Match

55: Back In The Game

Thunder teammates assemble together before beginning their brief practice. Ryder bends down to retie his shoelaces.

"Shit Ben, what if Jonah doesn't come?" He says.

Liam crosses his arms over his chest. "I mean, he was given the green light to come back."

"Yeah man," Ben chimes in. "Let's not lose hope."

Ryder's eyes move to the other team, Rams. "I wouldn't be if we weren't facing those guys."

Suddenly, they perk up after the team erupts in surprise. The three turn around to see a teammate jogging onto the field. That teammate happens to be the man that was "M.I.A".

"Jone!"

"Jonah, holy shit you're back!"

All of Thunder huddle around Jonah, some fist-bumping with him.

"Wow, is this a welcoming party?" He grins.

"We missed our main guy!" Ryder bumps against him, giving him a noogie.

"Ow, jeez!"

Coach John breaches through the crowd. He wears a smile as well, then holds out his hand in a fist.

"Good to have you on the team again. Your knee doing better?"

"Hell yeah," he fist-bumps with the coach.

"Nice, I'll start you as the right forward."

"Oh, uh, actually..."

He feels all eyes on him. He takes a glance at Team Rams on the other field, then back to Coach John.

"I, wanna give defender a try."

"What?!" Ryder shouts.

"The main forward wants to be a defender?" Grayson says. "Against the Rams??"

Nash nudges Jonah on his shoulder. "Are we sure this is the same guy that wanted to score a goal every game?"

There's more muttering between the teammates until the coach brings back everyone's attention.

"Guys, guys," he says, "it's not a big deal. He's taking it easy, right Jone?"

"But coach," Nash says. "These guys are the Rams. They're the toughies of the season. We need a strong front."

Jonah plants a palm on his shoulder. "Chill out, Nash. Trust me on this."

"I'll take his place then," Tate raises his hand up. "Since I'm also a forward."

The coach scribbles something on a board, nodding. "Alright, I'll switch things up. Starting off will be Sebastian and Tate as forwards. Liam is the striker. Jason, Ryder, Hunter, will be the midfielders. Then Mason, Jonah, Jayden, and Jared as the defenders. Ben as the goalie. All good?"

"Jone, you good being on the left side?" Liam asks.

"Sure, why not?" Jonah smirks.

"Okay, team," Coach John says. "Start with warm-up stretches and shots. We don't have much time before the game starts."

Everybody disperses to grab a ball or quick water break. Ben wraps an arm around Jonah's shoulder, leading him to the sideline.

"Look at you doing a switch-up," he says, "you seem confident facing the toughest team of the season."

Jonah returns the gesture by wrapping his arm around Ben. "I'm glad you put your trust in me, Ben!"

He rolls his eyes. "I didn't mean it like that, man. I was trying to scare you."