A few days later and we are all standing for the anthem again, I smile a little as the camera passes me. I laugh a little secretly as the camera passes Jamie. Despite being our captain, she still hated the cameras.
We were about to run out when Jamie stops us, 'just a minute guys' she say holding up her hands we have to stay a little longer, 'some guy from the police is going to give a speech'. Confused we all form a little semi-circle around the man in blue.
He starts his speech. we all listen solomy as he talks about the recent rise in crime more specifically he's referring to the deaths of the men in our area. After a light around of clapping Jamie steps forward. 'As captain of this wonderful and respectful club, its my desire to tell you that all of us here at London city stand against these awful crimes. We as a team will be playing this game in remembrance of those who died. And as a club we support the continuing search for justice.' Nodding in agreeance we all clap.
The game gets underway, I wasn't starting today rather I sat and started watching the others. our assistant coach came over, he sat down.
'Reg,' I ask 'you alright mate?' The coach nods and clears his throat 'here' he says placing his folder with a tactic all drawn out in pen lines. He taps the drawing. 'Next time,' he clears his throat, 'when you go on, you need to...' He re-taps the drawing.
'Reg' I say 'what's wrong?'. He Looks at me and then back out to the field. 'My son' he says coughing to hide the hurt in his voice. 'My son was one of the...' he clears his throat again, 'he was one of the boys that got killed recently.'
I raise my eyebrows, my stomach drops. 'My god reg,' I say 'that's awful,' he looks at me with pain in his eyes then back at the drawing trying not to cry. He taps the board again, 'just get this done yeah?' Before getting an answer he stands up and takes a deep breath in and joins the head coach on the sidelines.
I look at the play and the numbers representing our players. I notice they're taking Teegen off and putting my in the center, her normal spot. I'm confused 'hey' I look to Marie, 'look at this, im being put in the centre' marie looks at me smiling, 'you'll be fine but' she adds 'get me one of the marvellous assists you always do.' I nudge her smiling, 'alright your on.'
Back in the press room I sit down next to Maire. 'April!' Says someone in the front, 'you continue your assist record, what's your secret?' I look at Marie, 'I don't know' I say, 'I think today we just knew we needed to get the win after all we were playing for more than just points or a record, today we wanted the win for those who...' my voice broke a little, 'died recently'.
I think about Reg's face. I looked to Marie who had already begun answering someone else's question. She looks stern, as she finishes saying something. My head begins to spin. Someone asks me something and I can't hear it, 'what?' I ask? They say something again my head can't see straight. 'Who? Sorry? I didn't get that' I say I take a depth breath in and Marie whispers to me, 'they asked if your upset about not being put on with Teegen'. 'Oh' I say, I regain my vision. I say as level-headed as possible, 'we are football players, we play as best we can wherever we are put and with our teammates, whoever they are.'
YOU ARE READING
Not what she looks like - A Woso story
Fanfictionwhen a murderous April Morley starts finding creative ways to to end the bad dates she goes on, who is it that makes her change her ways? a story that follows April and her team during this troubled time. Completed.
