Rule of the Fist

Chapter 6

The day after Jacob and his friends attacked her, Riley found herself with sweat on her forehead and her breath coming in short gasps. Her eye still hurt, and so did her arms. The day before, she'd given Mark and Judy some weak lie about how she'd gotten the injury, later telling Nate that she'd told them about it and they'd promised to talk to Jacob's parents. 

All around her, parents cheered on their children. Little brothers and sisters held foamy cups filled with soft drinks in their pudgy hands. Riley spotted Judy, Abby, and Emmy in the bleachers. Nate was getting ready for his own game, which started in fifteen minutes.

It occurred to her to wonder how she’d been so excited that morning to go to the game. Her feelings had changed when she'd arrived in less than five minutes. She’d hopped out of the minivan, checking her reflection in the car mirrors. Soccer uniform, cleats, shin-guards, socks, and shorts. As the others were heading to their spots in the bleachers, Riley headed for her team.

Coach B stood bent over her teammates, most of whom looked sullen and tired. The team that they were playing against was better, and they knew it. He gave them a pep talk. “Alright, guys. We’re going to try as hard as we can to beat this team. Remember, positive attitude, energy, effort, and no matter what, just try to get the ball in the goal.”

Riley had looked across the field to the other team. There was no doubt that they were a force to be reckoned with. Most of them are probably good soccer players. And some of them are really tall. Especially the blue shorts one.

Riley’s eyes widened as she realized who the ‘blue shorts’ was. Jacob looked up as if he could feel Riley’s eyes on him. When he saw her, he narrowed his eyes. Riley swallowed and looked away.

Now she was on the same field as him. The boy who’d gave her the black eye that was only just now starting to fade. Riley drew her arms around herself, trying to ward off the chill that told her winter was approaching. She looked to where the ball was being dribbled toward her goal by a member of the other team.

Riley squinted at him, then at the ball as Nate’s words ran through her head. You may be clumsy, but you’re fast.

Before Riley knew what she was doing, her foot had reached out and stolen the ball. Then, as if her cleats had a mind of their own, she began to dribble the ball, dodging offensive players and streaking ahead of the other players as if she were a tiger running through the field. She barged through a wall of defenders, dribbling the ball back and forth. She could hear the cheers and encouraging yells from the crowd.

“Go, Riley!” Out of the corner of her eye, Riley could see Abby, who’d half risen from the bleachers, holding a cup of sprite into the air. She was unstoppable, untouchable, most of the other players had given up chasing her and stood dumbfounded on the field.

Riley soon found herself in front of the goalie from the other team. The goalie’s eyes were wide. He knew he didn’t stand a chance. Riley lifted a foot to kick the ball, her toes pointed toward the ground and her hands curled into fists. The next thing she knew, two hands were gripping her shoulders and she hit the ground. Pain shot through her ankle and she rolled onto her back, clutching it.

Riley had a momentary view of gray clouds that painted a dreary picture across the sky. Then everything was blocked by Jacob’s face. The referee was already blowing the whistle to call a foul. Somebody had pulled Jacob off of her, but Riley was beyond caring. Her head felt hot and she saw white. A fresh rush of adrenaline went through her as she shoved herself up, ignoring the pain that in her ankle.

This time it was somebody holding her back as she struggled, trying to land one good punch on Jacob. “I’ll kill you! I swear I’ll kill you!”