I’m soon sweating and panting. Soccer always distracts me from life and its bitchy problems. Focusing on tricks, techniques and other things help me relax. Soccer is one of the few things that bring me joy. Even when I’m alone, I can get caught up for hours. But if I’m super pissed I usually end up punting the ball into the unknown. As I practice my throw-ins I notice a car in the field’s parking lot. I check my phone 8:00. I ignore whoever is there and continue practicing Later I’ll sign up for a summer league to keep up with my sports. I glance over to see a guy now sitting on the hood of his car. He has a fit body frame and I get a feeling I know him. C’mon Kay don’t be crazy. I shake my head then lay down next to the goal and throw my arm over my eyes. After 5 minutes my phone rings. I start to feel angry again, but when I check the caller ID it’s my dad. “Hey daddy-o.”
“Good morning, are you out somewhere?”
I reply, “Yep…I went out for a run and I ended up at a soccer field.”
“Good, well you, mom and I along with the family next door are going out for lunch.”
I groan, “Which house left or right?”
He laughs, “Right side. We used to know them a while back, and most of the reason why we moved was because of them.” And that’s where he lost me.
“What…?”
“They’re our partners in our job here. So I’m sure you can piece it together.” I sit and ponder. True, because if they knew each other already then they would be more compatible. Hmm.
Then my dad says, “So Karoline we need you to be ready by 1.” I go through plans in my head.
“Yeah I’ll be ready by then.”
He adds, “It’s a semi-formal restaurant..so…”
I groan, “DAAAAAAAAAAAAD. I really don’t want to wear a dress or a skirt. Not now.”
He laughs, “Please?”
I sigh, “Fine.” After the call I pick up my things and head to the beach. I couldn’t resist looking back over my shoulder; and sure enough he was still there. In my head I can’t decide whether or not he’s being creepy or creepier. I shiver, oh well, that’s his problem. The next couple of hours I walk in and out of stores and soak up the feeling of it here. Florida. Home.
~*~*~*~*~
By 12:30 I stand in front of my mirror…What am I doing? My hair is in loose long curls over my light blue tribal patterned maxi dress. I don’t have much make-up on, just a bit of the usual; mascara, eyeliner and a touch of lip gloss. Actually it’s more like Chapstick, haha yeah no I don’t do glossy things. No pun intended. This all reminds me of Cali, I shake my head trying to remind myself that I’m here now. But there’s so much I left behind; State titles, school records, friends, memories, heartbreaks….everything. Why can’t I accept the fact that I’m here now? This is where I have the ability to get a second chance at things. Maybe I don’t need a second chance; I just need a new perspective. Simply ask me why it’s hard to move on… I’ll just say, “Because I live in the past, where I can’t escape.” I snap back and realize my dad’s calling me to go downstairs. I curse under my breath. Where’s my phone, my wrist wallet? When I’m ready, I run down, okay more like waddled, and got into the car. Of course once we get to the restaurant my mom insists on family photos. I groan and roll my eyes. In the middle of a shot with my dad, we hear someone call out to him. “Will!” My dad turns and smiles
“Nick! How are you?” The man shakes my dad’s hand.
“Not too shabby.” He turns to my mom to greet her too and when he turns to me his face lights up in shock. “Oh my…Is this little Karoline?”
I return his hug and smile, “Yes sir, the one and only.”
His wife jumps in, “Wow! What a beautiful young lady you’ve grown to be!” I laugh on the inside..Beautiful? Me? Haha oh gosh. But I thank her for the compliment.
Mr. Landon speaks up and says, “Sorry my son will arrive soon, he had a meeting with his soccer coach. I raise my eyebrows at the mention of ‘son’ and ‘soccer’. Okay, so if my parents are about the same age as Mr. and Mrs. Landon then their son should be about my age. Maybe, it’s a wild guess. We walk into the restaurant and are seated at our table. 3 people on both sides. My parents get into a discussion about soccer with Mr. and Mrs. Landon as I sit and stare at the empty seat across from me. My dad starts to bring up my achievements and I try to give him a look to shut him up, but then all eyes are on me. I sigh, “Back in California I still hold the state title in skateboarding for girls, I played on the state’s #1 soccer team, a boys team as a goalkeeper, some school records and I guess there’s more…” Then I just zone out, sometimes I can’t stand it, it makes us seem really cocky and we don’t mean it in that way at all. I hate when people in society always over-think things and take it the wrong way. About 15 minutes have gone by and I’ve already decided what to order, but we are still waiting on their damn son. My phone rings and its Zac…I lean over to my mom and tell her that I have to answer a call outside, she nods and I make my way out. Finally I answer, “What.”
“Well hello to you too.”
I clench my jaw. “I’m kinda busy…not that you’re really worth my time even if I wasn’t.” As he starts to mutter under his breath I realize that his words are a bit slurred. I barely even noticed, so I ask, “Are you wasted or something?”
He laughs, “Yeah something like that, but I must go because the princess is busy and I must not bother her, so ring me later, yeah?” Somewhere in my heart I feel worried, something’s wrong…He hates alcohol; he never drinks, okay maybe on rare occasions. I sigh, “Be careful.”
“Oh I will Karoline Jo.” I hang up and watch people go by on the boardwalk. C’mon Kay take a couple of deep breaths and relax. Once I recover I turn to go back inside and when I spot our table I see my parents embracing someone. I guess the Landon’s son has finally showed up, good now we can order our food because I am starving.
~*~*~*~*~
When everyone sits back down I approach the table. I notice the boy is about my age, fit frame and having a difficult time deciding on what to order. Mr. Landon exclaims, “Karoline!” I smile as I sit down and he puts his arm around his son and says, “Karoline this is my son, Jake.” Finally he looks up from his menu and I somehow recognize him, but from where?
