Chapter 6: Soccer Daze
The next day, after getting some sleep in my own bed, I awoke to two Pokemon sitting on my pillow, looking over me. When I opened my eyes, all I could see were tufts of yellow and blue. I shrieked, and Pichu, the one with the yellow skin, of course, shocked himself. Fortunately, it wasn't so bad that he fainted; he just needed a little rest. Dratini crawled up to my head, smiled, and shouted its famous line, "Dratini tini!" I laughed, and then stood up, with Dratini still on my head. Brushing my teeth, Dratini started nudging me and pointed to my toothbrush. I sighed, and then brushed Dratini's teeth too. We both gargled water and spit into the sink. I laughed and said to Dratini, "Where did you learn to do that?"
I put Dratini back in his Ultra Ball, and then got dressed, wearing the newest fashion from Metro City, the Kuren answer to New York City in America, and then walked downstairs to eat breakfast. Not going to risk having cereal with blue milk, I toasted a bagel, and covered it with cream cheese, a simple but surprisingly popular breakfast among teenagers in Union Bay. I grabbed a plate, set the bagel down on it, poured myself a glass of orange juice, and ate my very warm bagel. It tasted very good, the cream cheese brand new from the supermarket three blocks away. After eating the bagel, I drank my orange juice, ran out the door, and down the street to the bus stop. After getting on the bus, I decided to brave the negative vibe I always feel from the soccer team and sat in the back. Steph and Sam, still a little wiry of the soccer dorks, decided to sit in the front.
Of course, once I sat down, the harassing began. Aaron and Eric decided they would help me as much as they possibly could, Aaron holding my books and Eric carrying my schoolbag. I guess it was nice and all, until Aaron told me to come sit on his lap. That was a little too much. "What, you didn't like the cuddling on Wednesday night? I sure did!" Aaron coyly said. I sighed. "Yeah, I know you liked it! You were getting aroused by it!" I thought to myself. "Um, we were sleeping, so I don't remember." I lied. He dropped it, and went back to looking out the window for a while, until I accidentally brushed my hand against his arm. "So, you did enjoy it!" he said, and that dumb smirk reappeared on his face. Then, he put his arm around me and moved me close enough so that I was almost on top of him. "Maybe we should do this more often," he said, laughing. At that point, Steph and Sam turned around to me, Sam with a smart look on her face. I could just tell what she was thinking inside of that brain of hers, it was probably something like, "Oh, so those two are just acting for us!" I quickly cleared that delusion by punching him in the ribs. He turned back to me, and said that he liked tough girls. "Great," I said to myself again, "No matter what I do, I'm always Aaron's type."
The morning classes were the same as always, boring. Science was as usual, an Aaron-and-Seth-fest, and I for one was about ready to tell them what I really thought of them. Gym class was next, and we did gymnastics, I laughed as Seth lost his balance and fell on the floor. I was always good at gymnastics, and to do several front flips in a row was just to show to him that I wasn't some weak girl that he thought existed. Of course, you all realize that I was going to get back at both him and Aaron for calling me weak, but it didn't occur to me what I should do until the next class, which was the Pokemon Gym Battling class. Some of the girls on the varsity soccer team asked if I was trying out for the team that afternoon. It suddenly hit me that this would be a great way to show I was not only un- weak, but incredibly strong. So, instead of hanging out with Steph, Sam, Dumb and Dumber, I'd go practice with the soccer girls. At lunch, we went out to the soccer field, where most of the girls from the co-ed soccer team were practicing for the day's tryouts. I practiced with them, and to my surprise, they told me I was quite good and that I should be able to make the team.
