She Keeps Me Warm

Chapter Twelve

The crowd was insanely huge and I was sooo glad I wasn't in the starting lineup. Nerves were killing me. Right about now the score was 1-0.. and yes we were losing.

I got up and went to coach, "tell Anna to watch out for that number 6, infact she should help Sandra there.. these girls are sick.. I underestimated them."

Coach nodded, "alright.. go sit down.. second half you're going in.. and we need a miracle.. you better be it."

I shook my head and went to sit down, such pressure on me God..

When I sat down I heard the crowd go crazy.. I looked at Zanele, "what..."

"Number 6 scored.. we are officially two goals behind.."

Fuck! Really? I got up to tell coach to put two people on that shortie because she could play... she didn't do it and now we were 2 fucken goals behind.

"Great.. and I told coach to make Sandra and Anna watch her.. but well I'm just a player and not the coach.."

"So you and coach seem to be good... kissed and made up when we left the lockers?"

I smiled, "yeah... literally kissed... like the 'I pinned her against the wall and shoved my tongue down her throat' kinda made up..."

Zanele laughed, "God you're such an idiot.."

The crowd went crazy again.. I looked in the field and Jersey number 6 scored another goal..

"3-0... I am officially not with you guys.." I said laughing..

"Opps coach is coming this way.."

I closed my eyes.. God no..

"Lin.. get yourself up and warm up.." Coach said and I sighed, "really coach... you do know I'm human right.. not a machine.."

The other girls next to me laughed and coach gave me thee eye. I got up and started warming up. My school mates started cheering now when they saw me warm up outside the field...

I waved them off as I ran up and down, "noooo..."

They laughed and cheered even louder, "Lin... Lin... Lin... Lin...."

I stopped warming up and looked at them before shouting, "really guys? We are three goals behind..."

The school field was full and loud, so only those next to me could hear what I said and they laughed...

"Then you'll score three goals..." one guy shouted.

"Make it four.." another one said.

"I'm not a machine..." I said and coach pulled me, "stop making an i***t of yourself... it's half time.."

I sighed and followed all the girls to the locker. They were sweating and looked fucken tired.

"Nice play guys.." I said and earned little groans from them..

"three fucken goals and you say 'nice play'.. like do we always have to get beaten even at home.. this should be an advantage, this is our ground." Sandra said sounding defeated already and I smiled, "glad you think so.. when we go to their home ground we will beat them much more..."

Everyone groaned..

"What? I'm not a loser and I won't even start today... so y'all better be ready to really kick some ass when we get back into that ground or I'll not go in and let your asses conceder three more goals..."

"And I don't want any more goals conceded guys.." coach said walking in with Anna.

They both didn't look impressed at all. I mean I wouldn't too. This was a disaster.

"Sandra you're out and Lin is replacing you... Oscar I need you to take a few steps back and help the defence and we will now play a formation of 5-4-1 and not 4-4-2 like initially.." coach started speaking but I raised my hand, "woooah coach, I respect what you said but.. we still need Sandra in there, and I think us playing backwards won't do us anything good.. I need a wing man forward with me or else I won't be able to score goals on my own."

"Well I'm afraid you have to know. We can't risk conceding more goals.."

"Coach I need someone there with me please... Sandra to be specific.. you will see the results..."

"Sandra is going out...and that'd final..."

"God!" I said frustratedly. It was f*****g me up how she wasn't willing to listen to any suggestions while hers were making us lose.

I paid less attention as she made two more unnecessary changes and spoke again. I wasn't interested.. I was going to go in that ground and fucken change whatever she was saying. We are the ones playing.. not her.

"Alright guys.. no more conceding goals please... we can't lose another 6-0 at home.. they'll laugh..cant" coach said and I laughed, "they already are laughing..."

Everyone started walking out. I was about to when a voice stopped me.

"Lin..."

"Coach..."

"If you want to coach the team, you are free to apply for the job... but this right here is MY team..."

I almost laughed my ass out at how she pressed on "my"

I shook my head, "well I thought we were a team coach, I thought we were allowed to put in suggestions. I stupidly ran to you and asked you to tell Sandra and Anna to watch that Number 6... you didn't listen and guess what happened? She scored two goals in 10 minutes.. right before half time.... but you're right.. this ain't my team.. I'm just an outsider." And I left her there.

Soccer was like writing to me. It was my life. I knew everything and had an eye to see s**t in the field.. so if coach wasn't going to use that to an advantage.. I was going to disobey her unfortunately. I wasn't a loser... that wasn't in my blood.

My eyes landed on Ms Louw for the first time today as I walked down the hallway and she waved at me, "all the best okay.."

She was wearing jeans and a white tank. Her tattoos were fucken showing and her sexy muscles. Did she just fucken had to do that? Be all this sexy.

"Lin... watch where you're..." she didn't finish her sentence as I almost ran to the door.

