Mark Lansing never wanted to stand out. He was perfectly happy disappearing into a football huddle with the rest of the team until one play made him the talk of the town. Thrust into a spotlight he never wanted, every choice can reshape his future, and every decision could transform him in ways he never believed possible. Mark’s destiny will be determined on the field … assuming he can figure out how to dress the part.

Chapter 39

“You’re making us late…” Emily said.

Mark said, “I need to put my books in the locker.”

Mark pulled open the locker door, and found a familiar looking pink notecard with a message written in red. The handwriting was impossibly neat and written in block print.

‘Under the bleachers. After the game. I’ll be waiting.’

Mark read it twice before sniffing it, smelling a combination of ozone and metal. Nothing happened when he touched it and it didn’t seem to be spelled.

“What’s that?”

Mark shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

Emily peered over his shoulder and saw the note, but Mark shoved it in his purse before she had a chance to read it. “Please tell me that’s your English homework.”

“It’s nothing.”

She held out her hand. “You’re a terrible liar. Give it to me.”

Mark opened his purse and held it out. Emily looked for a moment before turning back to Mark. “Isn’t this good news? Your week is almost at an end.”

“Maybe so.” Mark shrugged. “But when has anything that’s happened to me been good news this past week?”

Emily smiled. “Do you think it’s Tina?”

“Hard to say. I saw her standing next to my locker when I argued with Gina.” Mark looked both ways to see if anyone was staring. People were staring, but with his sudden infamy, a stare wasn’t an indication of guilt. “Something feels off.”

“Have you looked in a mirror? I would think everything feels off.” Emily turned the paper over, as if expecting a hidden message to appear on the back. “Anyone could have sent this.”

“Somebody is messing with me.”

“Sounds like Tina.”

“We’ll figure it out later.” Emily said, as she returned the note to Mark. “Right now we need to get to the pep rally.”

“You're right.” Mark nodded.

“And don’t worry.” Emily added. “I’m sticking by your side the rest of the day.”

“Thanks.” Mark said, blushing. “I appreciate it.”

“We gotta go now.” Emily’s face brightened, “It’s time for the pep rally and you’re going to enjoy it.”

“Why do I get the feeling I don’t have a choice?”

“You’re the rally girl.” Emily laughed as she grabbed Mark’s hand. “It’s in your nature.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Would you prefer your highness?”

“Ugggh. Please stop.” Mark said, “That’s worse.”

The band was already playing by the time they reached the gymnasium. Trumpets blared out the school fight song while the drumbeat rattled Mark’s bones.

Emily led Mark toward the bleachers, where Bella and Alice had saved seats.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” Bella said. She glanced at Mark, then at Emily. “Did you get another makeover?”

“Can we not talk about it?” Mark said.

“Of course not, princess.” Bella said, “At this rate, by this time next week you’ll be sitting with popular kids.”

Alice didn’t seem to hear them. She was leaning forward, scanning the crowd below.

“Have you seen Aden?” she asked.

Bella rolled her eyes. “I told you. He’s with the football team. They’re waiting in the locker room.”

Mark nodded to himself. He’d gone to dozens of pep rallies but never actually seen this part. The football team was the main attraction which allowed them to joke and goof around in the locker room.

Across the gym, students filed into the remaining rows as a hum of excitement filled the room. A group of sophomores stopped in front of the group of older girls. The leader of the group turned to Mark, “You look amazing, Marcy.”

“Thanks,” Mark said, not sure what else to say.

“I love your hair. And the makeup. And that outfit. You definitely should keep that look.”

She giggled to her friends, then the whole group scurried away before Mark had a chance to respond.

Another girl tapped on Mark’s shoulder. “I saw what happened with you and Gina.”

Mark stiffened. “Yeah?”

“I like how you stood up to her.”

“I didn't exactly…”

But the girl had already turned to tell her friend something, both laughing and glancing back at Mark with excited smiles.

Emily nudged his knee. “See? You’re a queen.”

“These people didn't know me yesterday.”

Emily laughed. “I’m starting to think I didn’t know you yesterday.”

Mark pleaded, “Please stop.”

“Never.” Emily smiled.

