Life's Full of It

Chapter 1

I keep on pushing myself more and more and more. I am running faster. All I am concentrated on is the ball at my feet. I am not worrying about anything else except for the goal in front of me. For me breakaways happen often but they are never this serious. This is the last playoff game before the championship. The score is 0-0. We aren’t versing our rivals but if we get to the playoffs we will be. I am extremely competitive.

I hear the fans in the bleachers cheering for me as I get closer to the goal chanting “Sophie! Sophie!” I hear the defender getting closer to me, I know I am faster and have the advantage but I cannot risk her fouling me from behind. I am about 18 feet from the goal now, it’s a risky shot but I decide to take it. Better now than never. The ball curves into the left corner of the goal. The goalie jumped to the right instead probably assuming I would take the easy shot. I never take the easy way out.

I feel my team mates hugging me and patting me on the back excited not just for me, but for all of us. With only 1 minute and 37 seconds left in the game we know that we just won. We are going to the Championship!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On my way to the locker room everyone is congratulating me and I politely thank them but I am rushed. I just want to go to the locker room, get my stuff and  go home and study for my upcoming Social Studies test. 

When I get into the locker room my best friend Claire, the other forward on the team stops me. Claire and I have been friends since 7th grade when we met on the middle school soccer team. We were both sassy and the only blonds on the team so we made a great match. She is mischievous sometimes but she always means well. We are now seniors in high school and are still attached at the hip.

“We’re all going to the Olive Garden with the boys soccer team right after we get out of here to celebrate the win, I know you usually don’t come because you’re too busy being busy but now you must come.” she says.

“No.” I simply say. “I am sweaty, busy, and have nothing to change into except for my slides.”

“Come on you and I both know that is a bunch of bull! You just scored the winning goal and I know for a fact that their breadsticks are your favorite.” She complains. It sounds really tempting but I know that I shouldn’t. I am way too busy. 

“No.” I state trying to sound firm. I guess I pulled it off because she looks defeated for a seconds but then her eyes light up with mischief.

“Okay.” She says while walking out of the locker room backwards. “You just take your time in here. I respect your decision, but remember I am doing what is best for you.” She says weirdly. She then sprints out the door.

I’m suspicious of her but am too tired to chase after her so I take me cleats and shin guards off, double check that I didn’t leave anything in my gym locker and walk out the door in my sweaty soccer uniform.

As soon as I get outside I am pushed into a car and someone covers my eyes. The car speeds away and then I hear a voice that sounds weirdly familiar yell, “Drive peasant, drive!”

“Whoever this is, I want you to know that I am sweaty so I will stink up your car and I have pepper spray!” I bluff.

I hear a voice laugh and then hear a voice that sounds like Claire’s say “Oooh I’m scared,” in between laughs. 

The person uncovers my eyes and then I realize that this is one of Claire’s crazy schemes.

“Claire Montgomery!” I scream using her full name. “I told you that I did not want to come!”

I knew something fishy was going on when she ran out of the locker room.

“Actually,” Claire says “You didn’t say that you don’t want to come. You just said that you wouldn’t come. I know that you do want to come but you just said no because you are too busy being a worry wart. I just gave you the push you needed.”

It’s true, but I’m still mad. I have to study for my test on Monday, I have work tomorrow, and I need to get more community service hours in . . .

“Also, remember you love me too much to kill me.”

“Whatever.” I say finally giving in. I haven’t hung out with anyone for 2 weeks anyways. I’ve been training and working.

“Yay!” She screams excitedly. 

I then realize that Claire is next to me even though the car is in motion. She seems to realize this as well when the cars stops at a red light.

She says “Oh I almost forgot. Sophie this peasant in the front seat is my annoying cousin Declan. He just sadly moved here and yours truly is being forced to bring him to my “social gatherings” as my mom says.” 

The guy in the driving seat then turns around and I feel myself staring into the the bluest pair of eyes I’ve ever seen. I am at a lost for words. I am never at a loss for words. I always have something to say.

"Thanks for the lovely introduction Claire Bear," he says sarcastically, "But I can introduce myself. Hi, I'm Declan Montgomery. I just moved here from Indiana. I saw you playing out there and you are very, very skilled."

I just stare at him not processing what just happened. This hot guy is talking to me and . . . complimenting me. A car horn snaps me out of my trance and the car starts moving again.

"HI, I'm Sophie O'Connor." I say finally realizing what's happening. “I’ve been playing since I was four.”

“I’ve been playing since I was five.” He says. “I wish I could play for the school team but they said that it’s too late into their season already.”

“Don’t they suck anyways.” I say jokingly even though our boys soccer team is the best in the state of Massachusetts.

He laughs and his dimples show.

“They’re okay.” Says Claire. “But compared to the girls soccer team, they suck.”

“Sure. Maybe against the other girls teams you guys are better but boys sports are way more competitive.” He says.

I thought this guy was okay, maybe even cute, but now what he just said is a little annoying.

“Yeah, well I wouldn’t expect you to know much about that since you haven’t seen us scrimmage against each other. The score was 4-2 us by the way.” I retort.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I talk without thinking sometimes.” He says.

Okay maybe he’s not a complete jerk.

“It’s okay just watch what you say.” I snap, still a little angry.

Then we pull into the Olive Garden parking lot and I forget all about that small argument because I can already smell the breadsticks from the parking lot.

A picture of who I have chosen to play Sophie is on the side.