Kick Off (a Catradora football/soccer story)

13- Forgiveness and The Realization

For a few minutes we sat in silence, it was so awkward, and I didn't know what to say. I should probably apologise again but maybe she was pretending to accept it earlier and now she's going to give me the full force of what she really thinks about me! No... no no. This is Mara Greyskull, the most gentle and kindest player to play in the Etherian league. Then again, I did just break her daughters leg. I couldn't take it any longer, so I spoke.

"I'm sorry for breaking your daughters leg. I swear I didn't mean to, it just happened. You can stop pretending to accept my apology and hate me if you want but I am sorry."

She sat there and look at me like I had just said something stupid. "I already accepted your apology Catra, I know that you didn't intentionally break her leg and I already forgave you when you came to the changing rooms because it showed you really felt bad and meant it. You shouldn't always have little faith in the company you hold and trust that not everyone will treat you badly especially if you are trying to become a better person. Moving on, I guess you saw the news already about Adora being my daughter?" Mara said.

I sat there staring for a moment because the way she responded was the complete opposite of what I expected. "I will try to um... have more faith, I guess? In terms of finding out Adora is your daughter, I may or may not have snuck into the press conference." I said while looking down, I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I felt embarrassed.

"Really, that's impressive, how did you manage that?"

"Shadow Weaver sometimes had us sneak into opposition teams press conferences to get any information we could get."

"Oh, wow."

"Yeah... but thank you for accepting my apology. I am trying to become a better person, maybe one worthy of being Adora's friend again." I smiled as I looked back up at Mara's face. Unsure of what else to say I moved onto the match. "You played well today!"

"Thank you, so did you! That was an amazing goal, you managed to get a lot of curl on the ball!"

"Thank you, I was pushing myself in that match because it was the first time I have started for the senior team." I stated. Why am I telling her this, she's not a family member or someone I know well enough to share more about me?

"Well, you played really well for you debut, it's a shame you only got your debut now and that there was a bad injury in the match, but it was still a good game! Also don't call it the senior team, it makes us older player feel even older." Mara finished with a playful but stern look.

"Sorry." I chuckled while looking at her expression but as soon as I finished, I realised we were at the hospital.

"Thank you for the ride." Mara paid the driver and we headed into the hospital. "Adora Greyskull's room please."

"It is on the third floor, room number 306. Sorry... um... is it ok if I get an autograph, my daughter is a huge fan?"

"Sure!" Mara signs the small notebook and hands it back. "Come on Catra." She waves for me to follow but the nurse at the desk calls my name.

"Catra, as in the Horde's number 18?" The nurse says as she eyes me up and down. I don't know what it is, but her gaze makes me feel very uncomfortable.

"Yes, is there something wrong?" I ask. I really hope there isn't anything wrong, no one usually know who I am but after the game a lot of people might not like me anymore.

"NO, no, it's just my daughter is also a fan of yours, she loves your playing style and has watched your games while you were in the Horde's academy. She wants to grow up to be like you!"

"Really?" Well, that was definitely unexpected. I thought she would start judging me because I broke Adora's leg

"Yes, do you mind if I get your signature as well?" The nurse asked politely

"No, it's no problem, who is it to?" I wonder what kind of kid would want to be like me?

"Juliet General."

"Ha, sorry, with a name like that, I would've thought she would grow up to join the Etherian army or the Presidents guards." I chuckled a bit due to the name and the thought. It certainly isn't a normal name, then again this is Etheria, no one has a normal name.

"That's ok. Yes, we tease her about it all the time, but she is determined to become a footballer."

"Well maybe, I'll see her in the future! Who knows I might even play with her, ha ha. Bye!"

With that Mara and I left to go see Adora. To go see Adora! The thought registered in my head, and I realised I was scared and worried. Scared that Adora would be angry at me and worried that she would hate me. This shouldn't be bothering me; I'm not scared of anyone. I think... I really hope she doesn't feel like that, I thought we were becoming friends again. Why did I have to break her leg... ugh, idiot!!

We arrived at the door, I could feel my sweat running down my forehead and I realised it was too late. We were already walking through the door. As I walked through the door, I saw all the members of the Rebels United team crowded around Adora's bed. Mara and I walked over and instantly a hole was made for both of us to approach Adora. Either they were all angry with me still and didn't want to be near me or Mara has that much authority as captain. I looked at the ground suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"Oh, hey mom and... Catra? What are you doing here?" Adora asked.

For a second, I thought, she was angry and didn't want to see me but then I looked up and saw her face. Concern and Worry was written all over her face. Why would she be concerned about me? She's the one with the broken leg. It took me a minute to realise I hadn't responded to the question.

"Oh...uh... I came because I wanted to apologise again for breaking your leg." I said trying to sound sincere, but it came out as nervous and shy which I was trying hard not to be.

Adora breathed a sigh of disappointment and looked me dead in my eyes. "Catra, I said this on the pitch before I was stretchered off and I'll say it again now. I don't blame you nor do I believe you are at fault for breaking my leg. We both went for the ball; we both took the risk." Adora said with a stern look on her face. "I want you to stop blaming yourself for what happened when it was an event that occurred after we BOTH went for the ball! OK!"

"Wow, Adora~ you almost sound smart for a second." I quipped back but as soon as I realised what I said my eyes went wide. Sarcasm was my natural defence even when someone complimented me. I look around the group and realised that everyone was staring at me with a Whaaat look on their faces.

But then the sound of the most beautiful laughing that I haven't heard in a long time filled the room. We all looked back at Adora and realised she was laughing. "Aha, ha, ha, ha. Always ... with the quick quips hey Catra?"

"Eh they come naturally for me, but seriously I'm sorry, and I hope you recover quickly! I have to leave now because my manager is asking where I am."

"Thank you Catra, hopefully we can meet up and chat to clear up a few things."

"Hopefully." I replied. I gave a wave to everyone else in the room, including Adora and left.

As I walked down the hospitals long hallways, I felt my face heat up and I stopped to look in a window for my reflection. Why was I blushing? Maybe it was from the embarrassment of when I was talking to Adora? As I walked outside and called a taxi, realisation hit me like a lightning bolt.

I LIKE ADORA.

That was why I was blushing! This is not good, I should hate Adora because she left me... right?

"Oh no." I said out loud with a groan.