“You’re enjoying this too much.” Mark whispered to Emily. “Is this what being popular is like?”

Emily shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”

Mark watched Kaya squeeze past a couple of students to sit beside Bella. The bright smile she’d worn a few hours ago was gone.

“Hey, Kaya.”

“Hey, Marcy.” She gave him a distracted smile.

Mark hesitated. “Did you see what happened with me and Gina?”

“Everyone saw it.” Kaya shrugged. “I still think you should’ve slapped her.”

Mark stared at her.

He could still feel it - the sting in his palm and the sound that silenced the hallway as Gina’s head snapped to the side. He remembered seeing Kaya in the classroom, glowing like he’d handed her a present. She’d been the one who told him to do it and she’d been so happy when he did.

Now she remembered none of it. Only the advice.

“Slapping her would’ve gotten me in a lot of trouble,” Mark said.

“So?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it again. No matter what Mark said, she’d continue to look at him the way she was looking at him now, waiting for words she never experienced.

“What’s so funny?” Kaya asked.

“Nothing.” Mark hadn’t realized he was smiling. “I was just imagining what it would’ve sounded like if I’d actually done it.”

Kaya laughed. “I do that all the time.”

Mark wanted to laugh with her, but it got caught in his throat.

“Settle down!” Principal Samuel had stepped onto the gym floor, and with his announcement, conversation gradually subsided. The microphone made a loud squeal as he began to speak.

“Good afternoon, Stanton High!”

The response was a muted series of claps and half-hearted cheers.

“I can’t hear you!” Principal Samuel said again.

This time the response had a few more claps and deep-throated whoops.

The response wasn’t great but it was enough to satisfy the principal. “Welcome to Stanton High School’s Senior Day pep rally!”

The band struck up the school’s fight song, playing mostly in tune.

Bella leaned toward Mark. “I love how they make us attend rallies for people who can barely spell their names. Meanwhile, those of us with functioning brains rarely ever get a mention.”

“Come on, Bella. Pep rallies are fun.” Emily said.

Bella said, “I could list a hundred things I’d rather be doing than watching these idiots.”

Emily shrugged, “Sports build character.”

Bella yawned, “So you keep telling me.”

Alice wasn’t listening. She was staring at the far entrance to the gym.

She asked, “When do you think Aden will be coming out?”

Emily followed Alice’s stare. “The football team always comes out last.”

Alice didn’t seem to hear her.

The band director introduced the senior members of the band, each marching onto the floor as the rest of the band continued to play the school’s fight song. When they finished, the few students applauded, and the cheerleaders ran onto the floor, tumbling and spinning into position with practiced precision.

“I don’t mind the band so much.” Bella said, snapping her fingers. “At least they’re entertaining.”

“You're impossible,” Emily said, shaking her head.

The cheerleaders launched into a chant, the gym echoing with their calls as the crowd answered from the bleachers. Mark clapped along with everyone else, though his stare fixed on Tina as she went through her routine. She was pretty good.

But nothing made him forget the note waiting in his purse.

‘Under the bleachers. After the game. I’ll be waiting.’

He’d waited all week for this and every second since drew it a little closer. Now, nothing seemed simple as he watched cheerleaders shout a cadence in their skimpy outfits while hundreds of students cheered along.

He’d wanted this since Sunday. So why did he feel like running?

“Hey.” Emily nudged his shoulder.

“You're doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“You look like your mind is a thousand miles away.”

“Sorry. You’d act the same if this happened to you.”

Emily whispered, “I wouldn’t be whining half as much if someone changed me into a boy.” She returned a small smile.

The comment brought a smile to Mark’s face. “I could see you as a boy.”

“You could?” Emily asked, sounding a little hurt.

Mark grinned. “Sure. You already scare me more than most of the guys on the football team.”

“Very funny.” Emily droned.

“I thought so.” Mark smiled.

“Keep it up and you’ll find yourself walking again.”

“I was joking.” Mark held his hands up in mock surrender.

“It was a bad joke.” Emily crossed her arms, not quite ready to forgive Mark.

