Chapter 21

Tryouts and New Rivals

5th April 2010

Park Vale Football Pitch

I ran effortlessly by my other teamates, kicking the football with my feet. One girl zoomed toward me and tried to get the ball, but I ran faster before she tried to steal it from me. I saw the goal about twenty metres ahead of me, blocked by a determined looking goalkeeper. I slowed down a bit preparing to shoot it towards the net. I swung my leg back and then forward as my left foot connected with the ball with a massive amount of force. The ball flew through the air with unceasing speed and went above the goalkeeper, who was jumping up trying to retrieve it. I heard that joyous sound of the ball hitting the net and my team yelled with excitement.

The coach, who also taught PSHE, stared at the goal in disbelief. After comprehending what she just saw, she yelled, ''Now that is how you play football! Ladies, follow her example! You, let's see how you do in goal.''

I ran over to the girl who played goalie and as she gave me the gloves, she gave me a hateful stare. I ignored it and put the sweaty gloves on. Coach Callum put the ball in the centre of the field and the red team began the second part of the scrimmage. The green team soon took posession of the ball and I prepared myself. The girl who had the ball kicked one right at me and the force of it made me fall back on to the ground. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her get control of the ball and she was about to kick it into the goal. I scrambled on the grass and when her foot was in mid kick, I grabbed the ball and held it tightly. Her foot connected with my hand painfully because she didn't see me grab it.

I yelled, stood, dropped the ball and tore the left glove off. The back of my hand was turning black and blue already and I could barely move it. I walked over to the coach and said, ''It was probably an accident. Should I sit out?''

She examined it and said, ''There's a first aid kit over there by the bench. I'd wrap it and take a breather.''

I went over to the bench and found the first aid kit. I picked it up with my uninjured hand, sat down and began rummaging through it for medical tape and cloth to wrap it with. Once I found some, I began wrapping it from the top of my wrist up. I winced once I wrapped it around the back of my hand. I ripped the extra cloth off of the roll and put some medical tape on the end of the cloth.

For the remaining half hour of tryouts, I watched them do suicides to test everyone's stamina. I was glad that i injured my hand to get out of it because suicides beat you to a pulp after them and your muscles feel like jelly. After they were done with that, coach called us to gather around.

''All of you played well. I saw what I wanted to see and you gave this your all. You really did. Nineteen of you will be picked to be on this football team and I expect every one of you to play like you've never played before. If you're bad in one position, I want you to improve on it. The team list will be posted outside of Registration on Friday. The first practice will be on Monday right after school, so be sure to get your equipment before that. Alright, good luck and you're dismissed.''

We cleared out and I grabbed my gear. I walked out of the pitch exhausted, sweat covered and grass stained. Sure, it was tiring, but I love the grass stains. The only problem is going to be Mum's reaction to my clothes and injury, that is, if I see her tonight. I waited for Sarah Jane to pick me up when a few people commented on how good I did during practice, when most of them glared at me in jealousy. After what seemed like an hour, she finally came in her little blue car. Luke was in the front seat and said as I opened the door and put my stuff in, ''How did it go?''

''Pretty well,'' I said, getting in then putting my seat belt on, ''but this girl smacked my hand with her foot while I was goalkeeping.''

I held my injured hand up as Sarah Jane drove through the car park. Luke looked at it with worry.

''Does it hurt?'' he asked.

''Oh yeah. It was bruised just after I got it. Hopefully it heals before the first practice, if I get in.''

''I thought we could celebrate by going out. Is that okay with you?'' Sarah Jane asked.

''Definitely. Where were you thinking of going?''

''Well, your Dad has been at my place for over an hour. He told me he forgot about your tryouts today, so we'll stop by there first then decide where we're going.''

''Alright.'' I sighed, but then wondered which version of Dad was at Sarah Jane's house. I decided to deal with it after we celebrated.

We arrived at the house a minute later and found the TARDIS sitting in the drive way. The odd thing was the exterior of it was cleaner than usual. Sarah Jane parked the car near the garage and we got out. I grabbed my equipment and then shut the door. As we entered, Dad yelled to my embarrasment, ''There's my athlete!''

