Footsteps on the Field || a woso story

3. Fever dream

"Fuck! What happened to you?" Sarah shouts as I walk up to our usual table outside.

"Nothing" I say bluntly, and shrug off Amy's hand on my shoulder as I slouch into the seat, grimacing as the pain ricochets throughout.

"You can't call that nothing mate" Iris exclaims, pointing to the cut I'd cleaned up this morning, and the ugly looking bruise on my face.

"Ugh. So embarrassing" I chuckle lightly, concealing the hidden pain, as I pull my jumper over my hands and place my head into them.

"No. It's not embarrassing floss, it's fucking concerning. This is giving me anxiety. What happened?" Sarah practically shouts. Sarah never raises her voice- she is a calm soul who finds herself outspoken many times amongst us three.

They have done this before. I've come in hurt, bruised, cut and they've said all these things before. I shake it off, I blame it on my clumsiness- or football and after a week, once the physical wounds heal- they forget about it.

Although, if mental wounds were visible, they would be constantly reminded of my pain.

"It's nothing I swear" I plead, looking up to see all three girls with their eyebrows raised.

"Nothing my ass" Iris mutters under her breath, and the other two nod in agreement.

"Honestly I swear, I was playing with the boys in my estate- like I always do, and they obviously decided that they wanted to play rough last night. One of them slide tackled, and 'course we were playing on the courts. I fell head first onto the floor, cut my leg up too!" I exclaimed, they all looked at me with doubting looks.

"I swear" my voice raises and I smile in disbelief as to the fact they aren't believing me.

"Mhm whatever" Sarah says, with her arms crossed, a smile creeping out onto her face.

"Oh fuck off" I laugh and hit her.
We sit and chat for a minute or so, until the bell rings. "I'm so excited, eek!" Amy squeals, I look to her in confusion, until it dawns.

Oh fuck me. How did I forget? It was supposed to be the best day ever, it was the start of the workshop today.

"You didn't- no you didn't" Amy looks at me as I look down in guilt.

"I did" I say quietly, I feel the tears form in my eyes.

"You didn't? Did you bring your kit?" Iris exclaims.

"I didn't" I repeat sadly.

"Run! Go get your fucking kit. Flo this is the opportunity of a lifetime and you can't pass it down! Go ask FG if you can go home and get your kit. This is your chance to meet the players you look up to every single day! Cmon bro" Sarah rallies me up as the others nod their head.

"Okay! Okay I'm going" I laugh as I run to coaches office.

I burst in and she snaps her head to me alarmed, before she stands up and walks up to me worriedly.

"FG! I'm so so sorry! I forgot my kit at home, please can I run back and get it? Please!?" I plead with her.

"Floss, what happened to your face darling?" She asks concerned, gesturing to the cut and bruise.

"Oh, oh it's nothing at all, please I'll explain later! Please just let me go get my kit!?" I ask hurriedly.

"Oh Florence! How could you forget! Okay, just go quickly. I'll sign you in, they won't be here until break! And you're telling me about your face when you get back!"