Burnt Orange Rivalry

The following is exclusive information obtained by The Mugdown about what happened the day before the t.u. game:

Up until now, Texas A&M was 11-0, top of the SEC, untouchable for the entire season. The momentum continued to grow week after week – historic win after historic win – the world was our oyster, perfectly offered up to Marcel as he led Texas A&M University towards unprecedented success.

The biggest game of the season was here; the collective breath everyone across Texas had been holding in was now suffocating, trapping Marcel in a glass jar of expectations and pressure. If Texas A&M lost the next day, every effort he made to keep the team undefeated would be for nothing – all because of some garish burnt orange.

It was the evening before the game, just as the sun began to dip below the skyline, when Marcel went for a jog around t.u.’s campus, one last attempt to clear his mind of all distractions before going head to head with the enemy tomorrow. He ran until he felt the weight of the world slowly loosen its grip on his shoulders, eventually coming to a stop in front of DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

“Not nearly as impressive as Kyle, huh?” a voice chuckled from behind him.

“Not many things are,” Marcel replied, turning to see what looked like just another student wearing a burnt orange jersey. “Big fan of Arch Manning?” he added, gesturing towards the bold number 16 upon the stranger’s chest.

“You could say that,” the man shrugged. “Though I’m honestly a bigger fan of his uncles, Peyton and Eli. Not sure Arch quite lived up to the hype this season. Seems like the pressure got to him.” The mysterious stranger sheepishly scratched his head as he talked, as if embarrassed by his team’s performance.

“Well, we’re all just trying our best – Arch included,” Marcel said with a soft chuckle, glancing back up at the stadium beneath the night sky. “I know I’m feeling the pressure from the entire 12th Man, can’t imagine adding two legendary uncles to the mix.” He paused, then added, “Not to say that y’all are going to win tomorrow, but… I get it..”

When Marcel turned back, the stranger was staring at him, mouth slightly parted, eyes fixed on Marcel as though he had the answers to all of life’s mysteries.

“You get it, huh?” murmured the t.u. student under his breath, cheeks slightly flushed. “Well, I have to head out now, but see you at the game tomorrow…”

Marcel watched him jog off with a newfound spring in his step. He felt a brief flare of disappointment that he didn’t get the other’s name, but shrugged it off. He turned and headed back to his own hotel, his mind finally clear.

It wasn’t until the next day, standing under the stadium lights, that Marcel realized what the man had meant.

Across the field, the opposing quarterback met his gaze with the same eyes, burnt orange glowing beneath the lights, a bold white 16 stretched across his chest.

Marcel didn’t smile.

The jersey was different now – but the promise hadn’t changed.

I’ll see you at the game tomorrow.

 

– 12th NPC