The Final Season

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty One

If Davis really thinks he's keeping me off that field tomorrow, he has lost his mind completely. My ankle is fine--well it's not--but he doesn't need to know that. What he needs to know is that I will be playing tomorrow, and I will be starting the game, and my ankle won't give out on me because it can handle pain. If anything, pain is the one thing it has tolerated for the past two years. This is my last year, my final season on this team and I don't think Davis could keep me off that field if he tried, and he will try. Tomorrow he'll insist that I'm injured and can't play any longer, and I'll ignore him and play, because I have to, and it's all I've ever done.


"Davis, Tony just cleared me for tomorrow!" I called out after Tony examined my ankle. I was suppose to get it checked out by my doctor but I decided against it. I'll wait until the season finishes so that way, if something really is wrong with it, I can say I didn't know. Of course I told Davis that I scheduled an appointment for it soon.. because I wouldn't want him taking matters into his own hands and call my parents. God knows my mom would overreact in an instant and tell me that I will never see a soccer ball again for the rest of my life.


"I did not!" Tony called out and I turned around and gave him a menacing look, "I'm sorry Iris but I can't let you play," I nodded and turned back around.


"He said he's letting me play tomorrow," I shouted again and I heard Tony sigh behind me. He has already told me how bad he feels for me and how he wishes I could play, but I just can't. Apparently my ankle looks really bad, like go get it checked out by your doctor immediately bad, and it feels that way too, but I can play. The word can't doesn't belong in my vocabulary. At least when related to soccer, because when it comes to anything else like homework, or tolerating Davis, then the word can't is on the tip of my tongue. Along with annoying, unbearable, jacka--


"Really? You're still not playing," Davis's voice sounded and brought me back from my spiel. I nearly flicked him off but, I decided against it because I needed to stay on his good side for the next twenty four hours so that he'd put me in the game tomorrow. I mean, I've been sitting around during practices for a week. I'm pretty sure that my ankle can finish this year out. It's my ankle after all, who is he to make the decision for me. He doesn't know how it feels, and he doesn't know how much pain I can handle either.


"Come on Davis, that's not even funny. This is my senior year do you want to see me run on it? Or maybe hop?" I began to jump in place once I was in front of him and the rest of the team. I ignored the stabbing pain as I did so. I mentally told my ankle(or myself for that matter) to suck it up and stop being such a wimp. I don't want to have the guys on varsity think of me as a weak little girl. That would be embarrassing, and what would Austin think? I wonder what he was thinking when I went down last game. I do remember how he wouldn't stop asking me repeatedly if it hurt in between classes when we walked together. I almost threw my textbooks at him each time he asked.


"I'm not trying to be funny, I'm trying to keep you safe, and putting you on that field tomorrow is not a good idea and I refuse to do it."


You refuse to do it. You refuse to do it. "Well fine, then your homework and your class aren't safe for me either, actually I feel really sick during both, so I guess I refuse to do that."


"Iris don't start. It's not my fault that you're injured,"


"Oh and it's mine?" I asked as I narrowed my eyes at him. The girls all went back to their normal conversations, they were all pretty use to this. I think it's our...fifth...fight in the past three days? Each practice I insisted on being able to play and each time he rebutted by saying not gonna happen.


"Well if you took better care of yourself, maybe you wouldn't be in such a tough predicament,"


"Oh right, blame me for getting tackled poorly by someone. That makes a lot of sense,"


"If you played faster, you wouldn't have had to worry about being fouled."


"Oh my god you are unbelievable, I can't even listen to you anymore, you give me a headache."


"You both give me a headache my god," Olly said and Davis and I both shut up and turned towards Olly. My hands were placed on my hips and his arms were crossed over his chest. We both didn't look too happy and Olly rolled his eyes at us. "You two bicker like a married couple my god, at least it's your senior year Iris."


"Hey!" I said slightly offended. It was always Davis who started with me. I was the victim of his verbal abuse. Seriously he blamed me for someone else fouling me. How does that make sense? How can I not not reply to that?


"Sorry Iris, you know that I love you and all but sometimes the two of you just go on and on with each other, it's tiring to listen to. I don't know how you two can manage enough energy to keep it going."


"You need a vacation from each other," Val joked and everyone chuckled but Davis and I. Sensing our lack of humor of the situation they all stopped laughing and grew serious, "a long vacation," I heard Valerie mutter under her breath during the silence.


