The Prospect: Shannon Kennedy

[Loki]

Not exactly getting all the notice at MM I would like so I'm going to post this here too.

Game: NCAA Football 2007
Platform: PS2
Sliders: Backstop's Heisman Sliders
Rosters: None because technically for Shannon to join the NFL in 2006 this Campus Legend journal would have to take place starting in at least 2003 which we'll be pretending it is and thus I'll be inputting players from 2003-2005 in my journal entries in place of who I am really talking about. Confusing? Nahhh.

[Loki]

[Loki]

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November 29th, 2002
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I wanted respect.

Last season we found ourselves up with less than 3 minutes left in the game and in the redzone. I was having the game of my life and no one could stop me. I took the snap and dropped back. I looked left, looked right, saw Marcus cut across the middle and speared it at him. Or at least I thought I did. Strath Haven's middle linebacker snatched it and took off towards me. I charged at him but got blindsided by one of his teammates. I quickly turned over and looked to see where he was before getting back to my feet. The linebacker tossed the ball to the cornerback running along side him, realizing he'd never make it the full 90-some yards it had to be, and the cornerback took off.

That was it. That's how we lost the AA State Championship.

Now I stood at the helm once again. Blood, sweat, and tears had gone into this game but this time we were down. Hershey Stadium was rockin' and we were marching down the field with the ball.

"Blue 13, Blue 13...set...hike!"

My receivers sprinted from the line and met with the corners. James cut for a post but the Strath Haven defense had the zones all covered up, and yes we were playing Strath Haven again. One of the defensive lineman fell at my feet and I took off from the pocket. I searched for an open receiver but found nothing so I kept on running. If there was anything that did draw scouts to me despite my size it was my speed because I knew how to use it.

The coverage left their zones and charged at me. The goal line was close. I shook a defender and got nailed immediately following. The ball jumbled a bit in my arm but I grabbed it tightly and took the fall to the once grass-laiden field.

"Holding, number 54, offense. Ten-yard penalty, repeat third down," called the referee down field. I mutter something under my breath as one of the Strath Haven players helped me to my feet, an evil little grin upon their face.

I rallied my troops around me and got the call from Coach.

"My bad guys," said John, the pudgy lineman who made the penalty. "Don't worry about it bro, we're gonna get them right here! Ringo 330 dash on two, Ring 330 dash on two, ready...break!"

The team broke the huddle and we marched to the line. Just over a minute to go and we now had 33 yards to get into that endzone. I hiked the ball again and this time found Marcus on a quick out pattern. 4th and 11. I run the men to the line and audible to a post corner play. I'm looking for Marcus but if Marcus isn't open, my tight end Lofton will be.

"Set...hike!" I knew there was somewhere under a minute left in the game and if I didn't get this, we were losing...again. I rolled to my right and waited for the post corner to open up but it didn't. Marcus slipped and the whole route was ruined. I turned towards the middle where Lofton should be and almost threw but just barely hung on. He was surrounded. I searched downfield and no one was open..."****!"

For over a year now I've received nothing but disrespect from college coaches and scouts because of my size. A 5'9" 181 lb. kid cannot play football in Division 1A. Not quarterback anyway. Fordham and Hofstra offered me scholarships but I wasn't interested. I wanted to play where I belonged. Some teams had shown interest, like Penn State, but only one 1A school, Miami, offered me a scholarship. They were convincing too, I loved what they had on the table for me and they were a contender, not some school like Temple or something with no football program at all.

With no receivers open, I took off again. I watched as the defense scurried as if they hadn't expected it and my receivers took the iniative with the blocks. I cut across field towards the left hash and sprinted down the field. There was no one in my way...or so I thought. Just as I reached my spot for the first down, I felt someone grab me from the back of my shoulder pads and rip me down to the ground. My leg almost popped out from under me but I was lucky to have managed to not get hurt.

It didn't matter.

"Clipping..."

That was all I needed to hear. It'd be 4th and 26 and completely hopeless. As it was. I tossed the hail mary into the endzone. It bounced around for a little bit but eventually fell to the grass. That was it. We lost. Again.

