An Unexpected Friendship

Chapter 22

"Come on Al. Get up," I mumble to myself with worry. The team trainers rush out onto the field towards Alex as chaos ensues nearby. Players from both sides are arguing aggressively as the crowd roars with anger. The head ref only heightens the anger as she only issues Chapman a yellow card.

In the midst of the chaos, I can only focus on Alex. She's finally sitting up and talking with the trainers which eases my worries. After a few minutes, they help her off of the ground and towards the bench. They do a quick assessment and to my surprise, they clear her to go back in.

"Why are they letting her go back in?" I ask no one in particular. "I don't know, but they shouldn't," Servando answers without taking his eyes off of Alex. The head ref waves her back onto the field without hesitation.

*Alex's POV*
My head is spinning right now, but I'm not about to let that bitch get me taken out of this game. I shoot her a look letting her know that I'm not going anywhere.

Despite my persistent calling for the ball, my teammates seem reluctant to send it my way. I appreciate them looking out for me, but now really isn't the time for them to be holding me back. I glance quickly up at the game clock. 

'77th minute.'

A missed clearance by a Canadian midfielder lands the ball at my feet. To no one's surprise, Chapman is hot on my heels as I try to advance up the field. I make sure to give her a hard knock with my body to rid of her. She grabs a handful of my jersey to stop me from going any further. The ref blows the whistle stopping the play and recognizes the penalty.

I turn towards Chapman feeling the anger course through my body. I shove her hard which causes her to shove me back just as hard. Everyone on the field and the benches run towards us which only makes the situation worse. Pushing and shoving ensues which creates even more conflict between other players.

After many poor attempts by the refs and coaching staff to break up the situation, Chapman and I are finally separated. Chapman is issued a red card and is sent off of the field to the locker rooms.

"It's about fucking time ref!" I yell furiously as Allie holds me back. The head ref marches over to me with a frustrated look plastered on her face. "You're done too!" she yells while holding a red card confidently above her head.

"Are you kidding me!? She's been going at me all game and you're sending me off?! That's the stupidest shit ever! Who the hell let you officiate this game!" I continue yelling. "Alex stop. Just go to the locker room okay. Don't let Sophia see you like this," Allie pleads. "I'm going," I say through gritted teeth. I slip my cleats off and grab them before exiting the field.

I don't look at any of my teammates or the coaching staff as I make my way to the sideline. Instead of taking a seat on the bench, I walk straight towards the tunnel. I look to Servando and mouth 'I'm sorry' before disappearing into the tunnel.

I'm greeted by silence as I walk into the locker room. I stand there still in shock that I was thrown out of the game. The shock quickly subsides and the anger returns. I throw my cleats across the room as hard as I can and pound on the nearby wall. After nearly breaking my hand, I lean back and slide down the wall. I lower my head into my hands in total defeat.

...

I find myself still in the same place on the ground even after all my teammates have left to go back to the hotel. They finished out the last ten minutes of the game which ended in the Canadians losing 3-1.

"You know when I told you to kick Canada's ass, I didn't mean that literally," I hear a sweet voice say. I let out a quiet laugh knowing it's Sophia. She sits down on the ground next to me and grabs my hand.