The Moment I Did Not Expect Short Story

It was morning of the first game in my high school varsity career. The coach had told me the day before that I was not just going to play varsity, but I was going to start for my team. I was exhilarated when I found out, but now as I put on my jersey, I felt the anxiety build up inside of me like a balloon about to burst any second. I put on the rest of my soccer equipment, placing the left sock on my foot before putting on the right one, a ritual I always

My eyes flutter open to my alarm clock, which is sounding off the noise that tells me it is time to get ready. I jump out of bed, forgetting the ridiculously early time. I throw on my uniform, toss my hair up into a ponytail, and hurry down the stairs to get my water bottle ready. My stomach is in knots and my heart is racing. I force myself to take a few bites of an apple, but thats all I can stomach at the moment. My dad ready to go every Saturday, no matter the time. He has been at every soccer game since I was five years old. When we arrive at the field I run over to my coach, eager to start the game. The air is crisp and cool as it blows across my face. The grass glistens with early morning dew. As I run arose the field, I think there

I waited weary in anticipation of what name would break out of the happy-go-lucky collegiate cheerleader’s boisterous mouth as he was announcing the two lucky 2017 National Cheerleading Association All Americans out of all 4 Belton cheer squads. I replay this moment in my most vivid dreams, feeling the excitement of the halcyon moment grow greater and greater as the nerves and emotions grew stronger and stronger. A moment as imperative as this showed me in the most transparent way that hard, continuous work and growth pays off in many more ways than one.

This was our opportunity to do so, before we had to act as competitors and not companions. After catching up, we rushed out of the changing room and into the gym, planting ourselves on the polished floors, our knee high socks sliding with every move we made. We sat in silence as the coach, Mr. McBurney, approached us and informed us about how each practice would play out, and about how even if some of us did not make the team, we should all treat each other as if we are teammates.

I had gotten my first summer job where I was required to work at least 35 hours a week and with some of the money I saved up from my summer job I bought a regulation sized soccer net for my front yard. I worked seven hours everyday from 5:30am to 12:30pm and as soon as I got home I put on my cleats, grabbed a ball, and went outside to practice for about two hours. If it rained I either went to the local indoor soccer facility or in my garage. I found new moves on how to get around a defender from YouTube and I worked on them until they were perfect. Soccer tryouts were in the beginning of August and I felt more prepared than ever before. The coaches were a little surprised to see me because they thought I might have given up after being let down twice but this time was going to be different. I tried all the moves that the internet had taught me and I came in third for speed and agility testing. As I was leaving after the last day of tryouts my soccer coach stopped me to say he was proud of my work and that things were looking good for me being moved up. On the Monday after the results were supposed to be

Totally caught off guard, I slowly rose from the table and strode to the front of the room. Eyes from all around gazed up at me; eyes of teammates, parents, mentors, and coaches. What had coach just said? Did I really just receive the Lauren Townsend award? I am no star athlete. I was nowhere close to being the most valuable player, so hearing my name boom throughout the cafeteria sent me into a state of shock. Tears of joy and pride built up behind my eyes, and it took everything I had to hold them back. It had been a long road coming up to this point, and I had never felt more honored and proud.

Plush green turf enclosed by glimmering yellow lines begs to be torn up by the spikes of cleats. Two large nets with huge white mesh and glistening white frames await the impact of a precious white and black sphere. Step onto this field and all worries vanish away and empowerment emerges. Just a ball, a uniform and a team waiting to show the opponents what soccer is all about. The shining lights and boisterous crowd create a grand atmosphere as fans await for the teams to perform; almost like it is their job. The roar of the crowd helps numb the sting from the brisk fall air. All of a sudden, you hear your name echo through the stands as you run to give the players and coaches’ a gesture of camaraderie and encouragement. Just being in this moment gives you goose bumps. The excitement of the atmosphere consumes me and the rush of adrenaline makes me invincible where nothing can stop me. As I compete alongside your teammates, a feeling of unity begins to emerge. I no longer see these people as just teammates; I see them as brothers, and I know that they have my back no matter what.

I was so excited to be a normal kid again. In fact, I was so thrilled, that I didn't even think about soccer. When fall crept up, sign up time was beginning. I had always played soccer, so my parents, instinctively, signed me up. I was willing to play, but for a while, it wasn't the same. I was in a competitive league now and on a new team. I didn't know anyone. September inched by, with me dreading each practice. At the first game, something switched for me. As the ball rested at my feet, I felt the feeling. Ball at my feet, wind in my hair. That feeling is excitement, it´s hope, determination. That feeling is never giving up on your dreams. I knew I was slower, weaker, and way behind everyone else, but I wasn't about to let that stop me. Months of training and skill work later, I was back, but with a new mindset of determination and hard

A small chuckle escaped James lips and he scratched his neck. “Seems like we'll have to relive the past for a little while here.”

Hands on hips, Carter leaned back looked up at the tower and then down at the body working out angles and positioning.

The perfect day for a soccer game. The sky was blue, the sun was out, clouds were moving, and there was a warm breeze. This is the biggest game of the year for my team. My team, Panthers FC, was going to play our largest rivals for first place. The Fury FC had beat us Panthers every time we’ve played them and was the hardest team to play. It was both of our teams last game of the season and the Panthers had to win if we wanted first, and if we lost we would be second… Again.

The wind blew against me. My black and white jersey glued tightly against my skin. I could feel the eyes of every single one of my team members, the opposing team and the crowd attentive towards me. I took another step back, feeling the sharp spikes of my new cleats sinking into the mushy grass. The cold air blowing against my bare arms, giving me goosebumps. I look at the distance between the ball as I calculate each step. The ball rests calmly on the white painted dot on the pitch, seemingly oblivious of the wind, strikingly at odds with the rest of the violently swaying grass next to it. The whistle blows. The high shrill noise adding to the sound of the whistling wind. I take a deep breath, keep my equanimity and concentrate. My damp

"Stop what, I'm not touching ya." Carlos laughed and pressed his hips into her ass, allowing the girl to feel the thick bulge of his erection through the fabric of his jeans. "Not yet. Ya really think Jimmy's not gonna let us fuck you, you don't know Jimmy, and I can't wait to bury my cock in that tight, little cunt of yours." Keeping his voice low enough to be inaudible to the others, the Hispanic tightened his grip on the girl and slid one hand up to briefly squeeze a breast as his gaze slid to his companions. First, to Jimmy, to ensure he hadn't noticed his little infraction with Alyssa, then to Duane.

answered the phone with the same uninterested drone, himself a day laborer. He stuffed his cigar in his mouth to free his hand and showed three fingers. His hand signal started a chain of activity on the benches with each man sliding down to fill the vacant seats. He wrote the address on a worksheet and gave it to the three next in line. He returned behind his newspaper as they walked out the door. Billowing cigar smoke rising above the desk was a sign of him.

Paul gave him the jacket and sensed an eagerness in Leo being so accommodating. His whole vibe seemed different, and when Leo didn’t call Mary out, Paul wondered what was up. “How’s Mary?”