Of course not

The rest of the week goes off without a hitch. No more antics from Rick, and no word of their conversation. The posters had all been taken down, and life seems to be returning to normal for you. You get through the week, and make it to Friday, the big pep rally. All the school's sports teams gather in the school's giant auditorium to be recognized by students and faculty before the season starts.

Beaming with pride, you wear your jersey throughout the day. Knowing you're the only freshman on the team just makes it that much sweeter. You're not without your anxieties, still not trusting that Rick is done with you. You cinch up the belt on your cargo shorts rather tight, and make your way to the auditorium. Backstage smells of sawdust and axe body spray, as you stand among several dozen other young men, all wearing their own jersey.

You're trying to mentally prepare for to walk onto the stage, when you feel a familiar hand clap you on the back. Rick steps up next to you, a smile on his face. "You ready?"

Apprehensive, you instinctively cringe away from his touch. "What do you mean?"

"I mean for the season, bro. I always get super nervous at the pep rally. Like, that's when you know shit is real." He seems sincere, so you relax.

"Y-yeah. I'm a little nervous, I guess. Had a lot on my mind this week." You say pointedly, listening to Ms. Victoria out on the stage discussing the school's many clubs and their achievements.

"What do you mean? Oh, you mean hell week? That was just a little hazing. I'm sorry if it got out of hand. We're brothers now though. Playing for the same team. That's all done. I'm a guard. My job is to protect the quarterback, whatever string we're talking."

His speech leaves you feeling a little better, as you hear Ms. Victoria preparing to introduce the football team. She does so, and you don't even have time to start walking, as the movement of the other players rushes you out onto the stage with them. The crowd of students cheers loudly for you, as you all wave an smile. Getting caught up in the adulation, you swear you even see a number of women in the crowd staring right at you. You assume you're just seeing things, and gather with your team in the middle of the stage, as the excitement dies down. Rick approaches the podium.

"Welcome, everybody. As the captain of the HSU football team, it's my job to recognize players when they do something extraordinary. This year, we have an opportunity to do that before the season has even started. Today we welcome HSU's first freshman quarterback in over a decade, ladies and gentlemen, but especially the ladies, please give it up for Brent Wheelock!"

The crowd applauds, as you step forward, waving, your guard brought down by the sudden showing of appreciation from the students. That's when...