Emily I'm Sorry; Yellowjackets

three.

(Emily, I'm Sorry)
ACT ONE—CHAPTER THREE

1996

Practice was far more tense than usual, after all the stakes were a lot higher this time around. Despite being seemingly undefeated in the games throughout the season, Emily was still a near nervous wreck about Nationals.

The teenager had spent most of the previous season on the bench from a knee injury, so she already felt very behind throughout the season.

And then Tai's talk of freezing out Allie certainly was not helping her nerves. Who was to say she wouldn't end up trying the same with Emily.

Coach had explained to the girls that the day's practice would be a scrimmage with JV. So, what should've been fairly low stress, felt a lot more intimidating than usual.

Laura Lee had been insistent on a prayer, her sickingly sweet smile accompanying every word. Emily was envious that the girl has effortless blind faith in their religion.

Emily used to have that too.

Then things changed. She changed.

The soccer ball rolled across the field at high speeds, passing between the members of the Varsity team. All was going well until the ball was passed to Allie.

When the freshman missed that play, Emily visibly saw Taissa's entire demeanor change.

"Come on Allie! That should've been yours." Coach spoke sternly after blowing into the whistle.

Taissa jogged up to him, "I wanna switch sides. I'll take Allie."

"Okay." He nodded.

Emily nervously tapped against her leg as she watched Taissa pull the red penny over her head. Nothing good was going to come from this, and Emily knew that.

"You okay, Em?" Ash asked gently, approaching her sister while they all waited to take positions again.

"Yeah—yeah, I'm fine." Emily motioned around, "I just have a weird feeling about all of this."

"It'll be okay." Ash said, with a small reassuring smile. The blonde watched as Ash jogged back to her position. Usually those words brought her a sense of comfort when they came from Ashley's mouth, this time was different though.

Emily kept her eye on the ball as it spun across the field, moving from person to person. Her heart rate increased as Taissa practically shoved Allie out of the way.

The freshman looked totally taken back, "it's the game. Step it up."

"It's not helping, Tai." Shauna stated, "We can't freeze her out."

"Then she's gonna have to learn to play under pressure."

"Tai, maybe this isn't the best—" Emily pipped up, but the other girl shook her head, "We have to do something."

Allie did end up stepping it up, causing Taissa to sigh, "Finally."

The ball rolled across the field to Shauna and Allie called out for it. Emily was relieved, they had nothing to worry about if Allie kept this up.