Private (Private 1)

I pulled my legs closer to me and looked off across the soccer

She patted me twice on the shoulder, hard, and I sunk lower in

field, avoiding eye contact. Maybe if I pretended I was invisible . . .

my seat. There I stayed, feeling her eyes on the back of my neck,

“Hey, glass-licker,” she said, rattling the metal steps as she

until Coach blew the whistle and set us out to scrimmage. I ran out climbed up. She sat directly behind me, her bare knees straddling onto the field, relishing the freedom from Noelle’s scrutiny. Out my back. I was already sweating beneath the merciless sun, but with here I could do anything.

her so sitting close to me, I felt new rivulets of sweat start to form.

We lined up on opposite ends of the field, me defending the north

“You play? Or are you just following me?”

goal, Noelle playing forward on the south. We were going to go headA few of the other girls laughed. My face burned. This was going to-head, no question, and my skin sizzled with anticipation. Bring to be way fun.

it on.

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The whistle blew and Noelle got control of the ball. Naturally.

But then she faced me and smiled. A genuine, amused, almost

She quickly booted it across to the teammate on her right, who took proud smile. She brushed the dirt off the front of her shorts.

it upfield. Color me impressed. I had assumed Noelle was a ball-

“Keep doing that and we might win a few this year,” she said.

hog type. All glory, no teamwork. Apparently I was wrong.

“Thanks,” I replied, hoping she’d miscredit my breathlessness

Noelle streaked toward me and I backed up fast, but she blew by to exertion rather than fear.

me. The girl was quick. The second Noelle hit open field, her team-

“But do that to me again and we’re gonna have a problem.”

mates passed her the ball and my heart lurched. I charged her from Then she laughed and ran up to join the rest of the team. I stood behind. I couldn’t let her think I was some talent-free plebe. I there, trying to get ahold of myself, trying to decide if it was too couldn’t let her intimidate me. Not out here.

soon to be relieved. Was she irritated with me or impressed?

I raced in and slide-kicked from her blind side, knocking the

Somehow I had a feeling that with Noelle, I might never know.

ball away from her and toward my teammate across the field. Noelle shouted and tripped over my shin guard, hitting the ground hard and tumbling butt-over-head. For a moment our legs were entan-gled, but I extricated myself quickly and stood.