Against Devil

6 - Patience

"You know, Lizzy, you're throwing that ball like it's a baseball. But just look at it—it's as long as a a melon! You get to pick which sport we're playing here," my patience was running on fumes as I tried to explain the art of football throwing to Lizzy.

Of course, she launched it straight into my stomach like she was aiming for a bullseye. I hit the ground, gasping for air, convinced my insides were about to make a dramatic exit through my mouth. Meanwhile, Jasmine was beside me, rolling on the grass and laughing so hard I thought she might need medical attention.

It was one of those gloriously sunny days, the kind where the sun kisses your skin a little too enthusiastically. My ripped jean shorts and cropped white tank top offered zero protection against the football's wrath. But running barefoot on the lush, green grass made up for it—there's nothing quite like it.

Lizzy, trying to stifle her own laughter, managed to apologize for the third time. 

"I'm so sorry," she said, though her giggles suggested she wasn't all that sorry. I couldn't help but laugh along, even as I tried to catch my breath and piece my dignity back together.

"Let's try it again. Hold the ball where the white stitch is, and remember, you need to throw it gently—really gently—and let it spin through the air like a torpedo." I stood up, retrieving the ball from the ground.

I demonstrated the motion for the tenth time, and finally, it landed in her arms. She finally managed to throw it correctly.

"Alright, now that you've got the basics down, let's play a simplified version of rugby," Jasmine said, her enthusiasm infectious. "See these stones I've placed on the ground? That's the try zone. That's where you want the ball to land to score points. The boundaries are marked with the white chalk I found—those are the sidelines. Don't step out of bounds, especially with the ball, or you'll lose possession to your opponent."

As Jasmine explained the game, I stood there, half-listening. I knew this game like the back of my hand, but seeing her excitement and determination added a new layer of enjoyment.

The sudden roar of an engine shattered the tranquil atmosphere, drawing my attention to the entrance road. A sleek, black-tinted SUV glided into view, its presence commanding as it slowly maneuvered into the pack house parking lot. My curiosity piqued, I watched intently as three unfamiliar figures emerged from the vehicle, their strides purposeful as they approached the entrance.

Nearby, Lizzy and Jasmine were engrossed in a spirited debate about the rules, oblivious to the newcomers. We stood a little distance from the house, in an open field that felt like a world of its own. The laughter of children playing on a handmade wooden playground echoed around us, a joyful melody that mingled with the rustling leaves of the surrounding forest.

"How are we going to pull the teams?" I asked, tearing my gaze away from the scene unfolding.

"Lizzy and I can be together since you're pretty good, and I still have some patience to explain stuff," Jasmine suggested, her tone light yet decisive. We nodded in agreement, ready to dive into the game.

As we began, I moved to the other side of our makeshift field, the ball in hand. With a swift motion, I launched it across to Jasmine, who leaped with an impressive grace, catching it mid-air. Her eyes sparkled with determination as she quickly passed it to Lizzy, offering a few pointers along the way. The game was on, and the world around us faded into the background, leaving only the thrill of the moment.

With determination blazing in her eyes, she sprinted toward my side of the field, aiming for the tryzone. I intercepted her with a swift slide through the grass, knocking her down and claiming the ball. Jasmine let out a pained groan, while Lizzy lay there, breathless from the impact.