Sky's POV

I winced as I applied some light concealer to my inflamed cheek. Yesterday was mixed. I got my best friend back, met my idol, got knocked out... I think its safe to say that I have an eventful life. Makeup done; I made my way downstairs. My parents were never up in time to take me to school, which I was honestly fine with. It gave me a bit of freedom before having to endure a double period of algebra on a Tuesday morning, and the rare opportunity to catch up on the soccer games that I had missed the previous night. I got dressed into an old USWNT shirt with Heath on the back, in honour of meeting her. I also wore my ripped mom jeans with some too-small white air forces. I threw a plain white hoodie over the outfit as I grabbed an apple and a granola bar and sat down to watch the highlights of the PSG-Man City game. I support Arsenal, but I secretly have a bit of an allegiance to PSG. I mean, who wouldn't with M'bappe and Messi in the team?

I heard a soft knock at the door.

"Hey Teags." I smiled, grabbing my backpack and shutting the door quietly.

"You didn't get into too much trouble last night did you? And don't tell me that you're calling that granola bar breakfast?" she questioned as we strap up and she started her black jeep.

I shook my head, "I promise i'll buy something when we're on campus."

"Fine, but I'm coming with you just to make sure." She replied as we began our journey to school.

~~

Jill's POV

"That would be great, thank you." I said as I finished the phone call with East Shore high school's principal. Sky didn't play for the school soccer team. Apparently, she made varsity as a freshman, but quit the team after her brother was involved in a shooting two months into the year. I had just scheduled a visit to the team so that I could talk to her school coach and see if we could get her to play again. It was worth a shot.

I wandered out of my office only to bump into Tobin.

"Tobin, the person I wanted to see. I spoke to Sky's principal, and he said that it was okay for us and a few more of the girls to come and coach the varsity soccer team tomorrow. Pick a few of your friends and tell them to come and meet me in my office in 10 minutes." I said as I relayed the information to her.

"Okay, thank you Jill." She replied as she hurried off to find her teammates.

10 minutes later she was stood in my office alongside Alex, Christen, Ashlyn and Ali. I filled them in on the situation with the girl, and Tobin told them what she knew. It was possible that there was nothing going on with her, but from what Tobin said, either way she would be a good addition to the national rosters.

"Is that all understood?" I asked.

"Yes coach." they replied.

I smiled at them as they left my office to go to weights. Tomorrow, we meet the girl that Tobin had been talking about. She better hope that Sky is just as good as she says she is.

Tegan's POV

"Could Tegan Jones, Casey Brindley and Sky Kelley please report to the principal's office." The intercom sounded.

I cast a strange glance over my MacBeth copy towards my friends, who returned my blank and confused look just as readily.

Our English teacher gave us each a hall pass as we left the classroom, terrified that we had done something wrong.

"Anyone know what this is about?" Casey asked timidly.

"I have no clue, but I have a feeling we're going to find out." I reply as I see Principal Griffin and Coach Nicholls stood waiting for us outside the Principal's office.

"Please, come in." they say as we take a seat on the plush leather seats on the opposite side of the desk.

"Are we in trouble?" Sky asked casually, almost as if she didn't care. I knew she did though as she bounced her leg up and down beside me, a nervous habit that had only developed since her brother's death.

"No." Coach Nicholls laughed, "Almost the opposite."

"Tomorrow we are going to have a very special visit from the USWNT, and they are going to come along to coach the varsity team. As the Captain and Vice-Captain of the squad, Casey and Tegan, we would like you to welcome and greet them at the entrance and take them on a tour of the school before practice." Principle Griffin took over, as he leant over his desk to reach for something.

"And we would like you to give them this as a gift." He continues as he passes Casey a stuffed bear and a school crest flag, the two symbols of East Shore.

Casey and I nodded, extremely surprised and honoured.

"Not to be rude and interrupt or anything, but what have I got to do with all of this?" Sky asked.

"Ah yes, miss Kelley. You're here for something different." Coach Nicholls replied.

"You're dismissed." The principle said to Casey and I, and we gave Sky one last concerned look before exiting the office.

Coach Nicholl's POV:

As the two girls leave the office, my gaze settles on the shy girl before me. She was beautiful, smart, and talented, the kind of girl who would easily be getting a full ride to Stanford at this time of year. Instead, she kept to herself, pushed us all away, and left us behind in her shadowy past. I knew that what had happened to her brother had taken an impact on her, but I never imagined this. Jill Ellis was right about what she said, and I was worried about her.

"Sky, if anything was happening at home you would tell us right?" I asked, concerned.

She nodded, looking dejected.

"Okay. Well in that case we would like you to consider re-joining the varsity team for the rest of this year. We really think you have amazing potential and think that it would be possible for you to achieve either an academic or athletic full-ride scholarship to the college of your choice if you agree." The principle took over.

Sky sat there, slumped, and stared at us. "If you think that it would be possible for me to achieve an academic scholarship, why should I join the soccer team again?" It was a valid question.

"Because it would be a great asset to your extra-curricular achievements." I replied, scared she wouldn't take up the offer. This had to work.

She contemplated it for a while. "Well thanks, but no thanks. I don't even know if I want to go to college yet."

"We won't force you Sky, just know that the offer is there if you ever feel the need to accept."

She nodded as a reply, her golden-brown hair falling over her face.

"Okay, you're free to go back to class now." The principle said.

I sighed. How can we help someone who doesn't want to be helped?