I turned back toward Davis and stood up straighter, not allowing the six foot brick wall to intimidate me. He was always so good at doing that. He could just stand there, and look at me the way he was right now, and I'd feel a bit uneasy. I always feel myself backing down even when I try so hard to stand my ground, but this time I'm not caving in. I'm not gonna get scared because what I'm standing my ground for is important. I'm not just going to let him take away this game from me, and these sectionals. I've had my senior year all planned out. I was ready to go one on one against Carly and everyone else on the warriors, and I've been waiting so long to beat them. We've all been waiting so long to beat them, and I'm not going to let my ankle ruin my plans, and I sure as hell am not letting Davis ruin my plans.


"I'm playing tomorrow," I told him indignantly.


"I'm sorry Iris,"


I stared back at him, refusing to appease him, or accept his unwanted apology. I didn't want a sorry from him, he has nothing to be sorry about. The only thing he does need to do though is put me on that field, and if he doesn't, then he's gonna be sorry alright, but not for my ankle...

~

I walked into my house and into the kitchen where Max was scarfing down a donut with an Xbox controller in his hand. I rolled my eyes at him and took a cheese stick from the fridge. Cheese could make me feel better always. I feel bad for lactose intolerant people. I ripped the wrapper off and bit a piece of cheese off roughly.


"Okay psycho," Max muttered eyeing me and then stuffed the rest of his donut in his mouth and returned to his room. I scoffed at his comment and went to grab my running shoes. Since Davis doesn't let me participate in practice, I go for a run everyday after school to test my ankle out and so I don't feel like a complete waste.


"Max I'm going for a run," I called out once I grabbed a jacket and put it on. It was the last week of October and this weather wasn't very pleasant. I don't mind the cold weather usually, fall is my favorite season but it feels like the winter instead of fall.


"Should you really be doing that?" Max asked coming back into the kitchen with a raised eyebrow. He grabbed his drink from the counter and waited for me to answer. He was at the game last week when I went down but I made him promise not to tell mom and dad what happened. I told him I was fine shortly after anyway and he didn't seem to second guess that. However, he did hear Davis tell me that I was done for the season since he was standing by our bench the entire game.


"Why shouldn't I?" I challenged.


"Didn't Davis say you can't,"


"And? You're not gonna snitch are you?"


"No! I'm not a snitch," he replied.


"Good, then I'm going out for my run," I said while walking over to the door. I placed my headphones in my ear and Collide by Howie Day filled my ears. I walked around my house and toward my front yard and crossed into the cemetery. I don't think I could ever express how much I loved this place. It was like my safe haven, no matter how odd it sounds. Especially when Halloween is only a few days away and cemeteries are supposed to be portrayed as scary. I can't help but feel comfortable, and even more so knowing that my grandmother is somewhere in here.


I began to run the trail that led to my grandmother's grave. I'd be killing two birds with one stone. Getting a workout, and going to get a much needed talk with my grandmother, albeit it will be a bit one sided. I continued with my run, it would take about ten minutes for me to get to my grandmother anyway. The song continued to ring in my ears as my feet landed on the gravelly pavement. Usually my ankle springs right back after I injure it, or the pain doesn't surface until I'm done with a certain activity, but for some reason it just won't go away. It's like an annoying tick.


'Cause even the best fall down sometimes, even the stars refuse to shine


I decided to switch the song because I felt like it was mocking me. I felt like everyone was having a good laugh about my situation. My ankle especially, it probably finds this all amusing. It's probably getting me back for all the times I've twisted it. Now I've completely lost my mind. I think I just need to hibernate along with the bears and squirrels and come back when life becomes more appealing.


I reached my grandma's grave and sat down while I tried catching my breath. A bunch of leaves surrounded her tombstone, festively decorating her grave for Halloween, which was her favorite holiday of them all. I smiled slightly and then loosened the laces of my right sneaker to alleviate some of the pain, or at least try to.


"So tomorrow's a big day," I began, "Davis is gonna let me play. He's gonna."

