Snippets

Like Minded (Part 2)

Rylen never let the praise go to her head it was an advice she had got her brother, parents, and Coach to never be overconfident. There is always scope for improvement, that's what her mantra was.

As the teams shook hands, Rylen's eyes looked for Enrique. But instead of Enrique, her eyes were locked in a glaring match with Giowhatsherface. She was giving her a stink eye, Rylen raised her eyebrow challenging her. They had visible bad blood between them, and despite her ethics, Rylen wanted to teach her a lesson.

The thoughts of Enrique and Miss Bitch-face were all gone when her eyes met the icy chocolate brown ones. He was truly gorgeous whoever he was. She saw his icy facade melt by looking at her, but as the horn blew it was back on, and he looked away.

Rylen was sure she had seen him. But where she couldn't place.

This was the first time Rylen found the male species attractive. She didn't have crushes on celebrities like everyone else did. Rylen wasn't sure why, but she didn't care about materialistic things like looks and relationships. They distracted her from her goals. Her aim was to become the best goalkeeper in the world, and stopping most goals ever in history.

Focusing back on her goal to win the cup, Rylen let her focus be on the game than a person she had been searching for. She had time to figure out where Enrique was after the game. Right now she had goals to stop.

The match started, and it seemed that the Eagles were better than they were in the quarters. Their kicks weren't messy or careless anymore.

The match was tough for her team. It was even more for Rylen. They had tried 3 times to score, and she had successfully saved them all. Mr. Icy Glare didn't look happy. As Juan and Sánchez teamed up, the Bulls had scored a goal 5 seconds before halftime.

Rylen didn't feel as if she got even 2 seconds to breathe when the halftime got over. She was making strategies in her head to save goals. For now, only 2 players were trying to goal, the Captain of the team, Mateo Santiago and Mr. Icy Glare who had just given Rylen the toughest save of her career.

"You are doing amazing, Rylen. Don't lose your focus," Her Coach had told her during halftime. He was standing there, as close he could to the field, encouraging them.

"Don't lose focus," Rylen repeated as she planted her legs to the ground, waiting for the whistle to blow.

It was a foul at the end of 60 minutes. The referee announced a direct kick. Rylen was always unsure of direct kicks. This was the only time she didn't have the full view of where the ball was going.

As the team lined up in front of her, Rylen readied herself. Her eyes were fixated on Mr. Icy Glare who was right across her. Rylen was in the middle as her team made a wall on her both sides with Juan and Torres in front.

The Eagles were standing the same way the Bulls were. Rylen somewhat guessed what they were going to do. They weren't going to stand a chance if that was their strategy. As Mateo Santiago moved to kick the ball, he stopped just before he could hit it. Before she could realize Mr. Icy Glare had hit the ball. As per the strategy, her team dived in opposite direction, but the ball was bent. Rylen jumped to catch the ball. The ball hit her glove before it could hit the post and Rylen diverted it at the side falling, and hitting her arm at the side post.

The crowd cheered as her team gathered around her to see if she was okay.

"Valdez?" Sánchez asked.

"I'm good," Rylen winced but got up.

The team high fived and Juan patted Rylen's back as they dispersed with the blow of the whistle.