FOC Day 6 - Check on Max

Better check on Max. She's frail and sad... you can't leave her alone.

"Everything OK?" you ask, leaning on her bunk.

"Yeah," she says, smiling at you and nodding. It's not a real smile, and she knows she is not fooling you.

...but you should not push her. That won't help her, and whatever is going on with her is probably none of your business.

You still need to talk to her. You could talk about soccer... but she is one of the players you are a bit worried about, so telling her that you are worried won't help... it will only stress her out more.

You sit down next to her, and she looks surprised. She takes out her earbuds and starts to put down her ipad, but you stop her.

"What are you watching?"

She tells you. It's some old science fiction movie about robots or something. Nerd stuff.

"Cool," you say, wishing you knew more. Is this what she's into? You wish you could remember what her deal was... you know you read about her in the news. You do remember one thing.

"You never played soccer before last year, right?" you ask her.

"Yeah," she says.

Obviously most of the player at this camp are serious players that have been doing it for a long time.

"Why so sudden?" you ask her.

"Um, I did a fancy goal," she says shyly. "And people noticed. They wanted me to play. And I wanted to keep busy."

"Really? Me too. I mean, I've been playing since forever, but I was just another player until I scored that one that got on ESPN."

Max nods. "I saw. You did the bicycle like Ronaldo. It was amazing. I can't do that. That's why I play defense now," she says, blushing.

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't be here if not for that kick. Just like you, I guess," you say.

"You're actually good," she says.

"So are you. You wouldn't be here if you weren't." Not all the players are camp are stars, but none of them are BAD. These FUTA people don't want trash players on TV.

Max mutters something that you don't catch.

"What?" you say.

"Nothing." She looks over at you and holds up the tablet. "You want to watch?"

"Sure," you say.

She gives you an earbud, and you join her. It's not exactly cuddling, but you're sitting close together. The movie is insanely boring, but she likes it.

Her mood seems to be getting better. Maybe she just needed some company.