Firecracker

Chapter 1

“She shoots…and she scores! Kenzie’s done it again!” Cheered my twin brother Cameron as I dribbled down our makeshift field, sweeping the ball around Jake, before slamming it into the goal. Waving his arms around like a madman, Cam ran over, picked me up and slung me over his shoulder.

“Cam!” I exclaimed in surprise, “Put me down! Put me down!” I kicked and wriggled frantically, trying to escape his grip.

“Damn,” I heard him pant, “She’s stronger than I remember.”

“Put me down! Put me-“ I was cut off midsentence by the jolt that ran through my body as I hit the earth. Groaning I picked myself up and dusted myself off. “Cam! That wasn’t nice!” My hand flashed out and he doubled over in pain. I grinned satisfactorily before turning to face the other boy. There were three of us; Cam, Jake and I. Always just the three of us. And I was the only girl. But I couldn’t care less.

“Impressive,” said Jake as he patted me on the back, “ I mean, for a girl of course.” Jake grinned and I poked out my tongue.

“Sure.” I was just as good as either of the boys and they knew it. Plus, I didn’t ever plan on letting them forget it.

“It’s getting late,” announced Cam who had seemed to recover. He picked up the soccer ball and headed over to join us. “And I for one am awfully hungry.”

“You’re always hungry,” laughed Jake.

“Well, I did just spend the last the last hour chasing after Firecracker here” he nodded in my direction, using the nickname he’d given me after he’d discovered how quick I was.

“Maybe if you were a bit faster… ” Jake trailed off, smirking.

“I’m a goalie!”

“Come on guys,” I interrupted, “Pizza at our place?” I already knew what the answer would be.

“I’m in!” They chimed in unison as we headed down the street.

My name is Mackenzie Evans and that’s how life used to be. More importantly, that’s how I wish it were now.

But when dad died Cam kept edging away from me, taking Jake with him. Mum saw it as the perfect opportunity to try and turn me into the little fashionista she’d always wanted me to be. At first I argued and protested but I soon moved into Grade 7 and was teased and taunted for my love of soccer and tomboyish ways.

Finally Cam came crawling back but it was too late. I had given up.

I joined the cheerleading team and let mum make me over. I dressed up and pretended to care about my appearance. I flirted and dated but never truly gave my heart to anyone.

But there was one thing I never forgot.

One thing I never stopped loving.

Soccer.

And now nothing will stop me from playing.

_______________________________________________________________________________

 “Cam!” Called mum from the kitchen, “Hurry! You’re going to be late darling! Trials start in half an hour!” I heard footsteps, stomping their way downstairs before mum began scolding Cam for leaving fingerprints on the walls.

Half an hour. That was all the time I had to get ready. That was all the time I had before I put my plan into action.

I checked my bag one more time to make I had everything I needed. From the outside it looked as if I was going to a party or a date (that’s what I’d told my mum), but really I was heading to the Fairview High soccer trials. Of course, I couldn’t let mum even find out. She thinks I’m some girly girl and if she ever found out otherwise she’d stop at nothing to make sure I never played soccer again. I couldn’t bear that. So, that’s where my plan came in.

Shin pads. Cleats. Jersey. Plus some girly accessories on top to fool mum. I straightened my white dress and slipped on some sandals before heading upstairs.

“Oh, there you are darling!” she proclaimed, not even bothering to look at me, as she fussed over Cam. “I can’t wait to hear all about your da- Oh!” She had finally turned around and stopped abruptly. “Your hair! You can’t expect to go looking like that!”

“Mum, it’s fine,” I mumbled brushing a stray strand of my dark hair back behind my ear. What ever was wrong with a simple ponytail was beyond my knowledge.

“No, no, no” she rushed over and I backed away. I hated it when she tried to fuss over me like this. Luckily, Cam came to the rescue.

“Mum, I’m going to be late,” he reminded her, placing a hand tentatively on her shoulder.

“Oh, right! We’d better get going then! In the car, now.” She demanded, grabbing the car keys and rushing out the door. “Thanks” I whispered to Cam as we followed.

“Any time, Kenzie.”

_______________________________________________________________________________

I waved goodbye to mum as she dropped me off at a restaurant around the corner form school, insisting that the boy I was supposedly dating would be here soon. As soon as she was out of sight I let the fake smile slip from my face and headed back the way I had come.

I stepped through the school gates with fifteen minutes to spare and immediately headed for the change rooms. I decided to use that ones at the back of the school where I had a much lower chance of encountering anyone who might recognize me. Soon I was stripping off my sundress and replacing it with a soccer jersey and shorts-much more comfortable and practical in my opinion. My sandals returned to my bag as I pulled on shin pads and long soccer socks instead before adding a pair of soccer cleats. They were an old pair of Cam’s but I’m sure he’d never notice. Luckily, mum agreed to stay out of my room as long as I kept it clean so she’d never find them either. I slung my bag back onto my shoulder and headed onto the pitch.

It felt good to be back on the field and I couldn’t wait to feel a ball at my feet again. Finally I could play without having to worry about being caught and I was truly excited. A smile spread across my face. I was Kenzie Evans and this was my game.