The principal returned to the microphone and began announcing the fall sports teams one by one. Cross-country runners jogged onto the floor to a scattering of cheers. The soccer teams followed, then tennis, golf, and the other school teams, the seniors in each group waving to the stands before gathering along the sidelines.

With every introduction, the applause rose and faded, and then it was the field hockey team’s turn to be introduced.

Emily immediately sprang to her feet. “That's us!”

She grabbed Mark's hand and pulled him into the aisle.

Mark stood his ground. “I’m not going down there.”

“Of course you're going down there.”

“Why?”

“Because they're announcing our team.”

“I’m barely on the team.”

Emily got a better grip of Mark’s arm with her other hand. “You’re on the team. Come on!”

Before Mark could object, Emily pulled with surprising strength, maneuvering him down the steps and onto the gym floor. The other girls on the field hockey team had gathered by the time they arrived, some waving to friends in the crowd, others hugging one another. Mark found himself standing in the center of the group and as he looked up into the crowd, became acutely aware of the makeup on his face and the way his clothes hugged his body.

The principal introduced Coach Ryan, who stepped forward with the microphone.

“I'm very proud of this team,” she announced. “These girls have worked hard all year, they've shown up for one another, and they're ready to prove themselves tomorrow. We've got a big game ahead of us, and I expect every player to give it their best.”

The crowd gave a smattering of applause. Someone shouted, “Go, Beavers!” which drew a laugh from the younger boys.

Coach Ryan raised her hand, “We’d appreciate it if you came out to support us.” Mark watched Emily clapping with the other members of the team, and tried to mimic her face which was bright with excitement.

Coach Ryan continued, “This year’s team is led by one of the best groups of seniors it’s been my privilege to coach, and led by a great team captain. She held out the microphone, “Emily Cawthorn, come up here and say a few words about your teammates.”

Mark stared at Emily. He could see Coach Ryan’s announcement surprised her, but Emily took it in stride, stepping with a confidence Mark hadn’t seen before.

Emily looked at Coach Ryan before beginning to speak. “This year’s team is the culmination of a lot of hard work. I want to thank Coach Ryan for always being there to push us and each of my teammates for going above and beyond what was asked. But I especially want to thank my fellow seniors who stuck with me through thick and thin. We’ve traveled the long road together ladies, and I hate to see it end.”

She paused a second to gather herself before continuing. “At left defense - Yolanda Stevens, at midfield - Trisha Landers, at midfield – Lainey Melfy, and at right winger – Petra Walker.” The four girls joined Emily at midcourt, Petra joining last, limping all the way.
Emily looked out on the crowd waiting for the light applause to stop. “The core of any team is its captains and this year I’ve had two of the best at my side…” Emily paused for effect, “Gwen Smathers, the best goalie in the conference and Alice Bryan, the best damned player in the state.” That got a loud woop from the crowd though as much for the two girls as it was because Emily had dared to say the word ‘damn’ in front of the teachers.

Mark looked over at Coach Ryan. If she was upset at Emily for cussing in front of the whole school assembly, she didn’t show it.

“And last but not least, I want to introduce the newest member of the team and my long-time friend, Marcy Lansing.

The power of the crowd’s applause caught Mark off guard but he managed to turn and wave to the crowd. By the time he reached the center circle, the cheers had grown louder.

He knew he hadn't earned them. The girls beside him had spent years working for this moment, while he had stumbled onto the team only recently. Most of the students were cheering because he'd stood up to Gina, not because they knew anything about him.

He should have felt embarrassed.

Instead, he found himself smiling.

For once, people were looking at him without laughing or whispering behind his back. They were cheering. And for a few precious seconds, Mark let himself believe he belonged.

Then something cold stirred beneath his skin.

The familiar sensation of Maiden's Delight began to form as the cheers from the crowd suddenly exploded, causing Mark to almost lose control. By the time he’d safely stored the spell, Mark turned to see the football team gathering in the doorway as the girls of the field hockey team hurried off the floor.

Emily handed the microphone to Principal Samuel. He called out, “Good luck tomorrow ladies!”

Mark grabbed Emily's hand as she passed and they walked to rejoin the others. “You did great.”

“Thanks.” Emily said.

