It was the peek of dawn when Stella's dream forced her onto the floor in a kicking fury. She face planted into the wood flooring after imagining an apocalypse. Today was the day she was shipped off to the prestigious soccer camp in Florida.
She packed t-shirts, running shorts, her cleats and stared at her bag. Tossing in her shin guards and socks, she pondered what her agenda truly would entail. It couldn't be just soccer 24/7, unlike she hoped for. She slipped in a few dresses and casual wear just in case.
Stella zipped her bag and lifted it into her trunk. She turned and stared at the sunrise. 6:30- time to haul ass down to Florida.
Stella was always the athlete. Her and Layla would always find themselves going on never-ending runs and work out for hours at a time. Her team won nationals and she led as captain and MVP. She rolled her hair up into a bun and fastened it to the top of her head. She glanced back at her house and watched as her dad waved with Cassandra at his side. The plague consisted of her and her daughter, tainting her once beautiful home.
Stella scowled but waved them both off. She slid into her car and sighed, FINALLY.
Stella listened to her GPS for hours until she finally heard, "Your final destination is on your right." Exhaustion was moments away from collapsing her into a trancing sleep.
She stumbled out of her car; hundreds of other girls flooded in and Stella felt a nervous wave wash over her. What is she messes up? Gets injured? She could kiss college ball good bye.
Stella lugged her bags to a bulletin board that listed her room and room mates. Stella turned and stared at her view for the next 5 weeks.
It was an actual camp. Small cabin looking huts with numbers painted on them. A larger portable building entitled Mess Hall, shower rooms and bathrooms. 4 recreational sized fields filed behind them. Stella inhaled the humid, Florida air. She had to stay focused. She was here to play, not make friends.
Stella looked around and spotted room #3. She walked in and smiled at her room mates. A stunning red head dangled her feet from the top of her bunk. "Hi!" She greeted. Stella waved. "Hi, everyone. I'm Stella. I guess I'll be rooming with you." A light brunette swayed her hair and grinned, "Hi, I'm Flora!" She tossed her head and Stella couldn't help but stare. She was so tan and exotic.
Her insecurity kicked in and she wanted to bury her head in the sand. Two other girls poked their heads into the room and greeted everyone. Tecna had shoulder length pink hair while Musa's hair was braided down her back like it was dipped in ink. Tecna looked her quizially, "Stella...you say..." She hummed and then shook the thought away.
After unpacking, Stella and the girls gathered in the mess hall. A short woman with short white hair fuddled her way up to a podium that screeched louder than she did.
"Hello and welcome!" She chirped and lifted her arms. "I'm Coach Faragonda and these are your counselors." She hollered as she motioned towards a line of men and women. 5 to be exact.
Stella glanced up and turned away. Boring.
"Please meet Mrs. Nelson!" She will be assigned to Team 1! Their color assignment: Blue!"
Stella rolled her eyes; this woman was way too happy about this. Stella waited until she heard her group's announcement.
"Ms. Bahr! Team 3! Color: Orange!" Stella looked up. She couldn't complain with orange but Ms. Bahr looked like she meant business. Tall and lanky, Ms. Bahr was a tough looking brunette with large glasses framing her sharp featured face.
Stella almost tuned out when she heard Faragonda holler again.
"Team 4! Mr. Shields! Color: Greeeeen!" She cheered. Stella heard another cheer coming from the players. Why were they so happy? Stella looked up and understood.
Mr. Shields. Team 4's gorgeous counselor. Mr. Shield's was young, athletic build and TALL. He had a gorgeous smile and eyes that you could melt it. He nodded and gave a small gesture of gratitude.
"Why couldn't I be on team 4?" Bloom whispered into Stella's ear.
The first item on the agenda was a pick up scrimmage to gauge where each player was. Stella nonchalantly walked to the center of the field, automatically taking assumption of being the lead striker.
Stella looked across as Team 2, red, gathered together to discuss. Stella was lucky her team understood her role. Flora filed into midfield with Bloom while a girl with pink hair named Krystal and Tecna fought over right defense. Musa claimed her spot in the goalie box and hiked up her gloves. Stella looked down at her old cleats. Tearing at the seems, she couldn't part from her cleats- they took her team to states.
Stella glanced over the side line and locked eyes with Mr. Shields, who happened to be shooting a look between her and a clip board with a confused grimace. Stella felt insulted. He probably didn't believe that she was actually good. Stella breathed, collecting her composure. "I'll show you." She mumbled under her breath.
Within a second of the whistle being blown, Stella shot up the side of the field with the ball tangled in her web of feet tricks. Flora, at her side, accepted the small pass granted by Stella. Stella bolted into the middle field while Flora crossed it to her. Stella lept into the air, banging the ball into the corner of the net with her head.
Stella turned to Flora and gave her a pat on the back, "Great cross!" She complimented Flora. Her team could only stare. "Are you THE Stella?" Bloom stuttered.
"Who's THE Stella?" Stella asked, not sure what to take as a compliment.
"The national striker MVP?" Tecna hollered for the defense. Stella nodded humbly and shrugged.
"Holy shit." She heard Musa whisper. "I KNEW IT!" Tecna exasperated.
Stella shot her glance to Mr. Shields, who was biting his lip, fighting a smile.
She found herself fighting a smile too; she had his attention.
Stella went on the mercy rule the red team, 8-0. Four of those goals were self assisted, while Bloom and Flora took turned feeding her the other 4 passes.
Stella never forgot to thank them for their help and led the team prayer. Stella jogged over to her counselor who smiled brightly, "Great job everyone! Stella." She noted her excellence.
"May we go for a run?" Stella begged, feeling cooped up energy. A groan erupted behind her as her team mates begged in denial.
"Well...may I?" She asked. Ms. Bahr snapped her gum and shrugged. "Be back before 6." She scanned Stella and turned away.
Stella started a 5 mile route through the sand. She was alone but it was satisfying.
On mile 3, Stella slowed to a walk and began to stretch. While reaching down to her feet, Stella saw Mr. Shield's approach, topless. She felt her stomach leap.
He was jogging in black gym shorts and nothing else. His abs glistened and his pecks stayed still as he trotted with his headphones in. Stella pretended not to notice him as she continued her run.
"What are you doing?" He called to her. Stella turned and began to run backwards. "Trying to escape. Guess it's not working." She joked and reversed back to a normal run. He caught up within seconds and she heard him laugh.
"You're the only one I guess." He smiled to her. "This is a long route you know." He taunted.
She smiled to herself and looked to him, "Yeah. Well.." She paused and quickened her pace. "See if you can keep up."
