For you I would ruin myself

eight

Game day. That means classes are missing people because student who play for teams get to take time off and to spend time to focus on the game. Normally involves meditation, which does work among the boys, which is rather confusing. Most of them get physical therapy and massages to loosen up the muscles and relieve stress on bones and muscles.

Friday was a slow day for Lyla. English was just boring because who wants to learn about Shakespeare and MacBeth. Maths wasn't fun at all because quadratics is the most complicated and useless thing to ever exist. Triple science was also horrible, but a bit more entertaining, because she knows so much of the stuff being taught in Biology and Chemistry.

The bell finally rings, Lyla can finally go to something she might enjoy. She packs up her stuff by her locker and proceeds to the girls locker room to drop off her school bag.

She waits for Lexie to show up, and they go to the stands together, bringing a fluffy blanket to share, two bags of chips and water bottles because there will be a lot of screaming.

There's more people than expected, probably because the U18's are playing and most of the people are hanging around until that game. Watching the U16's also gives the U18's a chance to see how the other team might play the game.

The whistle sounds and all the players start shouting for the ball, or for defence to move up the pitch. Lyla keeps an eye on Ashton but watches Luke for most of the first half. 

By the end of the first half, the score was tied 1-1. The huddle at half-time was very fiery, Lyla saw Luke do a lot of talking, which never really happens, normally he sits and nods and talks to the other midfielders. They had possession for most of the second half, but the goalie for the other side just seemed unbeatable, he had saved every goal they fired at him.

Ashton's anger was seeping through his skin, he knows he's good. Frankly, everyone knows he's good, but nothing can get through that God damn goalie. Coach takes him off before he might actually punch the goalie and he runs for the changing room. Myles and Luke both signal at Lexie and Lyla for one of them to chase after him and check on him.

Lyla doesn't even have to think about it or ask Lexie, she immediately bounces up and tries to not trip over anyone while she gets out of the stands. She runs to the boys changing room, almost runs into it and realises she probably shouldn't do that.

"Hey Ash, it's Lyla," she says softly, "Do you want to be alone or do you want to me to wait out here."

A few moments pass, the sound of football boots start knocking against the floors of the changing room and it gets closer to Lyla. Ashton's eyes are all swollen and puffy, he's defeated. Completely defeated.

"I can't do it. Why can't I do it?" he asks hopelessly. "Every single time I've tried, I'm giving everything. Fucking everything and nothing is happening. I'm suppose to be the hot shot new kid, instead I can't even get a goal in after what, 6 tries?"

"There's your problem," Lyla says in relief.

"What?"

"You're trying so hard to prove yourself to everyone. To prove your worth. Everyone believes you're good, but do you? Do you truly believe that you're good?"

Pause.

She continues,"You won't get anywhere, let alone score a goal unless you trust and believe your talent and skill. Do you believe that you're good?"

"Yeah, I guess," Ashton shrugs.

"No, mean it. If you don't, then maybe you're not that good," Lyla replies sternly.

"I am good at this," he looks at Lyla for reassurance, Lyla nods. "I trust my own skill. I can do this. I know I can do this."

"That's better, say it again," Lyla suggests.