Celebrating the Win
I regret giving my number to Martinez last week when she insisted on dropping me off to meet my little sister. She has been sending me selfies ranging from cute to sultry nonstop. Each picture elicits different emotions, some tame others explicit. However, her text messages only serve to irritate me, Martinez appears to wait for opportune moments when I'm preoccupied with something important to message me. For instance, I'm studying for an upcoming test and she sends a flirty text. I glance around to see where she's lurking as she enjoys relishing in my reaction to those.
I cannot fault her though; Martinez has been keeping her distance at school. Agreeing to keep the school's social status quo. The instant messages were her only way to keep in touch with me, especially to rile me up. I make a show of turning my phone off, letting her know I do not want to be disturbed. I growl lowly as it has the opposite effect, instead of leaving the library she approaches, swaying her hips seductively. Ignoring her provocative approach, I bury myself deeper into my books, hoping to deter her advances. However, Martinez seems undeterred, her presence looming closer with each step.
Martinez sits next to me, combing her hair back sensually. "Do you need help master?" she asked in a sultry whisper.
"Yes, I do," I replied in a hushed but firm tone, "I need help getting rid of you." Martinez's sultry demeanor faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. It was a rare glimpse and I seized the opportunity to assert myself. "I'm serious, Martinez," I continued, my voice steady despite the tension crackling between us. "This... whatever it is between us, it needs to stop. I can't have you distracting me like this, especially when I'm trying to study."
"I'm sorry," Martinez apologizes, "but I miss you," she whines, "it's been too long since you've played with me.".
I sighed loudly to make my annoyance known, "What did I say?" I demand.
"I'll get what I want if I'm a good girl," Martinez answers innocently.
"Are you being a good girl right now," I ask.
She gives me the puppy dog eyes, "No," Martinez's response is loud enough for the people on the next table can hear. I look at her expressionless and hold my hand up, "please, I'm sorry," she begs.
"Phone, now," I order. She reluctantly gives me the device, I turn it off and put it in my pocket, "you'll get it tonight before the match," I say and dismiss her with a wave of my hand.
"Does that mean I can watch the game," she asks with a bright smile.
"Sure," I say casually, going back to studying.
"Then, I can take you to my place so we can play," Martinez asks her excitement apparent.
"Do you think you deserve it," I retort keeping my eyes on the book. I can see her blinking several times in my peripheral vision. "You can go now," I say shooing her with my hand.
---
"Are you coming home with me after," Martinez cautiously inquires as I return her phone.
"We'll see," I tease and run toward the pitch. Today is the big day; our inter-school match against our biggest rival. The winner would advance to the final of the inter-school cup that is sponsored by Dane & Carlos Gym hence it was nicknamed the DC Cup. There is only one change from the starting lineup of the last match, Tracy Lewis is replacing Jessa Garland as our striker. The rest of the team goes as follows; Raven Dang in the cage, Sasha Winston and Maggie Gaspard as center-backs, Whitney Ben Saïd as our right full-back, Kirsten Jamerson as our left defensive full-back, DeLuca, Martel and Kazinsky in the middle, Saya Budaza and Maria Gao Lei as the wingers.
Rumor has it that four scouts are attending this match. One is said to be from our local pro football team, one is from the best pro team in the country and the other two are from overseas. Those who impress today might be offered professional contracts for the next football season. I wink at my girls as I pass them and mouth good luck to them. The other team seems focused and stressed which is a good thing, it means that we scare them. Our team is relaxed and determined this might be the culmination of all our work.
The referee flips the coin and Odessa opts to stay on the left side of the pitch giving the kick-off to our opponent. As soon as the back pass is made, the girls run to press high. We get the ball back within seconds taking our time to implement our style of play. I couldn't be prouder, they were moving around the ball carrier giving her several options, they were not afraid to go back if they couldn't find a way into the box, the front three constant permutations make it difficult for their direct opponent to mark them, Martel and Kazinsky taking turns to run behind the defence created our best chances.
Despite putting a lot of pressure on our rival's defence we can seem to score. There is always someone who blocks our shots or deviates it away from the goal. Then it happens, in three passes they find themselves in front of our goal. We are lucky the attempt finds itself way over the crossbar. The coach signals the girls to calm the tempo and ensure complete full control of the game. Thirty-eight minutes in and the possession is seventy-six percent in our favor. The counter-pressing prevents our rival from chaining more than six short passes before having to kick the ball away.
Regrettably, a misplaced back pass after their clearance presents them with another counterattacking opportunity. This time they find the back of the net, Saya falls to her knees blaming herself for the bad pass. I quickly reassure her that it was okay; we still have fifty minutes to level the score and potentially win the match. We have several more opportunities to score, but we fail to convert them into goals. Then the worst happens a few seconds before half time they score a second time dampening the team's morale.