CHANGE

Chapter 2

(A couple years later, Blake and Kennedy are both 15)

Kennedy 

        Today was August twenty-ninth, the day of our yearly neighborhood picnic, it was an event in which our whole neighborhood would gather in a park down the street and bring a bunch of food and games. It is what I looked forward to every year.

        Upon arriving I quickly find Mrs. McKinley, Blake's mom, so I waved to get her attention and when I did, she smiled and motioned for my mom and I to come over.

        Once we did, my mouth formed words before my mind could register them and before I knew it, I was asking where Blake was.

        With a small chuckle Mrs. McKinley nodded towards the soccer field, "he's over there with a couple friends."

         I smiled sheepishly and thanked her quietly while heading towards the boys.

        Wait. I can't just show up, they're probably playing. I would just be standing there awkwardly watching  them... like a stalker. But I can't go back now, I'm already halfway there, I just pray that I won't embarrass myself.

        Don't be awkward I mentally reminded myself even though I was one hundred and ten percent sure I would be in less than a minute. Gosh why is it so hard to approach boys!?

        Although I was friends with some of Blake's friends, I still got nervous around them. It's strange. I see them all the time, yet every time it feels like I'm meeting them for the first time all over again.

        I have about ten seconds to come up with a way to greet them and half of those seconds have passed already. shit. Entering panic mode! Entering panic mode! What should I do? I'm going to show up and look like a to-

        Oomph.

        Suddenly I was knocked onto the ground by an unknown source. Ugh. I guess this is what happens when I zone out. Note to self: Never wing it, always have a plan.

        "You know, it would be great if you got off of me." I simply stated

        Soon a familiar laughter filled the air. Blake.

        "Same old clumsy Kennedy I see."
        My face soon began heating up.

        Silently, I apologized while refusing to look him in the eyes.

        "Aww am I making you nervous? What happened to the tough Kennedy from five seconds ago?"

        "Don't flatter yourself."

        "Ah. There she is."

        Upon realizing how we were still on the ground and he was on top of me less than five inches from my face I gently pushed him off of me so that I could sit up.

        Not much after, Blake noticed the position we were previously in so he coughed awkwardly and stood up offering me a hand which I hesitantly took.

        The tension surrounded us until he decided to break it by asking me if I would like to join their little game. Now I don't mean to brag, but I am a pretty decent soccer player although my forté would have to be volleyball.

        The clear surprise written on his face when I decided to join the opposing team gave me a minor satisfaction. This could either end horribly or amazingly. Let's hope for the latter.

•   •   •

        The score was three to three and there was five minutes until we had to head back for the firework show which would signify the end of our game. The seconds went by fast and beads of sweat formed on my forehead. I could not give Blake the satisfaction of beating our team so I gave it all I had. Skylar, another player on my team, passed the ball to me, I ran as fast as I could towards the other side of the field, when I got close enough I stared down the goalie hoping to make him nervous. I backed up to gain power and gave it the best kick that I could. Time felt like it was slowing down and the only things on Earth were the goalie, the ball and I. The ball picked up velocity causing it to go into the air, it was less than a foot away from the goal and the world suddenly froze. The goalie had caught the ball. My heart sank knowing that I had failed my teammates. As time regained it's pace, the ball was drop-kicked towards the other team. Quickly, Blake raced towards it and headed to our side of the field and kicked the ball without thinking, making it seem effortless. It came closer and closer and closer... I looked away. This could not be happening. The next thing I knew, a team started cheering and I knew for a fact that it was not ours. Not even a second later, the time was up. Blake's team had beat us.