A SHORT STORY.
{TEAM BUS}.
LUB-DUB......…LUD-DUB........LUD-BUD........LUD
BUD....Inhale....LUD-BUD...exhale. I can hear it, my heartbeat. As I stare
into the rain, my head lightly brushing against the cold bus window. Time Speeds
up, Time Slows down…exhale…. I feel cold, I can see my breath….breathe....
And my chest…. Tightening. Maybe we won't be able to qualify for the clash of
champion's league. All my hopes and dreams would be crushed. I've been really
optimistic about it, encouraging my comrades and acting like it's just another
challenge for us to overcome. Of course people called me stupid for it but… I can't
just accept, that after everything we've been through, this is where it all ends. It
like felt nothing yesterday, but why now? Why is it only on the way to the stadium
that all these feelings are flooding in?
I've been passionate about soccer for as long as I can remember. Its kinda a
family thing you see, well not really. Let me explain. My family has always been
blessed with extraordinary soccer skills from my great great grand pa to my dad.
But you see, for the larger part of the family, soccer was just a recreational
distraction. A waste of time. Even though they had talent, they never took it
beyond backyard matches and rented fields. Their names never known. Their skills
never seen by the world.
But I'm going to change that, I'm going to take my families name all the
way up to the heavens. My name is Jackie Storm.... and I'll rise through every
storm like a Tsunami.
THE UNSEEN ELEVEN.
Chapter One: Echoes on the field
Finally I could hear the bus Whooshing, Signalling its stop. I held my chest
and closed my eyes exhaling once more.
"You don't look so hot storm, you good?" a voice asked from the seat in
front of me. His short red hair sharp as ever, his voice both confident and warm.
Wearing the blue and white track suits we all have on. I met his gaze with a nod,
calming my nerves.
"You don't worry about me Kevin, just make sure you can keep up with me"
I replied.
He chuckled, "Now that's more like it"
He said joyfully until his eyes drifted across the rest of the team, their faces
as though there was no soul beneath them.
"Man…. atmosphere is pretty tense in here huh?" he muttered.
"Yeah…" I responded, "Didn't even notice".
"Well" he said.
Kevin stood up suddenly, his voice booming through the heavy silence.
"IT'S FRUSTRATING!"
A large gasp of shock echoed in the bus as everyone was shocked by the
sudden rage.
"What's matter, Huh?!...you all look like ghosts! Have you really forgotten
everything it took to get here?"
He looked into our eyes, striking our hearts.
Kevin: "Have you forgotten the sweat? The tears? The ones who believed in
us, lifted us when we thought it impossible…. Even when it hurt their reputation?"
He paused, the shouted.
Kevin: "Have you forgotten your families?!"
When he said that it was like lightning struck me.
Kevin: "Principal Adrian fought tooth and nail just to get the board to
reinstate the soccer team!"
Kevin: "Don't you remember how hard it was to convince him in the first
place?"
Kevin: "Davis isn't here because he got injured, ensuring we make it to this
qualifying match and all you can do now is wobble in your own self-pity?!"
A loud silence filled the bus and Kevin clenched his jaw.
Kevin: "Well I haven't forgotten!!!!!! I haven't forgotten any single detail"
Kevin's eyes locked with ours like a bull staring at the red flag.
Kevin: "We are up against last year's champions in our first ever qualifying
match to cement our names in history, worrisome? Huh"
Kevin: "Doesn't help that we're a team formed just 6 months ago, going up
against the apex predator of the tournament"
Once he said that everyone's mood seemed to dim, but not me I understood
every little thing Kevin said and I rose up with him.
Kevin: "I say so what!?"
A short breath swept through the bus.
"Kelvin's right", coach Ronald said as he rose from his seat all the way at
the front. His bald head gleaming under the bus lights as he stood confidently in
his crisp grey suit.
"You kids have been through a lot to get here, if you should feel anything, it
should be pride. You set a goal for yourselves and despite everything that stood
against you, you made it to the qualifying round. Poetic, if you ask me."
Coach Ronald: "Now you're up against Spartans united last years
champions, to me that just another mountain to climb. And I've seen you climb
plenty. So raise your heads and strike fire in your hearts. you've done it, you're
finally here. All those sweat and tears weren't in vain"
Jere slowly stood up and spoke. A sad expression on his face. His Short,
spikey black hair hiding the shadow in his eyes.
Jere: "But what if we lose? Then truly it was in vain."
Storm: "No, it wouldn't"
Jere: "what do you mean?"
Coach: "Oh?"
