Name of the Game

Chapter 6: Making Progress

We were spinning in slow motion and we locked eyes. It felt like we were staring at each other forever till I reached out to grab her hand, but right before our hands made contact she disappeared. I felt the water build up in my eyes till they couldn't be contained anymore and started to run down my face.
I started to feel myself drift back to reality and my eyes soon fluttered open. My pillow was soaked in one spot and I could barely see with the tears in my eyes. But I was able to make my way to the bathroom where I saw my insanely puffy eyes, they were also glossy from the tears still building up. I tried so hard to hold them in but they wouldn't stop. I tried to wash my face with warm water but nothing worked. I finally started to calm down as I stared at myself in the mirror, it really sucked that I had to keep this all in but it was hard for me to trust people, and I don't know anyone really well here. And my dad is going through his own stuff so I didn't want to talk to him about it, so I just have to try to calm myself.
I finally went back to my room and looked at my phone and it read 4:30am. I didn't want to go back to sleep and frankly, I don't think I could if I wanted to. So I decided to get ready and head down to the field and run laps till the coaches got there. Running really helped me clear my head, and right now, my head needs to be cleared.
I put all my school clothes in my gym bag while I slipped on my running shorts, sports bra, and loose white tank top putting my hair in a messy bun. I grabbed both my school and gym bag and headed down stairs where I grabbed a granola bar for the ride over to the field. I wrote my dad a note before I left letting him know I left for early practice. I then grabbed my keys and headed out the door.

I soon arrived at the field and it was 5:00am so I then proceeded to grab my gym bag and headed to the field. While I was walking to the bleachers I noticed no one has arrived, which was great, I love running by myself, it clears my head faster. I threw my bag on the bleachers and grabbed my phone and earphones scrolling threw my playlists till I found my workout one. I started playing it while I did a few stretches before I started running around the field.
I ran for about 20 minutes till I noticed Coach Johnson making his way to the bleachers so I ran over to him.
"Good morning coach," I said grabbing my water bottle and pulling out my earphones.
"Morning Emma. You look a little tired and out of breath, how long have you been here?" He asked.
"Not long, just since 5."
"You know you only had to be here half an hour early?"
"Yeah I know, but I couldn't sleep and I needed to clear my head and running helps me do that."
"Is there anything you need or want to talk about, because you can always talk to me?"
"Oh, thank you but it's nothing serious. Just the new move, new town, new students, and new teachers and all."
"Ok, but if you ever need to talk just let me know."
"Thank you," I replied with a smile.
He nodded, so I smiled back and put my earphones back in and went back to running till 5:30am. I did about three more laps till I saw Harry making his way on the field. I made my way to the bleachers again drinking some more water.
"Ok you two take a seat," Coach Johnson said gesturing to the bleachers. So we both sat down. "Now I know you two don't get along, but you need to. Harry I know this is your second year being team captain and we've never had a girl on the team but you need to learn to listen to your team mates and value them. Just because she's a girl doesn't make her any less of a player. She's really good, and if you would open your eyes you would see that. And Emma I know it's hard adjusting to the new school, new town, and new team and how they don't accept you but you need to show them you belong. You've already shown me and Coach B has obviously seen it..." I then saw in the corner of my eye Harry rolling his eyes. "... but you need to show the boys. You need to put a lot of effort in, and you're very good but you're playing with all boys, on this team and all the other teams. So you need to really push yourself and gain the same knowledge and strengths as the boys on your team."
"I've tried my hardest Coach to show everyone I belong but they won't listen or open their eyes. And I've been working my ass off and I can feel myself being pushed with this team, and I can feel myself getting stronger," I replied.
"Here's a lesson you can live by, both of you," he said snapping his head to Harry. "If you feel yourself being pushed, push yourself harder, to achieve greatness you didn't even know you could reach. Emma you can use this physically, with football and pushing yourself to be your best at football. And Harry you can use this to push yourself to be more open and considerate. So you can be the best team captain." I just nodded my head. "Ok now, you two do some stretches and run laps till the rest of the team gets here."
We stretched and then ran laps for about 10 minutes. I had my music in so I was pretty much ignoring Harry. Once the whole team had arrived we stopped running and drank some water while the coaches talked about this morning's practice. They talked about the drills we would be doing and the couple plays we would practice.