“Bye, mom!” I called to my mom, who was in one of the bedrooms in our suite.
“Bye, hunny! Good luck, I know you’ll do great!” She came out and gave me great big hug, which comforted me incredibly. I took my room key and walked out the door once I made sure I had my cleats, socks, and shinguards.
I didn’t know which car was Sarah’s, but I had a pretty good idea it was the Cadillac Escalade. I was right. I got into the passenger seat, and she started the car. For the short ride we carried on small talk, and once we got to the fields, which I noted were perfect, I immediately got very nervous. I was on Varsity in Hickory, but would I make the cut here?
Sarah sensed my uneasiness, and squeezed my arm. “I have a good feeling about you, Kate. You’ll do great.” She smiled, and I did my best to smile back.
As I got out of the car, I took in the girls outrageous outfits. A few of them were even wearing Juicy knee-highs. I felt self-conscious for the second time today about my modest tee-shirt and Adidas shorts. Sarah waved me over to two men and one woman, who must have been the coaches. I took a deep breath, and walked confidently over.
“This is Kate Clark. She wants to join the team. Become a Lady Lion.” Sarah grinned. The adults looked me over.
“Kate, you ever played before?” The oldest one said. He was a man with gray hair and striking grass green eyes. I was intimidated.
“Yeah, since I was four.”
“Played Varsity?” The female asked.
“Yeah, I was on JV freshman year and Varsity last year. I was supposed to be a starter this year.” I shifted my weight, waiting for the younger male coach to ask me something. Instead, he smiled.
“Welcome to the team.”1
By 6:00, I was breathing heavily. The varsity coach (the intimidating one, Paul Fears) had me and another late entry practice with Varsity so he could see how we played, and had us working wicked hard. After two hours of fitness and half an hour of scrimmaging, I was spent. I didn’t see how I was practicing with Varsity since they had over eighteen girls. I knew if I was put on the roster I would be a benchwarmer.
What surprised me the most was how amazing Sarah was. She seemed so frail and breakable at school, but she was a beast on the field. I completely forget she was practically anorexic. Jenny was okay, she was on the Junior Varsity squad, but I could tell she would start. I felt like her size was what worked against her.
The coaches pulled me aside at the end of practice. Coach Fears asked, “Kate. What team did you play for, again?” I answered I was a part of the Hickory High Wildcats, and he said, “Of course. You didn’t mention that before. I can’t believe you left out the fact that you were on the Varsity team of the team that’s ranked fifth in the nation!” Of course I didn’t, I wanted to earn my spot, not just have it given to me.
Too late.
“We’ve already handed out uniforms, and we don’t have any extras, but I’ll get you one. Sarah!” Sarah skipped over.
“Yes, Coach?”
“I need your jersey. Until we get another uniform in, you will be playing on JV, and Kate here will be Varsity.”
Sarah’s eyes widened with shock. So did mine. At the same time, we both exclaimed, “No!” Sarah began to speak, but I cut her off.
“Coach Fears, you really can’t do that. Sarah earned her spot on the team, and it would be unfair to take it away from her. She’s the one who took me under her wing, too. I could never do that to her. Play her. Put me on JV. I don’t mind. I need the practice, I haven’t had time to really play amidst the moving.” I pleaded.
Coach Fears appeared to think about it. In a split second, Ethan (the JV coach) came over and said, “She has a point, Paul. I’ll take her.” He smiled, knowing he had hit the jackpot once Coach Fears reluctantly agreed. As Sarah and I walked away, I tried to tell her I was sorry. We both got in the car without one word.
The drive was excruciating. When we finally arrived at the hotel, I turned to look at Sarah. “Thanks for the ride, Sarah.” I said timidly.
As I started to close the door, she responded. “Wait.” I did. “Thank you.” I nodded and closed the door shut.2
“Hey, mom, I’m home! Wait…” I laughed at calling the two-bedroom suite a home. I sniffed the air. “Is that…”
“Chinese!” My brother Justin said excitedly. At the same time, Jill, his twin sister, walked in as well. They were in eighth grade and virtually inseparable.
“How was your practice, Kate?” Jane asked.
I told them everything that had happened at the Lady Lions soccer practice; they had always been my confidantes. Upon asking them how their day was, they told me how much fun their school was and how well they had fit in. I wished I could have said the same.
I went and grabbed a plate to pile high with lo mein and dumplings, then remembered the girls at school. I put the plate back.
“What’s wrong, babe? You love Chinese.” My mom asked me with concern.
“I’m just not hungry, I had a hard practice.” Total lie, and she knew.
“Okay… I’ll save some for you.”
I went to the lone desk in the suite and got out the letter I had been working on.
the boys at school are pretty gorge too, which duh! is because i’m in california. there are two that have especially caught my eye – jacob ryland and his best friend (i think) whose name i don’t know. theyre so cute, and jake even walked me to my first class!
so overall, besides the hott boys, life here isn’t too great. cali is all talk, believe me. write back, kate.
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