Musa bursted into the cabin doors on the girls first rest day. Day 12.
Stella still hadn't spoken to Brandon, keeping at the back of the pack during morning runs and bailing out towards the end. She'd sneak in her extra miles at night.
"Ms. Bahr's daughter just had to go and have her damn baby! We're out of a coach!" Musa grunted.
"Wait? What?" Bloom stood up, "What are we going to do?
"I'd be our coach. I used to coach YMCA." Stella fell back onto her bunk. "LETS GO LADIES 26 MILES, IT'S NOT THAT BAD." Stella yelled, laughing.
The rest of the girls laughed but paused when reality settled in. Stella sat on the floor and did a heel stretch. She pulled it all the way back and breathed in pain. She was determined to be flexible "DAMN PILATES." She whispered loudly.
"Stella, there's a bigger problem at hand other than your hamstrings." Tecna scolded light heartedly.
"Who says we even need a coach. We have a bad ass goalie, a solid d-line and amazing midfielders. We don't need anything else." Stella said humbly, leaving herself out of the equation.
"I think you guys might need a coach." A deep voice came. Stella turned and her jaw hung lightly.
The man standing in their doorway was exactly that. A man.
He had tanned skin, stunning grey eyes and light blonde hair.
"I'll be your coach." He smiled with perfect teeth.
"My name is Roy Jones, you can call me Coach Roy." He grinned again.
It was hushed among the girls as their jaws hung in the wind. He was beautiful.
"Hi, I'm Bloom, Midfield. MVP on my club team. 3rd in the nation." She shook his hands and flipped her hair.
"I'm Musa! Goal Keeper of the year award, 3 years in a row. It's a pleasure!" She poked her head in.
"My names Tecna, defense. 21 straight shut outs." She smiled.
"Krystal, nothing special." She mumbled.
"I'm Flora! My high school's club MVP and 2nd in the nation." She grabbed his hands and grinned eagerly.
Roy greeted them and turned to the blonde in the middle of the room wearing nothing but spandex and a sports bra.
"And...you?" He said, eyeing her.
"I'm Stella. I just love the game." She bit her lip and smiled. She turned and left as he watched her leave.
The girls waited for their pick up game against the green team. Stella thought nothing of this until she realized who the coach was. She scanned the crowd and spotted Diaspro bouncing around Brandon. He was staring at her. Not Diaspro. But Stella.
Stella looked away and approached Roy, "Same positions?"
"No." He said nonchalantly.
"What?" Stella said, baffled at his risky choice.
"You're in defense." He smiled and gave her a thumbs up. She quickly grabbed his hand and pointed it down.
"No, no, no. I don't do defense. I'm a striker. Look at my records!" She begged.
"I never got any. But today, you're center sweeper."
Stella felt dizzy. She had never played defense. Not since she was 7. She trotted onto the field and Krystal took her place at the front of their half. She looked back to Stella and frowned, "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do." She uttered just loud enough for Stella to hear.
Stella gave her a thumbs and responded, "You're gonna do fine. Just score!" She cheered for Krystal.
Krystal looked forward and Diaspro took her spot at the head of the circle for the other team. Stella smiled.
"Hey, Flo, Bloom. Let her through." Stella called to them. They smiled mischievously and nodded.
The whistle was blown and Diaspro was off on a sprint. Well, a waddle. Bloom and Flora paused and 'accidently' lost her. Diaspro approached Stella with the ball.
Stella lowered her shoulder into her, flattening her onto the ground, releasing the ball.
"Be selfish Stel, Go!" Bloom encouraged.
Stella looked up and bolted up the side of the field. With one kick, the ball sunk into the corner of the net. Stella looked to Roy who shook his head laughing. She jogged over to the side line, confused.
"You're Stella Solaria, aren't you?" He chuckled. She nodded.
"For the love of the game," He mocked, laughing at her humbleness.
Stella smiled and looked back at Diaspro who was still laying on the ground. Stella walked over and lifted her up by the arm. She had the wind knocked out of her and Stella was proud, but didn't want to lose her sportsmanship.
"Walk it off," Stella patted her back and walked away.
Brandon's face was in his palms. Stella looked forward to Krystal who looked slightly bummed. Stella decided to take one for the team. She took a knee. She limped off the field and sat on the bench next to Roy.
"My ankle's been bugging me." She lied.
"Good try frosh." He said without looking away from the field. "You took one for the team. You're being the bigger person. You know you're ten times better than them but you just wanna be the nice girl. Give everyone a chance." He analyzed.
Stella looked away. He was right; she pitied them because she was such a show-off. She scolded herself for being selfish again. Even though Bloom told her to be.
"But you're damn good." He said, finally looking at her. She smiled and leaned back, watching her team.
Krystal finally scored, followed by Tecna and Flora. Stella felt guilt. She was taking away the experience for her team by being so ball-hungry.
"Tell you what," Roy began. "For your sacrifice, I'll let you race me later tonight. Loser buys the winner dinner." He joked but Stella felt her stomach churn. Was her sexy coach hitting on her?
"Well, let me think where I want to eat. And remember your wallet." She stood up and walked back to the cabin as the whistle blew.
Stella breathed heavily, "Dear God!"
"So close!" Roy huffed and wheezed.
"I'm gonna...ahhhh!" Stella yelled through a hard breath.
Roy let out a moan as he collapsed to the ground.
"I WONNNNN! WOOO-HOOOOO!" Stella jumped up and down as she stomped onto a log in the middle of the woods.
Roy choked on his breath.
"Holy shit, it's like racing a deer." He breathed hard. Stella giggled and lifted him up by the arm.
"What's good around here on Friday nights?" She smiled and winked at him.
"Do you like dancing?" He grabbed her hand and spun her around. She grinned, "Who doesn't?"
He let her hand go and placed it on the small of her back, guiding her back to the camp. "Well, let's go to city walk tonight." He offered.
"Sounds great, see you at 8?" She asked. He nodded slowly and they parted. "See you then." He called, not turning.
Stella broke out into an all out sprint. She busted through the doors of her cabin and yelled, "I NEED A FAKE ID NOW." She begged.
Tecna looked up from her laptop and chuckled, "I'm on it. How old do you want to be?"
"21." Stella begged. Her eighteenth birthday was in one week, but she couldn't wait. She quickly showered and blow dried her golden locks. She yanked on flora white dress that showed off her legs and white gladiator flats. She didn't do heels.
She heard a truck approach and she poke her head out; it was Roy.
She walked out and hoped into his truck. They parked after ten minutes of driving and strolled swiftly into City Walk.
"I could get in so much trouble." He chuckled to himself. She smiled, "Yeah, probably.."
Stella didn't get ID-ed and she made her way to the dance floor. Roy spun her around and she danced next to him. She was having fun when suddenly, there he was.
Brandon was talking to a talk lanky bar tender and he was throwing back a beer. Stella locked eyes with him and he jumped up from his seat.
"Stella!" He called, weaving through the crowd and his look was sympathetic.
"Hey!" He called as he approached her. She swallowed hard. "Hi."