Bittersweet (Jenna Ortega)

chapter fifteen.

SATURDAY
— game day

Jenna and I haven't spoken since Wednesday night, but not from lack of trying on my part. She's going out of her way to avoid me. Ducking her head when we pass in the hallways, sitting far away from me in classes. I tried to talk about what almost happened that night in my car, but it's obvious she isn't ready to acknowledge a huge possibility.

Part of me was scared to admit it either.

To go from being irritated at the sight of her, to a bold question mark was a major u-turn.

So I decided to express all the rising emotions of confusion, anger, and hurt into the match today. For two years, we've lost to Eastland High. Today we have to break the cycle.

We need this win.

Two more games after this one, and we're in the semi finals. Then one game to determine our move into finals.

"Hey, stop stressing." Keli softly says, grasping my arm. "We've got this, alright?"

"I know, Kels. I just remember being on this field last year when I hurt my ankle."

She rubs her hand up and down my back as we stare across the field belonging to Eastland High. "Things are going to be different this time. We have an undefeated record so far this season, and this preppy rich school is just a minor bump in our journey to finals."

I smile at her. "You always know exactly what to say."

"That's because I carry around a manual guiding me step by step on how to comfort my friends."

I snicker, nudging her arm playfully. "More like advice from your mom."

"Don't you bring up my momma. I don't care if it's a compliment."

I laugh, only to be interrupted by coach shouting. "Get your lazy asses over here! We have a game plan to debrief!"

Keli grins at me. "The dragon breathes."

"Careful she might hear you and unleash the claws."

"You're probably right." Keli snorts.

We huddle in a circle as coach begins her usual motivational speech. In other words, "we can't afford fuckups or fuckarounds, so get out there and kick some ass."

I couldn't stop my gaze from drifting to Jenna a few times during coach's talk— however, her eyes were focused solely on the grass below us.

The team start doing some warm up drills and what I thought would be a breezy escape, coach pulls me aside.

"I'm counting on you today, Maise. I know being here at this school tends to mess with your head, but you have to look at the bigger picture. Your team. They need you. Today, this field is yours. Not the stuck up bitches-"

"Coach, are you really supposed to be calling kids names?"

"I'm just calling it as I see it," she smacks her lips in annoyance. "Now as I was saying, this field is yours to claim victory over with your team. Own that."