“And now…” The principal spoke into the microphone, his words drowned out by the applause all around, “… introducing this year’s soon to be conference champion Stanton High School football team.”

Students who had been half-listening moments before leapt to their feet. The band blasted the fight song, the bleachers shook with stomping feet, and the football players charged onto the floor to a roar that seemed to rattle the windows.

There they were. His teammates. His friends, the guys he’d considered friends, now running onto the floor without him. Their familiar faces shone bright beneath the gym’s lights, all of them wearing tonight’s jersey as the crowd chanted their names.

Mark looked up and down the line until he found Jeffrey.

Jeffrey stood with the easy confidence of someone who never worried about his place. He slapped hands with the other players, laughing at things some of them said, then looked up toward the stands and raised his arm high.

The response was deafening as Coach Denny took the microphone.

“All right, settle down!” he barked.

The students quieted, though plenty of them were still laughing and shouting.

“That's better.” He paused. “I've got a bunch of young men here who know what it means to work. You want to win? You earn it. You want glory? You get off your backside and fight for it because nobody's handing you a trophy because you look pretty in a uniform.”

A few students laughed.

Coach Denny scowled at them as he turned to his team.

“Nobody cares how popular you are, how many friends you've got, or whether somebody put your picture on social media. When you get out there on the field, you do your job. You block, you tackle, you hold on to that football, and you don't give an inch. You hear me?”

“Yes, sir!” the players shouted.

“Now let's go win ourselves a championship!”

The crowd exploded again.

Mark clapped but didn’t feel like it. Coach Denny grinned, apparently satisfied with the response, and thrust the microphone into Jeffrey’s hands. “Here’s your team’s captain.”

Jeffrey accepted the microphone without hesitation.

“Thanks, Coach.”

The crowd quieted almost immediately.

“Everybody here knows what we're capable of. We've worked hard, taken our hits, and pushed through the days when nothing seemed to go right. But we've stuck together. That's what makes us a team.”

He glanced back at his teammates, who nodded in agreement.

“Tomorrow, we're going to give everything we've got. Not for a trophy, not for the headlines, but for each other. Because when things get tough, we don't quit. We don't back down.”

He raised the microphone.

“And we don't leave anybody behind. We're Stanton, and we're bringing that championship home!”

The gym erupted.

Mark had heard Jeffrey say the same thing in the locker room, on the sidelines, and in the huddle before games. But hearing Jeffrey say them and not being a part of the group was too much.

He felt a tug at his shoulder.

“You okay?”

Mark didn’t look at Emily. He couldn’t look.

Mark had worked for years to keep Jeffrey’s attention. He’d always thought that if he worked hard enough that his friend would always be by his side. But here they were, fifty feet apart and it might as well have been fifty miles.

“Mark?”

Emily's voice seemed so distant.

“Yeah?”

“I asked if you were okay.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don't look fine.”

“I skipped lunch.”

Emily glanced toward the crowd as the band launched into another song, drowning out whatever she might have said next. The football players waved to the stands while students stomped and cheered. Mark tried to look anywhere but at Jeffrey.

His eyes met Gina's.

She stood near the edge of the crowd, a look of satisfaction on her face as the celebration continued. For a moment, neither of them looked away.

Mark turned to find Tina. She was standing a few feet away from Gina, smiling faintly. Not the broad, friendly smile she used when other people were watching, but something smaller and more private. A look that said she knew something he didn't.

Mark reached into the purse, his fingers curling around the folded note.

‘Under the bleachers. After the game. I’ll be waiting.’

Mark caught Jeffrey’s eye.

For a moment, the roar of the gym seemed to disappear. Jeffrey's expression was unreadable. Mark couldn't tell whether he was looking at an old friend, a stranger, or something else. Jeffrey turned back to the crowd, raising the microphone as the band reached the chorus and the noise crashed over Mark again.

He looked away.

“Come on,” Emily said, touching his arm. “Let’s get you something to eat. You’ve still got a long day ahead and we can’t have you passing out from a lack of food.”

Students began pouring toward the exits. Mark and Emily ran into Bella near the exit.

“That was forty minutes of my life I'll never get back.” She said.

“Quit complaining, would you rather spend the time in class?” Emily said.