He came to the door from the living room and once he saw the cloth around my hand, he looked extremely worried and asked, ''What happened to your hand?''

''A girl smacked her foot into it while I was holding on to the ball. Apparently, she didn't see my hand there.''

''Let me see,'' he said, trying to put use to his title.

I went over to him after putting my gear down on the wood floor and unwrapped the cloth. The bruise was clearly worse than when I first got it. Some of it was turning purple and most of it was black. Dad took out the sonic and scanned it. He extended it, then said, ''There's some internal bleeding, but it'll heal within a few hours.''

''That's a relief,'' I said, glad that it healed quickly.

We ate at a pub on High Street to celebrate the effort I put towards the tryouts. Luke kept looking at me while we were eating and he was almost literally drooling over me. He really seems to be attracted to me and I don't know why. I mean, I haven't really changed in these past few months in appearence and yeah, he's hot, but I couldn't date him. It's just the wrong time. I'll probably have football practice, a mountain of homework every night and all the drama to deal with. I most definitely won't have time for a boyfriend.

When we came home, we got out of the car and Dad said, ''Thanks for dinner. I really enjoyed it. I'm thinking they did, too.''

It got kind of silent all of a sudden before I said, ''My stuff is still in there. I'll go get it.''

I walked up the steps and remembered I didn't have a key. I sighed and Luke came up the steps, got his key out and opened the door for me. I smirked at him, then walked in. I walked into the living room and grabbed my stuff, which was sitting on the floor. I turned around and in the blink of an eye, I felt our lips connect. A shiver ran up my spine, my hearts beat faster with every moment we kissed and goosebumps formed on every inch of my body. I dropped my gear, forced us to part and slapped him in the face.

''You idiot!'' I yelled.

He put his hand to his cheek and I said, ''Why did you just kiss me like that?! Yes, I notice you drooling over me! Yes, you're incredibly hot and yes, you're insanely smart like I am and you know what; I love you.''

I put my arms around his neck and we kissed again passionately. It lasted only a few seconds, but every moment, the sparks grew. It was like we were destined to be together and nothing could pull us apart.

After we parted, he asked, ''Will you date me?''

I paused and said, ''In a month or so. There's too much going on in my life now. Don't tell anyone we kissed. I don't want rumours floating around about us.''

''Okay,'' he agreed.

I let go of his hand, grabbed my stuff and began to walk out when he stopped me, ''Mr. Chandra told me I could take the GCSE's this year. Should I?''

I turned around and said to him, ''Do whatever you think is best. It's your descison. If it were me, I wouldn't take that chance because I would miss you guys too much. Where are you thinking of going?''

''Oxford,'' he said in a mixed tone.

''Er. . . wow. That's- er- really far away. . . I'm sorry. Shouldn't 've said that. I- um- better get going.''

On that awkward note, I went out the door and went over to Dad and Sarah Jane, who were talking about an old adventure they had back then.

They noticed me walking towards them and she asked, ''Everything all right with you two?''

''Oh, yeah. Fine,'' I said in a half convincing voice.

''Are you sure? We heard yelling,'' Dad said.

''Yes, we're fine,'' I said in a frusturated tone as I walked past them towards the TARDIS and opened the doors.

I immediately ran up to my room and shut the door. I threw my football gear into my closet and put my bag near my bed. I began crying because I couldn't even bear the thought of him leaving and going to uni for four years. It would be. . . unbearable. Sure, we'd talk on the web cam from time to time and text, but it wouldn't be the same as if he was here. And I would barely get to see him since Oxford is at least an hour away, but I could convince Dad to take me there.

What am I thinking? I need to stop worrying about him and his choices and focus on mine. I'll worry about him when the time comes. Which is in about ten weeks. In that time, I'll probably cry for a whole day straight over him and his choice to take the exam and for him to go to Oxford. Me. Crying over Luke Smith. Wow, I'm pathetic. Now, I only need to worry about football season and our chances at making it to the playoffs. Just that, nothing else.