"Haught! get in here."

A booming voice from behind her stops Nicole in her tracks, she sighs and grits her teeth. Nicole drags her slides across the ground as she turns, she shoves her hands in her sweatpant pockets and plasters her best fake smile on before entering the small office. The room was covered wall-to-wall with plaques, banners and medals. 'GRU Women's Soccer' was emblazoned into the worn, blue carpet.

"What's up coach?"

Coach Nedley gestured toward the open seat at his desk. His expression, or lack thereof, not changing in the slightest. Nicole lowered herself into the chair, slowly and deliberately. She regarded the NCAA Championship trophy that took pride of place in the centre of Nedley's desk.

Like he had any part in winning that thing.

Nicole thought to herself bitterly as the silence stretched on.

"Listen Haught, I know you don't like me much —"

Nicole started to protest, Nedley held up a hand.

"You don't have to defend yourself. Every time I see you your expression screams 'this asshole again'."

Nicole pouted but stayed quiet, she began to fiddle with the string on her hoodie.

"I get it. you had a strong bond with Hendrix, I'm not trying to replace her. All I want is to continue the success of this team —"

Nicole cleared her throat,

"Something you want to interject Haught? Speak up."

Nicole furrowed her brow, she opened her mouth and closed it a few times before finally blurting out,

"It's not just my bond with her. This program has always thrived with female coaches. It's been fifteen years and we've won conference every single year a woman has been in charge."

Nedley leant back in the tattered computer chair elicting a loud creak. Joining his hands together, he regarded the young woman in front of him. Nicole straightened up her slouched form and raised her chin, her crimson hair framing her face as she held his gaze. After what seemed like a lifetime, Nedley chuckled.

"Listen Haught, like it or not - you're stuck with me for right now. I want to win just as much as you do. I'm not here to change anything other than maybe the creamer in the fridge. I know your injury and Hendrix leaving made last year suck for you. But you're the best Goalkeeper in this conference, I'd say in the nation but I don't want you to think I'm sucking up. I don't need you to like me, I just need you to respect me, and my decisions as your coach."

Nicole nodded, she knew there was nothing she could do to change the situation, no matter how much she wanted to.

"I'm the Captain of this team coach, you won't have any issues with me, that I can promise you."

Nedley narrowed his eyes,

"I guess that'll have to do for now, just know I have this team's best interest at heart."

Nicole gave a small nod in response. She began to get up hastily,

"Oh I'm not done, I am changing one thing this pre-season. I want the Freshman to learn the ropes from the upperclassmen, you're gonna be in charge of making sure their transition is as smooth as it can be".

Nicole, half in the chair half out, scrunched her face up in confusion,

"We always do coach."

"I want to make sure they're getting everything they need before starting conference play; I'm assigning each Freshman an upperclassman to be their very own individual Ghost River University guru."

Nicole pursed her lips, her body still in chair-limbo. Nedley continued,

"You're going to be your Freshman's go to for anything and everything. It's going to help them, you, and the team. Your girl should be here right about now… In fact, there she is."

Nedley inclined his head, Nicole turned to look out of the large window.

"That is Waverly Earp of Purgatory High, most goals in her district, fast as a bat-out-of-hell."

Nedley's voice floated over Nicole like mist, she was transfixed by the woman on the other side of the glass. Waverly was looking at her watch and tapping her foot anxiously, her gorgeous brown hair billowed around her petit shoulders. Waverly looked up and Nicole's mouth literally fell open.

"She's…."

Beautiful.

Nicole's brain was stuck on that word because wow did it apply, and then some. It took her longer than she cared to admit to come up with a different adjective more appropriate for the situation, she finally stuttered out,

"…Tiny."