[Loki]

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November 30th, 2002
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I woke up today with a pounding headache and my shoulder was on fire so I popped some Tylenol and had my mom wrap my shoulder up with some ice. The misery hadn't hit me until I remembered why I was hurting so much; we lost.

I grabbed a bowl of cereal and took my seat next to my father on the couch. He flipped through the channels for a bit before stopping at the Miami/Virginia Tech game. This week is conference championship week so of course my dad made sure to flip to the one school that really wanted me.

"You know you gotta make a decision soon son," he said as he turned his attention from the television to me. I forced my frosted flakes down and then turned to him, "I know dad."

I'm not sure how thrilled he was about the possibility of me going to Miami, especially since he was skeptical of me even getting a chance to play there, but he supported me. I liked that he supported me but it hurt me to know that he doubted me just like everyone else. I never understood why I was such a doubtful prospect. Sure my height is nowhere near what most college scouts are looking for but...I can clearly perform.

Before he could continue on my mother entered the room. "Shannon don't bother him about that stuff today, please? He's gotta relax today."

Yes, I got my horrible girly name from my dad. My mom always knew when to stop him from annoying the hell out of me. Mothers are good like that I guess.

My girlfriend, Liz, called right in the middle of the third quarter of the game. She always had a way of ruining an enjoyable moment; I mean that in the most literal way possible. She wanted to drive a good hour to go shopping and bore the hell out of me...as usual. I told her no, she flipped out, so I gave in.

"You're pathetic," my dad said with a look of disgust on his face. "You're like a slave to that girl, it's ridiculous. That's love?!?"

"Shannon!" My mother shut him up.

He was right though. She treated me like trash and I didn't deserve it but I dealt with it. Why, I don't know. I said I loved her and stuff but I don't think I did. I cursed her name every chance I could get and made it pretty clear I hated her yet she was still here, ruining my life.

"Shannon can you hold my bags?" I pretended she asked as she threw her bags of new clothes which I bought for her. "Of course I can baby," I said, replying to my fabricated question. She looked at me scornfully.

What am I doing?

[Loki]

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December 13th, 2002
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I guess I gave my verbal commit to Miami quite a bit sooner than I should have. Of course, it almost kind of seems like it might've actually been a good thing.

Since last November, Miami had been the only school with real interest in me besides the Nittany Lions from here to there. The past couple days that has changed. Monday (today is Friday) I got a call from Boise State offensive coordinator Chris Petersen and voiced the university's interest in me. To be honest, I was caught off guard. Boise State? That's west coast...sorta, football. The first-year WAC conference champion Broncos liked my style of ball and didn't think that my size (like every other university) was a hazard to how well I could play and lead a team.

Wednesday I got a phone call at about 9:30 in the morning from Fresno State head coach Pat Hill. It suddenly felt like the WAC was battling over me. Why?

Finally today, I received a call just minutes ago from Dr. Fitz Hill, the San Jose State Spartans head coach. It had not hit me at that moment but my best friend and my school's starting tailback had just given them a soft verbal. His name is C.J. Infante, not sure I have spoke of him before. He's fast and helped me out a lot on and off the field. Coach Hill said that if I decided to take him up on his offer, I'd be starting my Freshman year. He said they were changing up the offensive playbook and he felt I'd be the perfect fit along with Infante. It was a strange offer though as delighted as I was. The Spartans went 6-7 this season and were certainly expected to at least contend next season.

But would they be contending with me at the helm? And Infante at tail? Infante had also received offers from Akron, Ohio, Marshall, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, Louisiana Tech, and Hofstra. He could easily change his mind about San Jose State.

"Starting?" I said hastily to Coach Hill. "Yes starting son. If there's one thing holding us back from success it's a quarterback; a leader. That's where you come in," he replied quickly.

A leader? What kind of leader could I be? I led my team to two-straight failed attempts at a state championship. I tried as hard as I could to lead and failed miserably...miserably.

