The game

It’s Friday. Which means the Welsh oracy test is today. I’m not really worried about it today, since me and Beck did practice it at his place the other day and Miss. Sanger will probably give us a few minutes to practice in class.

I learnt quite a lot about Beck when I was over at his house. I found out Luke is actually Beck's stepdad. That's why he has a British accent, unlike Beck and his mum, Celia and that’s why they moved here from America. Beck has an older sister, whose name I do not know. Well, I’m assuming that it’s his sister. I saw a wedding photo, probably Celia’s and Luke’s wedding, and there was a girl in between Beck and Celia in the picture. She looked just like Celia, except that she had hazel eyes instead of Celia’s green ones that Beck has. She had dirty blond hair that went down to her back. She was beautiful. Looked like she was in her early twenties.

“He came up to me yesterday after school,” Amy is talking about Bobby, her ex. “He said that he wants to get back together with me,” she says this while eating her baguette from the lunch hall.

“Well, do you want to?” Aya asks her.

“I mean. I still have feelings for him, but I don’t know.” She pauses for a while. “We’re always arguing and I don’t enjoy that.” Amy continues. “If we get back together, I’m afraid that we won’t even last more than a week.”

“You both clearly still like each other, even though your relationship didn’t end well.” Dylan tells Amy. “I say, just give it another chance. Maybe this time it’ll be different.”

“I think Dylan’s right.” I speak up. “It’s been 5 months. Maybe he’s changed.”

“Why don’t you just meet up with him and talk. Just talk about it before you decide anything.” Mary adds in.

“Okay. I’ll ask Bobby to meet me at Bluebells tomorrow then. We’ll just talk and see how that goes.” Amy says.

The bell rings, meaning lunchtime is over and it’s time for Welsh.

***

“Beck stop.”

“Stop it.”

“Touch a strand on my hair one more time and see what happens.” Beck has been messing with my hair for the past 5 minutes. It’s not our turn yet, so we’re waiting and listening to other people’s conversations.

“I’m bored Shera. I don’t understand what they’re saying,” Beck whispers to me, not wanting Miss. Sanger to hear us.

“Well, thanks to you being new to Welsh. Miss said we’ll be going last” I tell him. “So just read your parts and practice them in your head.”

Beck sighs, “Fine.”

***

The rest of Welsh went by pretty slowly. Me and Beck were the last ones to do ours and Miss said it was good. She told Beck that she was really proud of him for trying and doing so well. All he did was read of a script that I wrote, but okay.

I was waiting at the back gate for Gabe. Since Finn has a game today, he won’t be walking home with us. I finally spot Gabe making his way through the crowd. I wave to let him know where I am. When he sees me he starts walking towards me.

“I just had the most boring lesson.” Gabe says when he’s close enough for me to hear him.

“Let me guess. English.”

“Nope. English isn’t that bad. It was classroom P.E.”

“That is pretty boring. I usually always fall asleep in that lesson.”

Our conversation is cut short when Sam starts shouting my name and running towards where me and Gabe are.

“Are you alright?” I ask him.

Sam was clearly out of breath from that run.

Gabe starts laughing. “Why were you running and shouting my sister’s name as if you’re about to die without her.”

“What. No.” Sam was still trying to catch up on his breath. “We need you Hera.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ali can’t make it for the game. He has a karate competition at the same time. We need you to replace him.”

“Me?”

“Well maybe if Hera is on the team you guys can actually win a game this time.” Gabe said quietly.

“I heard that.” Sam says.

“You were supposed to.”

“Okay. I’ll take Ali’s place.”

“Great. Now hurry up and get changed into your P.E. kit. The bus leaves in 20 minutes.”

“I guess that means I’ll be walking home alone today.” Gabe says.

“I’m sorry Gabe,” I tell him.

“It’s okay. Just make sure you help those guys win.”

I laugh at what he said. “I’ll try.”

Once I finished getting changed, I made my way to where all the other players are crowded. We were all waiting for the bus to get to Bishopvonn, the school we’re playing against.

“Hera, I really appreciate you stepping in for Ali. It means a lot to me.” Mr. Reece, the teacher in charge of the football team said to me. “I heard from Mrs. Warlow that you’re really good at football. Maybe you should play for the boys team. These lads have been off lately. Haven’t won a game in quite a while.”

“I’m just glad I can help out today sir.” I told him.

“My twin sister, here to save the day.” Finn said, putting his arm around my neck.

“Why is everyone so happy about me playing on the team today?”

“Because Hera.” Sam paused for a while to have some water. “You’re literally the best player on the girl’s team and everyone on that team said that you’re probably the only reason they’re able to win so many games.”

“That’s not true. This sport is about teamwork. It’s pointless if I’m the only one playing.”