Bella shrugged. “Good point.”

Alice appeared beside them, still craning her neck toward the football players.

“Did you see Aden?”

Bella stared at her. “Alice, he was on the floor with the entire football team.”

“I know. Do you think he saw me?”

“He’s always looking at you.”

Alice nodded and hurried ahead. “I’m going to go find him.”

Emily laughed, but Mark barely heard her.

The noise of the gym faded as they entered the hallway. Students moved in every direction in a non-stop stream of conversation and laughter. A girl waved at Mark. Another boy stared with more intensity.

Mark waved at them both.

What frightened him most was becoming accustomed to the smiles and the compliments. These people accepted this new version of Mark without question. He knew they could accept a different version just as quickly.

Emily grabbed his hand. She spoke softly. “You’re going to get through this.”

Mark looked at her. He wanted to ask what she meant. Instead, he squeezed back.

Chapter 40

The locker room buzzed as Mark and Emily entered. Girls crowded the benches, chatting while sticks and pads lay scattered across the floor. Practice hadn't started, and nobody seemed particularly interested in getting ready. Every conversation eventually circled back to that night's football game.

Mark found a spot on the bench and set down his bag.

What bothered him was how comfortable he felt. The noise, the clutter, the girls changing around him. Not one bit seemed particularly strange. He felt more at home here than he'd ever felt in the boys' locker room.

It wasn’t that he didn’t find these girls’ bodies attractive. Most of them had been toning themselves with weights and cardio for years. Only a blind person couldn’t see that.

It was the tension that was missing, that overwhelming urge he might do or say something and be found as a fraud he’d always felt with the guys.

Then again, he’d used Maiden’s Delight twice today, once on Tina and again on Gina, two of the most girlie girls in school. Exposure to those two could’ve addled his brain like happened with Fiona.

“That pep rally speech settles it,” Gwen declared, balancing a stick across her shoulders. “Jeffrey is officially the hottest guy on the team.”

“Officially according to whom?” Lainey asked, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

“Me,” Gwen replied. “And my opinion is the only one that matters.”

Alice sighed from the next bench. “Did you see Aden?”

Gwen snorted. “Aden? Not my type. Too shy.”

“That's what makes him cute,” Alice protested.

Trisha stopped rummaging through her gym bag. “I bet he's a good kisser.”

Alice straightened. “Aden?”

“No, Jeffrey.” Trisha grinned. “Have you seen those lips? Practically pillows.”

“I bet Marcy would know,” Lainey said, glancing across the room with a grin.

Mark, who had been trying to make himself invisible among the half-dressed girls, froze.

Every head turned toward him.

Yolanda nodded. “She's got a point. Marcy, you've known Jeffrey forever. Are his lips really that soft?”

Mark stared at her. “How would I know?”

The girls exchanged looks.

“Seriously?” Trisha asked.

“Seriously.” Mark replied.

“You've been friends since you were practically in diapers,” Yolanda pointed out.

“That doesn't make me an expert on his lips!”

A couple of girls snickered.

Trisha leaned forward. “Wait. You've known him for that long and never kissed?”

“No.” Mark said.

“Not even a little peck?” Trisha asked.

“No!”

“Not even when you were little?” Yolanda said, smiling.

“What is wrong with you?” Mark exclaimed. “I told you … we never kissed.”

The locker room erupted in laughter.

Trisha held up her hands. “We’re just asking the questions everyone is thinking! No spin the bottle? No drunken party confession? Nothing?”

“I like girls,” Mark said firmly. “I'm dating Emily.”

Yolanda looked up from her bag. “I heard you two broke up.”

“We did,” Emily said.

Trisha's eyes widened. “And nobody thought to tell me?”

Nobody answered.

“Then why are you still hanging around each other?” she asked.

“Because people who break up are allowed to remain friends,” Emily said.

“Fair enough.” Trisha nodded. “I've got another question.”

Mark closed his eyes. “Of course you do.”

“Is Jeffrey as big as they say?”

Mark nearly dropped his shoe. “What?”

Every girl stopped what she was doing. Even Alice turned around.

Trisha grinned. “That reaction tells me everything.”

