Chapter 85

The referee confirmed if we were ready by asking me and the goal keeper before blowing the whistle. After he had confirmed, he blew the whistle, and I ran slowly towards the ball to kick it into the air.

The ball moved into the air. It was moving straight to the right angle side of the goal post. The goal keeper picked the wrong side, jumping to the left side of the goal post.

The ball went into the goal post. I was really happy. I ran into the goal post to carry the ball so I could celebrate my goal. I ran towards the touch line. The other players joined me in the celebration.

After the celebration, the match was back in play. There was an additional two minutes of play after we took the lead in the game with one goal to nil. It gave us more energy to score another one, but due to a shortage of time, we couldn’t net another goal.

People ran into the pitch to celebrate with the team. It was like we had won a final. I was really happy with the goal I had scored. Josh ran to me, lifting me up from the ground, shouting. Other people joined in, lifting me up from the ground. They started throwing me up into the air and catching me back.

I don’t know why, after I lost the penalty kickback, I lost confidence in myself that I was a good player and that I had more to offer to the team even though I missed it. I didn’t realise losing was part of football. You can’t win forever, and you can’t also lose forever.

I wish I hadn’t dropped the captain’s band back then, but I’m glad to be back in the team and also help them win an important match in order to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

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I had a great moment last night. I couldn’t get off of the bed the next day. I was feeling really exhausted. I was tired to the extent that I didn’t take off the clothes I was wearing when I entered the house.

Finally, after a long rest, which I believe gave me the strength to get off the bed, I slowly crawled out of bed and walked to the bathroom to get my face washed off and brush my teeth.

I came out after I was done. I had a small tower in my hand which I was using to clean my face. I heard a knock on my door. "Who’s there? I’m coming," I said softly. I got a shirt to put on before I opened the door for whoever was knocking on the door.

"It’s me, Lora. Mum told me to check up on you. Breakfast is also ready. When you are ready, come over to the dinner table," Lora said and walked away from the door.

She should have heard because she couldn't have gone far after I answered her.