(13) Tigers and Wolverines

Makennah walked into 133 on Main pretty cautious and wary of the interview Theo had apparently set up for her. However, management was expecting her promptly at 7 pm like he said. At 7:11 pm, she walked out the front doors with a brand new job and a handful of paperwork that she needed to complete ASAP.

Paperwork was a little difficult as a foster child. However, Makennah had been down this road before and knew pretty well what she needed to do. She memorized all of her parents legal information so that she never had to ask them for it.

The Sinclair family celebrated her accomplishment with homemade chocolate cake which morphed into an icing fight between Carolynn, Josh, and Jonah. They tried to rope her and Matt into it, but she expertly evaded their efforts by escaping to her room for a night in or trig homework.

She walked into school Tuesday morning on a high. She was dedicated to the cause of spying on Cassandra to obtain evidence. She got a new job. She had a decent group of friends. She was working on a plan to get Nick and Meredith together. Last but not least, it was the first game of the season.

"Hey girl," Reagan, a copped hair button-nose power house, sidled up to Makennah as they carried their Nike duffel bags to the girl's locker rooms off the soccer field. "Ready for the first game?"

"Sure," she said.

Reagan was one of the first girls on the team to approach Makennah and attempt to make small y'all on the second day of practice. They were instructed to pick a teammate and run a drill together. Without hesitation, Reagan chose Makennah and saved her from any awkwardness of being forced to find the only other player without a partner.

Lightly, she elbowed Makennah in the side. "You don't sound too excited."

"I am! I promise!"

"Yeah?" Reagan inspected her face a little closer so Makennah smiled wider. "You don't look like it."

"I'm a little nervous." Very nervous was more like it.

"Whys that?"

"First game of the season. Everyone wants to win. No one knows how I actually okay in a game. I doubt I'll even touch the field."

"Honestly," Reagan flipped her hair out of her eyes. Makennah knew she was about to hit her with some truth. "I wouldn't be surprised if you don't play at all either. We're going up against a tough team. We kind of have a rivalry. Last year, we beat them for the first time after five years. Obviously, we want to keep the streak going so...."

Makennah chuckled softly. She appreciated Reagan's candidness. "It's okay, seriously. I'm not upset that I won't play. I'm excited to see you all on the field though! I've never seen you guys officially play."

"I really love the team," Reagan explained. "I'm excited too. I love soccer with all my heart. And we're lucky to have such an amazing team that works so well together. Our team work is really good."

"I've noticed." Makennah entered the locker room and chose a free locker. Reagan chose one close to her. "I admire it, and I'm excited to be a part of it." She smiled genuinely at Reagan. She didn't know she could be so lucky to meet so many great friends right off the bat at a new school and be overall accepted by them.

Gearing up for a game on the bench, Makennah changed into her uniform for the very first time, stretched with the team to get limber, and popped a squat on the home sidelines to wait for the next hour.

Well Makennah was dead wrong.

Because six minutes into the second quarter, the Lady Wolverines were down by three and the Tigers had just scored again.

So Coach Hanes pivoted and dead stopped by Makennah.

And said "You can play dirty?"

Her eyes grew wide. "I mean..."

"Yes or no?"

Instantaneously, she nodded. "Yes, sir." And she could. They were getting slaughtered out there and Makennah was dying to get out on the field. Already, one teammate was benched from a bloody nose that the ref never called because he "didn't see it." Straight BS in her opinion.

"You're going in."

Coach was pissed. Yelling and cussing on the sidelines. Arguing with the refs. And Makennah didn't blame him. The refs were flat off ignorant and clearly favoring the other team.

Even though she said "I am?" like a question, she stood to her feet and rolled her ankles, preparing for action.

"I don't care if you get red flagged. I don't care if you get ejected from the game! Play dirty and score some freakin goals." Coach Hanes pointed his finger at her seriously and gritted his teeth in anger. "And I know you can. So don't let me down!"

No pressure.

"You're going in as a forward. Replace Shelby." Coach Hanes motioned to the referee to do a sub in.

"Uh sir?" She asked quietly. She didn't want to make him mad. Or rather more mad.

"What?" He barked, hands on his hips, sweating under the late summer sun.

