Friday, October 2 --> Saturday, October 3
Being a starter and being on the bench are two totally different things. As I watched my teammates run out onto the field at the start of the game, I realized that fact. The others around me cupped their hands around their mouths, cheering for the starters. Declan and Travis both gave me a pat on the back before the game making me feel a little bit better.
I made sure to keep myself warm, hoping the rain wouldn’t start until after the game. I saw Paul and his brother watching from the other side of the field, and wished he could come over and talk to me. He didn’t know a lot about soccer, and would probably just get confused.
The referee blew his whistle, and I snapped my attention back to the game. Declan was on the ground with two defenders. The ref held up a yellow card, pointing at one of the defenders.
“A free kick!” Izan exclaimed.
“And it’s right in front of the goal!” Ethan added. “I bet Brayden is going to take it since his accuracy is better.”
“Nah. They’re at an angle where Declan will take it.”
“Just watch!” I exclaimed, making them jump. I then glanced at Cooper and asked, “How much time left in the first quarter?”
“17 seconds,” he answered, showing me the stopwatch.
“If they make the goal, it will be 1-0,” I murmured. “Since there’s not much time, I would just hold onto the ball near the center, trying to wast time. Know Declan and Brayden, though, they’re going to go for another goal.”
Coach Johnson chuckled. “You sure do know the junior and senior players well.”
I smiled. “We’ve been playing for a long time, but I got to know them a lot better last year under… special circumstances.”
“As long as there’s an equal level of trust on both ends,” Coach Johnson said. “Jack was right when he suggested you to be captain this year. He said you had the skill and the heart to handle it.”
Declan took the free kick, and got it in. As soon as the ball was in play again, Brayden and Declan took it and went for another goal. Declan’s shot fired off the top bar, and the first half ended. The ref blew his whistle, and all the players jogged over to their benches. I stood, letting the main players sit on the bench.
“I have no complaints about the first half,” Coach Johnson said. “Aidan and Declan keep supporting Max in the middle. Sam and Callum, I’ll switch you out after Sean and Cooper warmed up. Now rehydrate quickly.”
“One more thing,” I started, making everyone look at me. “Just because we’re in the lead does not mean you can slack off. I expect at least one goal from you, Declan.”
“Jeez no pressure,” Declan said, wiping the sweat off his face.
“If you can deal with it, then Ethan will switch with you.”
“I’m always ready to go,” Ethan chimed in, stretching his arms. “I won’t be on the bench all season.”
The ref blew his whistle, and the main players stood up to walk back onto the field. I high-fived all of them as they walked by. I sighed, stumbling back onto the bench. My head was dizzy, but I didn’t want to leave just yet.
“Are you doing alright?” Paul’s voice asked from behind me. I turned to look, and saw him leaning against the fence behind the tent.
“I’m alright now that you’re here,” I answered.
“I’m leaving,” he said, turning to walk away.
“Wait! I’m sorry! Don’t leave my here alone!”
“Wow what are we, invisible?” Ethan asked, the others on the bench nodding.
“Thanks for understanding,” I joked. Ethan and Izan both punched me, and Paul scoffed. I turned around, but he really was walking away. I didn’t have enough strength to get up and go after him, so I just sighed, watching the second half of the game.
As expected, Declan scored a goal. Cooper and Sean switched in, and Sam and Callum came over to join everyone on the bench. Not even a minute after he was switched in, Cooper got lucky and socred a goal. Now we were up 3-0. The other team took a time out, and I clapped as the others ran over.
“You can stay seated,” Travis said to me, sitting next to me. “I can tell you’re feeling dizzy again.” I gave him a slim smile, and looked at Coach who was talking to Declan, Brayden and Cooper. Our strategy was the same, but they were instructed to hold onto the ball more so the other team wouldn’t be able to score.
Brayden wasn’t the best at holding the ball, and the other team stole it a few times. They tried to score, but Travis was at the top of his game. Of course Charlie and Liam were also helping protect the goal. I felt my eyes getting heavy, and I tried my best to stay awake. It wouldn’t be good if I fell asleep during a game.
The nurse told me my fever went down, and I could go home if I wanted, but I told her I wanted to rest some more at school and then go to the game. She seemed a little worried about me, but gave me so medicine so I would last until tonight. The side effects were mild, but it was the one type of medicine that made me extremely sleepy.
The final whistle blew and I looked up to see the score.
We won 2-0. As I stood to go high-five the other team, my vision blurred, and my knees gave out. I fell forward, but Travis and Declan caught me.
“Let’s get you on the bus now,” Travis said, walking towards the bus. I staggered along with them, but my head was still pretty dizzy. Hopefully I would be better by tomorrow, though. I really didn’t want to miss out on my date with Paul. We boarded the bus waiting out in the parking lot for us, Declan and Travis making sure everyone was there before telling Coach that we were all set. Travis and Declan sat in the seat across from me, giving me worried looks.
“I don’t trust you to drive yourself home,” Declan said as the bus started moving. “You’re clearly not okay, and what if you get into an accident?”
“Skyler doesn’t have her license,” Travis started, “and your mom is at work. Maybe someone else could drive?”
“You can drive,” Declan said. “You’re parents dropped you off, right?”
Travis sighed. “I don’t trust myself, but it’s for Alex, so I guess I’ll just do it this once.”
Knowing I couldn’t change their minds, I didn’t even bother talking to them. The short bus ride was quieter than normal, and I knew the others were trying to be considerate of my condition. Travis and I headed to my car with out bags, and I got into the passenger seat after giving Alex my keys.
“Your car is so much smoother than mine,” he said, driving down the street. “Do you want to make a trade?”
“No way,” I muttered, dozing off a little. I heard him chuckle a little, but couldn’t seem to keep my eyes open.
“Alex aren’t you up yet?” someone called, pounding on my door. “Do you want something to eat? Or maybe shower?”
I groaned, slowly opening my eyes and stretching. My head still hurt, and I still felt like crap. My throat hurt, and my nose was stuffed up.
I felt worse than yesterday, and that wasn’t a good sign.
“Alex, I’m coming in.” The door opened, and Skyler peered inside. “Whoa. You look like crap.” She went over to my laundry basket and took my clothes. “Mom’ll be back at noon, but she’ll probably be tired so don’t rely on her. For now, get some rest. You should let your friends know about how you’re feeling.”
“I was planing on it,” I said, rubbing my face.
“If you need anything… don’t.” Skyler shut the door just as I grabbed a pillow to throw at her. My reflexes were always weakened when I was sick, but I guess that would be normal for anyone.
My phone buzzed on my nightstand and I blindly reached over and pat around, trying to find my phone. My fingers touched the side, and my arm retracted under the covers, holding the phone to my face.
There were a bunch of get well messages from the others, along with a couple texts from Paul. He too was wishing me to get well soon. I put my phone back, pulling the covered up to my chin before turning over to get some more sleep.
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