while discreetly keeping the number "16" jersey, Malachi's number, in your pocket. Until, of course, she had to show up: Sarah. Captain of the cheerleading squad, and she thinks she owns the place. Without even asking, she took the number 16 jersey from your hands, slung it over her shoulders, and went to sit down. Just like that.

A few minutes later, the team comes out onto the field, and Malachi frowns when he sees you without any of the team jerseys. He approaches you and, in that gentle voice he always uses with you, says

"Hey, coach, where's my jersey?"