Dearest Readers,
This is my second story. The first acquired wonderful reviews and I would simply love to hear your thoughts on this document. Those who have read Daine Fights, would you care to compare the two? Please keep in mind as you read that I have changed many of the details pertaining to the novels by Tamora Pierce. And please, do enjoy yourselves.
Sincerely,
Hottie12oclock
DISCLAIMER: The original characters belong to the ingenious Tamora Pierce.
PROTECTOR OF THE GOAL: CHAPTER ONE
Name: Veralidaine Sarrasri. "No, scratch that." The girl erased the first word, replacing it. "Daine Sarrasri. Much better. Occupation? Student and part-time waitress. Home phone? 404…" Daine finished the application, answering the various questions. After handing the paper to the bored-looking lady at the desk, she exited the stuffy building, accidentally slamming the door that read 'sport registration'. As she slid into her yellow corvette she was thrilled over the weeks to come. The registration was for University of Georgia's summer soccer program. Soccer was what she loved most, aside from mammalian anatomy that was. She shifted into reverse, backing out of her parking space, and as soon as she was in first gear she was gone. She allowed the soccer dreams to occupy her mind as she drove off campus and headed for the interstate.
Daine was so preoccupied that she nearly missed her exit. She had to cut quickly into the left lane, angering a man in a suburban. When she finally pulled up to the gate guarding entrance to the neighborhood, she punched the code to satisfy the computer and entered Silver Birch Estates. The lots were roughly two acres each, and mounted upon them were houses enough to impress Daine each time she passed them.
She had lost her mother when she was twelve. Having a single mother for a time, all Daine had ever known was a small apartment. But when a tragic fire consumed her sole guardian, Daine was sent into foster care. There she stayed until the joyous day when Jonathan and Thayet Conté adopted her. She still kept her mother's maiden name, but everything else changed. She now resided in a five bedroom, 5600 square foot manor. Daine owned the nicest clothes and not to mention a nice car, all complements of her adopted parents. Private stables three miles away housed their two horses, Cloud and Darkmoon. Diane had everything she could ever ask for. What she didn't have, however, was what she couldn't ask for: the adorable soccer instructor/university professor, Coach/Prof. Salmalìn. True, Diane was only eighteen and he was twenty-six (A/N just pretend, ok?) but he was also the most handsome creature to walk the face of the earth.
Daine really did love soccer for the sport; Coach Salmalìn was just a plus. She had the pleasure of playing for him twice already and attended his little-known anatomy class. Select advanced placement students could take his course, and Daine happened to be one of those select few.
"Jon, Thayet, I'm home," she called, sliding her keys into her handbag. Walking into the kitchen, she found Thayet mincing vegetables with Alleika, their chef and housekeeper.
"Hey, honey. Jon's out back. Did you sign up?" Daine nodded and bit into and apple selected from the fruit bowl.
"Training starts Wednesday, and our first tournament is two Saturdays from this weekend. Are you coming?" Daine asked, always glad to have them in the stands.
"Of course," Thayet replied simply. "Dinner's at five, by the way," she added as Daine walked away. Daine nodded again and smiled. She trotted upstairs, two at a time, and turned left to enter her room. The blue walls greeted her as sunshine danced playfully through the many windows. She was completely itching to get at her soccer ball, but put her mind on a different track: violin.
Extracting the delicate instrument from the velvety interior of its case, she slid the shoulder rest into place. It gripped the back, which was a one-piece tiger pattern. Daine settled it on her shoulder. After tightening the bow she tried the A string. Ew, way flat. An adjustment with the pegs and a little with the fine tuners near the base, she tuned the rest of the strings according to the A. Although the violin was marvelous, it didn't matter. What matters is what you do with it. Daine played it piano, forte, fortissimo, whatever any music called for. She played that violin with her heart and soul, mind and body. All too soon, the dinner bell rang.
"Beethoven's fifth, a well-known selection," Jon observed at the dinner table. Apparently he had heard her playing. Jon and Thayet perched at the ends of the table, Daine and Alleika in between. Alleika, an old nanny may she be, but she was still like a part of the family. Alleika had worked for the Conte's even before Daine had arrived. "What do you say we brush up on your ball skills after dinner?" Jon probed.
Daine beamed. "I would enjoy that. Maybe you guys could join," Daine added, meaning Thayet and Alleika. Thayet shook her head and politely declined the offer, saying that soccer wasn't her specialty.
"Come on, Jon, take your best shot," Daine teased. Dinner was settled in their stomachs and she stood in the center of a portable, full-sized metal-frame goal. Yards away, Jon backed away from where the ball was placed, prepared to take a penalty shot. He sprinted, planted his left foot beside the ball, and booted the ball fiercely at Daine. In one lazy reach, Daine had snagged the sphere and tucked it into her stomach. Jon showed his approval and prepared for the next shot.