Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater

Chapter 30: Epilogue

Chapter 30: Epilogue

"Okay, now when you kick the ball, you kick it with the sides of your feet alright? Not with your toes." Liam said as he demonstrated for me, kicking the ball back and forth from foot to foot. We were at the park.

This day was a clear, warm, and sunny one. So, by not letting it go to waste, Liam and I decided that we would go to the park and he would teach me how to play soccer, just for fun. However, it was not so fun, well for me. Liam was actually having a blast getting to laugh at my failed attempts.

So far, I had kicked that damn ball over people, almost taking out their heads which resulted in me having to apologize multiple times, and I've kicked it so that it aimed towards trees, cars, and statues. Basically, anywhere but the goal net.

I was definitely athletically challenged. Sports were just not my thing, however, Liam insisted that I learn to play, so that we can spend days like this out in the sun.

"See," He said now, still kicking the ball back and forth, sprinting around me. I looked at him and took in his outfit of a red tanktop, dark basketball shorts, and chunky red sneakers.

Still eyeing his sneakers, I said, "I may not know a lot about sports, but aren't you supposed to wear soccer cleats when playing?"

I looked down at my own outfit of jean shorts and a dark tanktop paired up with dark converse sneakers.

Maybe he'll decide that we absolutely cannot play soccer because we're both unprepared without cleats so that means that we can just go home and eat ice cream?

A girl can only hope.

He stopped chasing the ball and held it in his hands. "Well yeah,Kait, if you're actually out on the field playing against a team. But, remember, we're just doing this for fun."

I inwardly sighed and said, "Right, yeah."

He gave me a knowing smile. "Come on, you're not doing that horrible. Just try to relax, it's really fun once you get the hang of it alright?"

I gave a small smile in return. "Okay."

He handed me the ball and started jogging towards the net that sat close to a large oak tree.

"What are you doing?" I called out to him.

He grinned widely. "I want you to try and kick the ball so that it goes into the goal."

I shook my head. "I won't be able to, if I'm lucky, it'll hit the tree at most."

"Just try," He said and then clapped his hands in a "let's go!" way.

I inhaled and exhaled deeply, then squared my shoulders. I can do this, right? I mean, what's the worst that can happen? I'll look like a complete and utter idiot, like I've been doing and he won't ever like me? Oh, ugh.

I placed the ball on the ground in front of me and braced myself. Here goes nothing, I thought.

I took a step forward and kicked the ball, the way Liam had taught me, with all my might and sent it soaring forward.

The good news was that the ball went into the net, the bad news, the cringing, horrific news on my part was the it hit Liam right in the middle of his stomach.

"Oh!" He yelled and then fell down like a pin at a bowling alley.

"Oh my God!" I shouted and then raced forward to the net. Once I reached it, I crouched over him, unsure of what to do.

"Liam, are you okay? I'm so sorry!" I said, as I shook his shoulders urgently.

"Oh man," He groaned. "That was one hell of a kick, Kait."