Maya barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Madison's note. When she finally did drift off, she dreamed of missing open goals while crowds booed.
Her alarm went off at 5 AM. Championship day.
Here we go.
Zoe was already awake, somehow looking alert despite the early hour. "Big day. You ready?"
"No."
"Perfect. Means you care." Zoe threw Maya's Pacific Elite warmup jacket at her. "Now get dressed. You have a championship to win."
The bus to the stadium left at 6:30. Maya arrived at the athletic center to find the team already gathering. Players quiet, focused, nervous energy palpable.
Coach did a final check. "Everyone here? Good. Bus leaves in five. Use the bathroom now if you need to."
The ride was silent except for music playing through someone's headphones. Maya stared out the window, watching the sunrise paint the sky orange and pink.
Beautiful day for a championship. Or a disaster.