After I got off the phone with Coach Fitz Hill, I called Infante and told him the news. He was ecstatic about playing together as was I once I heard how certain he was about being across country from everyone playing football at a not-so-great football school. Then I came on here to write this up and tell Liz the good news, or at least what I thought was good news.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. Instead it caused a ridiculous argument over AIM between us two because "she's not going to San Jose State!" Do I care? No. But I have to act like I do or life only gets worse. Liz is going to Hofstra and has been trying to push me into going with her since the minute they offered me a contract to play there.

I don't want to play at a D-1AA school.

Sorry if that's cocky or something to that effect but I don't want to. I'm better than that. Clearly. I now have offers from Miami, San Jose State, Fresno State, and Boise State. I need football way more than I need some insane, controlling girlfriend. Sorry Liz.

Liz decided she didn't want to talk to me, not directly anyway but she made sure to run up the text messages, so C.J. and I set up some plans to hit up a party at this girl Chloe's crib. Chloe's my best friend, well besides C.J., and has been since we were in 8th grade. We've actually dated a couple times but I always managed to screw it up. I have a tendency to do that with things that should really matter to me. She's perfect though. Brown hair, green eyes...sexy, green eyes, and an amazing personality; it's hard not love her. She's not like other girls...not at all. When I find a real girl, like a girl to marry or whatever, I want her to be just like Chloe...

PS...didn't even realize, Friday the 13th...wooo scary! Haha.

[Loki]

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December 26th, 2002
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Merry Christmas huh?

I got a brand new Dell Dimension Desktop (this is 2002) to replace the piece of crap Gateway I had been typing this on. Along with that I got myself a new stereo, some clothes, Madden 2003, an autographed football signed personally by Vinny Testeverde (Miami alumn), and another scholarship offer. It was from Akron. Bleh, I didn't really want to think about all this football stuff on Christmas but it was nice to hear another school, and a school not so far away was interested in me. They were straight-forward though and told me I'd be redshirted...

I spent Christmas Eve with my family and got to see all my cousins and what not in Staten Island. It was fun as always. Got a few things here and there but I never go there expecting anything.

Christmas was spent with my parents, brother, and sister for a little while. I schooled James in Madden a couple times (he hates losing) and then took off to Liz's to spend some time with her. It was nice, we exchanged gifts and all that gushy crap. To be honest, I wasn't happy to be spending Christmas night at her house but...whatever.

The weather was surprisingly not that bad. Normally at this time, there's two feet of snow on the ground and I'm out there shoveling so I guess Christmas night wasn't so bad...yet. Liz and I headed outside where her step dad had set up a fire in the yard. She kept looking at me so strangely with tears seeping in her eyes but wouldn't let out what was bothering her. I held her close, assuming that she was maybe just a bit cold. That wasn't it.

"Shannon..." she said.

"What's wrong baby?" I replied.

"I'm pregnant."

I'm almost positive I looked at her like I was about to grab her and toss her into the fire and I could tell she was a bit unsure of what I was about to do also.

"Are you sure?" I asked angrily.

"Definitely," she hesitantly replied.

I guess this was supposed to be an early New Years' gift or something.

Looks like I'm going to Hofstra after all!

[Loki]

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December 31st, 2002
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I'm still in disbelief. Pregnant?

I told my teammate, our outside linebacker Je'kwel about my situation when I went over to his place to play some ball. It was actually kinda awkward though...I'll give you a re-enactment of the convo.

"I got something to tell you bro," I started.

"What's up?" he replied.

"Liz...is pregnant."

He looked at me in shock, as expected, but it was different. He looked at me with worry in his eyes and stumbled over his words.

"Wh...wh...what?!?"

"You alright man?" I asked, thrown off by his reaction.

"Yea man...I just can't believe this. Wh...what are you gonna do?"

"I don't know. I'm screwed, I have to go to Hofstra now I guess and be with her."

Je'kwel was acting strangely and I couldn't put my finger on it. I could understand he was shocked and upset for me but he just wasn't acting right.

I don't know...

