Unstoppable by Tim Green

look.”
    â€œNot this kind of looking,” Harrison said.
    Becky reached across the lunch table and took hold of his wrist. “Let them look. I like you, Harrison. I liked the way you wouldn’t sit down when that old bat wouldn’t call you by your real name, and I know you’re not mean or dangerous or any of that nonsense. People are always scared of something new. My dad says that if you’re staying with the Kellys, that’s good enough for him.”
    Harrison looked at her hand, afraid to touch it, and afraid to move.
    â€œI’m sorry.” She took it away.
    â€œNo, don’t be sorry. That’s crazy. You’re, like, the nicest person I’ve ever met. You’re like the Kellys. Did you ever meet Mrs. Kelly’s mom, Mrs. Godfrey?”
    â€œNo, but Mrs. Kelly did my father’s will,” she said.
    â€œShe’s smart.”
    â€œI’m going to be a lawyer when I grow up.”
    â€œNot a fashion model?”
    Becky’s cheeks flushed. “My dad says women should use their brains.”
    â€œYou don’t think there are smart fashion models?”
    â€œWhat are you going to be?”
    â€œA football player.”
    Becky giggled.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’m sorry. Justin Rabin told me you put your shoulder pads on backward. I know yesterday was the first time you ever played.”
    â€œDid he tell you I ran him over like everyone else?” Harrison realized his words came out in a growl.
    â€œOh, don’t get mad. He practically worships you. Yes, he told me what you did to everyone. I just thought it was funny that one day you’re putting your shoulder pads on backward and the next day you’re ready for the NFL.”
    â€œCoach says I can be great, that’s all. Football is my ticket.”
    â€œI don’t doubt it,” she said. “Not from what everyone was saying. You know, no one listens to that jerk Leo.”
    â€œWhat’s he saying?”
    â€œThat you won’t even be allowed on the team after today. That’s not true, is it?”
    â€œNot from what Jennifer says.”
    â€œJennifer?”
    â€œMrs. Kelly,” Harrison said. “She said I could call her Mom, or Jennifer.”
    â€œWhat? Mom?” Becky tilted her head. “I don’t get it.”
    Harrison looked into her deep green eyes, searching for the joke. “Coach told you I was in their family. I thought you kept it quiet from everyone just to be nice, so people wouldn’t feel bad for me, being Coach’s foster kid and all.”
    â€œI’m sorry, he said you were joining them, but I didn’t know they were your foster parents.”
    Harrison looked away, then felt her hand squeeze his wrist again.
    â€œNo, don’t do that. I think it’s great. You’re so lucky.”
    Harrison snuck a look at her. Her eyes were wide and honest and it made him feel much better. “I don’t know about luck.”
    â€œI do. Coach and Mrs. Kelly are awesome.”
    â€œMaybe I’m lucky now, right?” Harrison’s fingers strayed to the old bruise around his eye.
    â€œFor sure.”
    He put his hand down in his lap. “And maybe from now on, everything is going to go my way, right?”
    â€œSure. Maybe.”

Chapter Thirty-Five
    â€œHARRISON, IN MY OFFICE. Okay?” Coach called to him from across the locker room.
    Harrison set his helmet down on the bench and marched in.
    â€œListen, everything’s fine, but I’m going to keep you out of the contact drills the rest of the week. Just to be safe. Oh, and don’t wear your rib pads.” Coach winked at him and shooed him out of the office.
    For the next four days, Harrison had to stay out of contact drills, and that hurt. Worst of all was watching on Saturday when his team took the field against East Manfield. Harrison dressed in full uniform like everyone else and ran through the pregame