After lunch was study period for most people, but I had practice for the musical with Aaron. Since I wanted the tryouts to be a surprise, I wasn't going to tell him what I was about to do. Between our lines, Aaron had started a conversation with me. "Where were you at lunch," he asked, "I missed you so much!" He then pushed him and me together in a sort-of hug. "Oh, uh, I was in the principal's office, discussing some things." I lied again. It seemed so easy to make up stuff, and then make Aaron believe it was true. "Well, at least we get to spend this period together." He then turned to me and wet his lips in anticipation. Then, the teacher interrupted us. "All right, Rachel, Aaron, let's practice that kiss at the end of the musical." Aaron cheered loudly, and I sulked. After a few moments, we faced each other. "Okay," the teacher told us, "I want this really passionate, you know, how you guys kiss your boyfriends and girlfriends." Apparently the drama teacher never had an actual girlfriend. Aaron turned to me, and I turned to him. It was supposed to be one of the most miserable moments of my life, but in actuality, it was one of the best. Aaron might have felt giddy with excitement, but I felt awkward as our lips came closer and closer together. Then, when I thought maybe I couldn't do the kiss, Aaron grabbed the back of my head and lunged it at him, and our lips met in great force. I should have been disgusted, but surprisingly, I liked it. When Aaron added his tongue to the kiss, I went for it too, and eventually we would end up pressed against each other with Aaron on top of me, pushing our mouths together over and over. For the first time, I had actually liked Aaron, even perhaps more than a friend. Perhaps Sam was right; maybe we would become a couple. Then, when the drama teacher saw enough was enough, he told us to stop. Aaron sat up, and extended a hand to me, with which I used to help me sit up. I was blushing, but Aaron was awed. "Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?" I was too ashamed to say anything. I had kissed Aaron! Geez, someone gag me!
After school, I met the varsity girls in the locker room, who also were in this plan, but now because they wanted to show Aaron and Seth a thing or two, but to prove to the boys that they were important to the team. So, we all decided to wear blue shirts, khaki shorts and blue face paint. Then, as they were all putting their hair in buns, one of the girls, named Katie, handed me a scrunchie - one of those things you put on to hold a bun in place - girls know what I mean - and a cute pink bow to pin into the bun. "Now you're part of the girls team!" Katie shouted. To pump up ourselves, we huddled together and did one of those warm-up cheers: Oh who's the best in the neighborhood . oh we are the best in the neighborhood! Shout 1.2.3.4 . Cause we all know that girls rule! All right, so it's a little silly, but hey, it works!
Running out onto the field, I had already noticed that the boys were already on the field. Noticing that there were ten boys trying out for the team and there were two of us girls. "Geez, the boys are horribly outnumbered!" I said, worried. Katie laughed. "Ech, don't worry, those boys couldn't train them half as well as we trained you." I smiled. Then, the girls lined up behind the previously lined boys. I didn't know if Aaron saw me, but he must of known I was there considering the coach called my name and put me to a position, center forward.
It was boys vs. girls. Katie was playing right center, while Aaron and Seth were also playing forwards. One of he new boys was in the center. Katie introduced me to Andrea, the player playing left center. "Hey, Rachel!" Andrea greeted, "Hope you get on the team, it would rock!" I smiled. "Yeah, I hope so too." Katie laughed. "Don't worry, I'm betting you will." And with that, the coach came out to start the game. He put the soccer ball in between the new boy and me. Then, he explained that the first team to score wins. Then he blew the whistle, which signaled the beginning of the game. I kicked the ball to Katie, who got it passed the new kid, but not Aaron, who stole it and started moving it towards the goal, but fortunately, the girls on the defense kicked it towards me. I took the job seriously. "Okay Rachel," I told myself, "Time to show these boys what I'm really made of." I started kicking it rapidly towards the boys' goal. There was only one problem: Seth was standing right in front of me. No problem, kick it under his legs. Then, I did what any smart and strong girl would do. I flipped over him. Aaron called to the coach, "Is that legal?" The coach nodded, "It is in Kuren soccer." I laughed. Nothing was going to get me from winning it from my team. I dribbled it past the defense and right to the goal, unfortunately the goalie blocked it. Again, acting on my instincts, I kicked my feet up in the air, to the side, and hit the ball again, this time; the ball went in the goal. Andrea cheered and shouted, "Now that's how you play soccer!" We girls did a victory dance while the boys stood there, looking confused. I saw that Aaron and Seth looked especially puzzled.
The coach had announced the five new players on the team. The other girl and I made it, which was a huge upset to the boys. "I'm on the team!" I celebrated. Katie came over to hug me. "You did great out there!" she said to me. "Glad to have you with us." For Katie, one of the best players on the team, to tell me I was great on the field, I was really grateful. Having friends like Steph, Sam, Katie and Andrea were all I needed for me to succeed.
