Play Like A Girl

chapter four

I returned to the locker room after the dreadful walk back. For the most part I was with the guys, but I was more than happy when the guys veered left to their locker room and I turned right. I swung open the locker room door- that never locked- and slipped off my sweaty t-shirt right away. I sighed in frustration and threw my head back as I quickly slipped out of my nasty sports bra and put on a new one.

I then continued to remove my shorts, focused only on the fact that if i don't make the team, I wasn't even sure who I'd be disappointing more.

My father raised me as a young child to push myself to do the right things even if I felt like sometimes it was my will not to. He told me that if I couldn't do it for myself, I should think of him. He promised me he would always be there for me, but no matter what happens he will never truly me there for me anymore. But that will never stop me for doing the things I love, because I'm doing them for him. Not because it would've made him happy, but because my happiness comes first. So me being happy would make him be the happiest man on earth. So if I didn't make the team, and I let it get my spirits down...who would I really me disappointing?

I shook my head and focused more on what I was going to having for dinner. Then out of nowhere I heard the locker room door quietly shut, but not too quietly, as it snapped me out of my thoughts. I quickly covered my nearly naked self with a shirt and shorts before going over and sticking my head out of the locker room. I looked to the left and right before deciding it had to have been the wind. The old door nearly swung open on its own anyway.

The following day of school was suspenseful. I'd sit through all my hours trying to decide if I wanted to see the roster or not. Lord help me with Adam if I don't make it.

The first four hours of school are usually my favorite hours but today was the exact opposite. It seems all of the sudden everybody knew who I was and the fact that I tried out for the boys' soccer team. On top of that, I was earning dirty glares and smirks between my classes. I'd walk into the classroom and feel all eyes on me. It's too bad I didn't know what the hell was going on.

Finally I made it to lunch. Well, I didn't actually make it to lunch. Fortunately I was stopped by John and Collin.

"Conner!" The pair came rushing up to me while I stood unsuspectingly at my locker.

"What's wrong?" I asked them with only a hint of concern.

"You- what? Please don't tell me you haven't seen the pictures," Collin said carefully.

"What pictures," I replied hesitantly.

The two exchanged looks before John pulled out his phone.

"Dude, don't just show her!" Collin said harshly but quietly.

"Well what did you want me to do?"

"Definitely NOT just whip out your phone and tell her. Are you dumb?"

"Am I dumb? Are you dumb?!"

"No, clearly since I wa-"

"Can you two stop bickering and please just tell me what the hell is going on?!"

Both the seemingly nervous boys looked at me and then at each other, again. With every second of silence that passed by I grew both impatient and and nervous.

"Fine, when you two can finally grow a pair, come and find me. I'll be in the cafeteria."

I pushed past both of he boys before they quickly yelled after me.

"No Conner you can't go in there," John quickly said.

I turned around, confused. "Why not?"

John stepped closer to me. "Because of the pictures."