Take Our Time | Bbangsaz

Chapter 1

Tension filled the stadium air as the clock ticked down, signalling the match's closing moments. It's the playoffs—the second match to start off the tournament. Eyes looked towards the scoreboard. 3-3. The game was tied. The determined defensive midfielder dribbles the ball between her feet. Eyes dart back towards the goal and zero in. Sprinting, she could only hear the racing of her own heart.

The midfielder's teammates sprinted right alongside her. They were shouting and whistling for her attention, gesturing to pass along the ball.

"Pass the ball! I'm open."

One teammate almost broke her haze, but she was too far in. She had to see this through. The opposing team's defence closed in. They were aware of her reputation as a football player. The enemy team's player tried to slide tackle her to gain control of the ball. Still, with a boastful display of her agility, the midfielder managed to avoid the play. She could feel a trail of sweat run down her forehead just as she could feel the pressure mounting. The frantic attention her teammates were doing only added to the tightening pressure.

"We're running out of time. Pass the damn ball!"

She was too far in. She had to go through with this play. With eyes as sharp as an eagle, she saw an opening in their defence. Victory right at her fingertips, she positions herself for the final play. The young midfielder enters the penalty zone. The opposing defence is within arm's length now. She barely passes through a defender, then another, agility proudly showing its head. The enemy is scrambling and panicking to at least tie this game.
Her teammate's pleas rise in urgency, begging, and anxiety.

"I'M OPEN! I'M OPEN! 5 SECONDS! PASS THE BALL!"

With the goal right in front of her, the midfielder takes a deep breath. She takes in everything at once. She remembers the hours of training and drills and her confidence...and shoots.

The ball soars through the air. Time slowed for what seemed like everyone in the college stadium. The black and white ball sailed over the goalkeeper's hands...finding its path right at the back of the net.
The seated patrons in the stadium erupted in cheers. However frustrated, her teammates shifted their emotions to giddy joy. They all rush towards her to those who sit on the bench. Their voices filled with jubilation and admiration.

Her coach, Taeyeon, came up to her and hit her back. "There we go! I knew you had it in you!"

She basks in the celebratory glow that comes with the game-winning goal. A shy smile graced her face. She exchanges glances with her teammates, and all have looks of respect and understanding. She sees annoyance and displeasure when she locks eyes with one specific teammate. The teammate sharpens her eyes to look at her to convey a message. A message that the midfielder missed. Choosing to stray away from her, she looks back at the rest of her teammates, and together, they celebrate the triumph of a win through their collective efforts.
———-

The midfielder enters the locker room with a broad smile on her face. They're advancing to the next stage in the tournament. Another step towards the trophy.
"Nice game out there, Hanni!" Her teammate and roommate, Yizhou, complimented her. "Saw you out on the defense line. You had my heart stopping for a second!"

"But we won, didn't we?"

"We sure did! Keep doing that, and I'll drop dead before I graduate." Yizhou laughed before she went to her locker. "I'll see you back in our room, alright? See you!"

Hanni chuckled and shook her head in amusement. She took a second to grab her things and smelled her uniform. "Ack!" The sweat from the game made its presence known. It's a good thing Hanni keeps extra toiletries in her locker.