The next day, after getting some sleep in my own bed, I awoke to two Pokemon sitting on my pillow, looking over me. When I opened my eyes, all I could see were tufts of yellow and blue. I shrieked, and Pichu, the one with the yellow skin, of course, shocked himself. Fortunately, it wasn't so bad that he fainted; he just needed a little rest. Dratini crawled up to my head, smiled, and shouted its famous line, "Dratini tini!" I laughed, and then stood up, with Dratini still on my head. Brushing my teeth, Dratini started nudging me and pointed to my toothbrush. I sighed, and then brushed Dratini's teeth too. We both gargled water and spit into the sink. I laughed and said to Dratini, "Where did you learn to do that?"
I put Dratini back in his Ultra Ball, and then got dressed, wearing the newest fashion from Metro City, the Kuren answer to New York City in America, and then walked downstairs to eat breakfast. Not going to risk having cereal with blue milk, I toasted a bagel, and covered it with cream cheese, a simple but surprisingly popular breakfast among teenagers in Union Bay. I grabbed a plate, set the bagel down on it, poured myself a glass of orange juice, and ate my very warm bagel. It tasted very good, the cream cheese brand new from the supermarket three blocks away. After eating the bagel, I drank my orange juice, ran out the door, and down the street to the bus stop. After getting on the bus, I decided to brave the negative vibe I always feel from the soccer team and sat in the back. Steph and Sam, still a little wiry of the soccer dorks, decided to sit in the front.
Of course, once I sat down, the harassing began. Aaron and Eric decided they would help me as much as they possibly could, Aaron holding my books and Eric carrying my schoolbag. I guess it was nice and all, until Aaron told me to come sit on his lap. That was a little too much. "What, you didn't like the cuddling on Wednesday night? I sure did!" Aaron coyly said. I sighed. "Yeah, I know you liked it! You were getting aroused by it!" I thought to myself. "Um, we were sleeping, so I don't remember." I lied. He dropped it, and went back to looking out the window for a while, until I accidentally brushed my hand against his arm. "So, you did enjoy it!" he said, and that dumb smirk reappeared on his face. Then, he put his arm around me and moved me close enough so that I was almost on top of him. "Maybe we should do this more often," he said, laughing. At that point, Steph and Sam turned around to me, Sam with a smart look on her face. I could just tell what she was thinking inside of that brain of hers, it was probably something like, "Oh, so those two are just acting for us!" I quickly cleared that delusion by punching him in the ribs. He turned back to me, and said that he liked tough girls. "Great," I said to myself again, "No matter what I do, I'm always Aaron's type."
The morning classes were the same as always, boring. Science was as usual, an Aaron-and-Seth-fest, and I for one was about ready to tell them what I really thought of them. Gym class was next, and we did gymnastics, I laughed as Seth lost his balance and fell on the floor. I was always good at gymnastics, and to do several front flips in a row was just to show to him that I wasn't some weak girl that he thought existed. Of course, you all realize that I was going to get back at both him and Aaron for calling me weak, but it didn't occur to me what I should do until the next class, which was the Pokemon Gym Battling class. Some of the girls on the varsity soccer team asked if I was trying out for the team that afternoon. It suddenly hit me that this would be a great way to show I was not only un- weak, but incredibly strong. So, instead of hanging out with Steph, Sam, Dumb and Dumber, I'd go practice with the soccer girls. At lunch, we went out to the soccer field, where most of the girls from the co-ed soccer team were practicing for the day's tryouts. I practiced with them, and to my surprise, they told me I was quite good and that I should be able to make the team.
