Togetherness

14

I don't believe in love at first sight. However, I do believe there can be instant connections with people. As I kick a pass to David and watch him stop it, that belief strengthens. I met him yesterday and have already kissed him, cuddled with him, and felt closer to him than I have with anybody else. I don't know what connected me with him, but whatever it is, I like it.

After we finish warming up with passes, we run a few drills and then scrimmage. David and I were put on the same team with four other people against six others. I don't know all of their names but I have a reasonable understanding of names. Throughout the scrimmage, I quickly catch onto their names. Warren is the fast, jumpy kid, who most likely has ADHD, and is one of the fastest people on the team over all. He's tall and scrawny with sandy blonde hair and green eyes. Lance is on the thicker side but still runs well and can launch the ball across the field. His dark brown hair falls over his brown eyes, darkening his eyes and blocking them from view. Jason's shorter than I am with bleach blonde. He's surprisingly quick and does a whole lot of fancy footwork, which pisses everybody on the opposing team off. Teagan is our goalie with broad shoulders and a large frame. He also has the ability to launch the ball, both with his arm and his feet.

Coach blows the whistle, signalling the end of practice. Leaving the game with a score of 3-2 with us in lead, everybody makes their way to their respected locker rooms. Before I can get off the field, Coach pulled me to the side to talk to me.

"Hey, kid. Nice hustle out there," he compliments.

"Thanks," I reply, smiling slightly.

"Anyway, I wanted to tell you that, at least for soccer, you're using the proper locker room. When we go outta town for games, we're not gonna have any of that bullshit about how you're a girl. You're a man and you dress with the guys. I already talked to everybody about it so if they give you any trouble, you tell me. Now, go get dressed." He smiles and walks away.

"Thanks..." I mumble as I walk away.

I walk into the building, along with the stragglers, who stopped to talk or whatever, and David, who waited for me.

"Coach tell you the good news?" David asks.

"What good news?" I ask.

"That you don't have to deal with girls' locker room bullshit! That's awesome!" He exclaims, practically jumping up and down with excitement.

"Oh, yeah." I smile at his enthusiasm.

"Ya know, I happen to be the one who offered up the idea for letting you," he says with a goofy smile etched onto his face.

"Oh, my hero." I kiss his cheek and grab his hand, over dramatically swinging our hands between us.

"Coach said he was already planning on doing that, though..." He trails off and looks at the ground.

"You're still my hero, you dork. Always will be." I smile and squeeze his hand reassuringly.

We have to part ways at the two hallways that branch off to the two different locker rooms.

"I'm gonna go get changed. I'll start using the guys' locker room tomorrow."

"Alright, stay safe."

"I will."