Friday: Erin Meets the Women
The College Admission Scandal sweeping the country delivered a crippling blow to institutions of higher education. Not only were there indictments and lawsuits over the cheating scandal, but students who had scammed their way into college were being kicked out left and right.
Sports teams from Ivy League campuses had also taken major hits, losing several key players just prior to the start of a new season.
On the bright side, Erin was in heaven when she was told of her good news. Due to a Forward on the soccer team being kicked out for cheating her way into college, Erin was offered a spot on the team. It was all very last-minute and she was thrilled that she had made a solid impression on the Coach during tryouts several months ago.
Normally, she'd tell her roommate of the wonderful announcement, but sadly, her socialite roommate had withdrawn from campus before any disciplinary hearing could be held.
*
Erin was in awe, standing on the field, watching the fierce women of the soccer team practice. She was also in awe of the beautiful Coach, who watched the practice session with a keen eye. The Coach had such grace and power, that Erin was just amazed looking at her.
"Are you still in shape?" the Coach asked, while maintaining her sharp gaze on the field. "Do you still run? You look fit, but do you still have the cardio to compete in a game?"
"I run every day," Erin proudly boasted. "Sometimes leisurely. Sometimes I run really hard. It's my way of relaxing and my passion."
"Wonderful to hear. How is your academic schedule? Is it filled with difficult course work?"
"It's reasonable."
The Coach kept analyzing the players on the field. "There's no hard feelings, right? I know you were bummed when you didn't make the team, and frankly, you should have been picked. But you know how this is. Sports is a business, and sometimes certain decisions have to be made."
For a split second, Erin wondered if the scandal of deceit and deception had made its way up the chain to the Coach, but she tried not to think of such negative thoughts.
"There's no use living in the past," Erin said diplomatically. "I'd love to be on the team if you'll have me."
The Coach blew a whistle and hollered at the team, "Great job everyone! Stretch, relax, then in 5 minutes head to the locker room for physicals."
When the team did as they were instructed, the Coach turned her attention towards Erin.
"You're here on the right day," the Coach said. "We're doing updates on physicals, and since this is your first examination, you'll be given a thorough inspection. Valentina is in charge of the team's fitness. I take her words to heart. If Valentina says you're ready for action, then you're on the team."
Erin beamed. "Thank you, Coach."
"You can thank Valentina if she agrees to have you on board. Have you ever been in a locker room like this before?"
"Sure, I played high school sports and I go to the gym regularly."
The Coach gave a cryptic smile, "This is a different type of gym. Now follow me."
*
Everyone headed to the locker room together for their evaluations. Being a mild-mannered person, Erin assumed the players were going to stand patiently in line for their turn. Instead, she quickly realized that this group of young women were just as rowdy as any group of sorority sisters after final exams.
"Tops off, bitches!" the Goalie shouted to the group.
The women hooted and hollered as they pulled off their soccer jerseys and stood in their sports bras. Some twirled their jerseys before tossing them in the laundry bin. Others used them to whip teammates in the butt. This was just like a frat house, Erin thought, amused by their antics.
The players toned it down when the Coach and Valentina appeared and strolled through the room into the small office where the physicals were to be taking place. Valentina was well known and highly respected in the world of women's soccer. From Eastern Europe, the blonde woman had a reputation for excellence and her 'bitches' were expected to follow the rules. Consequently, the women formed a straight line and struggled to be patient while awaiting their turn to be poked and prodded.
Erin could see Valentina taking meticulous care to analyze each player. The line dwindled until finally it was her turn.
"Strip down to your bra and panties," the Coach ordered. "Valentina will work her magic on you. She's my right-hand woman, you could say."
There was an air of innuendo in that statement, but Erin was thrilled that she was yet another step closer on this fast-track plan to join the team.
Erin removed her clothes and placed them on a chair. She felt exposed and a bit nervous as she undressed under the watchful gazes of the two professionals for the first time, and she could see members of the team lingering around before heading to the showers. This whole process was unexpected, but she'd agreed to the necessary locker room physical and tried to take it in stride.
When she was down to her undergarments, she fought her nerves and stepped forward towards the trainer and equipment. All eyes were on her body and everyone seemed to be pleased with what they saw. While booksmart, Erin was also a fitness enthusiast.
"I'm Valentina," the trainer said with a friendly smile and an extended hand.
Erin smiled back and shook her hand. "I'm Erin. Pleasure to finally meet you, while, ummm, I'm standing like this."
They laughed at their awkward introduction, while Erin was standing in her bra and panties.
Valentina playfully shrugged. "The pleasure is all mine. Now, this is our first meeting, so your examination will be extra thorough. Bear with me, okay? I'm going to take your height and weight, so if you can stand on the scale, please?"
Erin stepped up and felt the height marker whoosh down and stop at the top of her head.
Valentina nudged the little weights into the correct spots and declared, "Looks good! Go ahead and hop onto the table."
Small instruments and a light invaded Erin's headspace, and a cold stethoscope met four different parts of her chest and back. Her joints were tapped while sitting and her abdomen prodded while laying down. It would've felt like any other appointment if the raucous laughter and shouts from the shower and changing area didn't keep interrupting Erin's attempt at calmness. And it seemed like people were lingering around more often than necessary, but Erin chalked that up to nervous paranoia.
When Valentina was done scribbling her notes and gave her final signal of approval, the Coach gave Erin a pat on the shoulder.
"Everything looks good so far," the Coach said in agreement. "Again, I'll defer to Valentina on a final judgment. You two work things out. In the meantime, you'll have to excuse me. The team Captain wanted to see me about something urgent regarding group morale. You two have fun getting to know each other."
They all exchanged pleasantries when the Coach made her sudden exit, leaving Erin to look awkwardly and playfully at the trainer.
"You can get dressed now," Valentina said, while removing her latex gloves. "For what it's worth, I think the Coach likes you."
Erin pulled on her pants. "You think so? The impression I got was that she just needs a new player as soon as possible."
"Trust me, I know what the Coach's preferences are. She's strict, but I can tell she favors you. In fact, you were the first choice after the cheating scandal happened."
"That's amazing," Erin beamed, happily putting her clothes back on. "I don't want to make assumptions, but I think I have good chemistry with her and the rest of the team."
