Act like a lady, Play like a man

Chapter 2

I pick my sorry ass off the ground, rub my hands off on my shorts and turn slowly around to face Dom.
“How. Dare. You.” I’m speaking slowly, in a low voice. I can’t let my temper get out of control. Not here. Dom and a few of the other guys try to hide their laughter, but in vain. And when I see the triumphant look on Doms face, I lose it.
“You imbecile! Are you really that worried about your position on this team that you will trip me up just for a laugh?! This is low, even for scum like you. Then again, I’d be worried about my chances of getting on the team if I looked as unfit as you do” Lie, lie, lie! I step towards him slowly, making each step feel important. Once I’m nose to nose with him, I lean up and whisper in his ear, my mouth slightly brushing against his skin. “It’s game on Dom. And we’ll see who comes out on top.” I give him a cheeky wink and nibble on his ear, satisfied by his intake of breath as I step back.

I turn back to the course and get ready to go again. My eyes sweep over the skill course, giving it a quick once over just so I know what I’m going to have to do. Realizing that’s it’s going to be a lot of ball control, a grin slides onto my face and my mood immediately lifts. I’m going to smash this. I nod my head at Mr Ewan, signalling for him to pass me the ball and start my run again. Luckily for him, Dom doesn’t trip me up, and I start dribbling around the closely placed cones, used to test your ball control and placed in a manner to try and stuff you up. But I’ve done this drill, perfected it over time, and nail it without any mistakes and quicker than any of the other boys. They obviously all thought this would be a walk in the park, that I wouldn’t hold a candle to their flame. I’m here to prove them wrong. As I come to the end of the drill, I look up and see that we have to finish it with a shot at goals. The goalie sees me looking, and a smirk forms on his lips. You’re in for a surprise here boy. I finish going around the last part of the drill, glance up, see exactly where I want to the ball to be placed and then go for it.

I stop and watch the ball sail through the air as if time has slowed down, see the goalie dive for it, miss, and then cheer as the ball is captured by the net exactly where I wanted it: top left corner. Smiling smugly at the keeper, I strut towards the teacher, awaiting our instruction on the next part of tryouts. Not seeing anything set up, I assume it will be something to do with fitness.

I’m proven right when we are told to line up and watch as they set up some boundaries for suicides. The groans of the boys fill the air, and I can hear them all muttering complaints and swearing quietly.

 We’re not given a limit, just told to run as many as we can. Fitness is where I used to be lacking, and compared to the boys I probably am still behind. But I have something none of them have: It’s the need to be right. I can’t have done all the arguing and training for nothing, so I have to be better than them. After a few shouts from my personal cheerleader, I zone out to all noise and just concentrate on my breathing, and thinking about how I will keep up pace. I end up next to Dom on the line, feeling 100% certain that it wasn’t an accident. Feeling confident in myself, and my bigger need to win this, I let my ego take over and smirk at Dom.
“Ready to get your ass kicked sweetie?” Dom just smirks right back at me.
“We’re definitely about to see who comes out on top. Good luck Jackie, you’re going to need it” and then turns away, a determined look on his face and confidence filling his posture.

Coaches whistle blows, signalling for us all to get going, and we do. I don’t count how many laps I’m doing, it will just distract me. But I do notice as first one, then two and steadily more of the boys are dropping to their knees and taking gasping breaths to fill their lungs with the air they need. Suddenly I notice I’m in the top ten left, and I can help but smile. My legs are starting to ache and my breathing is coming in short gasps. I close my mouth and breathe through my nose, attempting to slow my heart rate. It works, and I have renewed energy and determination to pick up my pace. Soon I’m running faster than the other guys, and I can hear a whole crowd of people cheering me on. I lower me head, grinning, and push myself harder. I can so do this. And then Dom is next to me.

I spare a quick glance at him. His face is scrunched with concentration, and he is slowly pulling in front of me. I feel my expression change to one of horror as I realize that Dom is going to beat me. Out of everyone, it has to be him. I pump my arms and legs harder, pushing myself to my limits. I glance behind me, and realize we are the last two still in this. I know I should just quit, but my pride won’t let me just give up. I will run myself into the ground if that’s what it takes.

I know it’s only a few minutes later, but it feels like hours. My breath is in short, quick gasps, and everywhere hurts. I feel the sweat on my face, running into my eyes, and my hair is frazzled. My face is probably bright red. With my teeth bared in pain, I keep pushing. I see Dom, a few steps in front of me, and am slightly distracted, and surprised, by the grace in how he moves. As he runs, he still takes steps that look like he is gliding, although, like me, he should be lumbering forward. With my last reserves of energy, I sprint. I run past Dom, in front of him for one last suicide. Halfway through, my legs collapse under me and I face plant to the ground. I roll over just in time to see Dom run past me, complete one more lap, and then fall to his knees. My limbs are shaking, and I can’t get enough air into my lungs. Suddenly, there is a shadow cast over me. I glance up to see Dom, on his hands and knees with sweat dripping off him as he pulls in heaving breaths.
“Look who’s…on...top” he manages to gasp out, a smirk somehow placed in his lips. I don’t have the energy to reply, so I just bare my teeth and growl at him.

“Okay guys, 5 minute break and then goal shooting” Surely I’ve heard him wrong!? But when I hear the collective groan of the boys, and see Dom collapse on him stomach, I know this isn’t a joke.
“Are you fucking kidding me!?”

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Another update yay! :) I hope all you humans enjoyed this, I loved writing it. Okay well you should totally tell people about this if you did like it and idk maybe comment bc hey that is really cool! Ciao! xx