Priceless / l.h. (Hiatus)

chapter three

November, 2004

School is now in full go. I got used to the cycle. Our table has won majority of the mad minutes. I'm glad we got Brooklyn on our team, she's the fastest in our class. 

Today we have indoor soccer tryout. Calum and I have been practicing all week for them just kicking around the soccer ball in the park. I'm feeling really good about this year. I have improved in speed and balance. Calum has improved as well. I hope we both make it on the same team.

The bell rang, indicating school was over. I quickly got up and ran to mine and Calum's locker, excited for tryouts. I grabbed my gym bag and was about to close the locker when Calum called my name.

"You're too fast!" Calum laughed, grabbing his stuff. "You must be excited for tryouts."

"I am really excited!" I smiled at Calum as we fell in step on our way to the gym. 

In the gym, I changed into my gym shorts and soccer shoes. Our school had an underground gym where the indoor soccer was held. The floor was covered with faux grass in order to make our running easier. You would think we were some top olympic players, but we were just some elementary school kids. I guess you could say our school was more for sports and less for the arts.

When Calum finished tying his shoes we jogged over to where the coach for our team was standing, writing down names. Each person who was trying out had to pass through a couple of tasks. Some on our own and some with a partner. 

All the other kids were really tall. I guessed most were sixth graders. They were also really good at soccer, making me get nervous. Calum seemed to notice and he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, Luke, the coach knows these kids, I'm sure he's not expecting you to play as well as them yet," Calum said, smiling reassuringly. 

I just nodded and walked up to the coach because just then, my name was called. The coach had another kid who was trying out set up three balls for me to kick into the net. One on the left, one on the middle and one on the right. I stretched out my legs quickly while the coach wrote a couple things down and then went to the line on the grass, waiting for the whistle.

The coach eventually blew the whistle and I ran straight for the ball in the middle. I concentrated closely on my foot work when kicking it. Nothing but net. I did the next two the same. Then the coach had me dribble the soccer ball to the opposite net and shoot. That was my weak spot, but I happened to make it to the net without tripping and also scored. 

The coach nodded approvingly and sent me back to the group of tryouts. I walked over to Calum, panting, and he high fived me. He went next and I tried to pay attention to him, but my adrenaline was taking over me and had me jogging on the spot. He did well and finished quicker than me. 

We spent the rest of the single tryouts talking about the adrenaline rushing through us and not paying attention to the other players. I didn't want their skill to ruin my hype anyways.

"Alright, everybody partner up!" The coach yelled after the single tryouts were done.

Obviously Calum and I went together and lined up behind everyone else. This skill testing was passing. You and your partner had to run the field twice, passing to each other and shoot. Thankfully, Calum and I had passing as our strong skill, and we made it through the test just fine. A couple leg stumble here and there, but overall, pretty good. 

We waited on the sidelines while everyone finished up their test. When things stopped moving, the coach spoke up.

"Has everyone gone?" He called out.

It was quiet for a moment and then a voice spoke out. "I haven't gone."

We all looked towards where the voice came from. It was Brooklyn, I didn't expect to see her here.

"She doesn't seem like a soccer player to me," Calum shrugged.

I shrugged also and looked over at the coach.

"Why didn't you speak up, young lady?" The coach asked.

"I don't have a partner," she said quietly. 

The coach looked at everyone else. "Does anyone want to go a second time?

Everyone was quiet besides some mumbling that I couldn't make out. When no one stepped up, I did.

"I'll go," I said with a shrug.

"Alright, lineup," the coach called out.

I kicked the ball to Brooklyn, letting her start with it. I went easy on her, unsure of how she played. But as I went easy, she seemed to be perfectly fine. Maybe she was pretty good at soccer. She must have liked soccer, I mean, if she didn't, she wouldn't have tried out.

I shook her hand after our go and she just smiled smally and walked away. I walked back to Calum.

"She's pretty good for a girl," Calum shrugged.

I nodded. "For a girl, yeah."

We laughed and then just talked about a few of the other players. Then the coach called us over. 

"Good job today, everyone. We'll have part two of our tryouts next week. It'll just be a short game, and considering the gender count is close, it'll probably be boys versus girls," The coach explained.

We all nodded or mumbled 'okays' and went on our way to back to the change rooms. I changed back into my dress pants and dress shirt. I was really fed up with my parents forcing me to wear this to school. It's not fun to change back into after being hot from playing soccer. 

Calum's dad was driving Calum and I home, so we left the gym together. I got in his car but just before he drove off I spoke up.

"Wait!" I yelled, probably too loud. "I forgot my water bottle."

They nodded and I quickly ran back into the gym. I didn't look around, I just ran to the bench where I left my water bottle. If I didn't hear the grunts and the sound of a ball being kicked around, I would have left thinking I was the only one in there.

I looked up to find someone kicking around a ball on the field. It was Brooklyn. I started wondering why she was still here, so I made my way over to her to ask. The ball started to roll over to me so I stopped it with my foot. Brooklyn looked at me.

"What are you still doing here?" I asked her.

"Coach said I could stay for a bit," She shrugged. "It beats playing at home, anyways."

"You play at home?" I asked.

"Not well, just my brothers and I kick around a ball from time to time," She said quietly.

"You seem to play really well, from what I have seen, I bet you will make it on the team," I reassured her. 

She smiled and fixed her ponytail. "Thank you, Luke."

I nodded and kicked the ball softly back to her and then headed on my way back to Calum's car. I decided not to mention anything about Brooklyn and just sit quietly on the way home. 

***

"So how were tryouts?" My dad asked at dinner.

"Really good! At least I hope so, I feel like I did good," I said happily.

"That's good, son," My dad praised.

"And that new girl, Brooklyn, tried out. She's actually pretty good! Maybe even better." I continued on talking a bit about tryouts and then changed the subject. "We won the mad minute again. I'm telling you, if it weren't for Brooklyn, we wouldn't have one all these times."

"You talk about this Brooklyn a lot, Luke. Does my little brother have a little crush?" Jack teased. 

"No!" I protested. "She's just different. A lot of the kids think she's weird and like to make rude comments about her, but not me. I think she's cool, just... Different."

Things are going to start moving now and the days are going to start moving faster. A LOT faster lol. Trust me. I'll see you next Monday! Or maybe Saturday or Sunday. We'll see. I hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading.