SOL Day 9 - Back to Camp

You feel like you have unfinished business at camp. You are a little afraid to go back, but you know that if you don't, you will regret it for sure.

You call Annette, and by evening your ride is pulling into the parking lot. Annette is waiting for you. You get out and the driver leaves.

Annette smiles warmly.

"Welcome back," she says.

"Thank you."

She frowns. "You seem subdued. Are you OK? I thought you'd be glad to get out of prison."

"I'm fine," you assure her... you can't have her doubt that you can play football.

"OK. Let's head to my place, and I'll get you caught up on what's going on."

Annette has a nice house in the woods. It's big, but a bit rustic-looking. It's pretty cool, and super comfortable. She has delivery pizza already there, waiting for you. After prison food, it's amazing.

As you eat, she tells you about the camp, explaining how it's now a reality TV show about soccer called FUTA. She tells you that the girls have been broken up into six teams, and have already had a practice match and done some competitive events.

"So the teams are already made up, and you will be a sub," Annette explains, sipping wine. "We'll have injuries tomorrow, and we'll need you. Will you be ready to play?"

"Yes," you promise.

"No one ever picked up your things, so your luggage is still here." Annette helps herself to a slice of pizza. "Can I give you some advice?"

"Yes."

"Don't admit that you did things. Normally it takes forever to get to court, let alone to get sentenced. But you admitted everything, so you went straight to prison," she says.

"I admitted it because it was wrong."

"Sounds like it was more of a misunderstanding to me," she says.

"It was wrong," you repeat firmly.

"OK. I'm just saying. It's usually smarter to lawyer up. OK?"

"OK," you say. You can't argue with her. She's in charge.

"I'm so glad you chose to came back. You have something very special, Adella. And I'm just so excited to share it with the whole world with FUTA. Uh oh." Annette takes out her phone. She frowns. "We have an injury. I guess you can join your team tonight. Are you done eating? Come on, let's get you over there. I'll have someone bring your stuff to the cabin."

You get up and leave Annette's house, walking down the familiar, lit paths of the camp... it's a weird, nostalgic feeling. It was only a few days that you were away.

It doesn't feel real. You can still see the prison in your mind... this is really messing with your head. You have to be cool... you have to be playing football tomorrow. It's an adjustment. You need to do some yoga and relax.

Your mouth is dry as you approach the team cabins.

Music is coming from inside the one Annette is leading you to. She knocks briefly, then opens the door. The music washes over you as you see the girls inside. Some you know, some you don't.

You definitely know Riley, who turns to look when the door opens.