Here We Go Again

Chapter 8: You're In

The ball went flying into the air in full speed as it went for the upper right corner.

My heart was full of energy, and I was so excited.

But that excitement soon turned into disappointment as Jonathan's hand came into contact with the ball. He had dove pretty far out and hit the ball causing it to bounce back towards me.

Shouts and whistles broke out. I felt like screaming, I've never missed a penalty before! It's hard to believe how many I've gotten.

I needed this, and I needed this badly. Mainly because I loved this sport, my dad loved this sport; even my mom loved this sport. I had told my whole team back home that I'd make sure to kick everyone's butt here, and that's exactly what I was going to do. But more importantly I needed to prove to these guys that I knew what I was doing. I wasn't some girl trying to get attention.

This was my sport.

And I'm going to prove it to them.

Ignoring all the smart comments coming from the team, I once again took another couple steps back and readied myself. I didn't bother asking Jonathan if he was ready or not. I just went for it.

I ran and kicked the ball.

This time the ball went right through the middle and hit the net hard. Jonathan was recovering from his jump too his left as I knelt down, touched my forehead, my right shoulder, then my left shoulder, thanked God and stood up.

I laughed inside, and the field went silent. Just the way I liked it.

Jonathan got back up as his team yelled at him. He brushed himself off and got back into position.

I once again took a couple steps back, and raised my hand. Jonathan nodded and so I went for it.

I ran again. I kicked the ball in a way trying to curve it. The ball flew and within seconds I found myself thanking God again. The ball had flown, curved and hit the back of the net within seconds, and Jonathan hadn't even tried to go for it.

People began yelling.

"What the hell Jonathan?"

"C'mon Jonathan!"

"She's just a girl"

Jonathan simply brushed the comments off again.

"Gotta admit, you're not bad," Jonathan said. "For a girls that is." He added with a smirk.

"C'mon Vylie!" I heard. I turned around and saw Carly jumping up and down. She seemed so excited. I smiled at her, mouthed thank you, and turned back.

Time to prove these suckers wrong I thought to myself.

There were two ball left on the floor. I kicked one of to the side, which earned me another comment.

"You might need it!" someone yelled as the team broke out laughing again.

I ignored the comment, and once again took a few steps back. This was my last shot; I had to make it special.

I ran and ran and kicked the ball. Everything began to slow down and I could see the ball make its way towards the goal. This time Jonathan had jumped into the right directions. The ball was aimed towards the top left corner.

Something I've never tried before.

Jonathan was close, but not close enough. The ball brushed against his fingertips, brushed the top poll and finally hit the back of the net. Jonathan had curved his entire back, but a goal was a goal.

Coach blew his whistle, and my lips curved into a smile.

I walked up to where Jonathan was sitting near the one of the goal posts. I put my hand out.

"Good job" I said with a small smile.

He looked at my hand, and then looked up at my face. He was deciding whether or not to take my hand.

He did.

I helped him up and he returned the smile. He walked ahead of me, and I turned on my heels. I didn't have to go far. The team had made a semi circle around me as they all eyed me up and down. Their coach was in the middle standing across from me. He, unlike his team, was looking down at a clipboard unimpressed.

"Ahem" I said to get his attention.

He looked up from his clipboard and smiled. He put his hand out for me.

"Welcome to the team Jade, I'm Coach Clye"