The Healing Powers of Soccer

Chapter 5

The ball continued to move back and forth, and at half-time, when neither team had scored, it was quite obvious that we were evenly matched. We sat in the shade, some of us drinking water, but most of us pouring it on our selves to cool down. Coach Brian began to take about strategy. We had to find open spaces, move the ball quickly, make runs, look before we passed, all classic coaching during a stressful game. Coach told us the new lineup I was, for once, relieved to be a sub. I had run so fast and hard that after a fifteen-minute half-time, I was still having trouble breathing.

The next fifteen minutes went by peacefully, until suddenly, in the middle of a play, I saw Lauren and an opponent fall forward onto each other. The other girl quickly got up, but Lauren stayed. One of the refs blew his whistle and summoned Coach Brian over to Lauren. "Marie," he yelled, using my last name, "get ready to go in for Lauren," then Coach ran to her and kneeled beside the ref.

For three minutes everything was silent. Everyone on the field kneeled for Lauren until finally Coach Brian lifted her in his arms and carried Lauren off the field. Everyone clapped respectively and I was sent onto the field.

I didn't want to go in because I was worried I would be distracted by Lauren's injury or my fight with Chloe Just then I saw a girl, her blonde hair waving in the gentle breeze, I saw my best friend there to support me. I found new energy and as soon as the play started again, I sprinted to receive a pass. I passed to Kendall, who crossed the ball back to me and with just the slightest movement of my foot, I shot the ball past the goalie's head and into the back left corner of the net.

The crowd cheered, but all I cared about was Chloe, standing on the edge of the crowd smiling. I wanted to run to her, to apologize, but the game wasn't over yet. The other team came back with strength and aggression, coming too close to scoring, but every time, Sam, in as goalie, saved the shot.

The whistle blew for the end of the game and we all ran to the sidelines to Coach Brian, who was smiling, like a proud parent. He congratulated us and we went to give high fives to the other team. They all looked upset, but they were good sports, and smile while we high fived them.

Everyone began to flock to their parents, but Coach pulled me back. He wanted to talk about my goal game-winning goal, which he did at great length. By the time we had finished taking most of the people had left, but there was no one there for me. I sat down on the sidelines, alone, but when I looked up, my heart fluttered and I saw Chloe, waiting for me. I grabbed my backpack and walked to her slowly.

"Good game, Ava," she said, quietly, with an apologetic tone in her voice.

"I'm sorry," I burst out, "I shouldn't have been jealous, and I'm so, so sorry."

"It's okay, we're all good," said my best friend.

We hugged and then Chloe said "hey, um... I think the bus left, we can give you a ride."

I looked over to see her dad smiling and I agreed.

On the car ride home, we talked about how much we had missed each other and Chloe told me about how her music video was going.

 *****

The next night in practice I ran my fastest, attacking the ball, making runs, assisting my teammates, and scoring myself. I was prepared for every play. Always a second ahead of the defense in the scrimmage. If only I could prepare for what would come in a few minutes.