There I was, Champion of the football matches, again. Not that I didn't like the extra attention, I LOVED it. I was milking it for all I was worth; you had to if it was your identity. I can barely remember the small kid with glasses who was more into nature than sports until a compulsory try-out made me a star. I'm not complaining though, the victories, mates, oh, and the girls too. It was worth it all. Even if I wanted out after a month to cure my dropping grades, MY parents didn't care. NORMAL parents would have pulled me out of the training so I had time for homework. MINE loved the fact I was becoming like all the other boys so didn't even bother to get me a tutor. MINE said Lunchtime tutoring prevented me from being outside practising. So I turned my back on science dreams to focus on the game. And I never looked back. What was not to love about being the hottest, most popular kid in school? Sometimes, just sometimes, listening to what your parents say and acting upon it can change your world for the better.

That was where I was, being thrown up in victory (no change there), hero of the match, winking to the cute girls, blowing kisses to the hot ones, fiving the guys and slowly being carried around the pitch to the sound of my name being chanted over and over. Maybe it was deserved this time. We were losing 10-9 with 5 minutes to go and then I scored once and every fibre in my body sprang to action like lightning and with every mite of energy I charged after the ball. I disliked losing but I hated having an equaliser. We were the better team and we had 3 minutes left to prove it. I tackled the guy from the opposing team who had the ball and let my best mate Gregor steal the ball. He weaved in and out of the defenders as I ran to catch up. I was the best scorer in the team; everyone knew that. He would pass to me, I knew it, and so I had to be there. I ran as fast as if I had just been shot from a cannon. I was almost there and I snuck a glance at the clock. 10 all and with 15 seconds to go; it was impossible odds. Determination grew like a fire within me and with 5 seconds to go I lashed out at the ball. Flying, 4, flying, 3, goalie, 2, miss, 1 and it rolls safely into the back of the net.

You couldn't hear the buzzer over the sounds of the audience going berserk. I was being rushed at by people in every direction, almost like something out of a nightmare. Then it sunk in. We'd won. I'd won. I was their hero, not their victim. I flipped once to more applause before I gave in to the hands and let them carry me on my victory lap. Don't get me wrong though! I did congratulate Gregor and promise him a pizza on me at the weekend. But it was my win and nothing was going to stop me! I was invincible, indestructible, and indescribably happy. I was on Cloud 9, in a world of my own! I could barely distinguish one hand from another as I was passed and carried around like a rock star on the way to the after- party.

Hours later the euphoria still hadn't worn off. I'd flirted, cheering, been patted on the back by everybody who was anybody. The party was beginning to wear down as my teammates hit home to celebrate with their families. Soon there were only a handful of people left, only staying to finish their Cokes before saying one last goodbye. I walked in between the small gaggle, joining in with conversations as I picked up empty cans lying about. I turned back to deposit them in the recycling when I saw her. She looked like a Goddess, some mythological being that belonged in a painting, or stained glass window, and not someone who should be slouched on my sofa staring into the flames in the fireplace. I quickly emptied my arms and went up to her.

"Hey. Need another?" I asked indicating her drink. "Drinks on me"

"Why say drinks on you when you aren't paying and no one else is either?" she replied, her tone sarcastic.

"Makes me sound more macho I guess" I say flexing my muscles. They're not much but they're normally a chick magnet.

She turned away from me, a look of disgust upon her perfect features.

"I'm sorry, really I am?" I cry, distraught for being the cause of the ugly upon the china face.

"Sorry for what? What have you to apologise for? You're just trying to make yourself into a God. You are but a boy. A stupid, arrogant, boy at that." She said every word like a blow. "For once I can leave the 'lazy' part out." She added with a look towards the bins.

"Hey! Look here missy..!" I start, firing up with anger.

"Don't you missy me. I am the only free person in this room. Everyone girl is smitten with you except for me. So do not mistake that for lust and make out I am your 'missy'. I belong to no one. But you! You belong to yourself and no one else. Every girl is like the other to you, everyone dispensable. None really captured your heart, just your arrogance. You want the best in life, don't you?"

My breathing was shallow and heavy. I couldn't believe how chilly it had gotten in the room; the heat from the fire seemed to disperse before it could reach my heart. This small, fragile human had broken my heart; wait, No! Not broken but frozen it. I couldn't turn me ears from the truth she spoke. The girls all mattered at the time but a week after I left them, I had moved on. I was a lady killer in more than one way and this knock of sense had showed me my faults.

What was I saying? I was about to give up on myself, my life, my reputation because some unrealistic beauty had pointed out that she wasn't interested? So what? There's always more, plenty more fish in the school.

"I couldn't care less if you weren't interested in me." A smile crossed her face. "If you lose one game you don't change career." The smile vanished as soon as it has come.

"Todd, Todd, Todd. Listen, hear yourself. Save yourself before it's too late. Trust me."

"Why should I trust you? I don't even know you? The only people I trust are the ones who pass me winning goals, like today. I ran because I trusted Gregor to pass. Trust rewarded. There's no rewards from you are there?"

"Don't give up so easily my young prince. Don't give up my dear, frog prince."

On that queer note she rose and glided out of the empty house. I finished clearing up over the riddle she had departed on. Frog Prince? Sounded like a book my kid sister, Lily, had. But what had a fairy-tale got to do with me? I ain't no prince. I was a King, a hero, not someone as overlooked as a Prince, True Princes score girls, but so do heroes and knights. I never wanted to be a Prince when I was little, only a knight, hero of the realm.

I tidied up: muttering.

I said goodnight to my parents; puzzling.

I brushed my teeth; contemplating.

I went to bed; wondering.

I feel asleep; dreaming of Frogs, magic spells, ghost white girls, and last minute wins.