Kick Off

Chapter 1

"Zoella Menzies to the office. Zoella Menzies." Mrs tarrants voice called over the p.a system.

"Ooo Zoe is in trouble!" Jack cooed from the back of the class room making me roll my eyes.

"Your a right sod, you know that right." I snapped at the dark haired boy who was smirking at me.

"You love it baby!" I gritted my teeth and flipped him off before walking out of the class room and to the attendance office.

I opened the door, warm air wrapping around my body like a heated blanket. It was winter here in Australia, although where I live it doesn't get overly cold durning winter. Some days are as hot as it would be in spring, almost summer!

"Zoella!"

"Luke!" A huge smile spread across my face as I rang up to him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"It's mr harradine to you missy." He grinned, ruffling my already messy hair.

Luke or 'Mr Harradine' is a family friend of the Menzies', also my seniors soccer coach at the local football club. I have known him since I could remember; his light brown curly hair and blue eyes haven't changed a bit. Luke recently went on a holiday to Brazil, watching the World Cup and exploring for three weeks wasn't something he could not pass by.

"How is Ben going?" He asked, leading me into his small office.

"Ben is... Okay." I sighed, taking a seat opposite his desk.

"Poor lad." He shook his head. "Any news?" He asked.

"He's out for nine months." I say.

"Nine months?!" Luke almost shouted. "That's the rest of the season! The finals! We need him!" Luke's eyebrows knitted together. "And what about the trials?"

"I know but we can't help it." I remind him. Luke nods and slumps back into his chair.

Ben, my older brother, recently had a knee reconstruction after injuring it playing futsal for the school last month. When the physio told him what the recovery time was, Ben went mental. He is still getting over the Fact that he is out for the rest of the season.

"I know, I know." He inhales deeply before setting his blue eyes back onto me. "You ready for tomorrow?" He asks. My stomach churned at the mention of it.

"I think so." I nervously laugh, twiddling my fingers in my lap.

"You don't think so Zoe, you know so." Luke confirms. I gave him a small nod, reassuring him.

"You're coming right?" I ask, studying him.

"Who else is going to go with you Zoe? Ben isn't in the most fine of states." He chuckled. "If your dad were to be here-"

I cut luke off before he could finish the sentence. "Don't mention him, please." I new what he was going to say; if my dad were here, he could take me and be my mentor. But that's not the case.

After dad 'left', I only had my older brother Ben. Since both mum and dad were gone and Ben was almost eighteen; he was able to look after me with the help of luke.

Luke was 28 and P.E teacher at my high school. Once it was just Ben and I, luke stepped in to support the two of us.

Luke's hands found mine, cupping my small hands with in his. "I'm sorry Zoe." He whispered. I gave him a quick nod as an apology, withdrawing my hands from his.

"So, we leave at four in the morning; make sure you get to bed early please missy." I rolled my eyes at his name for me, something I have grown up with but can get a fraction irritating at times.