Riptide Academy

Parents or Pests?

Alexandra's POV:

All I had to do was watch, defend and wait till the last siren sounded.

We still had around four precious minutes left of the game.

I kept moving from side to side in my circle as the ball changed sides on the turf and shouting at my players to mark a player or letting them know where one was.

"Jodi! One on your left!" I shouted.

"Jasmine! SIDLINE!" I almost screamed at her as the opposing team got ready to take their free hit.

The ball only went as far as they're best player, Jade, and she was tackled by one of our players who took possession of the ball and sped up to the halfway line.

As I watched the clock countdown to thirty seconds I noticed a familiar looking couple watching me and Charli.

"Holy shit." I muttered, remembering seeing them in a picture frame with Howards and Charli in Howdy's office. "They're Charli's parents!"

"But why are they watching me?"

A whistle blew up the other end f the field and the reff pointed towards my way. Signaling that our opponents had the free hit. But it didn't matter; as soon as one of our players trapped in on their stick the shrill wailing sound of the siren went off.

"We. Had. Won!" I couldn't believe it.

As I joined the rest of the team and our opponents heading for the dugouts I shook hands, fit bumped and booped other peoples hands as we all said; "Good game."

It was hard when I had a helmet on my head propped up, then in my hands with a face mask and my stick with both gloves on it. After a photo with the team we went around for celebrations and announcements.

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"I would like you all to thank you for coming today and a good season and thank you to Riptide Academy for a good last game- we played good but today showed that this year, you guys were the best. I look forward to seeing you guys all next year. And to those who are leaving us we wish you good luck." The captain of our opposing team addressed everyone through the mic.

"Okay, now I would like to present to you the winners of the 2024 interstate open Championships between each University and or Tafe: Riptide Academy!" The announcer cried.

A ruckus of cheers sounded and the lady grabbed a trophy- the trophy. Our captain headed up to collect it for the team.

"Speech!" Someone called.

"Yeah! Speech, Jaimie!" A voice I knew too well shouted.

My head whipped around to fine Eli with his eyes wide and a grimace on his face staring at me; like he'd been caught stealing some of my chocolate. Then off to the side were Charli's parents, eyeing me blankly. I couldn't even read their eyes as they stared at us.

Jaimie's voice pulled me from my stare. "I'd like to say thank you to Shoalwater University for a great season and game. To Charli for pushing us through our low's and through those dreadful training schedules she's concocted." Laughter erupted out of nowhere for a split second, "And to Alexandra Williams. It's her first year as our new goalkeeper with us and she also joined our Ice hockey team as well to fi in as an extra player and goalie- without her we would have lost the whole season. She truly is a magnificent keeper- I mean, who could have stopped that glove save!"

"Now we'll hand out the medals." Names were called and the players stepped forward to receive their medals.

I watched each one of our teammates stepped forward. Charli's melodic voice awoke me from my trance.

"Alex. Hurry up, they're calling you!"

I trudged forwards and bent my head so the announcer could place the medal around my neck.

"And finally Charli Steele." She stepped forwards, bowing to receive her medal and joining beside me with the whole team for a photo.

Suddenly my hand was clasped and squeezed tight. Charli's eyes drifted over to her parents. "Charli, focus on the photo first. I'm here if you need me." I whispered in her ear as I gave her shaking hand a comforting squeeze.

Her eyes fleeted to the camera and back to them. Giving her hand another squeeze they came back to the camera. With a flash the camera's held by people taking photo's blinded me.

"Can't see Alexandra?" Howards teased me from behind as I blinked away the white.

"I hate you." I mumbled as I turned around to face her.

She was death glaring her sister and Charli's dad. Suddenly those grey eyes  locked onto mine.

"Do you?"

"Maybe...."

"Can you two stop acting like children and take a photo with the trophy." Jaimie's tone sounded like she was over our bickering.

The news and newspapers wanted a photo of Charli, Jaimie and I with Howards and the trophy.

"I see your proud, Demetri."

"Amie. Nice to see your back in Australia." Howards sighed, just stopping herself from rolling her eyes, "I'm proud of the kids because they pushed themselves to they're limits and they earnt it."

"Of course they were going to win. It was obvious from the second quarter." I swear no one could sound more pompous and arrogant than Charli's mother.

"Actually, the game could go either way. They still had almost the whole game to score. I was sure we were going to win or lose many games before and within the last few minutes goals were scored. It's game that's not over until that siren sounds."

"Ah, Alexandra is it?" Charli's dad asked me.

"You played amazing today. Do you think you'd be in the sights of the Hockey league?"

"I can only hope."

"Ronan Steele, Charli's farther. It's nice to meet you." he stuck his hand out for a handshake.

"Alexandra Williams." I stuck out my left hand, causing him to switch.

"It's not everyday you meet a leftie. God, Charli told me that you were studying writing. I bet that must be a nightmare in some aspects." Ronan chuckled.

"It is. I had having to write and then wash the smudges off my hands." I chuckle.

"Oh! Ron, stop pestering her; I reckon she could have a shot with the hockey league, she'd just need someone to help her with promotion. What do you say Alexandra?" Amie wacked her husbands arm.

Ronan sighed heavily.

"No."