UNEXPECTED TEAMMATE
948 Words
Chapter Eleven — Unexpected Teammate
The next few days passed faster than I expected.
Training became harder.
The championship was getting closer.
And with Sophie now competing for a starting position, every practice felt like another test.
I refused to let myself fall behind.
If I wanted my position back, I had to earn it.
That morning, Coach divided us into pairs for a passing drill.
I looked around.
Maya was already paired with someone else.
Sophie was with another player.
Then Coach pointed toward Ethan.
“Lena. Ethan. Together.”
I sighed.
Ethan smiled.
“Looks like we're stuck with each other again.”
“Don't make me regret it.”
“I'll try.”
We took our positions.
The drill started.
Pass.
Move.
Return.
Pass.
Move.
Return.
We worked almost perfectly together.
It was becoming annoyingly natural.
“Faster!” Coach shouted.
Ethan increased his pace.
I followed.
The ball moved between us so quickly that I barely had time to think.
Then Ethan suddenly stopped.
His face tightened.
The ball rolled away.
I immediately knew something was wrong.
“Ethan?”
He bent slightly, pressing his hand against his side.
“I just need a second.”
I stepped closer.
“Are you hurt?”
He straightened quickly.
“No.”
“You don't have to lie to me.”
He looked at me.
“I know.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he quietly said,
“Please don't tell Coach.”
My heart dropped.
“Ethan…”
“Please.”
I studied his face.
There was something in his expression I'd never seen before.
Fear.
Not fear of losing a game.
Fear of losing everything.
“Okay,” I whispered.
He nodded.
“Thank you.”
Before we could say anything else, Coach called for us.
“Keep going!”
Ethan picked up the ball.
I watched him carefully.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
This time, I didn't argue.
We continued.
---
During the scrimmage, Ethan played well.
Almost too well.
He moved across the field like nothing was wrong.
But I knew better now.
Every few minutes, I noticed the small signs.
The way he slowed down after a sprint.
The way his hand occasionally moved toward his side.
The way he took deeper breaths when he thought nobody was watching.
I couldn't stop worrying.
And that worry affected me.
I missed a pass.
Then another.
Coach blew his whistle.
“Lena!”
I looked up.
“You're distracted.”
“Sorry.”
“Focus.”
“Yes, Coach.”
I took a deep breath.
I had to concentrate.
Ethan didn't need me falling apart because of his secret.
The game continued.
Then Sophie intercepted a pass from me.
She scored.
Coach blew the whistle.
“Good play, Sophie!”
I clenched my jaw.
Sophie looked at me.
“Sorry.”
“Don't be.”
She smiled.
“I know you don't like losing.”
“You're right.”
I walked back into position.
This wasn't personal.
She was simply doing what I was doing.
Fighting for a place.
---
After practice, Sophie caught up with me.
“You played well today.”
“So did you.”
She smiled.
“You're not going to let me take your position easily, are you?”
I laughed.
“Not a chance.”
“I respect that.”
She walked away.
For some reason, I felt better.
Maybe Sophie wasn't my enemy either.
Maybe we were all just trying to prove ourselves.
I turned toward the field.
Ethan was still there.
He was talking to Coach.
I couldn't hear their conversation, but I noticed the way Ethan's expression changed.
Coach said something.
Ethan shook his head.
Then Coach walked away.
Ethan stood alone.
I approached him.
“What did Coach want?”
“Nothing important.”
“Was it about your injury?”
His eyes widened slightly.
“No.”
I knew he was lying.
But before I could press him, he asked,
“How did you feel about Sophie?”
“What do you mean?”
“She challenged you.”
I shrugged.
“She did well.”
“That's all?”
“What else should I say?”
He smiled.
“You're getting better at controlling your temper.”
I stared at him.
“Are you saying I have a temper?”
“Yes.”
I hit his arm lightly with my towel.
He laughed.
“Okay! I take it back.”
“You should.”
He was still smiling when he suddenly winced.
The smile disappeared.
I stopped.
“Ethan.”
He looked at me.
“I'm okay.”
I shook my head.
“You keep saying that.”
“Because I don't want you worrying.”
“Too late.”
He became quiet.
For a moment, I thought he might finally tell me everything.
Instead, he said,
“Lena, when the time comes, I'll tell you.”
“When what time comes?”
“When I know what happens next.”
I didn't understand.
But I could tell he wasn't going to explain.
So I nodded.
“Fine.”
He smiled faintly.
“Thank you.”
We walked toward the exit together.
For the first time, I realized something.
Ethan wasn't just trusting me with his secret.
He was asking me to trust him too.
And somehow, I was beginning to.
But there was one problem.
The closer I got to Ethan, the more difficult it became to remember that he was still my competition.
And with the championship getting closer every day...
I wasn't sure how long I could keep those two things separate.
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