Unstoppable by Tim Green Read Free Book Online Page B

classroom and found an empty seat.
    The first two classes were the only ones he had with Becky, but the day got better as it went on anyway because none of the other teachers were as strict as Mrs. Zebolt. Coach treated Harrison just like everyone else, and he didn’t even mention that Harrison was his foster son when he introduced him as the new boy to his class. That seemed strange, but there was so much to learn and think about—including the playbook he studied during lunch—so it got lost in the chaos of the day.
    Before he knew it, Harrison was weighted down with homework and standing in the boys’ locker room surrounded by the noise of forty kids chattering as they dressed for football practice.
    â€œHarrison,” Coach said, appearing from nowhere and brushing right on past him, “come with me.”
    Harrison followed Coach down a dim hall and into a storage room, where he began rummaging around in some piles of dusty old football equipment. Piece by piece, Coach handed Harrison the pads, pants, helmet, and jersey he’d need to play.
    â€œUm, Coach?” Harrison wiggled into a pair of rib pads to see if they fit. “Are you going to tell the team about me?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œThat I’m . . .”
    Coach raised his eyebrows. “With me?”

Chapter Seventeen
    HARRISON NODDED AT COACH.
    â€œNo,” Coach said. “They’ll find out when they find out. I don’t tell my players anything they don’t need to know. That okay with you?”
    â€œSure, Coach.”
    Coach had him try on three helmets before they found one big enough to fit, then they returned to the locker room and Coach gave him a lock. Harrison found an empty locker just about the time the rest of the kids were finishing up getting dressed and heading out to the field. Harrison’s new teammates couldn’t keep from glancing his way and some stared at him without trying to hide their hostility.
    â€œI got you these during my lunch break.” Coach laid a slightly used pair of football cleats on the bench.
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Coach said. “Got your mouthpiece?”
    Harrison removed the plastic mouthpiece from his pocket. Coach took it and fastened it to the metal face mask on the helmet.
    â€œMake sure you put that in your mouth and don’t take it out,” Coach said. “Technically, you’re not supposed to be in full pads for five days, but since I’m your guardian and your coach, it’ll be fine. You won’t need the rib pads; they’ll take too long to lace up. Get geared up as fast as you can and meet us out there. Just walk straight out, past the tennis courts and down the hill. You’ll see the varsity and the JVs on the first two fields. We’ll be on the farthest one.”
    Coach swung open the locker room door. Sunlight spilled inside and Coach stopped short. “Harrison?”
    â€œYes, Coach?”
    â€œYou’ve never played football before. It’s not easy to break onto a team once the season has already started. If you’re good, the other kids will worry about you taking their jobs. If you’re not good, they won’t want you around. Just do your best.”

Chapter Eighteen
    HARRISON MATCHED THE DIFFERENT-SHAPED pads with the pockets lining the pants and stuffed them inside. He pulled on the pants, slipped on the cleats, and slung the shoulder pads over his head. It was a struggle to pull the dark-blue practice jersey over the thick shoulder pads, but finally he was ready. The cleats clacked against the tile floor, making a lonely sound that echoed off the metal lockers.
    On the way out, Harrison stopped to use the bathroom. As he washed his hands, he looked in the mirror. His bad eye looked horrible, still red where it should be white, all set in a sea of fading purple and yellow skin. He had to admit to himself that he was like a walking,