Page 125 of Withered

“We’re twinning,” Kristy says as she starts with her makeup.

As she helps me, I ask, “Did you pack my bag?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ve got it,” she says and continues, “By the way, we are taking an Uber.”

“Fine. Whatever you say.”

It’s pointless to argue with her when I know she’ll persuade me anyway. As a result, it’s best to simply agree with her.

Our school is decked out in white and red flags and banners to support our team. Today we face Cedar Ridge High School. The opposing team has filled the arena in purple and silver.

We gather with some friends before heading down the stairs, where Ava and Emily have reserved seats in the first row of the bleachers. Ava and Emily are die-hard soccer fanatics who never miss a game. Their cheeks are painted red and white, and they are holding pom-poms in their palms.

Mr. Jaiden McGrane, our principal, walks over to the little podium on the ground and speaks for a while, boring the audience. He then greets both teams.

The entire field yells in support of their respective teams. I spot Jake following Tyler, who has Olivia hot on his tail. She has her arm around Tyler, who has an annoyed expression on his face. They are dressed in red shirts, white shorts, red shoes, and white socks.

Kristy looks hurt rather than angry. I take her hand in mine and give it a reassuring squeeze. She looks at me with glossy eyes, and I close my eyes, telling her it’ll be fine, whatever it is.

Jake mutters something to him, and he relaxes.

They all line up next to the podium, where Tyler deliberately shakes off Olivia’s hand and I smile. He’s lucky he did it because he’d be dead by the end of the night if he hadn’t.

Jake scans the crowd, his eyes taking in the arena and sweeping over faces. Ava and Emily, being the loudest, draw his attention.

His eyes go past them, then stop at me. When he sees me, he smiles and looks down at my clothes. He gives a tiny nod and winks, which I take as a compliment, causing me to blush and smile.

He nudges Tyler, who was also busy scanning the crowd, and looks our way. Tyler greets me, then his eyes move to my left, to Kristy. He smiles at her, and Kristy relaxes.

“If this is all Olivia’s doing, I’m so not having it,” Kristy mutters next to me.

“We’ll see her,” I say.

The cheer team quickly begins to cheer, and Olivia finishes it off with her unmatched antics. She is that good.

The match begins: Westwood Wildcats vs. Cedar Ridge Raiders.

The players take their positions, and the referee whistles, starting the first half of the period.

Tyler and Jake are the fastest players on the field, and no one can catch them. Tyler has the ball and moves quickly and gracefully toward the goal. He tosses the ball to Jake, who kicks it into the net for a point.

We shriek in delight as a hoot goes over, cheerleaders roaring for our squad. The opposite team doesn’t look happy with the start.

The game resumes, and the opposing team is in what I call attacking mode. Their players do not hold the ball with them, instead passing it quickly among themselves.

Jake goes around the player and draws the ball away from them, running towards the goal. One player from the opposing team slides on the ground, hitting Jake’s leg and causing him to trip.

My heart stops for a second until Jake is back on his feet.

“He isn’t hurt, is he?” I ask, but Kristy remains quiet.

The opponent team receives a yellow card, and after some time, it’s the end of the first half period.

The score is Westwood 1, Cedar Ridge 0.

There is a fifteen-minute break before the second half of the period starts.

The opponent’s team still won’t let the ball go; one of the players moves fast toward the goal and hits it. The arena goes silent; our gazes are locked on that ball. It happens so quickly, but our goalkeeper catches it, preventing a goal.

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