Coach Hill from San Jose State called me again and we talked for awhile. He's giving me such a big opportunity but I guess I have to go to Hofstra. What choice do I have? Liz is having my child, I can't run away from that. Her father did that to her so I'm not about to do the same.

Hofstra......

C.J., Liz, and myself are going to a party tonight for New Year's. Chloe is going to be there, too. Can't wait to see her, even if I am with Liz.

For any of you's out there reading this, some help would be greatly appreciated. Any questions, concerns, or whatever you'd like would be great. I want to make this more into one of those new Xanga "blogs". Make sure to leave your name and location though, it'd be great to know where my fans are coming from!

Happy New Years!
Shannon

[Loki]

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January 1st, 2003
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Happy (insert favorite expletive here) New Year!

It's...1:26 AM right now and I'm home. The party...didn't go as well as I had hoped. Liz...is a psycho...

We fought as usual. Right at the drop of the ball. She's an angry drunk...very angry apparently so I walked four miles in the blistering cold back to my house and got in maybe five minutes ago.

And we are having a baby...great!

PS...Liz and Je'kwel were seeming pretty friendly tonight too...

[Loki]

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January 31st, 2003
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C.J. and I flew out to San Jose Saturday (the 25th) to check out the campus even though I know I pretty much have to sign my way to Hofstra. Signing Day is February 6th. The campus was gorgeous and the girls...DAMN! Coach Hill had some of the players walk us around the stadium and all the facilities. Nice stadium for a school that isn't such a big football school. C.J. liked the campus too.

He called me this morning and told me we had to talk. We met up at Blanch Pryce Park and shot around for a little bit before sitting at one of the picnic tables. He looked really nervous; I didn't know what was so stressful for him to tell me.

"Shannon..." he said.

"What bro? What the hell's wrong?"

"I thought you should know..."

"Should know what?!?"

"I...I...slept with Liz."

"You what?!?

I stood up from my seat and dove over the table and tackled him to the floor. He covered his head as I pummeled him with punches, screaming every obscenity I knew. He slept with Liz?!? My "best friend" slept with my girlfriend, the girl who claims to love me!

"Shannon stop, there's more."

I stopped.

"What do you mean there's more?"

"The baby...Liz's baby...it's mine...and...I'm not going to San Jose State. I've already given my verbal commit to Fresno State."

I stood up and looked at him with what was probably a scary grin. C.J. was the one who had been pitching San Jose State to me for months and now he is leaving me hanging AND he impregnated my girlfriend. How was I supposed to feel now? What was I supposed to do? Kill him? I had 6 days till I needed to sign my letter-of-intent and NOW he's telling me all this. Now he's letting me know just before I blow off a college career in 1A ball for an average 1AA team in Hofstra?

Instead I laughed. He was going to Fresno State and leaving Liz high and dry. I was going to San Jose State where I'd get to play him every year and beat him and his team...EVERY year. Or was I going to San Jose State? I stopped thinking about this a month ago and now I've gotta get these thoughts all through my head...and fast!

"Well C.J. I hope you're happy. You lost a best friend and gained a crazy woman and a kid. Good luck!"

I turned and walked away. He had nothing to say, hell, what could he say? I jumped in my car and went home. Tears tried to force themselves from my eyes but I wouldn't allow it. If they could do that to me, they NEVER mattered.

Too bad they did...



SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS (order of interest)
San Jose State
Akron
Boise State
Miami
Fordham
Fresno State (scratch them)
Hofstra (and defintely scratch them from the list!)

[Loki]

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February 7th, 2003
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WHAM!

That's all I remember. My door was caved in against my leg and the glass shattered all over me. The airbag imploded and probably saved me from death, at least partially. I looked around to see where the driver in the other guy had gone; he was nowhere to found. People who had seen the accident rushed over to me and asked if I was okay but all I honestly heard were mumbles and whispers in the distance. I noticed the blood drip down my forehead as one of them women tried to hold in a howling screech.

What just happened?