Storm: "Everybody expects us to lose, so if we do… we actually lose
nothing. But if we play our hearts out… if we pressure them, fight them, even for a
moment, they'll have to respect us."
Storm: "They'll say, Team dynamo… the underdogs who held their own
against the champions"
Storm: "And if we win? Hell… even get just one goal? Or maybe even draw,
I can tell you for sure our popularity would sky rocket and we would have the
world on pause. They'll remember our name"
Coach: "On point storm, our primary goal is to show the whole world what
you're capable of. Win or lose, we're making noise on a grand stage. The only
ones who stand to lose anything are the Spartans and you will put on show, I speak
with certainty because I know my team"
Coach: "Besides…remember our strategy? We've got an ace up our sleeves
they won't be expecting…chuckles… Trust me, way I see it playing out we've
already won this match"
The Spark returned to everyone's eyes. Fists clenched. Backs straightened.
Coach: "So… let's go out there and introduce Team dynamo to the world!!!"
Team: " Yeahhhhhh".
I could feel it, as we walked out of the bus. A powerful sensation brewing
amongst us. It felt like a rally, I trusted my comrades and in that moment I knew
together, we were capable of so much. A surge of confidence hit us as the
journalists snapped photos and crowed our coach. I recognised some familiar faces
in the press, there presence was encouraging.
We made our way into the locker room, already hearing the thunderous
crowd outside. Adrenaline rushed through all our veins. I opened my locker, and
started to change into our gear. Then i looked myself in the mirror, taking in the
moment. Our white and blue jersey was split by a bold diagonal thunder bolt. The
sleeves and shorts were white, clean and sharp. I wore blue boots with 3 white
stripes along the sides. Boots my dad kept for the day he'd step on the grand stage.
But today, they'd taste the grass for the first time.
I started into my silver eyes one more time, my cyan hair still sharp and
wild. I knew no matter what would happen out there, I would give it everything.
The name storm was going to be remembered.
Coach Ronald walked into the locker room with his assistant coach
following behind.
"Alright, gather around," He said as Miriam his assistant coach, dressed in
our blue and white tracksuit, her long blonde hair bouncing about turned on the
screen.
Coach: "Let's talk about our opponents"
We all listened attentively.
Coach: "You know them. Chief, Lombe, Mungonyinga. Three blades that cut
through defences like paper" Coach began. Clips played in sync with his words.
"These three dominated the score sheet last season. But the real problem here, is
the reason they are called apex predators."
He paused.
"That's right Mungonyinga",
"This guy kicks the ball like its being launched by a gorilla."
"His 'eagle wind' technique is almost completely unstoppable at our current level."
Coach: "Scoring a total of 245 goals in 52 matches is no joke. He holds the all-time
record for most goals in the tournament."
Silence rang then Logan Frost our goal keeper broke it. His pale skin and sable hair
really standing out in the room as he leaned against the wall.
Frost: "I regret not having more time to train, there is something I've been working
on"
"But I can't just pull it off yet."
"If I could, I know for sure I would be able to catch that."
His eyes closed, a slight guilt reflecting in his face.
Frost: "Damnit… how are you all supposed to rely on me like this?"
Monica: "Hey now frost, no need to beat yourself, for today's strategy your current
skills are more than enough."
Coach Ronald nodded in agreement and slight shock went across frost's face.
Ashford our number 7 laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder smiling at him as we
all did.
Frost: "Tsk…. You guys"
Coach: "Anyway… that's just their strikers. Their midfield is just as dangerous."
"They typically play a diamond formation with three midfielders and
Mungonyinga up front."
"Some folks even call it the Bermuda Triangle."
Cj our number 6, dancer, showboat and proud owner of an 80s afro chimed in with
a laugh.
Junior: Ayyoo… that's crazy Fo'sho', we out here dealing with anomalies, Hah!
What a better way to make an entrance? No way in hell I'm letting they run that
play!"
Coach: "I'm counting on it, now let's talk about the good news."
"Their defence is weak."
"We are stronger In that department shouldn't be hard at all to bypass them. All
you gotta do is survive their mid field and it's a home run to their goal keeper"
Everyone: "Alright!...haha"
Coach: "And just like on the pitch your fun will end when you meet their goal
keeper, Mazumba"
"This guy's technique the lion's gate is impenetrable. Arguably the only reason
why Spartan's won in the first place but that's were our ace comes in."
Coach: "Remember, they and the world are underestimating you and me. So go out
their use it to your advantage and make them eat their words."