~

Okay so he isn't starting me. That could mean anything. It doesn't necessarily mean I won't play. Maybe he just wants to give me some time before I get back on my feet. He probably doesn't want me jumping right back into the game after injuring myself. It's very considerate of him. I know he's going to put me in soon, I wasn't going to say anything right now though because the score was still tied at zero with twenty minutes left in the first half. Nobody was really making any mistakes out there on our side, but we did have some chances where we could have scored. God I wish I was on the field during all of those chances. I wish I could be out there doing something at least. Sitting out here is a waste, and Davis knows it. That's how I know that he'll put me in the game.


Half time came and Davis didn't say much. He didn't have much to complain about but he made some small critical comments that he felt were necessary in order for us to get on the scoreboard. I was seated on the turf with the rest of the team and Davis was in front of us. My legs were in front of me and slightly bent so that I could grab both of my ankles and hold onto them as he talked. I continued to stare at him in hopes of getting some sort of sign of me possibly going in anytime soon. He only glanced at me briefly as he talked. I looked at Olly in a sort of pleading way because I was beginning to lose the hope of me going in. Olly only looked apologetic but never did his expression waver in a way signaling that he'd try and get me in the game. He was on Davis's side. Like everyone else.


Once the second half began, I decided to sit on the side of the bench that Davis stood near. This way I could hear everything he said, and the possible substitutions he was thinking about. Unfortunately for me he was all over the place as he watched the game so I don't really think I'd know what decisions he was going to make. I dragged my cleats along the turf and stared at the brace that was on my ankle. I then heard cheers erupt around me and looked up to find Maggie being tackled by all of the girls. She had scored. I stood up and howled her name. I looked up at the scoreboard and noticed that there was still thirty five minutes left in the game. She scored in the first five.


Us being in the lead gave me a bit hope that Davis would put me in the game. Everything was going well, and Davis was in a good mood. Five minutes passed so I stood up from the bench and walked over to him. He had his hands in the pockets of his Nike windbreaker, that had the word Coach written in cursive on the left side of his chest. I stood next to him and he turned his head briefly to see who was next to him. I think he was anticipating me though because he returned his attention to the game. I held back my eye roll and got ready to beg him to let me go on. God I hate begging...especially to Davis.


"Davis can I please go in," I asked.


"Iris you already know the answer to that," he said keeping his eyes on the field and causing me to get further frustrated. Only when I groaned did he look over at me, and indifferently at that.


"Why not?"


"Seriously? Please go sit down. You're starting to annoy me."


"Well at least I have an accuse for being annoying, what's yours?" I asked, obviously picking a fight with him, or at least wanting to because he was pissing me the hell off. Just because his freaking jacket says he's the coach of the team doesn't give him the right to keep me off the field for stupid reasons.


"Iris," he warned and I sighed, giving up, and sat back on the bench, with my arms crossed over my chest in a childish manner. Fifteen minutes passed before the other team countered and I watched number two off of the other team score a goal from twenty yards away from the goal. I gaped at the field after watching our goalie Mar try and get it but it was out of her reach and the score was tied. I heard Davis curse under his breath as he crouched down and covered his mouth with his hands as he watched the other team celebrate and jog back to starting positions. I looked back up at the clock and groaned. If no one scored in the last fifteen minutes and in overtime, it would go into penalties and penalties are nerve wrecking, and the worst way to lose in my opinion.


"Davis you have to let me in this game!" I said now angrily. There was no way I was going to sit here and watch this all fall apart. "Let me go in," I ordered, "I'm fine."


"Iris go sit down," he snapped. "You're not going in so stop."


I looked over at the clocking that was ticking down with ten minutes left. Oh fuck this. I went back toward the bench and took my warm up jacket off and went in my bag for some pre wrap. Instead of sitting back down, when no one was looking, I stealthily walked over to the scorer's table but made sure I was out of Davis's line of sight. I tied the string of my shorts and looked to my left to see the other team's coach eyeing me. He looked down at my brace and I hopped in place slightly to warm myself up a bit. Once the next dead ball happened as the buzzer sounded, I jogged in and took Erin off the field again. The announcer at the score board announced the substitution through a microphone so that everyone could know.


I could hear Davis shout my name furiously and I cringed inwardly. No way was I going to turn in his direction and see his face. I know how angry he is. He's never sounded more angry before. It was scary to be honest. I looked up at the scoreboard and it was the only thing that kept me from shivering out of fear. I could lie and say that he doesn't scare me but Davis scares everyone.