I looked to my right. Oh my god. Chloe was unconcious and the windshield had shattered on her as well. Her head didn't look good either; her airbag didn't go. Now I was nervous. My eyes started wandering everywhere, where was help? Why was I still in this friggin' car?!? Then I noticed on the windshield, or what was left it, lay a body. So that's where he went...

"Somebody help!" I shouted. "Someone helps us please!"

Finally police, fire, and ambulance had all arrived. They got to Chloe first and I watched as they carried her limp body out of the car. They asked if I thought I could climb out of the car through her side so I tried.

"CRAAAAAAACK!"

The pain was unbelievable. My hip felt like it was about to just dettach itself from the rest of me. I pulled my self the rest of the way out as they wiped the glass off the seat for me.

That was Saturday. Apparently the guy had been drunk...very drunk, and flew threw a red light. He's dead. It's about time that works that way but Chloe is still in the hospital. Up until two nights ago she had been in a coma...Thankfully, she's now up in St. Luke's Hospital recuperating. It was so nice to see her beautiful smile, it was so nice just to see her take a deep breath. I almost lost her.

I somehow managed to only walk out with a Mild Concussion and a hip fracture. A hip fracture! It hurts quite a bit but Doc said it shouldn't hamper my play too much, the concussion on the other hand could be and have to wait until they're sure I'm okay to do anything real physical. Understandable, I'm not trying to go all out after that car accident.

Thank god the hip fracture isn't anything serious because as of last night, I have officially signed my letter-of-intent to go to...

San Jose State!!!

Seated in a decorated gym at a table with C.J. (heh!), Je'kwel (another heh!), one of my receivers Marcus Livingston, and tight end Darius Lofton. We were all spread out nicely. Four hats lay in front of me: San Jose State, Miami, Fresno State, and Akron. In front of C.J., lay San Jose State, Fresno State, and Hofstra.

I stood up, my hand on a chair to keep myself up with the whole hip thing, and looked into the camera.

"The university I will be joining is...(reaching for the Miami hat and then picking up the San Jose State hat)...the San Jose State Spartans!"

The gym filled off fellow students and what not erupted into claps though some probably didn't understand why I would pick the Spartans over a school like Miami. It's simple, Miami has Brock Berlin who I...don't feel like sitting behind for three years until he leaves.

C.J. signed his letter-of-intent for Fresno State, no surprise there but I can't wait to see how things with Liz work for him...HA! Marcus had one surprising scholarship offer from Buffalo and so he took advantage and signed. Hopefully, I'll get to play against him some day. Darius signed with Albright College, a division III school here in Pennsylvania.

Today I'm going to see Chloe again...she's getting out tomorrow. Can't wait!

[Loki]

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February 15th, 2003
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My hip still hurts. Doc said that I had a slight stress fracture, or hairline fracture as many may know it, and that I'd have to take it easy for 4 weeks before I could do anything.

Right.

With the SJSU Spring Game in two months, Marcus and I have been working on stuff to keep from getting rusty before both our team's games. Marcus is really excited to go to Buffalo, the coach told him he's gonna be there #3 receiver for his Freshman year. Pretty sweet I'd say. The MAC has some good teams so hopefully he gets to show off how good he is against their defenses.

I've been following the doctor's orders a little; I haven't run, dropping back, or anything like that. Just been throwing the ball around, working on route-timing. I've been lifting a bit too. I stopped for awhile after football ended but I definitely needed to start again. My bench has gone down a bit but I'll get it back up in a week or two.

I got an invite to a couple all-star games, too. The Big 33 Game vs. the Ohio kids and the Lehigh Valley McDonald's All-Star Game. Cannot wait, I've been dying to play some damn football already.

In case you people didn't know, today is/was Valentine's Day. It's a little after 3 so I guess that technically makes it yesterday but...whatever. Last year I spent this day arguing with Liz about a girl instant messaging me saying, "Hey you!", despite the fact that I spent a good $300 on a necklace for her. This year...slightly better.

