It wasn’t easy being the new kid here in Hudson, California. They would try and try again but never would find a perfect place to settle and live. Within a year they would have scurried to a new home faster than Nomads. And then there was Derell Williams, the boy, having a very hard time with these conditions. Never really had time to make any friends because by then he was gone. But here in Hudson, when his family was just about done unloading, he overheard them say something. Whispering, “Just look at the boy again. He’s miserable. I think it's time to just stick here for at least a few years, then he’ll be off to college. I promise. And then we can do whatever we want and maybe even get that house in the Hamptons we’ve dreamed of.”

It was different now. He felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time. It was relief now knowing that it was here where his new life would begin.

“Hey Big D! You wanna go around look at the place and see your new school and stuff.”

“Ya sure dad. School starts tomorrow. Might as well see all my classes. What did you sign me up for.”

“Didn’t you tell me Spanish and Wheel.”

“Yeah my bad. Sorry. Let’s go.”

Dad and Derell started walking to their school. It looked close on the map but it was about three fourth a mile away. Not too far he said to himself. Once they got to the front of the school they saw the administrators and counselors taking down that giant poster with everyone’s first class on it. “Wait!” the Dad shouted. They started running, Derell faster than his dad. They told him his first class was in Room B. Well that might have helped if he knew where Room B was. Then later that day he went back to his house and was surprised that everything was almost set up. He decided to eat supper and go to sleep quickly so he can wake up early and go to school earlier.

He did wake up early at around 5:30 a.m. and took a shower and got dressed quickly. He wanted to look sharp on his first day in school. School wasn’t far so he started from home walking at around 7:30. He did not have 0 period so school started at 8:20. He got there and close to the entrance he saw a walkway with Room A, freshman, on it and thought that Room B would be in that area or section.  He walked there and saw it. He saw a bunch of people in groups just sitting there waiting. He also saw some people throwing a football on the field next to Room A. He went there and just watched for a few minutes.

The school bell rang and he just began to start his school day normally. A few of those football kids were in his class. He went through the school normally.

A few weeks later…..

It was a friday. Just yesterday was the opening Thursday night game for the 2015 NFL season. That was really all anyone was talking about on that day. “Man did you see that opening kick return”, “What about that game saving fumble recovery and all that”. When Derell came around and heard people talking about this, all he could do was knock his head. Nobody knew him or thought he was into football by now but now that he got more comfortable with the school, he started dressing like everyone else with the Nike shoes, shirt and shorts. People kind of started hanging out with him once they could kind of see who he was by the shirts he wore. They were mostly football shirts. One day, one of those football kids invited him to play with them. Derell said “Sure” but started off small so people don’t go crazy. He would drop a few on purpose so he would look kind of like everybody else. After a few weeks, all those guys became his friends and he became popular pretty quickly. Now that he got more comfortable he decided to play like his best. He was not only the best guy on the field but also the best guy in the school. There were a few guys who did go to his Football league after school but no one as good as him.

He started getting into that football talk but now it looked like he was a hero. He also knew almost everything too. He was like the perfect combination for the school and he was also smart. Connor, one of his friends invited him to play with his group. Derell said yes and felt very happy that now he can play with good people.

Later he realized that they were only using him for the 7 on 7 tourney in school. They needed at least someone who is good at defense. But Derell still agreed. Just after becoming friends Connor invited him over to his house. Derell accepted the offer. After school Derell showed up 10 minutes early and noticed Connor just standing in front of his house with his dog and a football. They immediately went to the backyard. Derell was surprised to see that he had a whole football field.

In no time, Connor was throwing passes to Derell and asked him, “Would you like to join our 7 on 7 team?” Derell just shrugged a yes. They continued to throw passes and talked about their in-game strategy.

The next day the tourney meeting started and they began to play the games at lunch. He got together with his team. On the first day, we paired up with a fairly easy team. We were 38-0 at halftime. The enemy just forfeited but he always maintained good sportsmanship to keep his friends.

After getting a bid and a few more games, it was the Super Bowl. We were the winners of the winning bracket so we faced the winners of the losers bracket. They were technically the second best team. It was a tight game throughout but they took the lead at the end. Team Rockstar, Derell and Connor’s team, was behind by 1 and scored immediately leaving exactly 4 seconds left on the clock. They went for 2 and got it. Now the score was 23-16. Ahead by a point, now in deficit by a touchdown. The last play of the game. Jake, the quarterback of the other team, chucks it deep and it is caught just outside. There was some arguing for a few minutes if he caught it in or not. Later one of the teachers said roshambo for it. Connor was playing it against Jake. Connor threw paper which lost to Jake’s scissors. The whole team was upset but there was still one more play. If they got the 2-pt conversion, the game would be over. They snap the ball. Jake rolls back. Carson, Connor’s brother, blitzed and Jake started off running. Only one more yard but Derell came in the middle and pushed Jake out. The whistle blew and the game was over. “We WONNNNN!!!!!!!!”, Connor shouted and carried Derell off the field and got their miniature school trophy for winning. 

Now there was no real place that could make Derell feel more home than his local school, Hudson High School.