HAZE (On Hold)

Part 34

The referee's whistle blows ending the period of extra time, with the two teams still in a 2 – 2 deadlock. As Hailee jogs over to the sideline, she can't help but take a look towards Amanda on the other side and smile. As much as she wants to win the game and Championship, Hailee really isn't happy about the fact that it's going to come down to penalties to determine the winner.

The keepers are called over by the referee and given their instructions, as the Coaches determine who is shooting and in what order.

"Zane, you're our 5th shooter."

"Yes, Coach."

The teams line up along the centre mark, wrapping their arms in each other and await being given the signal for the first shooter to make her way to the spot.

A girl that Hailee remembers being part of Aurora's clique of friends walks forward then picks up and sets down the ball, getting it ready. She takes some steps back and then as the whistle blows she buries it, the same thing happens with the next several shooters from both sides, all of them finding the back of the net. At this rate, it's going to take an amazing save from one of the keepers or a blunder from one of the players to determine the winner and City Champion.

The fifth Academy shooter takes her spot and as the whistle blows, her nerves get to her, she stumbles and doesn't make solid contact with the ball, the keeper dives and is able to knock it away. Meaning that as Hailee walks up to the line, she has the chance to win it all for the Mustangs versus her former school. Making the walk from the centre mark, she looks over to the stands where her Dad, Anna, Charles, Dylan and Mike are watching and cheering her. It makes her smile to see Dylan so happy and in love. She sees Allie and Amanda's parents right beside them, cheering on the opposition and their daughter.

She is handed the ball and sets it down on the spot, backing up and looking at Amanda waiting anxiously on the line for the whistle to blow. She loves Amanda with all her heart but they both agreed, never to let their feeling and emotions interfere with or affect their performance on the field. Taking a deep breath, Hailee makes her run up and sends her laces through her shot, sending the ball hard towards the bottom corner. Amanda knows her and reads the shot, but isn't able to catch up with it before it crosses the line beside her. Hailee watches the ball pass by her former girlfriend and then looks and points towards the sky in celebration.

While the rest of her teammates come running and celebrate the Championship, Hailee feels absolutely horrible seeing Amanda sitting on the field in tears and makes her way over to her, pulling her up and wrapping her arms around the sobbing keeper.

"Congratulations," Amanda says through her sniffles.

"Thanks, I really wish we could have ended in regular time though and not kicks."

"Yeah, well, too little, too late. Go celebrate with your team and I'll see you in a little while."

Hailee lets go of Amanda and joins her teammates, yelling and celebrating before they make the Trophy presentations.

After the Academy Captain collects the Runner-up Trophy, Hailee is called forth to collect the Championship one and can't contain the smile that lights up her face as she is handed it. She lifts it up towards the stands and then back towards her teammates before being swarmed by them.

After taking what seems like a million pictures, the players hand over the trophy to the Coaches and make their way over to collect their belongings and leave with their family and friends.

Hailee walks over and sees Dylan talking with Amanda and hugging her.

"You still up for having supper with me?"