-Raya-
Coach blew the final whistle right as the clock ticked past six.
“That’s it for today! Good hustle, all of you,” she called, voice carrying across the dusky field. “Don’t forget—review your scrimmage notes. I want better transitions Monday!”
We were drenched—elbows on knees, grass clinging to socks and sweat trailing down our spines. The light was fading fast now, bleeding into that soft golden blue that said the day was officially folding into night.
I bent forward, stretching my hamstrings with a deep breath. My heart still beat a little too fast. Not from exhaustion—but from something else.
Satisfaction, maybe. Or hope.
The sound of cleats tapping pavement came from behind the fence, and just like clockwork, the boys started pouring in from the other side of the school buil
