Before Me and You

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Come on, Niall!" I pounded on his bedroom door. "You're going to make me late!" I heard mumbling on the other side. When he finally opened the door I started to laugh. He was shirtless, trying to buckle his belt, and had his phone and t-shirt in his mouth. I grabbed his wrist and led him downstairs. He picked up his car keys from the kitchen counter and we got into his car.

I turned on the radio and messed around with the stations. I got frustrated because there was nothing on that I liked, so I just turned it off and laid my head back and put my feet up. I closed my eyes and started to imagine how I was going to play in today's game. I imagined myself faking someone out, passing the ball up only to receive it again to shoot and score. I was awakened from my day dream by the boy next to me.

"Olivia! Come on, aren't you late?" Niall nudged my arm causing me to wake up. I opened my eyes, we were already at the field. I grabbed my bag and we started to walk towards my team. "Good luck, love. I know you'll do great!" He kissed my cheek and made his way to the stands where all the other parents were. Mine couldn't make it because they were working, but Niall always came anyways.

Niall quit playing football two years ago. I wish he hadn't, he was an amazing player. It was in his blood to play. He gave it up so he could focus more time on his music. He played the guitar and sang, I had to admit that he was amazing, his voice was beautiful. It kind of made me jealous, but he said I had a good voice also. He knows that I'm still mad at him for quitting; I told him it was a waste of talent. Now he's the supportive best friend who watches all of my games. It was nice to know I had a fan in the crowd.

I started to warm up by passing the ball around with my team mates. This game was very important to us. We were playing for the title of being the best futbol team in our area. Whoever wins this game, wins the title, some medals, and a trophy. I really wanted it, we've worked too hard to lose.

I got distracted from the passing and looked into the stands. I made out Niall right away, the bright bleach blonde one. I laughed as I remembered that day when he had me bleach his hair. We were about twelve years old, he called me over to his house to help him. I was so against it at first but then he gave me the puppy dog eyes and I gave in to helping him. I missed the brunette Niall, it reminds me of the Niall I grew up with. I was brought to reality when I saw him waving to me and giving me a thumbs up. I smiled and waved back then concentrated again on my drills.

Before I knew it the game had started, these girls were physical but had poor ball skills. They probably got this far by playing dirty and getting lucky. I got the ball and dribbled up the field, passed it to a forward who shot and missed the cross bar. Another great assist, with no credit to me.

It was still 0-0 when the reff called half time. I ran off the field and grabbed a Gatorade out of my bag. I chugged half the bottle in seconds before sitting with my team and listening to my coach. The reff blew his whistle and we were getting ready to line up. I ran over to my bag when someone came up behind me.

"Can I have a sip?" He smiled. Oh Niall... I handed him my bottle and he took a quick swig, handed it to me and started to talk. "The left defender is weak. She's not as good as she thinks she is. Fake her out and bring it up the field. If you have open space, shoot. If you don't, pass it to a open forward. At least you'll have a good assist." I nodded. "Go get 'em!" He slapped my bum.

"Ow, was that necessary?" He smiled and I slapped his arm and put the bottle back into my bag and ran out onto the field. I thought about what Niall said, it was good advice no doubt.

The game came down to less than ten minutes. The score was still the same, no goals. I was getting anxious now for the ball. Once I got it, I did exactly what Niall told me to do. I faked the left defender out, passin it up right through her legs. Then I dribbled up, there was no open shot so I passed it to Amanda, our forward. Come on, shoot! I thought to myself. She was breaking down the field with the ball I had just passed to her. She had a wide open shot, just her and the goalie. Then she shot it.