"IRIS WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He shouted. His voice filled the stadium and I watched some girls flinch at his tone. I remained unaffected, at least on the outside and jogged out in my position. Beth was near me as we waited for Mar to take the goal kick.


"What are you doing?" Beth repeated Davis.


"I'm playing the game what does it look like?"


She chuckled slightly and shook her head, "man you're dead."


Five minutes were left in the game and I challenged the ball from their midfield and took it. I was a bit hesitant with my ankle and all but I proceeded forward anyway. I heard Beth calling me from her side and I continued forward. The defenders drew closer to me and forgot about Beth and I split a pass between their center backs and watched as Beth made a run for the ball and shot the ball in the direction of the far post. The ball crossed the line and into the goal and I screamed and ran towards her. She hugged me tightly and shortly after the buzzer went off and we hugged even further.


We came off the field laughing but everyone immediately stopped. I looked around, confused, but then I realized why everyone had stopped. Davis was marching toward me.


"Told you I was okay,"

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"


We both spoke simultaneously and I scratched the back of my neck and shifted my weight on one foot.


"You weren't letting me in the game and I wasn't just going to watch my team struggle when I could be out there,"


"You can't be out there what don't you understand? You never listen! There was a reason I kept you off that field, and it's not because I don't like you. Not everything is about Iris Grey," he continued with his shouting and the entire stadium was silent. Even the other team stopped their grieving in order to watch us argue. They were probably confused with how a coach and player could be arguing when they've won and made it to semi finals, but they must not know Davis and I.


"Are you serious? I don't think of myself one minute. I risk my body everyday for this team, and for you, and never do I fucking think of myself you jerk,"


"Iris stop," Beth pleaded but I pushed her arm away from me.


"No he's such an asshole. He's mad for what? You wouldn't let me in the game when I was okay."


"You could have been hurt," he shouted. "I know you're not okay! And that's why I didn't let you in the game, but you never listen, and I'm sick of it. I'm sick of you acting like you get to make the rules and do what you want. Anyone on this team can be replaced in an instant, including you Iris," he ranted and once he finished his lips were pressed into a tight line.


"Tyler, come on that's enough, just let it go," Olly said.


"I always let it go," Davis continued, "always when it comes to her and I don't know why because if anyone else gave me so much shit they'd already be handing in their jersey."


"You're making a big scene for no reason. I don't get why you're mad," I said calmly, and his words hurt my feelings a little but at the same time I could care less about what he thought of me.


"You will never understand anything that doesn't please you," he said sighing, "you're off the team."


"What?" Beth shouted, "Davis you can't don't that," she insisted as I stood there frozen in disbelief.


"I don't know when you guys thought the roles reversed but I'm the coach and you guys don't order me around. I make decisions on what I see fit and that's that. If anyone else has anything to say they can join Iris." His eyes met mine and I just stared at him, not letting him get a reaction out of me. Anyone could lash out and scream and tell him I hate you, but indifference seemed the way to go. It's silence that kills people, not moping. I just stared back at him. No one made a sound, or muttered a word, but I was pretty sure my eyes gave my emotions away. I'm pretty sure they were shouting I hate you as I stared at him, and I do hate him. I thought I hated him before but now I truly know how it feels to hate someone. It's blinding, and raging, but I swallowed my emotions down and grabbed my bag from the ground.


I swung it around my shoulder and walked off the field casually, and when I knew that no one was watching, I let the tears spill silently while I walked to my car. My head was still raised hi, and I wasn't sure why, maybe I was still hoping to keep my pride, but there was nothing to be happy about right now. I unlocked my door and threw my bag in the back seat. I couldn't help the occasional noise from escaping my mouth and my shoulders shook as I covered my mouth and muffled any sound. I slammed my fist furiously against my steering wheel and allowed any profanity that came to my mind slip out in a fury.


I hate him so much. He's the one who convinced me to come back when I was done with the sport. He's the one who convinced me he needed me and then he does this. I'm no toy or rag doll that he can discard whenever he pleases. I was apart of that team, more than he was, and he thinks he can just take me off like that, and I hate the fact that I can do nothing about it.


I can't do anything but cry, and like a mad man at that.


~~

IMPORTANT- Would you guys like the next chapter to be in Davis's Pov? Let me know! And let me know who you guys think is in the wrong here, Davis or Iris?

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