"Maybe I should go in as a mid. I can play the whole field. I've noticed their offense plays dirtier than their defense. Then I can..."

He cut her off. "You're right. Replace Britney instead! Go!"

The referee blew the whistle and waved Makennah onto the field. She jogged out on the grass and slapped Britney's hand as she passed to sit on the sideline.

The referee wrote down in their little journal the substitution that just occurred for the Wolverines while Makennah jogged in place to warm up her muscles. Kicking at the grass, Makennah focused on the ground and put the Sinclair's out of her mind. She told them not to come but they didn't listen. All six Sinclair's stood on the sideline cheering her own and wearing the school colors. Only Jonah was brave enough to show his complete disinterest in soccer, because he sat in the grass reading a book and completely ignoring the game.

Taking a deep breath, the ref blew the whistle and the play began with the first touch in possession by the Wolverines. The forwards dribbled the ball past the other team's offense and went through the play.

It was too practiced. Too by the book. Well into the second half, they should have loosened up. However, she understood with each passing second - the Tigers were playing downright illegal.

They grabbed shorts, threw elbows, tripped players, stole the ball, played off-sides, and shoved when necessary.

Their mid stole the ball and made their way to Makennah. She received bully vibes from the girl almost instantly.

Instead of backing down, Makennah barrel right into her, tripped her up, and stole the ball back. She faked out another player dribbled down center, cut right, and chipped the ball over the goalie's head.

Nothing but net.

The sidelines erupted in cheering. She heard the Sinclair's yelling for her, clapping in praise. "Go, Makennah!" "Yes girl!" "That's our girl!" "Yay!"

Managing a weak smile because she was in full on game mode, she high fived a few players and reset for another play.

The whistle blew and Makennah charged forward. She stuck herself like glue to the Tiger who dribbled the ball. When the ref wasn't looking, Makennah pinched her on the sensitive skin on the back of her arm which caused the smallest stumble. Makennah stepped over the ball, stole it from the Tiger, and took control of the play.

Again, their supporters clapped shortly, expecting another big play from Makennah.

She dodged a mid and continued down field. Instead of hogging the ball, she passed it off and ran downfield for back up if needed.

She could see that the net was fairly well blocked by the Tigers. They didn't want them to take another surprise shot. She needed them to clear out.

Makennah weaved her way right into the center and started throwing elbows to piss them all off. Her actions totally weren't necessary but it was working. Some of the girls recognized what she was doing and started fighting back.

Apparently these girls had never played really dirty before. Because they all wore long ponytails. Easy access for a good hard yank.

Reagan dribbled the ball and searched for an opening to head for the goal. When the ref wasn't looking, Makennah yanked hard on a pony tail. The blonde girl screeched and spun around, completely confused and set off her game.

Makennah shoved her out of the way, cleared a space for a shot....

Reagan chipped the ball high with her left foot. The ball hit the top post of the goal and bounced off. Makennah positioned herself just right, caught the ball with her chest. It rolled down her body, she dribbled twice, and shot into the net.

"Yes, ladies!" Coach Hanes yelled. "Nice team work!"

"Yay Makennah!"

"Go ladies! Good job! Keep it up!"

Makennah and Reagan slapped hands and walked back, slightly winded from the running. Makennah nudged shoulders with some of the other girls before taking her place in her position.

She noticed that the Tigers were starting to get a little flustered. Angry and confused by their comeback, the players whispered amongst themselves until the whistle blew for the first touch.

Apparently, Makennah had drawn some attention because, in the next play, the Tigers started targeting her. First it was a stiff elbow in her ribs. Then they tried to trip her when she didn't even have the ball. Their antics continued until Makennah blindsided a player with the ball with a sweeping arm and took them out. They fell flat on the ground on their back.

Makennah just walked away as the ref blew the whistle. It was worth it. Even after the opposing team was awarded an indirect free kick.

The Wolverines lined up and waited for the kick.

Makennah geared herself up for a rough next few minutes. By her calculations, they had fifteen minutes to score another goal to even the score and achieve another shot in order to one up the Tigers and win the game. That wasn't a lot of time, but it could be done.