I got to spend ALL day with the lovely and fun Chloe. I took my Dad's Camry since my car was totaled from the accident and picked her up around 12. We went and grabbed some lunch at the Jube, burgers and fries, had a few good laughs, and a few points where we just kinda stared at each other, falling. After lunch, we drove around for a bit and then decided on heading up to the movies. We saw Sweet November; it was corny, chickflick with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron but I was with Chloe, why the hell would I have complained? Her had was on my shoulder throughout the whole movie.

After the movie, we went to La Trattoria Bella, and Italian restaurant just down the street. Another great time. She's so beautiful and so...perfect. How did I ever screw things up with her? She laughs at my jokes, she likes hanging out with me...she smiles. Liz never smiled. I hated her. She was so miserable and so...! I ate some Penne ala Vodka (amazing!) and she had the Chicken Parm. The chicken was uncooked and had to be sent back, twice, but we still enjoyed the meal. Things were going so well.

Then her phone rang.

"Hey baby!" she answered. I looked at her confused. "Aww, Happy Valentine's Day to you too. You know I miss you." I couldn't believe it. Who was she talking to?

She got off the phone and looked at me. I was stunned. She looked at me confused.

"That was my boyfriend...Jake." I looked at her with a blank stare; who the hell is Jake? "You know...Jake. The guy I told you I met in Wildwood?" I shook my head. "Oh my god I didn't tell you!"

No, she didn't tell me and now I felt like an idiot. All the money I just spent on this girl, for what? To seemingly be in the friend zone? Definitely not what I was looking for but certainly where I was. I played the whole thing off because she got worried that I thought this was all like a serious kinda thing. I did. I couldn't let her know that though and make her feel terrible so I just acted like I knew it was just a "friends" thing. A convenient thing because I'm a single jackass and her "boyfriend" lives in Jersey.

I hate Jersey.

Whatever.

Events Coming Up[/u]
February 28th - Good to be physical again
April 12th - Spring Game
May 3rd - NIKE Camp
June 14th - Big 33 Game
June 28th - McDonald's All-Star Game in Lehighton
August 4th - First Fall Practice
August 11th - First Scrimmage vs. UC Davis

[Loki]

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February 24th, 2003
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Marcus and I flew out to San Jose State Thursday to hang out around the campus and with some of the football kids for a bit. I thought he might feel awkward about it but it didn't seem to bother him. My hip should be better in a few days and I took advantage, playing a little pitch-and-catch with some of my new teammates.

We hit up a party Friday night, let me just say...recklessssssss! I'm not sure how drunk I got but I woke up next to some pretty little brunette. I'm not complaining. Jealous? Marcus was.

Sunday Marcus and I took the bus up to LA. It was a long ride but I had to see the hills. We stopped in at a Starbuck's somewhere on Rodeo Drive and low and behold, in walked in Jessica Simpson's hot little sister. Boing!

I couldn't resist and took my game over to her. She liked me, I think, she laughed anyway. I got her number too. Next time I'm in LA, I'm calling her. Schweeeeeeet!

So sexy!

[Loki]

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March 24th, 2003
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Can't believe it's been a month since I wrote in here. My hip's all better and me and Marcus have been working out and practicing constantly. I lost a little speed during those 4 weeks so I've been doing a lot of speed training; speed's vital to my game.

The Spring Game is in about 3 weeks, I'm excited. It's going to be stange playing with all these guys I've never played with before but I know I'm gonna love it.

School's going by so fast...it sucks. For my first 3 years of high school all I ever wanted was for it to be over. Now that it's inching closer and closer to its end, I don't want it to end. I did well in my first semester (we have block scheduling), averaged a B in my four classes in both quarters. This first quarter of the second semester isn't going so well though. I need someone on my back, pushing me to do stuff in school and once football season is over no one does that anymore. I'm failing two classes and got a B and a C in the other two. Eff.

I still haven't spoken to Chloe since the "Valentine's Day Massacre" as I've deemed it. Skank. Why should I talk to her after that? I shouldn't. Exactly.

