Formation.

"You see, football is a game of eleven players. Ten and a goalkeeper. As you said, a team is marked the winner by the number of goal it has. You play the ball with your foot and try to score as many goals as you can.

Professionally, football is played forty-five minutes in two rounds and fifteen minutes break in between. But in highschool, it's forty minutes in two rounds, with a twenty minutes break." She says and I nod.

"You see those white marks on the pitch?" She points to them.

"Yeah."

"Well, those mark the players side. The long line indicates where the players stay. The left is for the home players which is us, and the right is for the away players which is Stanford high. Then after half time, they switch places.

The smaller boxes near the goal post is the penalty area. The four flags indicate corners."

"You see, on each side of the line, like I said there are eleven players. Ten and a goalkeeper. Each players are divided into sections."

"Sections?" I asked confused.

"Yeah, like um groups. You know group A, B, C and so on."

"I get it."

"So this groups are the defenders, midfielders, and forwards also known as strikers.

The defenders stay in front of the goalkeeper. They try to stop the ball from getting close to the goalpost. The midfielders are those on the middle of the field. They try to regulate the ball there. And the strikers are at the front. They are the ones who try to get the ball into the goalpost. They are mostly the ones who score."

"So how do they break into groups?"

"By formation."

"Formation?" I asks and she nods.

"The coach can decide which formation he wishes to use. There's 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 5-3-2, 4-4-1-1, 3-4-3, the list goes on but today, we are using the 4-3-3 formation. Which means, four defenders, three midfielders, and three strikers."

"How do you know this much about football?" I ask in awe.

"C'mon, I've been dating the team's captain for three years. I have to know something."

"True. So what about the numbers."

"I don't really know about the numbers but what I do know are the three most important numbers."

"Which are?"

"Number one, number nine, and number ten."

"What do they mean?"

"Number one is for the first choice goalkeeper. They are always the best. Number ten is for the best player and team captain aka my boyfriend and number nine is for the best striker which is yet to be filled."

"Wow, you really do know about it."

"Yeah." She flips her hair.

"Hey guys." We turn to see Jaxon walking towards us.

He's dressed in a white shirt, blue jeans and brown boots.

"Hey."

"Hi.".

"Been looking all over for you." He sits beside me.

"Just chilling here." I smile.

The teams begin to enter the field and fans start to go wild.

Our team is dressed in a blue and white jersey with the name 'BRIXLER' on it, and white shorts. While the other team is dressed in red and white jersey with the name 'STANFORD' on it and white shorts.

The players get into formation, and just as Chelsea said, it's 4-3-3.

Austin's on a number ten shirt, our goalkeeper's on a number one, and I didn't see a number nine anywhere.

"I hope it's good." I mutter.

"Football isn't as bad or boring as most people think. If you know the basics and how it works, it'd be totally fun." Chelsea tells me.

And it was.

At first, I didn't really get it. Then it became interesting when our team had the ball but the other team kept getting it. It was like a game of passing. The defense was tight and the attack was fierce. It was exhilarating to watch.

By the end of first half, it was 0-0. We went on a twenty minutes break to stretch, use the restroom, and get more snacks.

Second half was tougher. It got to a point where we didn't know who had the ball anymore. Both teams were dribbling each other.

Ten minutes remained and a player from Stanford high tackled our number eight player. The referee blew his whistle and held out a yellow card.

"What just happened?" I ask Chelsea.

"That was a foul and now, there's going to be a free kick."

"Free kick?"

"Yeah. The opponent don't get to interfere and we get to shoot from a certain distance." I nod in understanding.

The referee hands the ball to Austin and the team form a circle to discuss.

A striker, a defender, and a midfielder which is Austin, steps out to play the ball.

The striker stays left from the ball, the defender right from the ball, and Austin, a few feet from the ball.

We didn't know who was going to play it.

The referee blows his whistle and the defender moves to play it but he crosses over it, immediately Austin moves, but he also crosses over it, and then the striker shoots.

It happened so fast and confusing, the defense didn't see it coming.

The crowd erupts in cheer as soon as the ball enters the goal. I didn't even know when I stood up and was shouting.

Three minutes later, the referee blows the final whistle and the game ends in 1-0. It was a difficult game, but we came out in victory.

"That was fun!" I shout.

"Told you." Chelsea smiles and runs to meet Austin.

"Did you enjoy the game?" Jaxon asks as we step down.

"I'm surprised I did."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I thought it would be boring but it was actually thrilling. Those near goal attempts kept me on edge."

"That's what football does to you. Keeps you on edge. It's one of the reasons why I love it." We get to the field gate and decide to wait for Chelsea and Austin.

"So," Jaxon starts as he scratches the back of his neck. "I was thinking, maybe you wanna I don't know, grab-"

"Was that the best first game of the season or what?!" Austin interuppts Jaxon and jumps on him. Chelsea stands beside me.

"Yeah, you did great out there man." Jaxon says. "And that surprise move?"

"Coach decided we try something new. Confuse the enemies."

"You were great out there captain." I side hug him.

"Thanks. So Chelsea and I were thinking we should all get together for a little celebratory dinner. I'm starving."

"Sure." Jaxon nods.

"But don't you have a celebratory dinner with your team?" I ask.

"Yeah, but I don't wanna. Rather have it with you guys."

"Then let's go stuff out faces!!!!!" Jaxon shouts and we all laugh as we head over to our cars.

"I'm gonna hitch a ride with Chelsea, so you guys meet us at Tacoland."

"Sure thing." Jaxon nods.

All in one, the night was fun. Dinner was delicious, hilarious and heart warming. We stuffed our faces with tacos until we couldn't anymore.

We laughed our faces off, and we all had a great time.

Unfortunately, it came to an end and we all had to go home.

Jaxon suggested to take me home and Chelsea happily agreed. She wanted to spend more time with Austin.

Oh what great love.

Don't forget my eye roll there.

"It was a great night." Jaxon speaks up as he walks me to my front door.

"One of the best." I smile.

We get to the door and I turn to face him.

"I'll see you later then?" He asks and I nod.

Something was telling me he didn't want to leave yet.

"I'll see you on Monday." I wave and bring out my keys.

"See you on Monday then." He waves and turns to leave.

"Bye." I say as I enter, closing the door behind me.