I Promise

3

I lose my train of thought as the bell rings through my ears and the door to my History class opens.

Mr. King made History almost as boring as staring at a wall all day. I love learning about our past, but the way he teaches it makes me want to hurl my textbook at him. He has this nasal tone and this look that always makes him look disappointed, and I have never seen him smile.

As History drawls on, I notice that Scarlett is not even looking at my textbook. I let out a huff of amusement, and then I notice that basically half the kids are staring at their phones, not even bothering to look like they are listening in on the lesson.

Honestly, I couldn't blame them, but at least I stay focused. Mostly I would just read ahead on the textbook because Mr. King had a way of drawling out the words, as if he was forced to say them.

Once class ends, the rest of my day goes by in a blur. I go and eat lunch with Scarlett, then I go to my social sciences class, and last of all, gym.

I am in a much better mood as I hurriedly change into my gym uniform and walk out to the turf field. I guess the best part about living in California is the warm weather.

I jog to the middle of the field to meet Coach Nobelton, my soccer coach and gym teacher. She grins as she sees me. I am always the first on the field.

"Hey Rynn. Ready for practice today?" she asks.

I smile and nod at her.

"Ten laps today for warm-up?" I ask.

She barely has time to nod in my direction and I am gone, a blur of movement as my legs will me to go faster and faster. I love running; always did. It made me feel free, made everything in time stop, and it was just my breathing and the methodic strike of my feet hitting the ground.

By the time the other kids join, I am finished, but I run an extra five laps with Scarlett.

Once my whole gym class surrounds Coach Nobelton, she smiles and begins to talk about today's lesson. Of course, we're doing soccer, Coach Nobelton's area of expertise.

I listen to all the tactics and drills of the game we will be doing, but I already know them by heart. Even though Coach Nobelton asks questions to make sure we are listening, I let other people answer them. I hate making it seem like I was the know-it-all. Leave that to Amber, who is in my class.

I sigh as I spot her amongst the circle of girls. She sits with her bleached blonde hair high up in a ponytail, picking at her nails, probably just done. I notice that a bunch of the girls didn't sit next to her, except Amelia, who is like her right hand.

Once Coach Nobelton dismisses us, I walk to my group and begin the drills. I maneuver with ease, the ball a mere extension of my foot, gliding smoothly along with each movement I make.

Once the drills are done, it's time for the full game. I love that Coach Nobelton makes sure the girls know they aren't going to get special treatment, and she makes us work in gym. Playing on a full size soccer field definitely made even the worst gym student more fit than the average person.

Of course, Scarlett and I play against each other, like always. If we were on the same team, we'd be really tough to beat.

I go over to one side of the field and notice Amber following my trail.

Great, hell was on my side. If I so much as looked at her, I'd be in deep shit.

So I grit my teeth and pretend I don't notice her saunter behind me, even though it is very hard to not know of her presence.

Once the teams are set, we establish positions.

"I wanna be striker," I say.

Most of my teammates nod in agreement; they know I'm the striker for the school team.