CHAPTER FOUR
The next afternoon, Alex walked onto the field with determination. The bright sunshine and light breeze tossing the treetops made her feel as if the incident yesterday had never happened. Mom was right. Everyone else had probably already forgotten about it too.
Most of the Strikers were already on the field, kicking balls from one to the other or stretching on the sidelines.
Duffel bags and soccer balls were scattered on the grass. Coach Mike was sitting on the bench looking at his clipboard.
Alex dumped her bag next to the others and hurried over to Lin and Brooke, who were passing a ball back and forth.
“Hi guys,” she greeted them cheerfully.
“Hi,” Lin said back, and passed the ball to Brooke. But Brooke just narrowed her eyes and looked away.
Alex’s mouth fell open. Was Brooke actually still mad about yesterday? She looked back at Lin, who gave a little shrug.
Alex opened her mouth to say something to Lin, but before she could, Coach Mike called, “Okay, players, get into position for drills!”
Brooke was just being crabby, Alex decided as she took her place in one of the two double lines. She tried to catch the eye of Christie, her passing partner, but Christie just frowned and looked away.
Alex swept her eyes over the two lines of girls passing the ball back and forth. No one looked at her. In fact, it seemed like everyone was ignoring her. There was a definite tension in the air.
Alex booted the ball back to Christie as hard as she could. They can’t forgive one mistake? she thought. They are just stuck-up, that’s all. The Tiger Moths never would have treated me like this.
Alex’s stomach churned uneasily as the practice dragged on. After drills they scrimmaged. Alex was not surprised when nobody would pass her the ball.
At the end of practice Coach gave a pep talk about the upcoming game.
“We lost a tough game yesterday,” Coach Mike said. “But I know we’re ready to win big tomorrow. I’ll see you all here at four o’clock sharp. Everyone get a good night’s sleep.”
The girls broke up, huddling in little groups as they packed up their gear. Alex grabbed her bag and hurried over to the bench, where Lin was changing her cleats for a pair of sneakers.
“Hey, Lin!” Alex said. “Do you want to come over? My mom can drive you home later.”
Lin seemed uncomfortable. A couple of girls nearby looked at Lin, waiting to hear her answer.
Lin finished tying her shoes and grabbed Alex’s arm. She pulled her off to the side of the field. A couple of tall bushes provided a handy screen as Lin leaned in close.
“Listen, Alex, I have to talk to you,” Lin whispered. She shifted a little. “Everyone’s still kind of mad about yesterday.”
“I cannot believe this!” Alex exclaimed, her voice rising. “One tiny mistake and I’m going to be blamed for the rest of the season!” She crossed her arms. “Look, I’m sorry it was the first loss, okay?”
“Calm down, Alex,” Lin whispered, making patting motions with her hands. “It’s not that it was the first loss, exactly.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Alex asked.
“It’s just that, well, some of the girls feel like you should say you’re sorry,” Lin said. “Even if it was just a mistake. You are being kind of rude about the whole thing.”
“If anyone is being rude, it’s not me,” Alex replied angrily. “And I suppose you think I should apologize, too?”
Alex didn’t know why she was getting mad at Lin. Lin was just trying to help her. But she felt like she had to get mad at someone.
“Well . . .” Lin looked down and scuffed the gravel with her feet. “I guess, yeah. That is what I think. I think you should say you’re sorry.”
“Well, I don’t,” Alex snapped and stomped away.
