THE STARTING LINE UP
989 Words
Chapter Seven — The Starting Lineup
The next morning, I couldn't eat breakfast.
My stomach was tied in knots.
Today was the day Coach would announce the starting lineup for the championship.
And with Ethan on the team, nothing felt certain anymore.
I had spent three years earning my position.
Three years of early mornings, bruised knees, exhausting practices, and moments when I wanted to give up.
I couldn't lose it now.
When I arrived at school, the training facility was already buzzing with conversation.
Everyone was nervous.
Maya spotted me immediately.
“You look like you're about to fight someone.”
“Maybe I am.”
She laughed.
“It's going to be okay.”
“You don't know that.”
“I know you're good enough.”
I smiled faintly.
“Thanks.”
Then the doors opened.
Ethan walked in.
His eyes found mine almost immediately.
For a second, we just stared at each other.
Then he smiled.
“Morning.”
“Morning.”
Maya looked between us.
“Okay... what's going on with you two?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly.
Ethan chuckled.
“Absolutely nothing.”
Maya raised an eyebrow.
“Sure.”
Coach walked in before she could say anything else.
“Everyone outside.”
We followed him onto the field.
The morning air was cold, but I barely noticed.
My heart was pounding.
Coach gathered us around.
“Today, I'll announce the starting lineup for the championship.”
Everyone became silent.
He held a clipboard in his hands.
“We've worked hard to get here. Some of you will start. Some won't. That doesn't mean you're less important to this team.”
I took a deep breath.
Coach began calling names.
One by one.
Then he reached the position I cared about most.
“Left position... Ethan Hayes.”
My heart dropped.
For a moment, everything around me went silent.
I stared at Coach.
Then at Ethan.
He looked surprised too.
I couldn't breathe properly.
Three years.
Gone.
Just like that.
“Lena,” Coach said.
I forced myself to look at him.
“You'll be our substitute for that position.”
My throat tightened.
I nodded.
“Okay.”
That was all I could say.
I walked away before anyone could see how upset I was.
I headed toward the empty side of the field and sat on the bench.
A few minutes later, I heard footsteps.
I didn't have to look up.
“Lena.”
“Go away.”
Ethan stopped.
“I didn't ask for this.”
“Congratulations anyway.”
“Lena.”
“What?”
He sat beside me.
“I know you're angry.”
“You should be.”
“I am.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
“I'm angry too.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I know how much this means to you.”
I looked away.
“You got what you wanted.”
“No.”
His voice was firm.
“I got the position. That's not the same thing as getting what I wanted.”
I didn't understand.
“Then what do you want?”
He was silent for a moment.
“Not to be your enemy.”
I stared at him.
Before I could answer, Coach called us back.
Training started.
I tried to focus, but every time I looked at Ethan, I felt something complicated.
Anger.
Disappointment.
And something else I wasn't ready to name.
---
Later that afternoon, Coach announced that the starting players would practice separately.
I sat on the bench with the other substitutes.
Watching Ethan play from the sidelines felt strange.
He was good.
Really good.
But then I noticed something.
He wasn't enjoying himself.
Every time Coach praised him, his expression remained serious.
During a break, Ethan walked toward the bench.
“You okay?”
I looked at him.
“I'm fine.”
He smiled slightly.
“That's my line.”
I almost smiled.
Almost.
“You should get back to practice.”
He nodded.
Then he leaned closer.
“Don't give up.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
He walked away.
Those three words stayed with me.
Don't give up.
I had spent years fighting for my dream.
I wasn't going to stop now.
---
After training, Coach asked me to stay behind.
My heart sank.
“Lena, I know you're disappointed.”
I nodded.
“But I didn't choose Ethan because you're not good enough.”
I looked at him.
“Then why?”
“He's naturally suited to the position, and right now, I need him there.”
I swallowed.
“Does that mean I'm done?”
“No.”
He handed me a piece of paper.
“There's another position opening for the championship.”
I stared at it.
“You want me to try for it?”
“I want you to fight for it.”
I looked at the field.
Ethan was still there, packing his bag.
Coach walked away.
I stood up.
For the first time that day, I felt a small spark of determination return.
I wasn't going to let one decision destroy everything I'd worked for.
I picked up my bag and walked toward Ethan.
He looked at me.
“You're smiling.”
“Don't get used to it.”
He laughed.
“So, what changed?”
I looked toward the field.
“I'm not giving up.”
His smile grew.
“Good.”
I turned to leave.
Then he called my name.
“Lena?”
I looked back.
“I'm glad.”
“Glad about what?”
“That you're still fighting.”
I didn't know why those words affected me so much.
Maybe because they didn't sound like something a rival would say.
They sounded like something a friend would say.
And Ethan Hayes was becoming dangerously close to being exactly that.
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