Chapter 2

Stephanie was in a good mood as she packed her suitcase. Then she heard the phone ring downstairs. Running downstairs, she quickly picked it up before the message machine kicked in.

"Hello, this is Stephanie."

"Hi, Steph, it's me Shebs." A dejected voice came over the phone. Stephanie knew two things right off the bat. Whenever Beth called her Steph instead of Stephanie it meant something was up. The other was when she called herself 'Shebs'. That was Stephanie's nickname for her. They had made it up when there was another Beth on the soccer team. It meant things were very bad.

"What's wrong, Beth?" Stephanie asked.

"My parents say I can't go to LazyTown with you. They decided that we were going to spend this summer visiting my relatives." Beth told her.

"All summer?" Stephanie asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, first we're going to Virginia for two weeks, then Ohio for two weeks, and then Connecticut for two weeks. I don't want to go and the worst part is we are driving to those places. DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES TO DRIVE TO CONNECTICUT FROM OHIO!" Beth exploded. Stephanie rubbed her ear after catching that last bit at full volume.

"Yes, well you should look at the positives. Like…"

"Like what? Being stuck in the minivan with my two younger sisters for the 10 hour ride to Virginia or the 7 hour ride to Ohio or the 14 hour ride to Connecticut, I see no positives in there." Beth said sarcastically.

"Well, I'll give you my Uncle's address and then you can mail me letters on how things are going. You give me the addresses of your cousins and I'll send letters back. What about that?" Stephanie suggested. Beth agreed to this and the two exchanged information. After saying goodbye, Stephanie hung up and went back upstairs.

For some reason she felt better that Beth couldn't go. That meant she wouldn't have to explain her and Sportacus. Stephanie continued to pack as her thoughts floated back to Sportacus. She remembered that night up in his airship after his ribs had healed. She had fallen asleep and he just held her all night. She then remembered how upset Uncle Milford was when he couldn't find her the next morning. Stephanie giggled to herself as she remembered Sportacus trying to explain that to Uncle Milford. The clock chimed downstairs and she realized it was three o'clock in the afternoon.

Quickly Stephanie grabbed her soccer bag and headed to the park. The park was only down the street and her soccer game started at 3:15. She reached the park and hurriedly put on her shin guards, pink soccer socks, and pink cleats. Then slipping her pink goalie jersey over her head she walked over to the rest of the team. Beth smiled at her as the coach explained the game plan.

"Today's game is one of the most important you will ever play." The coach started. "If we win today, we will play in the championship game two days from now. The game starts in five minutes. Good luck ladies." Coach Alexander finished. "Stephanie, come here please." Stephanie was nervous as she walked over to Coach Alexander.

"What's up, Coach?" Stephanie asked.

"I know you only live down the street but when I wanted everyone here for three o'clock and you waltz in at ten after three, it tends to tell me that you aren't being serious about today's game. Now I kept you on this team because out of three other goalies you were the best but if you aren't taking things seriously, then I will start your back up instead of you." Coach Alexander scolded her.

"I'm sorry Coach. I lost track of time. I promise this game is the only thing on my mind. I won't be late ever again." Stephanie apologized.

"Good, I would hate to not have you next year." The coach said as the teams were called to mid-field. The referees went over the rules and checked the equipment. Then the teams went to their respective benches. Coach Alexander called out the starting line up. The players took the field and the game began.

To Be Continued…