I smiled at her, "stop distracting me.."

She laughed at me and I mentally hit myself.. I was an i***t.

I ran inside the ground to join others as they created a circle and talked. The crowd went insane when they saw me join my teammates..

I squeezed me inside the circle and sat down, "just a second guys... please listen up.. I love coach a lot but what she said will make us lose and I am not...."

"..a loser, we heard that..." Anna said, "what's your point?"

I smiled, "Oscar and Zanele you both watch number six.. Lucia I need you forward with me okay.. I need someone to pass balls to so I can score...and the rest, please open your eyes and keep them on the ball... please! Ohh and they'll be watching me a lot. So please guys use Lucia for the first 10 minutes as I get my strength and mojo.. okay..."

They nodded and I prayed that they follow.

10 minutes into the game and we were now holding the ball. It was funny because coach kept on screaming what the hell we were doing when we went against her and played what I suggested... but we were holding the ball and playing nice...

My mojo just kicked in and I called Anna telling her I was ready. Kenzy kicked the ball to Zanele and it went to Anna in the middle. She confidently sent it to an eagerly waiting Lucia.. the moment she squired the ball I ran against the last defender who was having a hard time.. I managed to get the ball with my knee and put it on the ground. I dribbled past her once and she fell.. I looked up to where the goalkeeper was... I chipped the ball to the far corner, the poor goalkeeper dived all she wanted but failed.... The second the ball hit the back of the net.. the crowed went insane...

I smiled as these girls gave me hugs, "let's get another one..."

They smiled too, and they now looked at me with hope..

I rolled my eyes, "not like we need a miracle.."

"You're it... otherwise I wouldn't be obeying your ass." Anna said.. I told them what to do and in the 60th minute I scored a second goal.

Rosemary was now going insane. Their captain was shouting nun stop..

"We get the ball... we go score a goal.. that's it..." I said to the girls and they nodded with excitement. I pulled Lucia, "look at me... they know what I'm capable of so they'll close in on me, and that will leave you wide open, so please be ready to score.."

She nodded, "awesome..."

My heartbeat relaxed as I watched our goalkeeper save one amazing header from Rosemary.. I was still freaking out, these guys were really good....

The ball was now ours.. as we planned, we moved forward and as I expected, I was now watched by two defenders.. Anna played touch with Zanele and then it went to Anna, I showed her with my hand were to put it and she did. I went to it, dribbled a bit and passed it to Lucia.. She pulled a long shot but it went far...

She looked at me a bit worried, I smiled and brushed her head, "nice one kid.. keep on.... but next time please aim at the goal." then I winked.

She laughed, "will definitely do..."

Okay so the last 20 minutes was hell, they were giving me a hard time and the score was still 3-2.. amd that just made my blood boil.

I went to Anna, "look just pass me the ball and then go past me to take my position, I'll give the ball back to you and you give it to Lucia.. she has to score or else imma beat her ass... if thus doesnt work I'm out of the team.."

Anna laughed, "then it better work.."

We ran after Rosemary for five minutes since they had the ball and wheb we finally got it... Anna put in action what I asked and thank f**k Lucia really scored this time....

The girls ran to Lucia to give her a hug and Anna came to me, "you know..."

I pulled her into a hug, "I don't bite.. and I don't need a thank you, I'm part of the team.. so let's try and win in this last 4 minutes.."

"Let's do that..."

So four minutes left and both teams wanted a win.. it was just insane and to my surprise Rosemary was now all at the back.. they left only their hot captain forward..

We pressed on, tried everything but they stopped us.. They ended up kicking my ankle... really fucken bad and I just laid on the ground staring up.

I saw a hand in front of me and I held it as it helped pull me up.

"Oh hey.. it's the hot captain of Rosemary.." I said looking at the girl. She winked before mimicking my voice, "Oh yer... It's the black Chinese of Montgomery..."

Anna took the free-kick and the goalkeeper did a great job in saving it and the final whistle was blown.

I was still standing next to the captain of Rosemary, she had blonde hair and it was a definite boy cut, she was a bit taller than me now that she was right next to me...and she smelled so fucken good... I furrowed my brows at her, "how do you fucken play 90 minutes and still smell this good..."

She smirked, "heey.. don't catch feelings we almost beat you..."

I laughed and leaned over her, "you didn't beat us... and I don't catch feelings.."

She winked, "good.. so I heard Sandra has a party planned later... please be there..."

I bit my lip and decided to act dumb, "who's Sandra.."

She rolled her eyes, "your captain idiot... just be there and I'll explain to you how we almost beat you.."

I shook my head, "fact is you didn't beat us.."

She blew me off as the girls came running to me to give me a hug.

"Hey guys... you did amazing.. thank you for listening to me." I hugged them back.

"Yeah and I guess I should say thank you for disobeying me.. "

I sighed and looked at coach, "It's on me. I just told them who to watch and what to do.. I wasn't ready to lose, worse at home."

