Firsts

Coach Lake: Mateo. What are you still doing here? It’s late.

Mateo: Waiting for you, coach.

Coach Lake: Me? What can I do for you? Mateo avoids eye contact.

Mateo: It’s a little... embarrassing. It’s not about baseball.

Coach Lake: You can talk to me about anything, bud. You know that. What’s up?

Mateo: You know I’m dating Jess.

Coach Lake: Yeah.

Mateo: Well, we been together for like 4 months now. Prom’s comin up. And we’re goin together, of course...

Coach Lake: Right.

Mateo: It’s just, it’s a special night, you know, and we’ve never... I’ve never...

Coach Lake: Ah, I see.

Mateo: I’m sorry coach, I didn’t know who else to talk to.

Coach Lake: It’s no problem, Kid. Have you guys talked about it?

Mateo: Well, she... wants to -

Coach Lake: And you?

Mateo: Of course, I want to too. But... I’ve never done that before. She has. I don’t know what I’m doing. What if I’m terrible? What if the whole time she’s comparing me to her last boyfriend, and I just look... stupid -

Coach Lake: Okay, okay, relax kid. Everyone’s had a first time. Okay? She knows that. She’s not with that other guy anymore is she. She’s with you. She doesn’t care about him. She wants to be with you. Mateo finally relaxes a bit. Coach easing his nerves.

Mateo: Yeah, you’re right.

Coach Lake: And this, my friend, is not a competition. It’s about the connection. You and her. That’s it. You want to be comfortable with each other. Just because she’s ready, doesn’t mean you are -

(smiles)

Mateo: No, I’m ready. Coach laughs.

Coach Lake: Okay, kid. You’ll be fine. Okay?

Mateo: Thanks Coach. They walk off together.

Coach Lake: Now you’ve spent enough time at school for one day, let’s get you home.