“It tells you nothing!” Mark said.

“Then why are you blushing?”

“Because you're asking me…” Mark stopped himself. He could already see how finishing that sentence would go.

Lainey sat down beside him. “Wait a minute. Is this why Gina's been so upset with Jeffrey?”

“What does Gina have to do with anything?” Mark asked.

“People are saying he cheated on her,” Yolanda explained.

“He wouldn't cheat on Gina,” Mark said quickly.

Trisha's eyes narrowed playfully. “You sound awfully sure.”

“I know Jeffrey.”

“Do you know him … Or do you KNOW him?” Trisha said.

The entire room started laughing.

Mark opened his mouth, then closed it. He tried to think of some way to explain. “Look … Jeffrey walked in while I was taking a shower. It was completely innocent.”

Silence fell.

Trisha's mouth dropped open. “You saw Jeffrey naked?”

“You saw each other naked?” Lainey asked, suddenly very interested.

Mark shouted, “Can we please change the subject? It was a long time ago!”

Yolanda frowned. “I heard it happened last week.”

“It was,” Emily confirmed.

Mark whipped around to look at her. Emily smiled back. “Oooops.”

Lainey blinked. “Is Jeffrey why you two broke up?”

“NO!” Mark shouted.

“YES!” Emily answered at the same time.

The girls stared at them.

“Which is it?” Trisha demanded.

“Things between Marcy and I are complicated,” Emily said.

“Sounds kinky,” Trisha replied.

Mark threw his hands up. “It was a locker room! People shower in locker rooms! I thought everyone had gone home, so I used the boys' showers. Jeffrey came in while I was already there. That's all that happened.”

“Why were you in the boys' locker room?” Yolanda asked.

“That's a very good question,” Trisha said, pressing a hand to her chest. “Sounds like something a rally girl would do.”

“Marcy is a rally girl.” Yolanda said matter-of-factly.

“But not Jeffrey's,” Emily added. “She's Tim Miller's rally girl.”

Mark shot her a warning look.

“Don't give me that look,” Emily said. “They're going to find out eventually. Would you rather have this conversation tomorrow?”

“I don't understand,” Yolanda said. “You and Jeffrey took a shower together, but you aren't his rally girl?”

“We did NOT take a shower together! He came in after I'd already started!”

“Is there a difference?” Yolanda asked.

Alice laughed and slipped an arm around Mark's shoulders. “Ignore them, Marcy. They're just jealous because you’re best friends with a hot football player.”

“I'm not jealous of anybody,” Gwen declared. “I don't need a football player for validation.”

Trisha pointed at her. “You literally just announced Jeffrey was the hottest guy on the team.”

“Because it's true.” Gwen grinned. “I can recognize an attractive guy without wanting to sleep with him.”

Mark shook his head and reached for his bag. “I'm going out to the field.”

He was almost through the door when Trisha called after him.

“Marcy! You still haven't answered about Jeffrey's lips!”

Mark kept walking.

Mark looked around the practice field. It didn’t seem real that he was playing field hockey with a bunch of girls. He glanced down at his body, and the sight of the same lumpy contours as everyone else on the team.

Coach Ryan blew her whistle.

“All right, ladies! Bring it in!”

She stood near the center of the pitch with her two assistants. “Come on! Sticks down, eyes up. We have a big game tomorrow, in case anyone’s forgotten. Can anyone guess what we’re doing first?”

A sophomore raised her hand. “Running?”

“We have a winner!” Coach Ryan pointed toward the track. “Two laps. Comfortable pace. Nobody’s trying to prove anything today. Move!”

The team broke into a loose pack. Mark fell into step beside Emily, who immediately started laughing.

“I hate you,” Mark said.

Emily shrugged. “That conversation could’ve gone a lot worse.”

“I don’t see how.”

“What if we’d started talking about menstruation?”

“Ugggh! You had to go there.” Mark shuddered. “I’m feeling the sudden need to switch subjects - how about telling me the rules of the game?”

Emily gave him an innocent look. “The goal is to put the ball in the net.”

“I know that.”

Emily said, “Then you’re halfway there. To score, you have to shoot from inside the shooting circle.”

