Soccer Training

You finish your burger with Dani in comfortable silence, before looking at your phone. “Oh crap, I need to get to soccer training,” you say, pulling a few dollar bills out of your wallet and leaving them on the table. “See you!”

Dani smiles. “Ok, see you!”

You walk out onto the training pitch in your soccer kit. Mars and Val are passing a ball between them, waiting for the rest of the team to show. Seeing you approaching, Val hoofs the ball towards you. “Hey Alex!”

You lunge forwards and manage to touch it down before booting it at Mars, who gracefully chests it down onto her knee and starts juggling it with her feet.

“Where have you been?” Val asks. “On a date, by any chance? Making out with a hot young math whiz, by any chance?”

“What?” you say, although you know perfectly well what she is talking about.

“Apparently you’re not a bad kisser,” she continues, a smirk spreading across her face. “Too bad you’re taken.”

You momentarily struggle for words, and Mars suddenly doubles over with laughter. Val quickly joins in. “Your face,” Mars laughs breathlessly, fist-bumping Val.

“Haha, very funny,” you say drily.

Val winks and blows you a kiss. “Oh, seriously though, I might need your help,” she says. “You know, with the pinkie swear.”

“Val has her eye on a guy,” Mars cheers in a sing-song voice.

Val crossed her arms. “I can tell him myself,” she says indignantly. “Not that I need to now. So, you good to help me out?”

You stroke your chin, pretending to think. “Uh … Yeah, I guess so.”

Val smiles gratefully.

Soon enough, the rest of the team arrives, and you begin warming up with some dynamic stretches and passing drills. After the warm-up, you chat briefly with Katie, Khloe and Keegan, but Daphne quickly calls you in.

“Alright, we’re going to work on chemistry and communication,” Daphne says to the huddle. “All the technique in the world won’t save you if you can’t work as a team. So, Keegan, set up in that goal. The rest of us … it’s boys versus girls.” Mars and Val exchange an excited look. “Girls will be attacking first, so boys, go and organize your defense.”

Charlie nods and leads you, Jack, Jason and Javier out of earshot of the huddle of girls. “Alright, I reckon our best bet is man-marking,” he starts. “It’ll limit their space and **** them–“

“Who made you captain?” Jack butts in, and Javier rolls his eyes.

“He’s got the most experience, and he’s captain of defense,” you say, and Jack glares at you but falls silent.

Charlie shoots you a quick smile of thanks. “Is everyone else okay with man-marking? Great. Alex, you’re the other defender – who do you want to mark?”

Katie +5
Khloe +5
Daphne +5
Mars +5
Valentine +5
Keegan +5
Jason +5
Javier +5
Charlie +5
Jack +5