After lunch was study period for most people, but I had practice for the musical with Aaron. Since I wanted the tryouts to be a surprise, I wasn't going to tell him what I was about to do. Between our lines, Aaron had started a conversation with me. "Where were you at lunch," he asked, "I missed you so much!" He then pushed him and me together in a sort-of hug. "Oh, uh, I was in the principal's office, discussing some things." I lied again. It seemed so easy to make up stuff, and then make Aaron believe it was true. "Well, at least we get to spend this period together." He then turned to me and wet his lips in anticipation. Then, the teacher interrupted us. "All right, Rachel, Aaron, let's practice that kiss at the end of the musical." Aaron cheered loudly, and I sulked. After a few moments, we faced each other. "Okay," the teacher told us, "I want this really passionate, you know, how you guys kiss your boyfriends and girlfriends." Apparently the drama teacher never had an actual girlfriend. Aaron turned to me, and I turned to him. It was supposed to be one of the most miserable moments of my life, but in actuality, it was one of the best. Aaron might have felt giddy with excitement, but I felt awkward as our lips came closer and closer together. Then, when I thought maybe I couldn't do the kiss, Aaron grabbed the back of my head and lunged it at him, and our lips met in great force. I should have been disgusted, but surprisingly, I liked it. When Aaron added his tongue to the kiss, I went for it too, and eventually we would end up pressed against each other with Aaron on top of me, pushing our mouths together over and over. For the first time, I had actually liked Aaron, even perhaps more than a friend. Perhaps Sam was right; maybe we would become a couple. Then, when the drama teacher saw enough was enough, he told us to stop. Aaron sat up, and extended a hand to me, with which I used to help me sit up. I was blushing, but Aaron was awed. "Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?" I was too ashamed to say anything. I had kissed Aaron! Geez, someone gag me!
After school, I met the varsity girls in the locker room, who also were in this plan, but now because they wanted to show Aaron and Seth a thing or two, but to prove to the boys that they were important to the team. So, we all decided to wear blue shirts, khaki shorts and blue face paint. Then, as they were all putting their hair in buns, one of the girls, named Katie, handed me a scrunchie - one of those things you put on to hold a bun in place - girls know what I mean - and a cute pink bow to pin into the bun. "Now you're part of the girls team!" Katie shouted. To pump up ourselves, we huddled together and did one of those warm-up cheers: Oh who's the best in the neighborhood . oh we are the best in the neighborhood! Shout 1.2.3.4 . Cause we all know that girls rule! All right, so it's a little silly, but hey, it works!
Running out onto the field, I had already noticed that the boys were already on the field. Noticing that there were ten boys trying out for the team and there were two of us girls. "Geez, the boys are horribly outnumbered!" I said, worried. Katie laughed. "Ech, don't worry, those boys couldn't train them half as well as we trained you." I smiled. Then, the girls lined up behind the previously lined boys. I didn't know if Aaron saw me, but he must of known I was there considering the coach called my name and put me to a position, center forward.
It was boys vs. girls. Katie was playing right center, while Aaron and Seth were also playing forwards. One of he new boys was in the center. Katie introduced me to Andrea, the player playing left center. "Hey, Rachel!" Andrea greeted, "Hope you get on the team, it would rock!" I smiled. "Yeah, I hope so too." Katie laughed. "Don't worry, I'm betting you will." And with that, the coach came out to start the game. He put the soccer ball in between the new boy and me. Then, he explained that the first team to score wins. Then he blew the whistle, which signaled the beginning of the game. I kicked the ball to Katie, who got it passed the new kid, but not Aaron, who stole it and started moving it towards the goal, but fortunately, the girls on the defense kicked it towards me. I took the job seriously. "Okay Rachel," I told myself, "Time to show these boys what I'm really made of." I started kicking it rapidly towards the boys' goal. There was only one problem: Seth was standing right in front of me. No problem, kick it under his legs. Then, I did what any smart and strong girl would do. I flipped over him. Aaron called to the coach, "Is that legal?" The coach nodded, "It is in Kuren soccer." I laughed. Nothing was going to get me from winning it from my team. I dribbled it past the defense and right to the goal, unfortunately the goalie blocked it. Again, acting on my instincts, I kicked my feet up in the air, to the side, and hit the ball again, this time; the ball went in the goal. Andrea cheered and shouted, "Now that's how you play soccer!" We girls did a victory dance while the boys stood there, looking confused. I saw that Aaron and Seth looked especially puzzled.
The coach had announced the five new players on the team. The other girl and I made it, which was a huge upset to the boys. "I'm on the team!" I celebrated. Katie came over to hug me. "You did great out there!" she said to me. "Glad to have you with us." For Katie, one of the best players on the team, to tell me I was great on the field, I was really grateful. Having friends like Steph, Sam, Katie and Andrea were all I needed for me to succeed.