Everyone: " Yeahhhh"
Coach: "Okay so todays formation will be a 4,2,3,1, giving us 6 players in our half
of the pitch to help keep possession and defend our goal and 4 in their half for
attack."
(Don't mind the colours couldn't find something blue and white)
Coach: "if you have the ball make sure to get it to Kevin Reyes so that him and
storm execute their plan. "
I stared at Kevin as he stared back at me in agreement.
Coach: "ill trust you two to know the right time to execute your plan"
Monica: "lastly, since we haven't yet picked out our captain we will have to
temporarily give one of you the title of captain."
The room was buzzing with nervous energy, players whispering and
shifting. A few hopeful looks shot at me. I wanted it, but I kept my hands folded in
my lap, quiet.
Coach: "Due to the sense of leader ship displayed earlier in the bus…"
Coach didn't have to take such dramatic pause he had us all on our feet.
Monica then pulled out the captain's band and approached me and Kevin.
Coach: "We are more than happy to present the captains band to Kevin
Reyes who will lead us into this match"
The room went quiet for a heartbeat.
Then cheers and claps filled the space as Monica presented the band like a
prize to Kevin. He slid it up his bicep, a mixture of pride and determination shining
in his eyes.
I thought might feel jealous but no, in the moment it felt like the best
decision possible. Kevin gave off a fiery grin
The Teams energy shifted instantly, like a spark to dry grass, the spirit in the
room flared. I caught Kevin's eye, his Grin contagious and in that moment, I knew
the fight had already begun.
Kevin: "Alright!Lets go! And bring the house down"
Everyone: " Yeahhhh"
It felt like time started speeding up again, so many people moving up and
down in the locker room. I just sat their holding a soccer ball and honing my
breath. I start remember my journey so far and how much this moment means to
me.
It was then I overhead coach's voice.
Coach: " Mapalo… I'm pulling you from the starting eleven for this match"
The room seemed to freeze. Jere turned, stunned.
Jere: "Wait…what? Coach, i…I don't understand. This is our first real match"
Coach: "I know what you're thinking, but I've made up my mind, Kelly will start
in your place. I'll bring you on later if we need you".
Jere: "But…"
Coach: "I need a strong start and I need everyone at 100%. And right now…
you're not there"
Jere didn't blink. His knuckles turned white, It was the silence of someone who'd
taken a hit but refused to fall.
Jere : " …I understand".
He didn't protest further. He just nodded, barely I might add and walked back to
his spot.
I watched him in silence. We all did. The room felt heavier. Jere in the starting
line-up wasn't just a strategy, it meant something. But we all trust our coach so
much, none of us protested further.
"They are calling for us at the tunnel, lets go" a load voice called out.
It was creed our number 3, he had a large body and definitely used it to his
advantage on the pitch.
"Right" I responded.
We went and queued up at the player's tunnel. Reyes was in the lead and I
stood behind him. The rain had come to a stop leaving behind slight mist on the
pitch. My heart pounded. Adrenaline coursing through my veins. The thunderous
roar of the crowd vibrated through the ground beneath our feet. I started
controlling my breath again calming, myself.
The Spartan's joined us in the player's tunnel in their dark purple gear with
light purple checkers on their sleeves looking as striking as you would expect from
a veteran team. They for the most part were bigger than us. Mazumba their captain
stood beside Kevin and beside me the apex predator Mugonyinga.
It felt like we could see the dark aura emitting around him. In his presence
the air become thin. He had these big piercing eyes, a scar across his face and long
straight dark hair. He looked like he just escaped a gothic prison after stealing the
football skills of a demon from the underworld.
His eyes stared ahead, as if we didn't exist. I found it mildly irritating but I
felt like I needed his respect for me to carry on. And the oddest thing happens, he
starts to hum a tune I couldn't quite recognize.
The referees and flags men joined us in front and started to lead us into the
filed. It felt as like we were charging into the light. In front of me with a smile
Kevin confidently pushed forward into what appeared like the great beyond. I held
back for a moment as I recalled a time when I was practicing in the backyard.
The rain fell gently to the one me as I laid exhausted in the mud. My boots
covered in mud, feeling the soggy dirt within them. It was then that I looked up to
see my dad watching me from the porch.
"Talent isn't enough, Jackie. I had it too. But In the end, I gave it up…It
never paid the bills, it never gave back… it only took"
"I'd hate to see the same thing happen to you"
Remembering that, I smiled, clenched my fists and muttered.
"It's showtime"
I followed behind Kevin.
Advancing into the light, into the war zone.
The Final Chapter:
WAR ZONE.