[Loki]

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April 13th, 2003
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I dropped back in the pocket, looked left, our defensive end charged at me so I rolled out of the pocket. Devin Anderson hit his point and came back towards me, I fired the ball in and he caught it against his body, shook his body towards the middle of the field, shaking the corner out of his shoes and then turning and darting up the sideline for the score.

Hmm...not bad.

I went 17-of-30 for 238 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Despite some struggles, Coach Hill said he was impressed with my performance overall. Can't really complain about that. Our defense looked good too, at least from my perspective. I can already tell how much different the tempo of the game is from high school. I met most of the guys I'm going to be playing with, including our running back Travis Allen, whom I must say didn't seem too enthused to meet me and even blew a blocking assignment that Coach swears was intentional...GREAT!

I'm still in San Jose right now actually. My flight leaves in about an hour so I need to get going but I'll write back after I get settled back home. I'm dreading school tomorrow, ugh.

I can't believe prom is in less than a month and I of all people don't have a date...

[Loki]

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April 16th, 2003
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Well...belated now but still.

18 years old...I remember when I was 2 living in the house on Cuba Ave. in Staten Island, sneaking into my uncle's room (he lived with us) and cranking up his stereo, slamming his banjos along with the beat. SportsCenter in the morning and Super Mario at night. I remember chillin with my cousins at Miller Field. Staten Island Pee Wee football. Baseball. Hockey. Basketball. I remember Pogs and the Power Rangers. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The WWF. Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, Barry Sanders, Lawrence freakin' Taylor. I remember when the Yankees won the World Series in 96, then took over the MLB and won it again in 98, 99, and 2000. I remember so much in what seems like such a long time, but now...now is only the beginning and in many ways it's depressing.

Why can't I be a kid again? Why can't I sleep whenever I want to which was normally much less than I want to now and whine and cry till I get the new wrestling action figure I want at Toys 'R Us? Why can't I spend days and days at my cousin's just playing NHL 94 until the sun comes up? Why can't I be a kid?

Nope now, I had to grow up. Now, I was an adult and while at times, I'm going to act like a child, I am an adult and have no choice but to be treated that way. I need to be responsible now more than ever and I need to take that responsibilty for ever action of which I do. Now, my life really was in my hands and only my hands. I chose which road to go down, not anyone else.

Growing up sucks.




We're all celebrating Saturday at Marcus'. I wonder if Chloe will show up...

[Loki]

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April 20th, 2003
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"It's 4/20 dude..."

I laughed at Marcus as he hit away. These people and their habits...their terrible habits. I can't complain though, I had a great time at my birthday party.

Chloe showed up. She dyed her hair a little lighter and had some blonde highlights going. She was bangin'. I was hesitant to go over to her so I just waited to see if she'd come to me over on the couch in Marcus' living room. I could tell she was nervous as she entered the house, greeting just about everyone. She finally walked over to me...and took a seat on my lap.

"Hi Shannon," she said.

I stuttered for a moment, "hey."

Hey? That's all I could say?

"Happy Birthday sweetheart, I hope you're enjoying it," she replied.

"Believe me Chloe, it just got a whole lot better."

She smiled. She was different tonight, much flirtier than normal with me. Was I complaining? Hell no.

"I missed you Shannon. I missed you a lot."

I just about melted into her gorgeous green eyes. "I missed you too Chloe, you have no idea. I can't say I didn't enjoy the time we weren't speaking though." She looked at me shocked. I figure making her feel like crap will give her a good idea of how she constantly makes me feel, just like on Valentine's Day.

"Oh..." she replied.

Got her.

"Don't get me wrong, no one else has been or ever will be like you but...I wasn't gonna let the things you do to me ruin my life."

"I wouldn't expect it to Shannon. I know what I did was wrong and I'm sorry."

But I still question whether she really realized how messed up she was. Her eyes said she was sincere but just as beautiful as her eyes are they can stab a cold knife straight through any man's back.

"I actually met Ashlee Simpson, ya know, Jessica's little sister," I said.

She got all giddy talking about how much she loves her on that show 7th Heaven. We talked and talked and talked, just like old times. It was great.

I'm pathetic.

