It was a hard tackle. When the ref didn't card me I was surprised and relieved. However, as I'm being subbed off the field only seconds after, I realize that the opposing team weren't the only ones being worked up over the dangerous play.

"Pull that stunt again and I'll have you benched." My coach's words are muffled by the sloshing steps of my cleats on the damp grass as I walk towards the team's metal bench. Despite the noise, there is no mistaking the promise in her voice.

I try to refrain from rolling my eyes. Even if I didn't pull that stunt again she would still find a reason to bench me.

My eyes flicker to the scoreboard (colored blue and gold in old, peeling paint) while I take a sip of water - not that I need it considering I can count my playing time on my fingers. I sigh. The score is 0-3 and there's still twenty-five minutes left in the first half. Once again, my High School Girls Soccer team was on a losing streak.

Bianca, our goalkeeper, is amazing. Our defense however, is slow and lacks positioning, our midfield lacks the ability to pass, and our forwards can't finish. The only reason the score isn't any higher is because Bianca has made a ton of amazing saves. Unfortunately, one player doesn't make a team.

High School soccer is the worst. Coach doesn't have the word 'win' in her vocabulary. She lives by the 'equal playing time for all' philosophy - for everyone except me. My parents don't know why I bother with this team, but in all honesty, despite our losing streak, I'll never find it in me to quit.

"Ooh!" I flinch as one of our girls takes an unnecessary hard push to the ground. This time, the ref does award a free kick.

The girl up to take it is Lyla, one of our (better) forwards. She's had three goals so far on the season and coach loves her. It's proven based on the fact that she keeps Lyla in all game.

At the sound of the whistle, Lyla kicks the ball and it goes soaring into the other team's box - and into the gloves of the opposing goalkeeper. 

Lyla and I were good friends and she was the one who introduced me to the club team we both play for - The MN Grey Huskies. The Grey Huskies were good, one of the better teams in the state, and we were both starters on the team. I dominated at left back (despite being a righty) and Lyla at attacking mid.

My goal was to play Division I at the college level with (hopefully) a scholarship. Right now, my brother is in the stands recording the game for potential highlight-worthy plays.

"Julia," coach calls out and I perk up. There's only 7 minutes and 23 seconds left in the first half, but I'll take what I can get. "Go in for Kathryn."

My head nods in understanding as my legs simultaneously lift me off the bench. My shorts are too far up my (thick) thighs and I inconspicuously pull them down. A few seconds after waiting at the midfield line, the ref blows his whistle. I jog out to the field while calling Kathryn's name. She smiles and jogs over. We high five for a non-verbal exchange of 'good luck' and 'good job'.

It's their throw in. When I get to the side on which it's happening, I use my arm as a signal of sorts to show that I'm making player eleven. Meanwhile, I position my body to be goal side of the attacker. 

The ref blows his whistle again, and the ball is thrown down the sideline. Number Eleven sprints down with me right next to her. I cut in front of her and shield the ball with my body, making sure not to touch it so that we will be given a goal kick and they don't get the corner.

A squeal leaves my lips as Eleven knees my knees from behind and I go flying to the ground. The next noise is an ear-splitting crack! as I land and then afterwards, there's my screaming in agony.

Please Read:

This book will have constant updates beginning in 2021 or whenever my main project Facing Away is completed. I will post the first two or so chapters this year but for regular updates, those will have to wait. If you liked the prologue or are excited about the concept this story holds (very different from regular Wattpadian content) then feel free to archive this story so it won't disturb your regular reading library. I recommend you follow me for updates on when consistant updates will begin. In the meantime, I thank you for giving this book a chance, and I hope you find it in you to (if you want) check out my main project, FA (not really as original as this one, but with a ton of plot twists and cliffhangers).

This is pretty much posted because I'm really pissed that I was going to play my first year of club soccer and then Covid-19 came along as a 'sike!' therefore, let's take a journey together to accept that sports aren't everything (even though we really want them to be).

First posted: July 1, 2020

Thank you for coming thus far,
Via