A New Life in Modern Family

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Chapter 6: Unexpected Interest

Bleachers – Before the Tryouts Start

Alex adjusted her glasses and pulled her hoodie tighter around herself as she sat alone in the stands, waiting for football tryouts to begin. She tapped her fingers against the bench, wondering—not for the first time—why she was even here.

She wasn't into sports. Never had been. The idea of sitting outside, watching guys tackle each other, had always seemed… pointless.

And yet, here she was.

For him.

She caught herself at that thought and immediately shook it away.

No. She was here because Jon was her friend. That was it. A totally normal, rational reason to be at football tryouts.

Still, she couldn't ignore that ever since he showed up in her life, things felt… different.

It had started small.

They sat together at lunch—every day, like clockwork. At first, she thought he was just being polite, but after a week, she realized it was intentional. Jon chose to sit with her, even when he had other options.

And then there were their classes. Whenever they had one together, Jon always took the seat next to hers. He never made a big deal about it, never acted like it was some grand gesture—he just did it.

And… she liked it.

More than she wanted to admit.

Jon was different. He actually listened when she talked. Not in the way most people did, where they were just waiting for their turn to speak. No, Jon seemed genuinely interested. Like he cared about what she had to say.

And he was… funny. Like, really funny.

She had never met someone who could keep up with her sarcasm and still make her laugh.

Alex sighed, shaking her head. She was not about to start analyzing her feelings like some lovestruck idiot.

Before she could dwell on it any further, movement caught her eye.

Her grandfather was walking up the bleachers.

"Alex!" Jay called out when he spotted her.

She waved, scooting over to give him room.

Jay sat down with a grunt, adjusting his jacket. "Didn't expect to see you here, kid. You suddenly into football?"

Alex scoffed. "Not even a little."

Jay raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"

Alex paused. She could say she was just curious about the tryouts. She could say she was bored.

But before she could settle on a half-truth, Jay smirked.

"You're here for Jon, aren't you?"

Alex nearly choked on her own spit. "What?! No!"

Jay chuckled, clearly not buying it. "Relax, I'm just messin' with you."

Alex quickly looked away, feeling heat rise to her face. She hated how easily her grandfather could read her.

Jay leaned back. "Still, I'm glad you came. Kid's got talent. Wouldn't be surprised if he steals the show today."

Alex frowned. "Wait, how do you know that?"

Jay shrugged. "I told you, I have been teachin' him the basics. Turns out he's a natural. Kid picks things up fast."

Alex wasn't surprised. Jon was good at everything. It was kind of annoying, actually.

Before she could respond, the coach blew his whistle.

"Alright, let's get started!"

The tryouts began with standard drills—running, agility tests, basic throws. A few players stood out, but most were average.

Alex found her mind drifting again.

She had read about this before. When someone suddenly chooses to sit with you, when they pay attention to you more than others, when they make you laugh more than anyone else… it means something.

Her stomach twisted.

She refused to believe it.

But then—

"Next up, Jonathan Hale!"

Alex snapped out of her thoughts just as Jon stepped onto the field.

The first drill was simple—running the 40-yard dash.

Jon lined up, waited for the whistle, and exploded forward.

Alex's eyes widened. He wasn't just fast—he was blazing.

The coach's whistle nearly fell out of his mouth as he stared at the stopwatch.

Next was footwork drills. Jon weaved through cones like they weren't even there, moving with impossible precision.

Then came catching drills.

Quarterbacks threw bullet passes at him, and Jon caught every single one—one-handed, mid-spin, diving. He made it look effortless.

The other players had stopped. The entire team was watching.

Jay was on his feet. "That's my boy!" he cheered, clapping loudly.

Alex, caught up in the moment, found herself clapping too. "Let's go, Jon!"

She froze.

Did I just cheer?

She never cheered. Not at school events, not at family gatherings—never.

And yet, here she was, cheering for him.

Jon didn't even look tired as he lined up for the final drill.

The quarterback launched a deep pass—easily fifty yards down the field.

Alex thought it was way too far.

Jon proved her wrong.

He sprinted full speed, leaped into the air, and snatched the ball mid-flight before rolling into a perfect landing.

The entire stadium went silent for a moment.

Then—

"OH, COME ON!" the coach shouted. "Are you KIDDING ME?!"

The players erupted into cheers. Even the ones who were supposed to be competing against him.

Jon just dusted himself off, like he hadn't just pulled off an NFL-level play.

Jay turned to Alex, grinning. "Told ya."

Alex, still staring at Jon, could only nod.

Yeah. She might be in trouble.