Flowers on Graves

THE GAME - chapter three

I am an average person. I have never once been considered an extreme athlete, I just practice very hard. Up until I moved I would run a mile in the morning and then another mile after practice. Our coach for the Flyers had us on a strict practice schedule. Right after school, so around 3:15, all the girls would start doing sprints and then after thirty minutes we would switch to drills. They were intense. If you dropped, 15 burpees. It wasn't because she was mean, but she was making us better athletes. When I left I had four different college offers, so it was really difficult moving. I miss the strictness of a good practice, of pushing myself far beyond what I ever expected of myself.

When I showed up to the open tryouts I had no idea what to expect, so I went in knowing that anything could happen. 

Stares. Thats all I can describe. I wasn't expecting that. 

When I moved here I had prepared myself to step away from lacrosse and find something new like, tennis. Definitely not tennis, but still. I needed something. But when Christian presented the opportunity, even though I can't stand him, I figured I would take it. I usually practiced in a big tee shirt and nike pros, but when I started walking toward the tryouts an older gentleman stopped me.

"Hi young lady, if you're looking for cheer tryouts they're gonna be down the hill in the gym. This is the boy's lacrosse tryout."

Truthfully, my feelings were a little hurt. I understood I hadn't been in the gym for a while, but cheer? That's insulting.

"Actually, sir, I'm here for the open tryouts. The team captain, Christian asked me to stop by and I figured why not, I have nothing else to lose at this point. I brought all my gear with me so just tell me where I need to go."

"Miss?"

"Topanga Myres."

"Miss Myres this is for the boy's lacrosse team."

This guy is a real ass.

"Yes. I understand that part. But this school offers no women's lacrosse team, and I can't be denied just because I'm a woman. Frankly, the only reason it's a 'mens' lacrosse team is because there are no women on your team. But I'll do all the drills and sprints you need me to do, so like I said previously, where to I need to go."

"Go over to the fold up table on the other side of the field. Give them your name, grade, and physical. I am willing to let you try out but you must know I can't just ask the guys to go easier on you because you're a female."

"I would never ask you to do that, sir. Thank you so much."

I walked over to the table and gave them all my information. To see the look on their faces, you really would've needed to be there but it was priceless. 

I was at sprints first, and my time wasn't bad but my old coach would have been terribly disappointed in the numbers I put up. I did better than most of the veteran guys, besides like four of their seniors. But, once we got to drills, I was in my zone. Sam and I would practice drills in my backyard for hours. To me, spending hours doing those drills was my one way ticket to freedom, away from my parents. Now, it just seems like a meaningless skill I learned to do.

As we were wrapping up I walked over to the bench where my water bottle and nike bag were sitting. I was taking off my helmet and taking out my mouth guard when one of the senior boys walked over to me.

"I've never seen a female with skills like yours."

"Well then maybe you shouldn't place judgements on gender." I said wiping my mouth after taking a sip of water.

"That didn't come out the way I intended it. Sorry about that. I'm Ryan." he said sticking his hand out for me to shake.

I shook his hand, "I'm Topanga." Turning back around to start packing up my shit.

"So where did you come from?" He asked while sitting down on the bench.

"D.C., I was a Flyer there."

"I've heard of them, three time champions. That's pretty impressive." 

"Thanks." I said.

As I was getting ready to leave I took my overshirt off leaving me in just a sports bra. Now their eyes were open.

"Do you know where the girl's locker room is?"

"Uh, yeah. It's uh, it's gonna be down the hill and to your right, you can't miss it."

"Thank you so much, guess I'll be seeing you around."

As I was walking down to the locker room I felt a tug on my arm. I turned around only to find the most disgusting of creatures - Christian Bryant.

"I wanted to come personally congratulate you, and welcome you to the Horsemen lacrosse team." He said while showing no restraint looking me up and down.

"You could've told me tomorrow in English."

"And miss getting an opportunity to bother you? How could I?"

"I knew you were repulsing."

"I just wanted to tell you, if you never need any extra practice you can swing by my place one afternoon."

"I'd rather eat rat poison."

I wouldn't let him get another word in, one because I can't stand him and two, because I really wanted to take a shower.

After my shower I headed over to the coach's office so I could grab my 'official Horsemen gear'. As I walked into his office I saw a giant 'Coach Moore' sign hanging from the door. I knocked and he told me to come in.

"Miss Myres, I must say I was very impressed with your skills today, with a little extra conditioning I really do believe we could have you starting in a couple of weeks. You are quite an impressive young lady, even compared to some of my more experienced guys. How long have you been playing?"

"This upcoming year will be my 12th year on the field."

"That's quite a lot of dedication, and I must say Mr. Bryant told me all about you a few minutes ago. Quite the impressive list of awards. I'm not sure why you didn't mention these on the field."

"I don't want to be known for what I've done previously but rather what I can contribute to another team this year. To be honest with you coach, I though this whole game was over for me but when the opportunity presented itself I knew that I wanted to play. It's what I want for myself."

"That's quite a remarkable conclusion, but I wanted to ask you what jersey number you wanted."

"13 is my lucky number, Coach Moore."

"That works out perfectly Miss Myres, seeing as I have one more question for you reguarding this season."

"Yes sir?"

"Would you like to be co-captain next to Mr. Bryant. He's Shady Dale's hometown hero wearing number 14."

"You know what, I would love to. Thank you so much." 

"Wonderful. I'll see on practice first thing after school next Monday."

As I was leaving Coach Moore's office with about thirty different articles of clothing and was reading to my car I pulled my phone out, and sent one of the best text messages I've ever written.

Christian

it will be a pleasure working with you this season co-captain.

You're fucking with me.

about lacrosse? i would never. see you tomorrow to work on the english assignment :)

Kiss my ass Christian Bryant.