voodoo doll // c.hood

21; unsw

C A L U M

"Now son, I know you haven't been playing to your best ability at the moment," my dad begins the ever long pep talk right on cue as we drove to the game. "You really need to focus hard this game because your mum and I really think this is a good opportunity for you."

I sigh, "Okay, Dad." I say quietly.

"Cal, I just know you're going to impress that scout." My mum expresses enthusiastically.

I smile slightly and thank Mum for her encouragement, even though it is virtually pointless. Every time someone even utters the word "scout" it feels like my stomach ties up in knots. This game was against Lawson High, a team known for their rough playing and consecutive yellow cards.

Everyone was so confident that I would be the one getting the scholarship, for sure. As if it was guaranteed and already had my name on it. So why wasn't I?

As we pull up to the school, parking by the oval, I jump out of the car and grab my sports bag from the trunk, slinging it over my shoulder. I wave good bye to my parents but my mum insists on a kiss on the cheek. After I do so, I'm off to the locker room to prepare for the game.

As I enter, I can see Luke waving me down over by our lockers. I place my bag on the bench, zipping it open and pulling out my shoes. I take a seat on the bench, hunching over and letting out a deep breath.

"Cal, are you okay?" Luke pats my back twice.

"Uh- yeah mate, I'm fine," I respond. Luke shoots me a disapproving look causing me to 'spill the beans'. "Okay, okay. I'm so nervous that not only am I shaking, I'm rattling! My heart beats a million times per second."

"Why are you so worked up?"

"My whole future is depending on this one game."

"C'mon, mate. That's not true, you coul-"

I cut him off, saying, "Oh but it is true. I'm sure as he'll not smart enough to get into university any other way."

"You need to stop being so negative. Be excited! This is an opportunity of a life time and you need to grasp it by the balls and show the world whose boss," he jumps up on the bench, sticking his arms up into the roof and speaking in a motivational tone.

"You are Calum Hood, not just the soccer captain, not just a soccer master, not just a ladies man," he winks and I let out a small laugh, "but you are Calum Hood! And nothing is going to get in your way today."

His words of guidance boosts my spirits. I join him up on the bench, ready to take what life has to throw at me. "You're right! I can do this. I am Calum Hood and I am going to do the best I can out there and-"

A loud booming voice interrupts me , "Hood! Even though I admire your optimism, get down off that bench. You too, Hemmings."

We jump off in an instance, standing up straight with our mouths glued shut. "Once you ready, join me and the rest of the team by the drawing board. I need a word with everyone."

We rushed as we pulled on our jerseys and tied up our shoes. The rest of the team was waiting for us as well as our coach.

"Okay, now that you are finally all here," he glared at Luke and I, "I can start. I'm going to make this short but, as you all clearly know, today a scout is coming to watch the game. He is here to see if someone on our team is the right applicant for a scholarship to UNSW.

He has been viewing high school teams across the state so there's a lot of strong competition out there. All I can say is play smart and play as a team, if I see anyone out there trying to control the game, I'll bench you." We all nodded along.