Risks

1

Julian

I watched from the sidelines, my hands clenched as I watched the ball get closer to the net. We just need one more goal and we are state champions. I took a side glance at my coach, only to see her basically biting her nails.

"Let's go guys! Run Wild 32" I yelled. As team captain of the high school women's soccer team, I need to make the best calls when I am on the sidelines.

Seeing a little acknowledgement from Courtney, aka my spare captain if I am to injured to play. She knows the plays like the back of her hand. Starting to bounce my knee, I took a quick sweep over the bleachers. Hoping to catch a glimpse of my mother, only I should know by now. She never comes.

Tuning back towards the play, I watched as the ball hit the back of the net. My eyes widening in excitement. Screams of excitement and joy filled my hearing as the time buzzer sounded.

Courtney sprinted over to me, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. "We did it Juls. We won!" Laughter and cheers echoed around us.

Getting help from Courtney we said good game to the other team before we left. Limping my way over to my car, I waved goodbye to my teammates. Happiness so clear on our faces.

Opening the car door, I heard my phone chime loudly from my soccer bag. Pulling it open, I grabbing it. I small sigh escaped my lips as I saw a text from my mother

Julian where are you? You were supposed to be home an hour ago -Mom

I had a soccer game remember. The state championship-J

Only I knew I wasn't going to get a response. She truly doesn't care.

Pulling on my knee brace from my bag, I turned on the ignition of the car before driving home. I wasn't in a rush, I didn't want to be home right away. I was only going to sit in my room anyway.

I found myself thinking about my dad. How life would have been if I had lived with him instead. If he would have went to my soccer games, or showed up to see my choir perform. I wondered if he would have actually cared about me.

My mother truly didn't care. She says she loves me, only the interaction and the effort she puts in. Well that exposes the truth.

Finding myself parked in front of the small house, I started debating on turning around. Just that decision was thrown out the window as soon as my mother opened the front door.

"I've been worried Julian. You should have told me earlier you had a game." I silently mumbled and sighed. She never listens, I told her yesterday night.

"Sorry, guess I was so stressed with school I forgot to tell you" a smile graced her lips as she turned back into the house. Grabbing my backpack and soccer bag and locking the car behind me. I ventured inside the house.

Only all movement stopped when I saw a suitcase in the hallway. "Whats the suitcase for" I called out, and I could her her mumbling under her breath.

"You are going to Hawaii to live with your father. I have important things to do, and well your father isn't doing anything of importance"

All I could do was stare with wide eyes. She was kicking me out because she was "busy". Only I have her a confused look.

"You told me my father died" I spoke out. All noises suddenly stopped as soon as I did. I caught her in her lie, I have been living a lie. Limping myself to her, I wanted to see her tell me the truth. She kept her eyes down.

"You leave tomorrow morning. I already packed one of your bags."

Scoffing I grabbed my bags. "What a great mother you are." Making my way upstairs I shut my door
Behind me. Anger and sadness shining bright in my eyes. She lied, and at the same time she ripped my whole world apart.