"We all have dreams, Devon Parker!"
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Hadley Carter's life is a mess. That is, more of a mess than usual. The unexpected return of her ex creates a storm of chaos Hadley is left to battle alone. Ha...
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Coach Evans catches me just as I exit the locker room, heading toward the field. He offers a grin in greeting, and I'm tempted to walk right past him. He has to know about Stanford–after all, coach is one of the main factors behind my early acceptance. He's the one who pushes me on the field, and he's the one who has been putting good words in for me to recruiters.
"Parker!" Coach Evans calls, waving to gesture for me to be quick.
I join his side, noticing how he patiently waits for my teammates to make it to the field before exclaiming, "So, Stanford, huh?"
I nod tersely. "Yeah."
Coach studies me with curious eyes. I can tell I haven't displayed the reaction he must have been anticipating. "Why so glum, Parker? Disappointed you're not going straight to the pros?"
I manage to offer a weak smile. "I'm really excited, actually. I wanted to thank you for . . . everything. This would have never happened if it wasn't for you."
Pride gleams brightly in coach's eyes. "Don't give me too much credit. You've got a real talent for the sport, Parker. Stanford doesn't give out full-ride scholarships to just anyone. You know that."
"Do the girls know?" I question. I don't know why I bother asking–I know the answer. Of course my teammates don't know yet. Early acceptance into a Division I school isn't the sort of thing to be bragged about.
"Not yet," coach admits. "You can tell them whenever you make your final decision."
Decision, I think to myself. There's that word again. I find it humorous, to hear people say that to me. As if I really have a decision to make. The choice is obvious, after all–the correct option is as clear as day. I have to go to Stanford. I'd be crazy not to. People don't work to reach their goals just to give them up.
"Right," I chirp. "Of course."
Coach eyes me peculiarly, as if he can sense there is something bothering me. I don't give him the chance to ask any further questions on the matter, instead choosing to avoid the subject altogether.
"I guess I'll see you on the field then?" I deliver words of departure, desperately wanting to escape this conversation.
I burst out of the double doors and race to the soccer field without giving coach a chance to respond.
As I run, I try not to think too hard on the fact that this might be one of the last times I play on this field with my teammates again.
——— a/n: I'M UPDATING THIS AT MY GIRLFRIEND'S HOUSE YAY
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