Sam and LiLi: Hello, and thank you for clicking on this story! We hope you enjoy it!

Derek: This is a TAD (The Author's Den) story, so there is more than just one or two of us. Enjoy, please!

Tia, Tori, and Kris: Yup!

Chapter 1: One Ball, Four Players

I squinted against the setting sun as I took my place as left defender. It was the best position for me, considering that I really didn't like to run that far. I rather liked the position I had, so I always stuck with it.

I could see Brianna fidgeting rather anxiously, and I gave her an encouraging smile, letting her know that I was here for her. She smiled at me halfheartedly, and then turned to look out our coach.

Connor, Brianna, and Jessie were the ones on my part of the team for the scrimmage, and I was grateful to have them. Since they're my best friends, I always find it easier to team up with them to achieve our goal. They aren't the best players in the world, but I think that they are great friends no matter what.

I gave my friends a thumbs-up as the coach blew the whistle. Someone kicked the ball, and Fred, the other team's mid-fielder, ran after it. He soon got it in front of his feet and he started dribbling it towards out goal.

Luckily, I was ready for action.

I took two steps back as Fred moved the ball up the field coming my way. He kicked it to Victoria and I changed directions and went towards her, trying to keep with her as she went towards the goal/ She was in MY territory, and she was going to have to leave.

I kicked at the ball but she blocked it with her shin. She stuck her foot out, and I fell flat on my face. I felt dirt crunch between my teeth, and I spit it out, almost gagging. As a joke, I grabbed her leg and she tripped to the ground. We both laughed, knowing that we should both get penalties, but we were just having fun.

I was soon on my feet again, helping Victoria up, and then I stole the ball from her.

"Greg, that's not fair!" she hollered as I ran from her.

I grinned, and then shouted back, "Life isn't fair, so deal with it!"

I kicked the ball down the field, trying to get away from her. Victoria soon caught up, and shot the ball at Brianna, who in turn jumped up and grabbed the ball. She kicked it out towards the field, and the game continued on the other side for awhile.

I yawned just before the ball slammed me in the face. I stumbled back, blood gushing from my nose. I winced in pain, knowing that my nose might be broken.

Gosh, I thought that pain was life ending, but later I'd learn that it just feels like a scratch compared to other stuff.

I pinched my nose and held it up high. Perfect way to stop the flow of blood. The game had stopped, everyone taking a knee, and Coach had got me ice to put on it. He ushered me off of the field, and led me to the bench. My nose was throbbing and red by that time.

"You okay?" Coach Mike asked.

"Yeah," I responded shakily.

"Soon you won't be," Coach muttered under his breath.

"Huh?" I gasped.

"Um—I meant you'll be fine," he said, looking suspicious. I promised myself I'd run this through the Den later.

Yes, I'm stupid and call my group of friends 'the Den', but who cares?

The bleeding soon stopped after I realized that my nose wasn't broken. I soon jumped back into the game.

I charged after the ball once it passed the spiking-zone. I struck at it with my foot, but Fred was too good. He kicked it to Harry, who passed it to Victoria. They did this until my ADHD took over and I was too confused to move.

My head spun, but I shook it off. I went after the ball and saw Brianna get the ball. I smiled as she coasted it to Jessie, who ran down the field, her dark ponytail bobbing as she ran.

She kicked it, and the ball soared past Harold and I roared for the goal. We'd won!

Coach Mike called us to a huddle soon after. "Okay, good. We'll be awesome Sunday. Okay, Greg and the rest of his Den, stay after practice. Just kick it around, please," said Coach Mike. We all knew what 'It' was. THE BALL IF YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT!

We stood in a square. This was where the real epic tale began.

Connor kicked the ball to Jessie. She kicked it to Brianna. She kicked it to Greg. He kicked it to me. Boring, huh? Don't worry. A all-you ball-war was about to begin.

"Can I have the ball more?" I asked.

"Never!" responded Brianna in a strict voice. She stopped the ball with her foot and held it.

"Give. Me. The. Ball," I said through gritted teeth.

"Never!" protested Brianna.

I leaped at her, but she stepped aside and started juggling the ball on her knees.

"Pass it!" I urged her.

Brianna rolled her eyes and kept juggling. I leaped and grabbed at the ball. I managed to swat the ball towards Jessie, who looked about ready to start yelling.

We all jumped on it and a huge fight broke out. Well, not fist fight, but a 'GIMME-THE-[INSERT BLEEP HERE]-BALL!" fight.

My nose spouted fresh blood and soon I backed away from the ball. I clenched it. What was up with me and nose bleeds?

I coughed and grabbed a water bottle. I threw it at them and they snapped apart. They stared at me wide-eyed. I busted out laughing.

Coach Mike walked over, smiling like a mad man.

Why was he smiling like that? Did he have some diabolical plan or something?

"Hello, children. Have y'all had a fun time?" he asked, trying to sound innocent.

"Yup!" chimed the Den.

"Well then come with me," he said, smiling.

Coach led us to the equipment room, and Jessie trailed behind nervously, as if she was expecting something bad to happen. I didn't understand why she was being that way, but I knew that it probably wasn't good. Jessie was known for her 'gut-feelings', as we'd come to call them, and her suspicions were usually correct.

"What, coach?" I asked after we had sat down, ignoring Jessie's discomfort.

"I better show you, rather than tell you," he said.

And that's when my coach turned into a monster.

Tia: So, how was it?

Tori: We hope that all of you liked it, but please give us your honest opinion!

Sam and Derek: Review!

Kris: Yea, what the twins just said!

~The Author's Den