“What’s a shooting circle?” Mark asked.

“A semicircle sixteen yards from the goal. You have to be inside it to take a shot.”

Mark glanced across the field. “And what about all those cones and lines?”

Emily shook her head. “That would take too long to explain. For now, keep the ball on the ground. No scoop shots, and don’t deliberately hit anyone on the other team.”

“Not even the goalie?”

“Don’t be a dumbass.” Emily quickened her pace.

Mark easily kept up with her.

“Of course you can hit the ball at the goalie,” Emily added. “Though it’s best if you don’t hit them either if you ever want to score a goal.”

“Really, Em?”

The captains led everyone through a series of stretches. Mark bent to touch his toes, rolled his shoulders, and stretched his calves, doing his best not to think about how naturally he seemed to fit into the routine.

Coach Ryan clapped her hands. “All right, enough stretching. Get your sticks.”

The assistants handed out balls and directed the players into lines along the sideline. Today’s drill combined everything they’d practiced the day before: dribble through a line of cones, pass to a partner, receive the return pass, and shoot at a small goal. It wasn’t particularly strenuous, and Coach Ryan clearly had no intention of tiring anyone out before the game.

Mark stayed near the back of the line, his stick resting against his hip. When his turn came, Emily nudged him forward.

“Go on.”

“I don’t think I’m ready for this.”

“You won’t get ready by standing there.”

Mark sighed and stepped onto the field.

The cones went better than they had the previous day. He still stumbled over his own feet once, but he kept the ball close enough to make the pass to the assistant coach. The return came harder than he expected. He scrambled to control it, managed to get his stick behind the ball, and sent a shot sailing well wide of the goal.

“Not bad,” Emily called.

“I missed the goal.”

“You got through the cones, made the pass, and didn’t fall over. That’s progress.”

“Your standards are inspiring.”

“I try.” Emily grinned.

After a few more repetitions, Coach Ryan blew her whistle and called everyone together.

“That’s enough for today. I know some of you are eager to get all prettied up for tonight’s football game, so we’ll call it here. Get some sleep. We have a big match tomorrow.”

The girls smiled and cheered.

“Thanks, Coach!”

“Don’t celebrate yet,” Coach Ryan warned. “You still have to put your equipment away, and everyone had better be on time tomorrow. We have a match to win, regardless of what happens to the football team.”

“Yes, Coach!” the team chorused.

Gwen fell into step beside Mark as they headed toward the equipment shed. “You’re starting to get the hang of things.”

“I’m getting better at not falling over.”

“It’s too bad you didn’t start playing sooner.” Gwen said. “You could’ve actually become decent.”

“Thanks.” Mark gave her his best sarcastic look, but when he saw her grin, he realized she wasn’t making fun of him.

Emily came up behind him and slipped her arm through his. “Whatcha talking about?”

Mark shrugged, “Apparently, me staying upright is a major athletic achievement.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Gwen said. “You’re also looking sexy while doing it.”

Mark’s smile disappeared. “Seriously, Gwen?”

She blinked, apparently surprised by his reaction. “That was supposed to be a compliment.”

“I know. I just…” Mark searched for an answer that wouldn’t sound ridiculous. “I’m not used to people noticing me.”

For a moment, Gwen’s teasing expression softened. She seemed about to say something, but before she could, Alice hurried over, carrying two sticks.

“I’m so nervous.”

“What’s wrong?” Emily asked.

Alice shrugged. “I’ve never done the rally-girl thing before.”

The words struck Mark in a familiar spot as the ache in his chest returned. “I know the feeling,” he said quietly.

“At least you’ll have each other,” Gwen said, nudging Alice with a grin.

Mark looked at Alice. She returned a nervous smile.

“Yeah,” he said. “I guess.”

The girls carried the equipment back to the shed, and Mark went with them. As they stacked their sticks, he listened to their chatter about hair, clothes, boys, and where everyone planned to sit during the football game. Their excitement was infectious

Emily squeezed his hand. “Come on,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Mark looked at her, then toward the equipment shed, where the girls were still laughing and joking as they put everything away. Tina would be expecting him soon.

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “We do.”

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