Chapter 3: Soccer practice

"Cleats. Cleats. Cleats," Judy muttered to herself as she dug around in her soccer bag. Judy somehow miraculously pulled them out. After shoving her feet into the cleats, she tied her hair back into a simple ponytail and put on an athletic headband to keep her hair out of her face. Last thing to do was to dash over to the drinking fountain to fill up her water bottle.

"Hey no cleats in school!" Rocky said, fake aggressively as he stood behind Judy in line to get water.

Judy turned around and rolled her eyes when she saw that it was Rocky. "I'll be leaving in a second," she said. "No need to give me detention."

"Have fun at practice!" Rocky called after her.

"Same," Judy said as she began her signature "walk and tie shoelaces" habit.

She was so excited for soccer to start. Judy had been practicing all summer and was determined to be captain of the girls varsity soccer team. She and her teammates lined up as their familiar coach, Coach Pacette, called off the names of the girls who turned in a triplicate form into the nurse's office.

"Alright!" he yelled. "Two laps in two lines. I want Alison to lead a line and how about..." Coach Pacette paused as he scanned the hopeful faces. "How about Judy?" he said.

Judy couldn't believe her ears. She nodded eagerly and jogged up next to Alison. Judy and Alison led the lines as they warmed up. Then afterwards they stood in a circle with Judy and Alison in the middle to do stretches. Judy leaned forward to touch her toes. She loved the feeling of the slight pull in her hamstrings.

"Alright ladies" Coach began after they finished stretching. "Let's start dribbling around the cones. I want to see what you can do."

Everyone shuffled into a single file line and one girl tossed everyone a ball from a big bag.

Coach blew the whistle and the first person began dribbling the ball around the first bright orange cone. Judy watched the girl's foot skills in anticipation. Coach was watching everyone one at a time so he could take notes. He always stood with a clipboard in hand.

"Alright, Moody," Coach yelled. "Let's see why you got."

The whistle blew and Judy was off. She quickly maneuvered around the cones and sprinted with the ball past the finish line.

"Not bad, Judy Moody," Coach said, writing something down on the clipboard.

"Thanks Coach!" Judy said, happily.

Only during soccer practice could Judy finally relax and have some fun. She didn't have to worry about all her homework and all those college applications that were waiting for her. After the dribbling drill, the girls practiced passing and shooting all under Coach Pacette's watchful eye.

"Okay everyone, down and give me 10 push ups" Coach barked.

Everyone quickly dropped to the grass.

"10 more!"

Judy began to feel the burn in her arms as she lowered herself for her 15th push up.

"How about we make it a total of 25"

Judy's eyes were shut tight and she gritted her teeth as she began her last set of 5 push ups.

"Out of shape, are we?" Coach laughed as everyone collapsed onto the grass.

"Ouch" Judy said, rubbing her sore arms.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Alison asked as she scooted over to sit next to Judy.

Judy nodded. "Feels good to be back in season," she agreed.

After a quick water break, the girls were divided up into teams to scrimmage. Judy was thrilled to hear that she was playing center forward for her team.

By the end of practice, Judy was sweaty, tired and famished. She glanced over at the boys soccer team who were running their cool down lap. Rocky was leading one of their lines. Rocky had been the star player at Virginia High even as a freshman. It was almost certain that the captain spot would be his.

Judy remembered to kick off her cleats as she walked back into the school. She grabbed her spare black converse sneakers and backpack and set them next to her as she wiped her face off with a towel. After putting her shoes on, she drained the rest of her water bottle.

"That hits the spot," she said, patting her stomach.

Alison laughed. "Great job today, Judy," she said as she walked by to leave.

"Thanks, you too," Judy replied while stuffing her soccer bag with her school clothes.

She waited patiently in front of the school for her ride to come.

"What's up?" Rocky said as he walked up next to her. "How was practice?" he asked.

"Great," Judy stated. "I really think I have a shot at being captain."

Rocky nodded thoughtfully. "You'll be co-captain for sure though."

Judy sighed. "Yeah I guess...what about you?" she said changing the topic. "Already secured your throne?"

Rocky laughed. "I'm not that good," he said.

Judy took a swing at Rocky with her soccer bag. Rocky barely jumped out of the way in time.

"Modesty isn't welcome here," Judy muttered.

Before Rocky could reply, a silver car pulled up to the front of the school.

"Hi Mrs. Zang" Judy greeted as they climbed into the car. She quickly fastened her seatbelt.

"Hello children," Mrs. Zang said, happily.

Judy leaned back in her seat and relaxed while Rocky filled his mom in about soccer practice. The car pulled up on Judy's driveway and Dad gave Mrs. Zang her thank you wave from the window. Judy climbed out of the car, bags in arms.

"Thanks for the ride!" she called back as she walked toward her front door. Judy swung her door open and let her duffle bag and backpack drop loudly to the floor.

"I AM FAMISHED!" she yelled.

"Dinner will be ready soon," Mom called from the kitchen. "Go take a shower."

As Judy passed by Stink's room, she found him sprawled on the floor with an encyclopedia. Stink Moody had been reading the encyclopedias ever since the first grade. He started with "A" and eight years later he has finally made it to "W."

"Don't you have any homework, Stinkero?" Judy asked as she poked her head in.

"Done already," Stink said, not even bothering to look up from his book.

Judy rolled her eyes and went into her own room. She grabbed a set of fresh clean clothes and took a shower. Judy was practically eating as her mom served her. She was shoveling Mom's shepard pie into her mouth.

"Easy there kiddo," Dad said, pouring her a tall glass of iced tea. "Don't choke."

Judy nodded and took a long sip of the icy drink. She set the glass down with a bang and put her hands on her head and grimaced.

Stink laughed loudly. "Brain freeze!"

"Can it, Stinkorama!" Judy said, her teeth chattering.

"Stink...Judy..." Mom said, sternly. "Manners at the table," she reminded everyone.

Judy returned to her dinner and reminded herself to drink the iced tea slowly. It felt great being full, after three servings of dinner. She conquered practice today and now, homework...

Judy laid out all her work and sighed. "Show me what you've got, Judy Moody."