Everything About You

Chapter 7 - The Training Session

It was 5:30pm on Thursday night and I was making my way over to the soccer field, camera bag packed and hanging over my shoulder. To say I was nervous was an understatement, I just hope the coach remembered that I'm coming down.

I'm not too worried about getting photos tonight as I just want to use this first night to get to know the coach and players a bit more. It'll help add character to the photos the more I know them all.

As I approach the soccer pitch I see the coach standing on the sidelines, balls and cones spread out ready for their drills.

"Um. Hi, I'm Harry." I say nervously. "I emailed you earlier in the week about my photography project."

"Oh yes! Hi Harry, I'm James." He says, holding out his hand for a handshake, so I take it and smile at him. "The team shouldn't be too far away." He smiled at me and I just nodded back.

I took out my camera to make myself feel busy and tested out the settings just in case I did end up taking some photos tonight. Just as I lower the camera around my neck I hear people talking behind me and can only guess that it's the team showing up.

"Alright boys. I got someone I need to introduce you to while you put your cleats on." James announces to them, I slowly make my way back over to the group, slightly hanging my head trying to get rid of the nerves.

"So as you all know Harry will be joining us for our training sessions and our games for his photography project. We're all adults here so I expect you to treat him with respect as you do each other." He says, clapping me on my back.

I look up shyly and send a little wave to the group, it's quite intimidating having them all looking at me. I shuffle on my feet feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Alright. I'll quickly introduce the boys before we get started." James says as he picks up a soccer ball and puts it under his armpit.

"Firstly we have Louis, captain and striker." James says pointing to the short number 17. So that's his name! No more 'short guy' or 'number 17' I think to myself before I'm pulling my attention back to James.

"Mason is also a striker. Liam one of our goalies and vice captain. Sam, our other goalie. Oli, Right defender. Mark and Jaxon, our sweepers. Stan, our center defence and Henry our left defence. Brad, our left winger and Corey our right winger. Zach, George and Tom all in midfield. Jim, Morgan and Ryan play anywhere we need them." He says as he points to each player that he's talking about as I just nod along and try to remember some names.

"Alright. Now that that's out the way let's get too it. A lap around the pitch please then stretch when you get back." James hustles them into gear and we watch as they all start running around the pitch.

"Don't let them intimidate you. Some of them have strong personalities but don't let that get in the way of you completing your project." James smiles at me as the team pulls up to a stop and forms a circle to start stretching.

~~~

It was about halfway through the training session when James called for a drinks break and Louis came over to me.

"Might be a good idea to stay where you're standing. That way you can't trip over anything." He smirks at me, causing my cheeks to tint a light shade of pink.

"Ha ha. Long legs and clumsiness don't really go well together." I grimace, looking down at him.

"Hmm. Cute though." He hums as he puts his water bottle down and walks off to meet James back in the middle of the pitch, leaving me standing there staring at his back in complete shock.