Marco was sitting in his dorm room at Clemson University. With the football team playing away at NC state tomorrow, his roommate when home, and he was planning a weekend of study. As a freshman nursing student, Marco welcomed having some quiet study time this weekend.
But tonight he and his a friend of his on his floor were going to watch some college soccer. He was excited to watch the the Wake Forest v Louisville tonight.
A few days ago, Marco had gotten an excited Skype call from his best friend Jean.
"Dude I'm in the starting line up for Louisville this Friday! It's going to be on ESPN U!!"
Marco remembered how excited Jean had been when he signed his letter of intent to Wake Forest at the start of his senior year. Both had spent their high school years playing soccer at Trost. Marco had been offered a few small DII or DIII schools but he wanted to go to Clemson, where he was getting a decent scholarship for nursing. His now dad Keith had played soccer at Marshall while
he was a nursing student, and talked about how tough it was.
Also Marco just wanted to play, but just for fun. So he joined an intramural team.
As a freshman Jean hadn't logged in many minutes as a freshman, but with the junior right mid out for the year, it was now Jean's turn to shine.
"How's your boy gonna do tonight?" His said sitting on the futon next to Marco.
Marco's felt a flutter in his stomach at his friend calling Jean "his boy". But he shook the thought out of his head. He and Jean were just close friends....right?
There had been moments in high school, but neither one had acted on them.
Marco was bummed that they weren't at the same university but he was thrilled to watch Jean continue his dream of playing soccer. He had aspirations to go pro and the coach at Wake thought he had a decent chance.
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Jean's heart was racing. As the last of the Wake Forest alma mater came to a close, he stood on the pitch, anxious for the first whistle.
This was his first start in his college career, and he didn't want it to be his last.
They shook hands with the other team and took their place on the field.
The first whistle sounded, and Jean went into game mode as the ball was passed to his feet.
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"YES JEAN!!!!!" Marco jumped off the futon as Jean's shot hit the right upper 90 of the goal.
"Jean Kirschtein, freshman from Trost high school with his second goal of his collegiate career. He looks to be a shining star for the Demon Deacons for the next four years"
Marco smiled. Watching Jean celebrate with his teammates, as Wake took a 2-0 lead. Marco felt that same flutter in his stomach. He never missed a match when he could help it. Whether it was streaming on his computer or on TV, and after every match he and Jean would Zoom call or FaceTime and talk.
The minutes ticked down to halftime
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Jean was hyped. He had his second goal and was on his way to a third giving him 2 for the game. The ball was at his feet, as he cut by a defender making a run for the box.
The next thing Jean knew he felt sharp contact with his knee, felt it turn an in an unnatural position, and heard a nauseating popping sound.
He felt a pain in his leg that he had never felt before. He cried out, beating the ground with his fist.
