goal to my heart | s. jake

nine

The winds in Wolverhampton were strong and rough. Astrid's teeth chattered as she walked besides Tom in her giant parka coat with armbands representing the Football Stage Daily, entering the VIP entrance of the Molineux Stadium.

"You excited, Astrid?" Tom asked, "I still remember how thrilled I was to go talk to the players and interview them after the match."

"I am, I never thought I would get this opportunity."

"You can thank Jake for that," he joked.

Astrid smiled as they made their way to the pitch. Seats in the stadium began to fill in and soon the whole stadium was packed with Wolves and Bridgeport fans. Loud chatter and excitement filled the stadium as everyone anticipated the teams to come out soon.

**

"You ready Jake?" Riki asked him as they were changing in the locker rooms.

"Ready as I'll ever be," he sighed, standing up. It had been so long since Jake last played in the starting lineup. He felt restless, his hands clammy, and cold sweating. Jake had tried to convince himself he was acting this way because of how cold it was outside, but in the back of his head he knew he was absolutely mortified.

"Jake? Hello, Jake?" Riki exclaimed motioning to him, "Come on, we're about to go out. Don't worry too much, you'll be just fine. Even if you fuck up a bit, let's consider it your debut match again."

Jake walked and stood behind his teammates as they all got ready to go on the pitch, name being called out. His first match in a long time, especially it being an away game was making him reckless. Hopefully the crowd's boos wouldn't get in his head and he can just focus. After all, one more mistake and he would be in great trouble.

**

75 minutes into the match Wolves were ahead of Bridgeport 2-0. They didn't even make any goals before or after halftime. It was alarming to all of Bridgeport. Jake could barely keep his head in the game and felt like a useless asset to the team.

"Maybe I should just retire after this season. There's no use for me trying to fix my reputation or anything. It's too late," he thought to himself, as he stayed behind the rest of his team, "Yeah, that's it. My career is done for good. Better if I stop causing trouble for myself and everyone around."

Astrid watched on the sidelines, in utter disbelief to the scene she was witnessing. It looked like Jake had already given up, practically hopeless, not even trying.

"Damnit, this motherfucker," she thought, clenching her teeth, "He made me go through all that bullshit just for him to give up like this?"

Jake's mind continued to wander, unfocused, clearly driving everyone around him insane.

"Jake!" Riki screamed across the pitch, "Get your fucking head in the game!"

That's when Riki kicked the ball in Jake's direction. It seemed like everything was in slow motion, the ball falling right in front of Jake's body. His eyes lit up in realization as the ball was in his possession. Dribbling and kicking he began running to the goal.

"That's right, I didn't come here for no reason. What the fuck am I thinking? I'm here to do what I'm passionate about."

Riki ran beside him, as the ball went back and forth between the two, getting closer and closer to the goal. And miraculously, with his left-foot, Jake's stellar kick rapidly curved the ball straight to the goal. Jake watched as the ball made its way to the goal, the stadium lights shining above him, cameras flashing, sweat dripping down despite the cold. His eyes glowed in anticipation like he was 18 again. And with a solid swoosh the goalkeeper missed the score was 2-1. The whistle blew. The game was over. Bridgeport had lost, but Jake had just made his first goal of the season.