Beside You

What's the Endgame?

The following Monday, three days before the Thursday that finals start, is the championship game. You can feel the excitement in the hallways the entire day. This is pretty much the most anticipated day of the whole school year. This is the first time that Preston has actually has a shot at winning since we came in first about nine years ago. When the final bell rings quite a few people pour into the hallways to get to their lockers and out to the field as soon as possible. All thoughts of the upcoming exams are forgotten.

The bleachers aren't very big, so I'm not surprised to see that they're filled by the time we get out there. Luckily, I came prepared with a blanket for Maddi, Arya and I to sit on at the sidelines. The teams are on the field warming up when we get out there. After we've been sitting for a couple of minutes I see James Coleman approaches our place on the sidelines. Even though I was at the party at his house after prom I haven't ever really spoken to him.

"Hey, the bleachers are full, can I sit down with you guys?"

"Yeah, sure. We've got the best seats in the house." I joke.

I search for a yellow "C" for captain by the shoulder of the front of the jerseys. It's the easiest way to find Grayson, and I want to wish them both good luck. I've already found Mitchell out with the rest of the team taking shots, as the back up goalie is currently in the net. I end up finding Grayson and mouth "good luck" to both of them.

As I am turning to talk to Maddi and Arya I see Ryder looking in our direction. He looks between James and I with a look of confusion.

I just shrug and start to discuss next week with Arya and Maddi. After the last final on Thursday about twenty people from the junior class are coming over to our place. We technically invite the whole class, but most don't show up. We live in a relatively rural area, and we're one of the few people that actually have a decent amount of property. Every year we like to have a camp out. We set up two big "army tents" and have a big bonfire.

"Well I was hoping to get the tents set up this Sunday. Any chance one of you is able to help me out?"

"I can't, I have a History exam on Monday." Maddi informs me.

"I can't either, I have to finish a couple of art projects that I need to finish before Monday's exam. Sorry." Arya adds.

"That's okay. I'm sure that Ryder, Grayson and I will be able to figure it out by ourselves."

"I could come by and help you guys out." I turn to James and think his offer over. I'm not really sure why he suddenly wants to hang out with us. Historically we've never been very close.

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I just have a gym exam on Monday, and I was hoping you might be willing to help me study for Biology exam on Tuesday."

"Yeah, sure. I mean I don't have a final on Monday anyway. If you come over in the early afternoon I can help you study after we set up. You could probably even stay for dinner if you want."

"Yeah, that would be nice. It might be a good idea for me to get your number so that I can confirm the plans or let you know if anything comes up."

"Yeah, of course." I take his phone and put my contact information into it.

Before I can respond the crowd becomes silent. I look back to the field in time to see the players coming out on to the field. I get ready to take some pictures. Although it is too late for them to make it into the actual yearbook they can be put online for everyone to have access to. This is when I remember that this will be Ryder's first game without his cast. Hopefully this will be of advantage to the team. The coin toss has already been completed, the other team won, giving them the choice of which side they wanted to play on. We got first ball and after Grayson passes it back to one of the midfielders the game is started.

~*~

With only a couple of minutes left in the overtime period the game is tied up at one goal each. There have been plenty of opportunities to score for both teams, so the game has really been more of a testament to the skills of the goalies.

After a few high-energy moments of playing the referee blows the whistle three times to signify that the game is over. The game cannot end in a tie, as it is the final game of the season. The last resort is a shootout, ending when one team has one goal more than the other. The other team goes first, and Mitchell is guarding the net.

One of the captains of the other team shoots first and gets it past Mitch. He doesn't let it shake him up too much, and he manages to escape the rest of the shootout without any more goals scored on him.

The first player to shoot for our team is Grayson. Unfortunately the goalie manages to catch it. Ryder is the second player to try to score for our team, and he's successful, tying the game up again. The next few players aren't able to get the ball past the goalie. We get to our final guy, Noah, and we need him to get a goal in order to avoid going through the whole thing a second time. Noah kicks the ball hard, and the goalie jumps and slides to catch it. After he hits the ground the ball comes loose from his hands and rolls into the net. We've scored on a mistake by the goalie. What's left of the crowd claps for the efforts of the team. We've finally won!

The players on the sidelines run on to the field and jump around in excitement. This is a huge moment for my brothers, and Ryder. I get some pictures of all the celebration, and the handshaking with the other team, now feeling rather dejected. Once they've finished that I go out onto the field to get a post-championship group photo.

I try to enjoy all the happiness around me, knowing that soon enough it will be time for finals, and most of the celebrations will have to be put on hold until after they are finished.