Playing For Keeps (Harry Styles)

Chapter 10

Nearly three hours later, Coach K has us all seated on the ground of the field, encircling her as she closes up practice.

"Good job today ladies! The assistant coaches and I saw a lot of hard work and see even more potential on the field than I've seen in a while!" The girls cheer.

"Now, I know it's a really hot day today..." she trails off. The girls look between each other and I, seated between Gemma and Alex, am first to notice the assistant coaches hauling gleaming buckets from the direction of the locker rooms.

"It's a really hot day...," the coach continues. "So I thought, what better to cool off and get some team bonding done at the same time than a water balloon fight?!" Shrieks and yells of excitement echo throughout the team, mine among the loudest, which earns a smack from both Gemma and Alexa. "Alright!" Coach K laughs. "Go girls, GO! Practice same time and place tomorrow!"

With her final words, the coach runs out of the way of the stampede of hockey players racing towards the balloons. When everyone is armed with sufficient ammunition, all hell breaks loose; some girls use their sticks as bats and others break balloons above their friends' heads. Eruptions of laughter and surprised shrieks surround me and make my heart feel like it's swelling with happiness.

Once the balloons have run out, everyone stays to quickly pick up the pieces of ruptured balloon. Soaking wet and breathless from laughter, I am one of the last into the locker rooms. On my way to my locker, I hear Coach K call my name as I pass her office. "Carter!"

I backpeddle a few steps to pop my head into the doorway, stomach fluttering with butterflies. "Yeah Coach?"

I am greeted with kind eyes and another warm smile, features I'm beginning to think are fixed onto her face. "Hey, Isabella, I just wanted to tell you that I think you did especially well. I can really begin to see your passion for the game shining through, and that's something every excellent player must be able have- passion."

I feel stunned. "W-wow coach...thanks! That really means a lot."

"That's alright. Now go have a good dinner and get some rest. See you tomorrow!" With that I wave a small goodbye and head again to my locker. Alexa passes me on the way out of the locker room, already ready to go like a lot of the girls. She catches my arm as she walks by, speaking quickly. "Hey man, just realized I forgot my key in the room! Hurry, cause mama needs a nap!" I smile and nod.

Jogging the rest of the way to my locker, I decide that I won't waste time changing into dry clothes - they could dry on the walk back to the dorms. I quickly toss my stick in my locker and throw my damp hair into a messy bun. Reaching for my bag, I dart back out the double doors to meet Alex. For the second time since my arrival at Barnett, however, I bump into and again fall because of the person on the other side of the door.

I let out an oof as I land backwards on my butt, my bag thankfully breaking my fall. This time I quickly get back to my feet to glare my obstacle down, but am greeted with a pair of hauntingly familiar and equally annoyed jade eyes looking me over. I take a step back to get a better look at the boy I first ran into, when I was moving into my dorm. The especially handsome and British boy.

"Have you seen Gemma Styles? I need to pick her up and am pressed for time," he asks in a rushed tone, eyebrows furrowed.

"Um, I think she left already. Sorry," I say as I move to sidestep him. His eyes seem to lighten with recognition then, and he asks, "Hey, have we met?"

I am already well on my way to the gate where I can make out Lex standing, and am eager to get there. In answer to his question, I throw my head back over my shoulder and reply, "Some call me a free spirit." Feeling rather proud of my response, I don't bother to see his reaction as I jog faster to my roommate.

It is only when I am a few feet away from her and hear her laughing hysterically that I painfully realize my soaking wet T-shirt is white and put my polka dotted sports bra on full display.

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hello! sorry for my failure to update in so long. I've gotten a kick start with the help of a dear friend, and so the ball is now rolling again! I hope that you can stay patient with me! xx