She stared at the soccer sign up list. A long day of school had ended and she had to get home to start her paper and make dinner. But she stood there just staring at the paper lost in her own thoughts.
"Would you sign up already?" Alex's voice came from behind her.
She turned as he lifted his shirt and wiped the sweat from his brow. Turning back towards the board she sighed. "What are you still doing here?"
"Boys soccer workouts started today." He explained. "So are you going to sign up?"
"No." She said shaking her head.
"Why? If you know you can beat Addison, what's the hesitation?"
She looked at him. "You would understand." She shook her head giving him a short smile.
"You scared you can't beat me? You should be." A voice came. They both turned to see who it was. Addison stood behind them with a cocky smile.
"Where are your followers, Montgomery?"
"They aren't my followers. They're my friends."
"I'm not worried about not beating you." Meredith sighed. "Why the hell are you so hell-bent on me trying out?"
Addison didn't answer.
"It's all about the power. The power you get from winning. Well you aren't getting the satisfaction from me." She looked at Alex. "I'll see you tomorrow, Alex."
"See you." Alex smiled as she turned to walk off.
"Bye." Addison said in a self-satisfied voice.
Meredith rolled her eyes and started to walk off. She stopped as she walked across the bridge that led to the steps. Glancing out the window, she watched as about ten guys did drills with soccer balls. She missed soccer so much. It was her sweet salvation from the world. And yet, her father seemed so consumed with hate to let her play.
She watched as they ran through routines with a small smile on her face.
Turning on her heel, she walked briskly back to the sign up board right past Addison. She picked up the pen and signed her name on the next blank spot.
Alex smiled with satisfaction as Addison's face fell a little. Meredith turned back to Addison.
"See you on the soccer field, Addison." She said in a fake voice. "Bye."
She turned and walked briskly away.
The satisfaction only lasted a few minutes. As she made her way home, she realized what she had done. She realized what she had gotten herself into.
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She sat silently at the other end of the kitchen table using her fork to push her food around the plate. Slowly, she let out a sigh and looked up at her father.
"Dad?"
He grunted.
"Would you ever let me tryout for soccer at school?"
He looked up with a fire blazing in his eye. "Don't you ever mention that sport again!" He yelled pushing the table some as he stood up.
"I'm sorry." She cried out as he grab a fist full of her hand and pulled her to her feet.
"Get out of here. I don't want to see your face." He snapped pushing her to the ground. She scrambled to her feet and hurried out. "Don't you ever mention that! Ever!"
