A/N: Hey guys! Some of you might notice I've gone back to my old pen name. And I will be sticking with it as well. First thing I want to say about this story is that I haven't finished it yet. Normally I finish the story before publishing it, but this time I've decided to upload it after finishing this chapter. So that means that there won't be any fixed day that I will upload like before. Or maybe there will, who knows. And the second thing is that I have no idea if a 'water girl' really exists, so if it doesn't, it does for my story.
Anyway, I hope you guys will like it and enjoy!
~ 1 ~
"Did you hear who the new water girl is?" Jane was tying the laces of her cleats as she caught wind of the conversation.
"What was her name again? Marie? Maria?"
"Maura. Apparently she needed to do something extracurricular and her mom made her apply for water girl. Talk about pathetic."
"So we should bring our own water bottles from now on?"
A few girls snickered, finding the comment funny. Jane rolled her eyes. The only thing these girls could do was make fun of others and wave their hair around. If you talked about cliché 'mean' girls, these took the crown.
Jane finished tying her laces and stood up. "You don't even know her. How about finding out who she is before making assumptions?" There was a silence that last for about ten seconds, before the girls burst out in laughter.
Katie (the 'head' of the posse) walked up to Jane. The tall girl rolled her eyes as Katie tried her best to intimidate Jane. She failed miserably, but Jane could praise her on her perseverance.
"Maybe you two could become friends? You're already sticking up for her. I think she could use someone like that. And you can finally make a friend here." She smirked when she saw Jane clench her fists.
Katie turned around, almost swinging her hair in Jane's face. The other girl took a deep breath. She knew she shouldn't let Katie get to her, but sometimes the girl was just infuriating.
Jane finished up quickly and got out on the field, running away her frustration. She had no idea she was being watched. Her every move was being followed, every lap was counted. When Jane came to a stop to catch her breath, she could feel eyes on her.
She looked up to see a nervous blonde stand a few feet away from her, water bottle in hand. It took Jane a few seconds to figure that this was the new girl the rest had been talking about in the locker room.
"Uhm, would you like some water?" Jane could see the other girl cringe to herself and fought back a smile. She remembered her first day on the team and what a nervous wreck she was.
"Yeah, thanks." The blonde girl nodded and a few seconds went by before she realized she was still holding the water bottle.
"Oh! Here you go." Jane laughed when she saw the other girl turn beat red and accepted the water gratefully.
She pretty much finished it in one go and handed it back to the other girl.
"Thanks." And as she turned to walk away. "It's Maura right?"
All Maura could do was nod as she watched Jane run away to join her tea. The blonde looked at the back of her shirt. Rizzoli with the number 16 underneath.
Maura had absolutely no idea what she had to be doing. She was watching all the girls practice, saw the couch scream his lungs out and wondered what 15 girls needed with a 100 water bottles. Don't get her wrong, she knew that they needed to keep hydrated well enough, but she found a 100 water bottles a little too much.
The coach blew his whistle, mentioned something to the team and walked off. Maura watched as all the girls made their way over to her and could feel herself start to panic. She probably had to do something right now, but she had no clue as to what it was.
When the girls reached her, most of them gave her a weird look, but grabbed a water bottle and walked off.
"You know your job is to have them ready for us right? We need to just grab them and go, not open up the damn pack. And where are the towels? I know you're called a 'water girl' but that also includes getting us fresh towels and snacks if we ask for them." Maura was beet red by now, her nerves getting the better of her.
"I-I'm sorry. I'll try to do better next time." She hung her head and heard the girls around her laugh at her. Maura closed her eyes tightly, trying the fight the oncoming tears. She knew this wasn't a good idea and she cursed her mother for putting her through this.
"Really Katie? You've got nothing better to do? Why don't you go pick on someone else for a change?" Maura recognized the voice, but was afraid to raise her head.
"Why? When it's so much fun."
"I could just tell coach about your little secret. See how long you'll be on this team then." Maura slowly opened her eyes, raising her head just a little but to be able to see that Katie had turned white like a ghost. But a minute later she recollected herself and glared at Jane.
"If you want your little secret to come out, then go right ahead. But I think that will do more damage than mine will, don't you?" The blonde had fully raised her head by now, intrigued by what was going on.
She was flattered that Jane was coming up for her, but also worried about what might happen if the two kept going at it. Jane looked ready to hit the other girl. But luckily for the both of them, Katie turned and walked away, with one last laugh.
The silence that follow was very awkward and Maura fumbled with the hem of her shirt. She had no idea what to say and just hoped that Jane would make the first step. She watched the tall girl run a hand through her hair, before settling her eyes on Maura.
"Sorry about that. You'd be smart to stay away from them. They're the popular ones, get in their way and the rest of your time here will be hell." The blonde could still hear the anger in Jane's voice, but decided not to comment on it. Instead, she nodded silently.
There was still a lump in her throat and she was afraid that the earlier tears would come back. Jane sighed softly and reached out her hand.
"I didn't even introduce myself before. Jane Rizzoli." Jane managed a smile. She was angry at Katie, not at this nervous girl who looked like she was going to cry any minute. And Jane wasn't good with crying people. So she'd better be nice and prevent that from happening.
Maura smiled back and shook Jane's hand. "I know who you are Jane. My name is Maura Isles." The taller girl nodded.
"So, want me to show you what you're supposed to be doing? I mean, you being cute and all is pretty funny, but it's not what a water girl does." The blonde wasn't sure if Jane just gave her a compliment, or was just being funny, but she took any help she could get. No one else was going to offer it to her.
As Jane explained her everything she was supposed to be doing, Maura also took the time to study the girl. She had seen her during her run before practice and then during practice. She was amazed by the way the other girl moved. Even though it seemed as if some of the other girls didn't really grant her any opportunities, Jane fought for them anyway. It mesmerized her.
"Think you get everything?" The blonde nodded and smiled at the other girl.
"Thank you Jane. You really didn't have to do this." Jane shrugged, kicking her feet in the dirt.
"I just really hate those girls. I mean, you didn't do anything to them. You didn't even talk to them and they were already talking about you back in the locker room. They really make me angry. Just meet someone before you judge them. No, even better, don't judge someone." Maura stared at the other girl for a brief moment.
"Many people say they don't judge others, but that is a fairly impossible task. People have their judgment ready within a second of meeting each other. We judge the other on trustworthiness, kindness and various other things. It's incredible that a human brain can process so many things in such a short amount of time." Maura had been going off, just mentioning what came to mind, barely even noticing the incredulous look she was receiving.
"Wow. Do you always do that?" The blonde blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm sorry. I've heard that I talk too much many times. I'm trying to work on it, but-"
"What?! No way! Do not listen to these people!" Maura almost jumped at the volume in Jane's voice. The taller girl chuckled in embarrassment. "Sorry. I just mean to say that you should be yourself. I can't remember how many times people told me to quit soccer. That it's not a sport for girls. But it's what I love."
"And you're very good at it too. Although I have absolutely no clue as to what the rules are and why the coach is always screaming so loudly even after you're scored a goal. I thought you did very well."
Jane laughed genuinely. Maura smiled back at her.
"Well, the pro has spoken!" Maura frowned.
"I just told you that I have no idea of anything on this sport. I am by no means a professional Jane."
"I know. I was kidding." The blonde formed an 'oh' with her mouth and nodded, the smile returning.
"How about we get out of here? I need a shower."
"I agree." Jane gaped at Maura as the other girl walked by.
"Was that a joke?" The blonde looked over her shoulder.
"No."
