Mark Valentine

“I’ll mark Val,” you say, glancing over at the huddle of girls.

Charlie nods, and once the rest of the guys have picked their targets you spread out in Keegan’s half. While Katie and Khloe set up to kick off, you walk up to Val, who crosses her arms as you approach. “Bring it on, Alex,” she says, a smile playing on her lips. You smile back in acknowledgement.

Turning to face the center circle, you wait with bated breath for the twins to start the game. They exchange a look before Katie lays the ball forwards, and Khloe starts dribbling up the pitch. You stick close to Val to limit her space, and, seeing you so close to her, Khloe passes in the opposite direction to Mars, who dribbles down the wing. With Jason closing in on her, she sets up to cross the ball into the box, and you sprint to the back post.

Mars’ foot connects with the ball and sends it flying directly into the path of Val’s well-timed run. You see it coming, and your legs instinctively tense as you dart forwards. Leaping into the air, you have to stretch your entire body to get even the slightest contact on it, but it’s just enough; you nudge the ball higher, and instead of the brutal header that Val was anticipating it only skims her forehead and bounces off harmlessly behind the corner flag.

A triumphant grin spreads across your face as Val narrows her eyes at you. “If it wasn’t on before, it is so on now,” she says{if@ Val >= 30}, but you hear a playful undertone to her voice{endif}.

The competition between the two of you rages for the rest of the half, and by the end of it sweat is dripping down your neck. The last play is possibly the most intense, as Val backs into you, hands out to shield the ball from you as Daphne passes to her. With her tight ass pressing into your crotch, you lose focus for a split-second and she slips around you and begins making a run towards the edge of the box.

You chase after her, drawing level just as she starts lining up her shot. You throw your weight into her shoulder, knocking her off balance and throwing her off her shot. As you stick your foot out to scoop up the loose ball, you stumble as she does exactly the same thing to you, her entire strength pushing you out of the way.

Just about keeping your feet, you change tactics. You feint another shoulder barge, and, as she leans in to counter, you slip out of the way and allow her momentum to drag her to the side. You take the opportunity and sweep the ball away towards Javier, before panting heavily.

To your relief, the whistle blows. “Alright, switch sides,” Daphne shouts.

You look up at Val. “Sorry. We good?”

“Nothing wrong with getting physical,” she grins. “But you better make good on your wingman promise or I’m taking you out next time.”

You smile weakly. “I’ll bear that in mind.”

The other half of the game is frustrating for you. {if Jack <= 0}Pretty much every time Jack gets the ball, he tries to dribble through Mars and Val, and while it works once or twice, soon they form an impenetrable blockade that stops him at every turn. Despite this, he refuses to pass to you even when you’re in a better position than Jason, Javier or Charlie.{else@}Despite getting several opportunities and mostly maintaining possession, you’re unable to convert your shots into goals. Daphne seems to chase down almost every ball, the twins lock off the short passes, and Mars and Val are there to mop up the ball when it flies loose. Jack tests Keegan once or twice, and in frustration you take a longshot that he barely tips over the crossbar, but the back of the net remains untouched.{endif}

The shrill whistle calls an end to training. “Good job, team,” Daphne says as you join into a huddle. “Our defensive chemistry is good, we just need to make the same happen on the offensive. Alex and Charlie, I want to see you making yourselves an option to spread the play. Jack, learn when to get rid of the ball. Jason, Javier, start making those incisive runs down the wing and cut in when you can.” She looks around at you all, seemingly satisfied. “Alright, go get changed.”

Valentine +10