Eyeshield 21: 'Honey Bear'

Chapter 1: The Teddy Bear

Every school has that one, or a few, foreign exchange students. At my school in Japan, everyone is a foreign exchange student. I was the only one born outside of America, but naturalized as an American citizen. I am originally from Germany, but I live in America. The people, the cities, the food, and the friends I made. I'm not like other European girls.

I am Jenni Bauer, and I love American Football. I play tight end for the Shepherds of St. John Kisaka Christian School. I started out playing on the basketball team, and I would watch the practices at the stands after my own practice. It was a crazy sport, just big tough guys banging heads. This coming from one who stands 183cm tall, and weighs 91kg

How I got on the team feels like something out of the movie. As I watched the practice, I saw two guys throwing the ball back and forth. I saw how that one guy, called a 'wide receiver', would catch the ball. I figured that I can catch a ball like that. As he threw the ball back to the other guy, called a quarterback, I held my hesitantly hands up for a ball.

"Is she joking?" questioned the receiver,

"I know her, she's on the basketball team," said the quarterback,

"Give her one, see what happens," said the receiver

I saw him smirk to the quarterback like they were planning something. I was just a brown-eyed brunette, a rather tall one that loves classic rock and Japanese fried chicken. The ball was thrown my way, and even I was as surprised as they were that I caught it, "Yo nice catch, why don't you come on down, and try out for the team?" he offered out to me

The basketball team already had enough players, and I was sick of being a benchwarmer. So I took the chance. I got up, and pulled my tight blue jeans before going down to the field. Everyone seemed to already be doing drills, "Hey umm...coach, I'm wondering if we can have her join the team?" he asked, I knew the school football coach as 'Mr. Willard'

The coach went up to get a look at me, "Aren't you already on the school basketball team?" he asked, and I nodded and explained to him the issue, "you mean to tell me you're 6ft tall and you're riding the bench? Well then, let's get you on a team that will give you a fighting chance, suit up," I would have thought he would be a bit more doubtful of me.

I was led to the equipment room by the coach, and given my pads, pants and helmet. These padded pants are tight-fitted, and really show off my hips and thighs. After putting on the shoulder pads, flak jacket, practice jersey, and cleats, I jogged on out to the field. The helmet was silver, and so is the facemask. Our colors are silver, black, and copper.

"Let's go to work, Jen, Shane Dawson, quarterback," said my first friend,

"Tyrell Wilkins, wide receiver," said the other player,

"Good to meet you both," I said shaking their hands with a firm but friendly grip. I have seen a lot of famous sports logos, but I must say ours is unique. In the foreground is the head of a German Shepherd, snarling and looking so fierce, and in the background is an angled shepherd's crook. This logo takes up each side of the helmet. I am ready to learn

"Jenni, if you're gonna play football, you have to learn how to hit," said Mr. Willard giving me my first lesson as I put on my helmet, and buttoned the chinstrap with some help from coach. Mr. Willard held onto a oval-shaped pad like a shield in front of me, "now bend your knees, head up and butt down, aim with your shoulder, keep moving and drive,"

"If you're going to be a tight end, you need to learn how to block, ready set-GO!" He ordered, and I did as he instructed, "keep those feet moving, Bauer! Good! Wow! You're a fast learner!" praised my coach, and I got pats on the helmet and pads. Something I did not get playing on the basketball team, "remember your shoulder is also a weapon Jen,"

"When you catch a ball, the defense is going to hit you," said Mr. Willard,

"Don't let them put you on your butt," said Shane,

"If you're gonna hit somebody, hit 'em hard, you feel me?" said Tyrell

One thing I am learning about American Football is that it is way more complicated than it looks. I was learning different kinds of passes to go with these things called 'routes'. I was learning how to block, and protect the quarterback in these practice games called 'scrimmages'. It was a lot to take in, but a lot of fun. I even got to choose my number: 84.

"Can't wait to see you in uniform, Jenni," said Shane patting my shoulder. Shane has lighter brown hair than me, and handsome eyes. He really has that 'team player' kind of a look to him, "Trust me, you'll like them, they're awesome," I stopped at the fountain near the field for a drink before going to the locker room to go change back into my clothes.

"You keep up the good work, you got the goods, Jen," said Tyrell as we were heading inside the school after practice. My braided brunette tail bounced behind me as I jogged to keep up with the team. I was sore from my first practice, but I had a lot of fun. I am still a rookie to this sport. I feel like I need more practice before I start playing this season.