NIKE Camp in 2 weeks...woot!

[Loki]

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August 2nd, 2003
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Wow, so much we've missed. My computer had crashed in May and I was without it for that entire month, June and July were busy months so I had completely forgotten about this things. Now I'm back.

Today was move-in day. I'm rooming with Freshman tailback Charles Johnson. Cool dude. Our rooms are a pretty good size so I can't complain and he brought a PS2 so you know I'm gonna be beating him in Madden every night. Haha.

So let's see...what have we missed...NIKE Camp was fun as always. Nothing really to talk about there. It was nice to work some of the rust off in their drills. The Big 33 game was amazing. The Ohio team beat us 33-24 but I had a good game overall, passing for 17-of-23, 200 yards, and 2 touchdowns. I rushed for 63 yards also. Coach Hill was impressed. I got minimal playtime in the McDonald's game because the coach of my team decided to favor his own kid. It's okay, the kid needed the work.

And here we are. First practice is Monday, the 4th. Two-a-days. I'm dreading it big time. Sucks too because it's my sister's birthday. I'll have to give her a call. I haven't talked to Chloe in a couple weeks but she told me she'd call me once she was all settled in her room. She's going to FIDM in LA. I'll be making some visits no question. I forgot to mention, that night of my party, her and I hooked up...a lot. It was so meaningful though. We just click like that I guess.

Ah, I gotta stop with all this mushy crap. It's football season ladies and gents! I hope you're ready because I plan on putting on a show!

[Loki]

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August 4th, 2003
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Ugh.

I'm almost positive Coach Hill was trying to make it so we couldn't walk off field today. Plenty of us couldn't but luckily I was able to basically crawl my way off. We ran so much today you would think we were at war with a bunch of savage lion/human monsters or something, I don't even know. The heat here in San Jose isn't too convenient either; a beautiful, sweltering 92 degrees. Thank you mother nature.

About 10 kids sat out with "cramps" and other garbage pains. It's just like [high school] with these kids. It didn't surprise me either to see big, bad "star" running back, you know that jealous jerk, Travis Allen, sitting on the sideline with his helmet off with the trainer because he supposedly pulled his hamstring. Sounds like something someone like Terrell Owens or Randy Moss would do.

"Coach, my hamstring, I think I pulled it." Wah wah wah wah wah!

It kills me when I see these primadonnas. I thought the quarterback was supposed to be the primadonna...guess I was wrong. No instead, I was the one busted my ass on each and every play whether it be sprints, up-downs, pass skeleton, running the option, 7-on-7, 11-on-11, whatever it may be. Meanwhile, princess is on the sideline, hampering a fake hamstring injury. Sure.

Moving on, it was nice to be in pads again, playing with the boys and working all the kinks out. We've got an alright team on our hands and I really think we can go somewhere special. I'm not saying we're gonna win the National Championship, hell I don't think we'll get a conference championship but a bowl bid...definitely.

I got back to my room at about 9 and saw a call from Chloe. It's funny, all last school year...she pretty much turned her back on me. From Valentine's Day to Homecoming and to Prom, which I forgot to mention, she went with Jersey boy...whatever. I hate Jersey. The only good thing about Jersey is the NEW YORK Giants. Now that we're out here on the West Coast and pretty much know no one, she wants me back in her life. I don't know. Maybe her and I just swithced roles, instead of me messing things up with her its her messing things up with me now. Her cousin likes to tell me we're meant for each other...I don't know about that. She is so beautiful though...She's driving down Thursday after her last class and she's gonna stay here with me, hit up a few parties and what not, should be fun.

I got pictures coming guys so don't worry. You'll finally get to see Shannon Kennedy at work! First game is less than a month away!

[SilverChaosVII]

Woot, I'm glad you are posting this here as well now. I don't like Maddenmania. I'd much rather read it here. I love this story Loki, you are doing an amazing job. I find myself checking in every day for updates lol.

[Leak2Troupe03]

I just read through this whole thing. Very great stuff, I will be reading now that I know about this. I hadn't been on MM much so I missed it.