This Time

Ch. 7

I jogged out on to the field just in time to enter some laps and bleachers. 

"Why so late?"

Aaron asked. I gestured over to the volleyball squad that followed me out of the gym to view the field. Aaron nodded like he understood. I saw Tessa by them, arms crossed, obviously mad that I was on the soccer team, not volleyball. I admit, I wasn't bad at volleyball. In fact, I would be one of the best players on the team if I were to join, not to brag. I was pretty flexible for cheer too, and I could jump and stretch my arms all day. But who the heck wanted to go to football games with tons of makeup and pom poms? Not me. I was pretty athletic in every sport that you can name, but I never really tried playing on a team for any sport except soccer. Soccer and I just clicked. I fell in love right away. It was going to be my sport forever even if Tessa were to beg on her knees to join volleyball. 

~asdfghjkl~

"Our first drill will be dribbling through limited space. As you can see the cones layed out, you have to dribble through all of them. If you mess up, you run a lap. You think this is easy? This will be timed. If you don't make it through the time limit, you get two laps."

Kevin ordered with Jacob at his side. Jacob's eyes twinkled as he looked at me in a mischievious way. He probably expected me to fail. I glanced at the cones. They were pretty close together. It would be more difficult than normal dribbling drills. You needed to move your feet quickly. Kevin blew his whistle, and the first two people went. Jacob kept track of time in one line, and Kevin on the other. I watched as a guy stumbled through the cones. Kevin blew the whistle, and the guy went directly to run a lap. Next up was Aaron. Without much problem, Aaron made it through the cones. Kevin nodded in approval and motioned for the next to go. I watched as that guy lost control of the ball at the third cone. A player from Civic High couldn't even dribble through these? He should be kicked out of the team. It was finally my turn. I took the ball and quickly zipped through the cones, switching from the inside of my left foot to the outside and to the inside of my right foot to the outside. I made it before the time was up. Kevin looked surprised. I glanced at Jacob, who gave me a thumbs up. 

~asdfghjkl~

"Good practice. I expect our first game to be about 3 weeks from now. We will have practice everyday after school from now on to our first game. We need to get the progress going. If you all improve, we may take it more easy in the middle of the season. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Jacob dismissed us as Kevin was packing everything up.

"Oh, and Jen. Can you stay and speak to us for a second?"

Jacob said, holding me back. Aaron gave me a quick look. I gave him a 'what? I didn't do anything!' look. He shrugged and jogged off to the boys' locker room. I faced Jacob. Kevin soon joined us. 

"Jen, you do realize you are the only girl to join soccer. And actually make it on the team. And have actual potential."

Jacob started. 

"What's your point?"

I snapped. Jacob stared at me hard. But he quickly softened.

"Nobody in school will leave you alone. Either they will make fun of you, or you will become a celebrity almost. It's unusual that a girl joins."

He said, matter of factly.

"You may have noticed people staring at you in school and everything. Well...that's a whole different reason, but it will keep going on once you start making your moves through soccer. I've realized you're very talented, better than some of our boys. So when they see that you are just as good as any of us, you will become a celebrity instantly."