Page 41 of Redeeming Heart

“I just want to go out there and kick some ass and at the same time score a few goals. Who’s with me?” I sigh in relief when the girls cheered and showed me that they were ready to do this.

I held out my arm and clenched my hand into a fist. The girls stepped forward and pressed their fists against each other—standing in a circle and huddled up. “Let’s do this, Rebels.”

“Rebels!” The team exclaimed, raising our fists in the air and breaking apart.

I know it was going to be hard to beat their team as they were also looking for a chance to get into the tournament and unlike us, they’ve already won a couple of games which places them way ahead of us but we had to hold on.

The coach walked with me while the team made their way to their positions. “I need you focused on this game, Adams.” The coach reminded me. “I know it is your first game in three years but the girls need you.”

They needed me to place my doubts aside and focus on leading them across the river to better things.

I took a glance at the spectators who decided to show up and I was aware that it was only parents and friends of the teams but the pressure was on.

My forehead creased when my eyes landed on a familiar face standing next to the field. He gave me a thumbs up when our eyes locked. I then realized Brandon’s whole team was here. He doesn’t give up and I kind of liked it.

“You can do this.”My mother’s voice echoed in the back of my mind and I felt tears in my eyes when I still recognized her voice.“I have faith in you.”I know they were only memories of her when she reassured me before each game but it felt as if she was right here beside me cheering me on like she always has, and it gave me strength.

“Yes, coach. They can count on me."

I usually hated the silence before a game because I could hear my heart beating and I always feared my teammates can hear- afraid that they will become anxious when they find out that I was nervous.

A nervous captain isn’t ideal for any team and a lot of pressure is on especially when your team loses because you have to take the blame every time even if it is your fault.

Mom always said a captain is “the most-hated” person on and off the field. Win they love you. Lose and the whole world blames you for being careless and you are not worthy.

She spoke of experience but the world of hate slowly evaporated when she broke through the thick concrete of hate and build a world of hope for future field hockey players. All races and gender.

She was and is going to be forever an inspiration for me and I will use her wit as motivation to lead this team to greatness.

I met the opposing team’s captain in the center circle with the umpire. “Heads.” She said before allowing me to speak. I let it slide for now and promised to take it out on the field.

The umpire tossed the coin to the opening match and luck was on their side.

Her smirk didn’t go unnoticed. “So, sorry, Adams. Second best.” I shrugged and shook her hand.

“Not until the last minute.” I dropped her hand and marched back to my team.

“She’s not the friendliest type,” Clarissa muttered.

“Neither was you.” Megan pointed out.

“Enough,” I said sternly.

“We have to get our heads in the game. They are serious about winning this and taking us a joke. Let’s prove them wrong.”

We got into our positions. Clarissa and I were standing a few yards away from the center circle where the opposing team was going for the first touch of the ball.

“Deep breaths, Sasha,” I murmured to myself, slightly squatting down and pressing my feet into the field as I waited for the first strike of the ball.

The umpire blew the whistle and the ball got knocked off. It was like a war erupted when everyone took their places as the opposing team made a run for it. Instead of swords meeting, it was a sea of hockey sticks chasing after a ball.

Their first goal was a loss as Tammy defended particularly well as she always did. We got our first touch of the ball and it didn’t go too well as we were still trying to get our minds back in the game and find the best solution to get our first point.

Our opposing team was not going to hand the spot over without a fight and they were making a point on the field with every run, strike off the ball, and defending technique but we fought back no matter what.

Drawing close to the end of the game we ended up with a tie and we were given extra time for the team that scores the last goal of the day.

We were given two minutes to have a quick chat with the team.

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