After fifteen minutes or so, it was apparently clear to Dougherty that Jon wasn't rejoining the game, as the larger boy began walking home. That was a relief for Jon, who now didn't feel any pressure at all to do so. Now he could focus all his attention on his mom, keep track of any other changes that may be happening.
But eventually, Jon's mind began to drift as his eyes lost focus, so much so that he almost didn't notice the form that sat down on the grass beside him.
"You're not big into football either, I take it," Sarah McMillan brought Jon back to reality.
"I, uh," Jon needed a moment to crank up the pony engine of his brain, "I got hit pretty bad on the first play," the valid excuse felt very convenient. "I'm just sitting out the rest of the game."
"Oh sure," Sarah gave the same uncharacteristic friendly smile that she had back in first period, "and that's why you're just staring out in the distance instead of actually watching the players?"
Jon didn't have an answer for that.
"It's okay, I get it," the cheerleader placed a reassuring hand on his knee, "I don't really understand football either, I'm just here to support Biff. And I saw you over here, and it looked like maybe you needed a little support, too."
Jon found himself uncomfortable with the level of familiarity that Sarah was suddenly exhibiting. "You're not usually that nice to me."
"Well, I'll be honest," Jon wasn't convinced that she was going to be honest, "Biff is, like, half my world right now. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. And he seems to be interested in you, and I don't know why. But if Biff is interested in you, then I figure I should be, too. If for no other reason than to understand why he is."
Jon's face soured. "Biff isn't interested in me."
"Oh?"
"No," Jon spat, "he's just interested in my mom."
"Oh." Sarah's eyes shifted from Jon to the field, where Biff and Linda were giving each other a friendly chest-bump.
A more familiar, slightly sinister, smirk appeared on the girl's lips as her smoky eyes narrowed. "Ohhhh..."
