Soccer and a Dream

First Practice

"Dad, I'm fine! Adam is there!" He doesn't know that Adam hates me but we are cousins so he said, "Okay, I'll be home if you need me just call."

"Okay, love you!"

"Have fun!"

"I will!" And with that I sprinted onto the field. I put my bag on the bench grabbing my ball. We were juggling and when practice starts we were having a contest for who could juggle the most. I wasn't bad, aw hell, I was amazing at juggling.

"Make a circle. No touching or interfering with anyone else during this and may the best juggler win!" Coach announced and blew his whistle. I was still going a while later and it was just me and Nathan left. Nathan. Oh, what if he asked me out? Sh*t. I was still juggling, successfully thank The Lord. I went for a few more and then he, he smiled at me. I flustered and the ball came down hitting my toe, flying off the other. It hit the ground. F*CK, that was my chance to prove myself. The guys surrounded Nathan congratulated him. He emerged from the circle.

"I normally win those with ease, you made me work. Nice work?"

"Emily."

"Got a last name?"

"Cage."

"Nice work Cage!"

"Thanks." I just died. He talked to me. He was nice to me. Oh my, this can't be so bad right. My thoughts were gone when the whistle blew. We were playing a game so we could warm up, it was called Lock and Load. I don't know why. Coach liked the name and went with it. Everyone lined up at the mid-line. You give the ball two touches and then shoot from wherever you ended. A kid named Will was in the goal. He let almost every shot go in. I knew I could do better. I looked at Coach and he knew by my face.

"Cage, get in there!" Everyone looked at Adam but then realized I was in the goal. Only one shot got in, Nathan's. God he can't distract me like this anymore. I got some high fives but everyone's expression went dull when coach said we had to run laps. I was fine with it. I used to run track in middle school.

"First to finish doesn't run them next time!" Coach shouted. "On the whistle, 6 laps!"

The whistle blew. I was in third at the end of the fifth lap. Nathan and some other kid were in front of me. Not now Em. No Nathan! I sprinted, this was my last chance before practice was over to prove myself. Past the other kid and right at the end, I passed Nathan. I got first. Yes!

"You amaze me Cage." Nathan said as he patted my back when he walked by.

"Thanks! "

Practice was over. My dad's truck was here. "We're giving Adam and Nathan a ride home."

"Okay." I was about to hop in my normal seat when Adam ran straight in through the other door to my spot. I sighed and hopped in the front instead. Dang, I wanted to sit next to Nathan. There will be other times but all I cared about now was what team I made.