Axel's Daisy

15 • Axel

I hated Coach Landon with a passion.

"Come on, you twinks! More drills now!" He bellowed, whistling for Alex to stay on his tracks in front of me.

My hamstrings burned as he made us do another twelve laps, and then we hit the grass for push-ups. He said this tactic would make us stronger for tomorrow's first game, but it was hard enough as it was, and Brady's pissy attitude had led to the entire team being punished.

"That's not fair," Brady protested, his form drenched in sweat.

"Do you want to make it thirteen?" Coach Landon threatened.

"Just shut your mouth, Brady," Tyler groggily snapped.

"Sorry, coach." Brady zipped his lips and returned to his ab crunches.

The reality of the situation sank in: tomorrow was our first game against the Beavers from Los Angeles. The guys seemed poised and confident that it would be an easy win.

It depended on me. I was the team leader and needed to push myself harder for the game. My former Coach Finley always told me not to underestimate opponents on the field when I was on the junior football team.

Now I had to prioritize football for my dad's sake.

I channeled his teachings as I practiced the 1-step drill. I lined up directly behind the center with my knees bent and hands correctly positioned underneath. I took a step back to survey the field, caught the ball from Brady, and found an open receiver, Reign, who sped through the defense, tackling anyone in his way. He threw the ball to Alex, and I jumped over Xavier's leg as he tried a sneak attack, scooped the ball, and lunged it through the goal.

"You're improving, Axel," Coach Landon called out, clapping for me.

Brady and Alex jumped on me, patting my back.

"That was amazing, man," Jack excitedly said, giving me a high-five, and Reign bumped my shoulder in compliment.

I removed my chin strap and helmet with a wide smile. My runs were faster, and I had excelled compared to before. If it weren't for Coach Landon's practice tactics, I wouldn't have improved my skills.

The guys hit the showers while I stayed behind to talk to the coach. He sat on a bench, staring out at the sunset. The orange hues illuminated our faces as the horizon turned navy.

"What made you want to train people after your accident with the Champions?" I asked.

His lips tightened, and his jaw tensed as he recalled the popular accident reported in the news.

"My right shoulder didn't work anymore," he sighed, leaning back on the bench. "I dislocated it when I put pressure to get the ball and got pummeled hard by the enemy. It was my last game of victory. I figured I'd do something related to football since I had no other choice when the doctors told me," he added, his eyes drooping as he took another breath. "Football was my entire life. It was something that kept me alive. I felt like my whole life ended when the doctor told me there was no other way to play."

  Now I understood what Coach Landon had been through. I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it to console him.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten stronger," I said.

"Don't take anything for granted," he advised thoughtfully before scrunching his eyebrows. "Axel, you stink more than my neighbor. Go shower and stop polluting my field."

I laughed at his reaction.

"Aye, aye, Captain," I saluted before practically skipping out of the field with my sore body.

I texted Destiny after we exchanged numbers two days ago. We hadn't texted much; she was busy with her lessons, and I was relentless with my own practices.

  'Are you coming to the game tomorrow? You better be, or you won't get to wear my precious jersey ;)' I sent.

  'I wouldn't miss it. Time for my review. Wish me luck!'

  Oh shit, I forgot her review was today. I glanced at the clock and realized I had exactly fifteen minutes. I felt like I had to be there for her, so I closed my phone and hurried to the shower.

  To my absolute luck, the bath stalls were busy. I took a deep breath, pulled a singing Brady out with his eyes closed, and got into the shower.

"Not cool, man!"

  I rinsed off quickly in five minutes and nearly stumbled into the tiled wall trying to put on my pants. I didn't need another swollen nose.

  "He's gone crazy. What's happening?" Alex asked Brady, shrugging with shampoo on half his head and giving us both a concerned look.

  "Explain later. Gotta go," I mumbled, grabbing my car keys and running to the parking lot with my shirt on backward.

  It would be totally worth it to see her smile again.