Just then the bus arrived. Everyone started getting on the bus and before we left Mr. Reece did a headcount to make sure that everyone was here. I sat at the back of the bus, in between Finn and Sam.

“I have a feeling that this game is gonna be the one that we win.” Oli, who was sitting in front of us said.

“You guys make it sound like Ali was the reason that you were losing,” I said.

“Ali is a great player. He’s actually pretty good. It’s just that he rarely shows up to practice because of karate.” I heard Chase say.

“It’s just hard for him to balance both. He’s busy with his karate practices and competitions but is also trying to stay on the football team. He’s gonna have to pick one. Can’t do both, it’s just too much on his plate.” A guy from my Biology class, Drake added.

‘But I think as a whole, this team needs to work together in order to win. You guys have to communicate well with each other on the field. Teamwork is key in this game.” I told the guys.

A few minutes later, we arrived at our rival school. We all got off the bus and made our way to the field.

When we were out on the field, I saw the opposing team warming up and getting ready for the game. Mr. Reece told us to warm ourselves up as well.

“Hera?”

I turned behind me to see who had called my name.

“What are you doing here?” The person asked.

It was Kieron, my ex.

“She’s here to kick your ass Norman.” Finn said sarcastically, stepping in front of me. “What else do you think she’s here for if it’s not for the game?”

“You lot were that desperate.” Kieron laughs. “Had to get a girl on your team. You’re really that bad.”

“Just because they have me on their team, doesn’t mean they’re bad.” I finally spoke out.

“Hera. You’re a girl. On a boy’s football team. You’re going to be playing against boys. Not the normal weak girls you always play against.”

What Kieron said made me ball my hands into a fist. My nails were digging into my skin. Weak? He thinks girls are? I’ll show this sexist pig who’s weak.

We had 9 minutes left of the game and we’re tied with 2-2. We still have time to win this game.

I was close to the other team’s goalie waiting for a perfect opportunity for one of the boys to pass the ball to me. Sam had the ball and he made a pass to Oli. Oli had the ball and made a pass to Finn on his left. The opposing team was closing up on him, so Finn passed the ball to me.

I ran with the ball, as fast as I could before I fake a kick to the right, confusing Kieron, and kicked a goal to the left. It hit the back of the net. Just in time before the whistle was blown, signalling that the game was over.

“WE WON!!!”

All the boys on my team started running up to me. Finn and Sam were the first to hug me, then everyone else joined in.

“YES. WE FINALLY WON!” Chase shouts out.

“Guys as much as I appreciate the affection, you all smell.” I told the guys.

“We did it thanks to you Hera,” Adam, a boy from Mary’s form says.

“I’m really proud of you guys!” Mr. Reece congratulated us.

After the emotional victory moment, we all got ready to head back to school. It was already starting to get dark. Since it’s almost winter, the day is shorter and it gets darker earlier.

“That was just a lucky win. Don’t get too proud of yourself Hera.”I hear Kieron say from behind me.

Someone’s a sore loser. I turn to face him, “I’m that proud of myself. I’m proud of the team.”

“It was beginner's luck. Your first time playing with the guys.” He says.

“If you really knew me well enough Kieron, you would know that that wasn’t my first time playing with the guys.” Back in primary school, I was the only girl on an all boy’s football team.

“I know a lot about you Hera. Enough to embarrass you at least.”

“I’m not afraid of you Kieron. Say what you want to people about me. I couldn’t care less. I just hope I never have to see you again.”

Kieron was about to say something until the guys started approaching us.

“Just accept that you’ve lost Norman.” Chase tells Kieron.

“Leave Hera alone.” Sam stands in between me and Kieron.

Kieron glares at Sam before leaving back to his team.

“He’s such a prick,” Oli comments. “Why did you ever date him?”

“I ask myself the same thing everyday. Not a day goes by where I don’t regret it,” I answer.

***

“So, I heard about the game today.” Dad says, while eating his fried rice.

“Yeah. Hera had to replace Ali cause he couldn’t make it,” Gabe says.

“And we actually won today. It was 3-2,” Finn tells Dad.

“Thanks to Hera,” Rene says. “ If she wasn’t there, I don’t think you guys would’ve won.”

“Hera’s a lucky charm.” Bella exclaims.

We’re all at the dining table, having dinner and talking about today’s game. Everyone is just happy that Amwyll’s boy’s football team finally won, after a long time.I’m proud of the lads. I think it was all team effort and everyone worked really well. It wasn’t just me. I couldn’t have done it without the lads. They’re all honestly pretty good. I did notice though that there was a lack of communication between them.

“You should just join the boy’s team permanently Hera,” Mikey tells me.

“I was only covering for Ali. Anyway, I’m on the girl’s team. I can’t be playing on both.”

I would love to play with the guys, but I am already on a team. One that I am happy with.