"Hey, you're doing great. Let's fake them out at the last second. I'll take the first touch, dribble down, pass to Kelsey. She'll take the lead then you come in and make a pass for the goal," a player whose name she forgot whispered to Makennah.

She nodded. "I'll intercept."

Her plan worked perfectly. Makennah executed her part as best as possible, following their cues and avoiding tough players on the opposing team. For the third time, Makennah scored a goal and the team went wild. They all corralled together in the center of the field and congratulated each other. The sidelines didn't compare to their own enthusiasm.

"This is amazing! You're awesome, Makennah!"

"One more goal, ladies!"

"Don't let them score. We can do this!"

"Don't stop talking! Let's keep constant communication going!"

"Wolverines on three! One, two, three!"

All of the out their hands and cheered, "Lady Wolverines!" They split and found their places while the crowds cheered. Makennah's heart beat with such freedom that she had to take a moment to catch her breath and balance herself mentally and emotionally. It was a lot to take in all at once, but she was loving every second of this soccer game.

"Keep up the intensity, ladies!" Coach Hanes instructed for the sidelines, cupping his hands around his mouth to make his voice travel.

The tigers managed to keep the Wolverines at bay, unable to score. They were getting frustrated and tired. So were the Tigers, but the Wolverines weren't willing to walk away without a win.

Disgruntled, the Wolverines convened on their side of the field. "We're out of time. We need a Hail Mary."

"How about a penalty?"

"We can't force that."

"We can," Makennah spoke up. "I got it." Before she could change her mind, she committed herself. These girls were now counting on Makennah not to let them lose.

But it was simple. Really.

When they finished their time out, they reorganized for the play. Coach Hanes yelled nonsense from the sidelines which Makennah tuned out. The screams of the fans faded in her ears. She focused solely on the game, the grass, the players, and the time.

The time.

The clock rolled as the whistle blew. Makennah hung back as the Tigers kicked the ball forward. The team dispersed to the sides and left Makennah to fend for the ball and play defense.

As Makennah faced off with the Tiger's player, she tangled herself in her feet, kicking the ball behind her. Makennah dodged to the side and headed for the ball which rolled out of her reach. The Tigers player doubled back and rammed into Makennah to push her out of the way.

Makennah purposefully knocked her feet into the Tiger players and rocked back on her heels. She naturally lost her balance and tumbled to the ground.

The ref blew the whistle.

Foul. Indirect free kick with a ten foot advantage for the Wolverines.

Makennah feigned a twisted ankle to make the foul look believable. She hid the smirk on her face as the team gathered around her, concealing their joy with fake concern for Makennah.

"Someone take the kick!" She screamed. "And score!"

And the Lady Wolverines surely did. And took home the win.

The entire team atmosphere changed towards Makennah. The coach congratulated her. The teammates hugged her and swung her around. The fans on the sidelines recognized her and asked about her to other parents. The Tiger coach looked Makennah up and down and remembered her for next time.

She finally felt like a member of the team as she gathered up her stuff with her socks rolled down and her shin guards removed, stashing them away in her bag.

"You're a rockstar, Makennah!" Jonah tackled her as soon as she left the locker room.

"My goodness, kid! We had no idea! That was amazing!" Will hugged her without hesitation even though she was sweaty.

So did Carolynn. "I'm so proud of you!"

"So am I!" Josh hugged her next.

"Great game!"

"Nice job!" Nick and Matt high fived her while clapping her on the back excitedly. "You did really good!"

Her heart swelled up with happiness as she thanked them all and walked with them back to the car in the school parking lot. Never before had she connected so well with a team. Never did she have a supporter in the stands. Never was anyone proud of her. Her mom never even came to her games.

Now she made friends on the team and got them to like her. The Sinclair's avidly watched her game. They hugged her with pride. They were happy to be seen with her and to support her.

Not for the first time, Makennah thought about how lucky she was to know the Sinclair's and be a part of their family if only for a short while.

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The picture is an image of their uniforms! Except the red is more burgundy.

I hope you enjoyed! I personally really liked this chapter. I hope it made sense. I haven't played soccer in so long I was trying to remember all of the terminology.

This chapter was really setting up Makennah's skill and love for soccer as well as gluing her together with the team to make them friends.

Xoxo

W. Carolina