Coach nodded her head, "great job guys.. I'm really proud of all of you..."

"Just say Lin.. she really came threw.." Zanele said and Lucia mumbled something in the line of, "I'm voting her for captain.."

"No Lucia.. that's a definite no..." I said shaking my head. I already could see Sandra giving me the death glad at the corner of my eye. I didn't want to be captain...

"We will think about that..." coach said and I shook my head, "there's nothing to think about.. ain't about to become a captain.. I'm fine as just a player...it's enough.."

"Let's go celebrate guys..." Sandra said and they followed her. Coach pulled me aside.

"Coach I'm sorry for..."

She shook her head stopping me, "Don't be, I... I'm glad you did. I couldn't have done that and you were amazing.. you really should be voted as team captain.."

"Coach I don't want to be hated, so don't put me in as captain.."

Coach laughed, "you know Vee did tell me that you are something else.. and she was telling the truth... you really are."

I shook my head, "you guys should never talk about me.. please it's so not on."

The principal, My dad, Mr Lewis and Ms Louw came walking to me and coach.

"That was amazing..." the principal said to coach and I turned to leave, "see you coach.."

I didn't wait for any of them to say anything to me. I just ran to join my teammates.

"You coming to the party tonight...?" Anna asked and I shrugged, "not sure... I wasn't invited.."

"If you're part of the team you are automatically invited.. why weren't you told this?"

I shrugged, "because maybe I'm not part of the team..."

"Sandra...can she come to the party..." Anna called out to the captain of the team and Sandra looked at me for a while.. seeming a bit hesitant and then shrugged, "yeah whatever.."

I smiled at Anna, "see.. I'm not invited.."

She rolled her eyes, "Sandra is just fucken grumpy..."

I laughed and turned from my teammates to actually look for a certain teacher. I wanted her.. I missed her.. and how I acted yesterday was just insane so I wanted to apologize and explain.

I looked around and couldn't find her still.. bumper.

My father came to me with Stacy's dad.

"There is the star..."

I shook my head and pointed at the rest of the team, "here are the stars.."

Mr Lewis expended his hand and I took it for a shake. He smiled, "I have a flight to catch and I am so glad that I came. Good game.."

I smiled, "thank you sir.." then I pulled him aside, "Mr Lewis, can we like sit down and talk when you come back... I need to run some things by you."

His smile grew wider, "that sounds amazing, I'll just call your dad and tell him when I'm back."

"Thank you and have a safe flight sir."

I watched as he left to talk to coach and the principal.

I had to do this, I had to sit him down and talk to him about his daughter. And if it doesn't help then I won't for once entertain this relationship he is trying to build with me because it would hurt his daughter.

My dad gave me a hug, "I am so so proud of you kid.. you were amazing down there.. but I have to run to the office."

"I have to run to the office now, your mom called me twice. Thank you for a great game."

I smiled, "thank you for coming Sipho.."

"Be at the party alright..." a now familiar voice said behind me and I turned to the blonde girl, "umh you're inviting me to a party and I don't even know what your na....."

"Jasmine..but you can call me Jas, Lin..."

"Alright Jas... I'll see if I come."

She bit her lower lips, "for your information, I don't catch feelings either... so you better be there." and then she left.

I was left trying to figure out what she was trying to say or whatever.

"Are you flirting with Jasmine?" Zanele asked and I shook my head, "she's flirting with me."

"Well stay away.. Sandra wants her.. and I think Sandra doesn't like you for what you did today.."

I shrugged, "well... I will stay away okay.."

She laughed, "you better..."

I joined the team but my heart was with Valentia.. I kept on looking over my shoulder.. I had to see her. I just had to.

I finally saw a figure of her talking on the phone going past the grade 9C class and I slowly followed her. At least thst side there wasn't much people.. and it's not like I was going to kiss her. I just wanted to talk only and maybe kiss her later in privacy..

My blood rushed as I thought about her lips on mine. I already yearned for her. God.. I hated how weak I was for her.. it just sucked a lot...

A few people made it a bit hard for me to reach to her sooner. They kept on complementing me and I smiled and said thank you.. just being polite.

When I finally made it around the corner she disappeared to I almost had a heart attack. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.. but it was happening.. and as much as I came here to apologize, I wanted to scream "f**k her!"

She lifted her eyes and they met mine. I quickly turned and left.. f**k her.. f**k her.. f**k her...

I went back to the team. My spirit was a bit down now. I was just fucken drained from what I saw.

"You okay?" Sandra asked and I nodded, "will there be alcohol at your party.."

She shrugged, "yeah.. but don't spread that..."

"Cool.. I'll go home and freshen up. Please do send me your address.."

"Alright.. see you later then.."

"Later dude..."

A part of me didn't want to remember today.. and I was going to make sure I don't.