For Senior Year

She's Back

Emily POV:

School has been kicking my ass lately. This year has turned out to be so much more work than freshman year. It's like they trick you by going easy on you the first year so that you think college is all fun and chill but it's not. Just you wait. I'm getting homework dumped on me right now. 

I've probably been sitting at this desk in my dorm room for several hours trying to get all of this work done. Today was also my first day back from Winter break. 

Since Tatum is on the lacrosse team and all the sports teams come back from break earlier to start practices, I haven't seen her in a week. I know it hasn't been that long since I've seen her and we've spoken on the phone but I can't help myself from missing her. 

Sienna is spending the night at Michael's so I'm all alone in the dorm right now and I have been for a couple hours. Its kind of lonely but its forcing me to get all of my work done. 

There was a soft knock on the door that I could barely hear over the music in my headphones. Snapped out of my thoughts, I took out my earbuds and looked at the time. 

Geez it's already 9pm. I've been at this for a while.

I put my work to the side before getting up and walking over to the door. I opened it and smiled when I saw Tatum standing there.

"Hello love." I whispered as I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her. She smiled and wrapped her arms around me as well before leaning in to give her a soft kiss on the lips. When we pulled apart, I stepped back to let Tatum into the dorm room before closing the door behind her.

"I see you've been working hard." She said as she gestured towards my pile of papers and books on the desk.

"Yeah I've been swamped with homework." I said with a sigh before sitting down on my bed.

"I'm sorry that sucks. Especially since you just got back from break." Tatum said as she sat down on the bed next to me. She then placed an arm behind my back. I leaned into her side as she rubbed her hand up and down my side. 

"Yeah but I'll get used to it." I said with a sigh. 

"So would you say that you are too busy with school to do other things?" Tatum asked quietly. I narrowed my eyes slightly, having no clue where she was going with this.

"I wouldn't say that I have no time but I would say that I have limited time." I replied. Out of my peripheral I could see Tatum nod slightly. 

"So hypothetically, if I said that you could possibly play lacrosse again would you say that you would have the time for it?" She asked. My eyes went wide and my heart fluttered with excitement. I quickly sat up straight and pulled back slightly to look at Tatum. I could see that she was being completely serious.

"Tatum what are you saying?" I asked. She just smiled slightly before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a slightly crumpled envelope. She handed it over to me and I inspected the front of it. My name was in the center and in the top left corner it was addressed from Sarah Lawson, UConn Women's Lacrosse Head Coach.

No fucking way.

This can't be real.

My hands were practically shaking with excitement as I eagerly tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. I couldn't wait and instantly started reading it.

To Miss Emily Holloway,

                               This is an official open-tryout invitation from the head coach of UConn women's lacrosse, Coach Sarah Lawson. Tryouts are next week on the days of February 2nd through 6th on the main field. Tryouts will span from 6am to 8am every morning and 7pm to 9pm every evening. If this conflicts with any of your courses or clubs, please inform your instructor by showing them this letter and you will be excused from any time that you miss.

                              There are two official roster spots and one scholarship left available. By RSVPing to this invitation, you are agreeing to commit to the rigorous training and time that playing on a division one team requires, should you be selected for the team. If it is deemed that you are the best recruit at these tryouts, you will be awarded a full ride scholarship to the University of Connecticut to pay for your studies for as long as you attend this university. Please RSVP to any of the contact information forms listed below as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you next week and we hope that you'll join the UConn Huskies.

Sincerely,

Sarah Lawson

UConn Women's Lacrosse Head Coach

Phone: (xxx)xxx-xxxx

Email: slawson.uconnedu

After I finished reading the letter, my heart was pounding so loud I could hear it in my ears. 

This can't be real.

How is this happening?

I looked up to see Tatum watching me intently and I could tell that she was trying to gauge my reaction.

"How?" I managed to breath out.

"I spoke to coach and she agreed that you have the skill set to be a genuine contender for a spot on the team." Tatum stated.  

"I haven't played since sophomore year of high school. I'm certainly not at the D1 level and I don't even know if I can play at all anymore-" I started to ramble but Tatum cut me off by grabbing my hands and giving them a reassuring squeeze.

"Hey relax. Don't sell yourself short. You were a hell of a lacrosse player then and you still are now. I believe in you." She said.

"But what about my wrist?" I asked nervously. I originally quit because I couldn't play without being in pain. What if that's still the case now?

"Did it bother you at all when we were playing together a few weeks ago?" Tatum asked worriedly.

"No." I admitted. "But just fooling around is a long ways away from the intensity of a real game." I replied.

"I know." Tatum said with a nod. "But if this is something that you want then I believe that you can do it." 

"Of course this is something that I want. You know that I've missed lacrosse more than anything." I replied. Tatum smiled and let out a small chuckle of relief. I couldn't help but smile and laugh as well. 

"Okay." She said.

"Okay." I replied, grinning larger than I probably ever have.

"Let's get you ready for tryouts."