She stood at her locker watching as students slowly made their way out of the hallways. They were all so engrossed in their conversations ready to get home. She let out a sigh rubbing her arm subconsciously forgetting all about the bruise and winced in pain as her hand brushed over it. Standing up, she pulled her bag over her shoulder and headed down the stairs.
"Hey, heading to try-outs?" Alex said falling into step with her.
"Yeah, I guess."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"I better get to soccer work-outs, but good luck."
"Thanks, Alex. I'll see you later."
"Yeah, see you later." He called as she walked into the gym.
There were girls all across the gym. A few looked like they would never make the team. And some looked like the possible back-up team in case the main players got injured. And then there was a huge group of girls who were the ones who knew they were going to make the team. She walked to the back of the gym and set her bag down with everyone else's.
"I guess you decided to show." Addison said with a hand on her hip.
"I guess I did." She answered not looking to her as she made her way toward the locker room where other girls were walking in and out of. Addison followed. "Can I help you with something?"
"Since you're new here and everything, I'll be straight with you. I'm Addison Montgomery. I make this team win. And, now, I've heard a lot of crap that you think you can beat me. And if you're good then great cause some of the crap people bring to these games is… frankly, it's crap. But, let's get one thing straight, I am the best. Nobody can beat me." She stepped so she was directly in front of Meredith. "And if you think you can take this team away from me, you'll be making a fool out of yourself."
Meredith stared at her for a second before turning away and pulling off her jeans. "You say that now."
Addison stared at her in disbelief. Never before did someone have the nerve to speak up to her. But something was off about Meredith Grey. Something wasn't right with her, but she wasn't sure what. She stared at the other teen carefully before turning and briskly walking out.
Meredith let out a sigh of relief as she pulled on a pair of black sweatpants. Ever since her mother died, it was harder and harder for her to seem strong. She pulled her sweatshirt off and walked over to the mirror. Dark bruises covered her arms. Some were on their way to being healed while fresh ones replaced them. When she heard some girls walking in, she quickly pulled her sweatshirt on and zipped it up about halfway before walking out.
--
Couch Wren lectured about soccer for about ten minutes while the girls stood and listened. None of which Meredith listened to since she already knew the game in and out. Then Couch Wren sent them off running around the track and she recorded times. Meredith ended with the second fastest time for the mile right behind Addison by twenty-four seconds. Of course, Addison gave her a triumphant look and went to suck up to the coach. After all the girls had finished, they started doing drills.
Meredith was put in line right ahead of Addison.
Couch Wren blew her whistle, and the first girl kicked low and easily blocked by the guy's team goalie who had volunteered to help out. Meredith was next. The whistle blew and as if it was just her nature she kicked the ball to the left over the goalie's head into the goal. Without giving Addison a look, she ran to the back of the line and prepared for her second run through. Addison kicked the ball to the left lower than Meredith's kick, but still made it in. They repeated this ten times and neither missed one. The rest of the girls had missed at least one and had been told to sit out leaving only Meredith and Addison kicking.
"Getting tired yet, Grey." Addison asked with a slight pant.
"Nope." Meredith answered in the same breathing state.
"I could do this all night. You should just give up now."
"No way in hell." Meredith said as she drew her leg back and gave of hard kick against the ball.
"Alright, that's enough girls. It's obvious neither of you are going to miss any. We'll resume with try-outs tomorrow. Same time." Couch Wren instructed.